This is a review is for The Walking Dead season 5, episode 1. WARNING SPOILERS AHEAD.

“No Sanctuary” provides some closure to the Terminus chapter, but acts more as an epilogue to season four and a quick one if that. Season four built up this arc and the season finale “A” ended with Rick’s call to arms, so one would think the battle would be fought over two episodes, but things wrap up a bit too nicely by the end of the episode. Almost as quickly as Terminus is burned to the ground.

Although Terminus may be gone, it won’t be forgotten. The bookends to this episode suggests the people of Terminus were victims of circumstance. They’re even held prisoner in the same train car as Rick and Co. And seeing how Andrew J. West’s Gareth only took a bullet to the shoulder, we can expect to see him and presumably a few Termites again. Again the way the episode ends with a worst enemy on the horizon. Could these “cannibals” return as allies? Assuming Rick is willing to forgive them and vice versa.

Another interesting storytelling technique used in tonight’s episode is one Marvel has perfected. The post credit sequence. Morgan shows up to the sign Rick has recently defaced, which now reads no sanctuary, and follows some marked trees away from the tracks. The episode is packed with characters reuniting on a positive note so bringing back this fan favorite character is a nice touch… at least we can hope. It also looks like he’s moved past his son death, especially when compared to the character in season three episode twelve “Clear”. Whatever the significance of this scene may be has yet to be explored, but you may want to start hunkering down until after the credits.

As expected, Carol came in like a one woman army, kicking ass and taking names. Even Rick seemed as thankful as the audience to see her. The two of them hugging was such a payoff, ever since he sent her away back in season four episode four “Indifference”.

Really the only complaint I have is how quickly everything resolves. Believe me I’m all for action, so much so I don’t own season three of TWD since very little transpired during the will they won’t they go to war storyline, but I digress. I’m just thinking it might have been beneficial to have back to back episodes for the premiere similarly to the way season two started. Besides who doesn’t want more Walking Dead. Anyways aside from the pilot, this is honestly the best season premiere yet. It did a great job tying up loose ends while moving the survivor’s to their next challenge.

That’s just my opinion of course, but what did you all think of tonight’s episode? Tell us in the comments below.

The Walking Dead returns next week with episode two Strangers on AMC.

The writer of this piece was:

Laurence Almalvez
Laurence has previously written over at Whatculture.com.
Laurence tweets from @IL1511