The Walking Dead Season 4 Retrospective: The Beginning of the Golden Era

[@KingSlayer_.]

It's a real missed opportunity that we never got any scenes of Judith hearing stories about Tyrese and Beth.

[@Clarewillows]

True 💔

[@Curiousphy]

The amount of times I’ve quoted “just look at the flowers” in my life since watching this. This season is definitely one of the ones to leave a strong impact.

[@testpilotian3188]

I hope you’re not confessing to something lol

[@randombrokeperson]

I always think of that line and I’m 96% sure most people don’t know what it’s from

[@SalviAlmighty]

I quote it all the time too hahaha Pretty sure that line was a reference to Of Mice and Men.

[@boymanchan417]

@@SalviAlmighty I think it is aswell

[@TheDIZZLER.]

Gayyyy

[@fredskull1618]

Such a great season. Rick transitioning from a sad farmer back to a more assertive leader reflects the season’s broader arc where characters must continually adapt to the chaotic world around them.

[@nikkydalby7126]

It’s bittersweet to see these older season retrospectives - I didn’t realize how much I miss Glenn & the rest of the OG group. Maggie just wasn’t the same after Glenn died & I’m not saying she shouldn’t be a vengeful widow, but that now her only personality trait :/

[@thisbeem2714]

I was always annoyed that Maggie seemed to kill Gregory because she couldn’t kill Neagan. I mean, I was glad to get rid of Gregory. He was merely annoying at that point. But that was the point when Maggie’s ruthlessness became obvious. And you’re right, her character became 2 dimensional.

[@DanteYewToob]

I love that Darryl and Bob scene because Norman plays it so well where you can see the absolute offense and and rage that this man just reached for his gun, over some booze but he also understands addiction. He understands that Bob isn’t thinking straight and he can’t bring himself to fully blame Bob.. he’s mad, but he’s also compassionate. It shows who Darryl is as a character deep down. He will absolutely fight and kill when necessary but he also has empathy and compassion and wouldn’t hurt or kill someone that he knows is suffering and just lashing out due to addiction. That’s just not who he is deep down and his growth and evolution into letting his better traits guide him is why we love him so much. Everyone has good and bad, but Darryl chooses to let the good side win. His brother let his bad side take over but we saw Merle did have some good deep down… it was just buried very deep down by years of letting his worst traits control him.

[@thisbeem2714]

Interesting, I hadn’t considered that. I thought Daryl just gave up on Bob at that point. Giving up on an addict is different from being empathetic. I like your interpretation.

[@jonathanfeldheim6554]

Too far gone was the beginning of the end of the show--Rick's speech is so epic, after that the show just kept repeating the same cycle over and over again...though the end of S4 and beginning of S5 were, in fact, bad ass

[@gamewriteeye769]

That honor goes to S7x01 The Day Will Come When You Won't Be, Negan's batting episode. That _was_ the beginning of the end of the show, but you're right that they kept recycling ideas like here are the new villains or threat, some characters walked back and forth in their arc and Daryl gets captured over 20 times xd But some things don't get old(Negan's lines always crack one up)!

[@jonathanfeldheim6554]

@@gamewriteeye769 Agreed Negan was the last fresh breath of air pumped into TWD...hopefully he can bring that fire to The Boys S4.

[@mcgaming609]

I actually just finished rewatching the season 4, 5 days ago😂😂😂😂. I loved the sickness arc because it felt like an opportunity to give Hershel the spotlight. I loved the conversation with Caleb (the other doctor that was sick) and Hershel because Caleb himself tells Hershel. End stage is a point you can’t come back from so focus on the ones that can make it. If you’re not ready to lose one then you’ll lose them all, it’ll go off like a light one after another after another and they don’t just die. Yet that’s exactly what happened one after another after another because as Hershel told Caleb he refused to give up on anyone and didn’t. By the end Hershel seems to have lost hope because he simply wasn’t ready to lose anyone regardless of the stage leaving him crying in the cell next to dead Caleb. I also loved that Hershel was such a mentor to Glenn as well to where Glenn told Tara he doesn’t know if Maggie survived but “Hershel said all I gotta do is Believe, so that’s what I’m gonna do.” and it eventually brought him back to Maggie. Hershel Refusing to give up caused most of the sick to die, while Glenn refusing to give up reunited him and Maggie.

[@charlessmith9753]

It’s the reality of a zombie apocalypse, no meds at all can mean death

[@AndrewFrancisIlyrian]

Same

[@Earboo]

Y.A.P. Model v6.9

[@mcgaming609]

@@Earboo fair enough 😂😂😂

[@Earboo]

@@mcgaming609 lol, I read the first half, but I couldn’t miss the opportunity 😭

[@BohoAstronaut]

I personally loved the Beth and Daryl storyline. She naturally had a sweet disposition so she was the polar opposite of Daryl. It felt genuine when she was able to bring out his emotional side.

[@connersmith1172]

bruh everyone not liking episode 12 cuz it’s just daryl & beth but that episode is literally one of my favorite episodes not just in season 4 lol i think it’s a perfect episode for them both & honestly they ended an episode where it’s only them to, i love the line beth says to daryl “You’re gonna be the Last Man Standing” Cuz looking at the show now & with daryl’s own spinoff show, he basically is the last man standing in a way. but yeah i think personally this episode is completely fine.

[@jaygee2068]

Beth was 17 at the farm so maybe 18 by the time they left the prison. It would have been weird for daryl and her to get together he's at least twice her age

[@zorro_35]

She was 16 at the farm

[@Gibbypastrami]

Daryl is much younger than Norman Reedus but yeah still weird

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Zombies

[@jeremy5602]

It’s a fictional tv show. It’s also the end of the world. Give the man a break. 🤣

[@themagnificentorange672]

​@@jeremy5602 😭

[@AzureRadio]

I 100% agree with the no excuses for a bug out kit/plan, ESPECIALLY for Daryl. But, the prison was the golden goose. It would NEVER fall/be lost. That was the final destination, there was no leaving. Granted, that was flawed logic, especially after what happened with Woodbury, but that's why they did have a plan. It simply wasn't needed. Rick did learn the lesson that NOWHERE was safe though, because immediately after at Terminus he made a big out kit and hid it in the woods, the whole "Red Machete" arc and all.

[@erudite81]

I rewatched season 4 a month ago for the first time and realized that it’s my favorite season. Especially the back half when they were on the road, its wonderful for all of the reasons you mentioned. I even thoroughly enjoyed the Daryl and Beth episodes on the rewatch, I totally dismissed them when they aired I thought they were boring. But in hindsight they really helped flesh out Beth and Daryl as characters.

[@maryannsavage3724]

And the lead up to Terminus.

[@thisbeem2714]

Heh, I skipped those episodes my second and third watch through. I thought they were kind of boring and then knowing Beth dies I felt like they were superfluous. I recently rewatched them and appreciated them more than I thought I would. I am still bored by the Beth at the hospital storyline though. 😂 I didn’t care much about Beth and didn’t miss her, but her interactions with Daryl made Daryl more interesting.

[@Leahs_Dad]

I forgot how much I had loved this show at the beginning

[@thasixsage]

“Cuz that’s surely what’s gonna happen… right?” 😭 what could’ve been

[@anestisvassou8112]

I love how Rick was reborn in this season

[@TimSedai]

Binged seasons 1-3 when amc did the marathon weekend prior to season 4's release. Didn't miss an episode after ..

[@MistahJay7]

Governor Episodes+Too Far Gone were always my favorite 3 episodes to just rewatch in one go all the time.

[@LJF_JR]

Same

[@firebird1080]

I vividly remember Rick saying “they f*cked with the wrong people” in the episode when it premiered. It was a bit shocking because it was on tv and uncensored. I’m not surprised if it was changed for reruns, but why change it for streaming?

[@thisbeem2714]

They didn’t air that version on TV. He said screwing on TV. They still use that version on Netflix. The “f*cking with the wrong people” was on the DVD:Blue Ray version. I wish Netflix would use that version. It isn’t like the F word is banned anymore.

[@AbsAli02]

The sound track in the episode “live bait” is one of the best in the series. The two episodes with the Governor are amazing and David Morrissey really shined in the role. This is my favourite season.

[@hazzawilliams2956]

Im tired of everyone shitting on the sickness arc. Its a great story and shows herschel losing his faith for a good cause and trying to keep his humanity while having to do awful things

[@mlgpro9685]

Seasons 3 and 4 were literally the two best seasons!! The prison arc was goated 🔥🔥

[@gudmundurhrafnkell]

💯💯

[@mikestrong904]

The quarantine plot line is way more trippy post covid and lowkey makes me like that part of the season more

[@NoWayBreow]

It's never too late for a season 4 retrospective

[@CL053DC45K37]

Season four is the one that hooked me too. I really liked seeing how the group come.back together and how they deal with losing the prison. It's such a great season.

[@Gamfluent]

Season 4 was so good but Season5 is truly the golden era and truly the peak of TWD the group are all feral and Rick is just pure test

[@Jc23812]

Season 5 is one of my least favorite seasons of the show.

[@AbrasiousProductions]

@@Jc23812 same here, it's so unbearably dull and I only liked ONE storyline from that Season... the cannibal one, everything else bored me.

[@hi1is]

Both seasons were lackluster. Season 2 was the best

[@hi1is]

@@AbrasiousProductionsexactly the same here. After they were finished with terminus the season went downhill

[@maryisazombie]

This is so interesting. I actually loved the group dynamics of season 1-3. so when they all split up, I felt like the show really dragged. It was interesting hearing your opposite take.

[@jakeharmon542]

One thing to mention with this season, on top of the music, is the songs used in the episodes. Oats in the Water (e. 5), Last Pale Light in the West (e. 6), and Blackbird's Song (e. 13) are all mainstays on my playlist, and they way they each fit into episode or character. While I like the songs in the later season (like Burning Down the House or Cult of Personality), they don't fit with the scenes, and the only other song in the rest of the series that works is Arsonist's Lullaby, both in the trailer and show (season 6)

[@franklantic]

To have this good of a run four seasons in you just knew then the show was only going to get bigger. Season 4 despite being introduced to several storylines did not seem messy and just haphazardly put together to me. The Carol-ution truly fully ignited here.

[@TheAireaidLord]

another really great detail when Rick says his final line of season 4. The shadow is placed over his eye in a circular formation to make it look like the Governor's eyepatch, foreshadowing Rick taking on some of the Governor's ruthless qualities.

[@thisbeem2714]

Ooh, I’m going to have to go rewatch that scene. I never noticed that.

[@brado6655]

“Daryl can’t remotely handle his alcohol” that moonshine had been sitting out there since the apocalypse started lmao it’s strong ass shit. But with that being said, Beth would’ve been comatose, she would’ve been gone

[@thisbeem2714]

😂 you’re not wrong.

[@Cam_DePasquali]

S4-6 is the peak of television, IMO

[@chrisgauthier3689]

The song when hershel is saving the sick ppl is one of the best songs of all the series!

[@NathanShepard]

Agreed. My favorite season of TWD. That finale Rick moment is the defining moment of Rick's life on this show. Also, how Morgan popped up at the end was a neat storyline tease.

[@madspartan4369]

These videos are how I’m keeping track of the month

[@thethriftytypewriter]

Same here

[@magiccookies420]

Crazy how I’m re-watching the show and just finished S4 last night. It’s like these videos are coming out perfectly timed

[@joesix2040]

Rick zombieing Joe was such a savage scene.

[@justinpatton6996]

@TheThriftytypewriter you know, the way you talked about the beginning of the season as a new beginning, reminded me S4 and S9 start a new show that S3 and S8 are ended the story up to that point. Love these retrospectives.

[@Zombiesrule93]

My all time favorite season of the series, definitely diverged a lot from the comic and was pretty cool with the storyline. Especially the back half having them separated, we got to see how well the group can survive when they aren’t together. Also Hershel’s you risk your life speech was probably one of the best walking dead memes, it seem like that whole year I would see a meme saying “you do_____ you risk your life”. It was also the season my friends and I started our Walking Dead viewing parties.

[@Holt344Gaming]

Season 4 is absolutely one of my favorites, it was also the season I watched weekly.

[@thisbeem2714]

I also loved season 4.

[@Giessepe]

Been loving this series. Hurts having to wait till next month but these have been worth it. Agreed the back half of season 4 probably are my favorite episodes. Just everyone being separated and doing what they can to get by but actually being experienced at that point was awesome so many cool scenes and I wish the show was more like that for longer. Such a good watch for the first time

[@tagus100]

Losing Hershel & the prison, the Claimers, Terminus, Beth's death, being on the road for months with little food & water are why S4 & are my favourites.

[@combobreaker_99]

I always felt the same way after the prison was destroyed. Why did the group not have a rendezvous point if this happened. They all seemed to lose hope and just accept that they all died. Even Daryl should’ve thought of that

[@thisbeem2714]

I thought it was a plot hole as well. They all knew to go back to the highway where they lost Sophia after the farm fell. They hadn’t even officially made that a meeting place. So why didn’t they have a set place for the prison?

[@connorhaasdyk6343]

This video series is so gas. Cant wait for seasons 5-6

[@allisonnicole.]

I love these TWD retrospectives! 👏🏻👏🏻 I wish you made them more than once a month!

[@Djbetterjusthavingfun]

Internment is one of my favorite, and IMO, one of the most underrated episodes

[@joshuanelson6795]

Season 4 is definitely among the best in the show's history. It's one of the few seasons where every episode feels meaningful and serves a purpose. And yes, I would say that "After" (4x9) and "Sing me a Song" (7x7) were the best Carl-centric episodes of the show. They make the decision to unceremoniously kill him off in Season 8 all the more baffling.

[@mitchellwalters804]

An often forgotten highlight of this season is Tyrese's hammer time with the Walkers

[@jjkilhij9531]

Yessir, into the golden era! I absolutely love s4-6, especially from 4x08 onwards 🙏🏾 Gimple gets a lot of hate, a lot of it justified lol, but it cannot be understated how good of a job he did with those seasons as showrunner. The big thing about him vs Glen Mazzara (s3 showrunner) is that you can clearly see that while he liked to diverge a bit and new material/characters (like the flu arc and the buildup to the Hunters with Terminus), he followed the comics a LOT more faithfully than the last guy did (hearing Mazzara essentially took out Axel, Merle, and Andrea at the last second, and even considered ending Carl during the prison attack in 3x10 still blows my mind to this day 😂). Granted…that eventually changed, but I respect it during this point in this show lol

[@CorsonDrax]

I loved 4-5 as well, I found S6 a bit overrated... but 9-10-11 is my favorite era.

[@percentale]

Thanks for this video. Finished Season 4 recently after rewatching the show a third (maybe fourth) time over.. Gaining new insight I never had before, plus this helps a bunch too

[@moonprincess_xoxo]

the grove episode is absolutely my fav. Also, I loved the beth and daryl episode. I think that made me like beth more and why i cried so much after what happened in the hospital.

[@ICapCenn]

Literally just finished . Awesome season

[@madisonlederer1545]

You're completely right that Season 4 is where people get sucked in, I had the same experience

[@StatBoiRichie]

The first half of season 3 (ep 1-8) is my favorite stint of this show to this day. But I’ve grown to appreciate season 4 a lot more over the years

[@ThorstenDerWeberknecht]

In my opinion the story line with the mystery who is feding the walker is also underrated

[@bobbertdbobbert]

Season 4 Finale is epic. Rick vs the Claimers…. beautiful set up to Badass Season 5 Rick

[@applejuicebri4443]

i know it's the end times, but the age gap between daryl and beth is too much for me to see a romantic relationship 😭 i think she's at least 18 by season 4 but still, seeing daryl protect beth as an older brother is so much better especially with like a 30 year age gap LOL

[@jvever4904]

The fact that its hard to pinpoint Beth's exact age and if she's legally an adult is just one of my problems with romantically pairing her with Daryl. Seeing him as her protector is just much easier to swallow and doesn't seem as predatory.

[@stormfischerr]

they state out loud that she’s 16 years old in season 2 when she’s introduced. she’d be 17 in season 3 and around 18 in season 4. still very very weird that she met daryl when she was 16, and turning 18 doesn’t automatically make you mentally mature.

[@neneenenejrkerre1828]

i always depicted daryl to like children not like a bad way but his scenes with judith, carl, and beth make me think that

[@milkbottle4u]

9:45 Idk how many people have seen The Wire, but it was always kind of mind-blowing seeing Lawrence Gilliard (Bob) and Chad Coleman (Tyrese) together throughout this season and S5. I can’t help but see D’Angelo and Cutty lol

[@no1caresaboutevan300]

Great video season 4 is one of my favourite seasons and the way you explained what you thought Daryl and Beth's relationship would go makes alot more sense then most of the Daryl and beth shippers, keep up the great work and longer videos are definitely welcome

[@lugeo]

The second half of Season 4 goes so fucking hard I want to shit myself

[@Father_Daniel]

I love the season breakdown! Season 4 is so great. Looking forward to 5 and 6 in the coming months!

[@mlmaven4965]

2nd half of season 4 was peak for me. So much mystery and suspense leading up to terminus, along with a much needed split between the cast allowing us to dive deeper into the characters. Also does anyone else remember that dumb theory regarding the final episode titled “A” referring to the group making it to the Alexandria Safe Zone? 🤣

[@pyr1412]

This will forever be my fav season. I loved the gov arc

[@johnbadman3340]

The pacing of the latter half of season 4 is one of those problems that only existed when we were still waiting for a new episode every week, but the frustration it caused negatively affected people's perception of season 4. When you can just binge the whole season it barely even registers.

[@jbkheshster1342]

Hey Thrifty i love your channel man im actually rewatching Season 4 right now and am on the 4th episode. When i finish s4 ill come back to watch this video i loved the s1 s2 s3 retrospectives keep up the good work ❤

[@ZeFluffyKnight]

Everyone always talks about the show getting great here, but honestly I think it peaked in season 1 and season 4 is usually when I check out of the show. Only ever go as far as season 2 on rewatches with season 3 on occasion.

[@fav76gaming]

Season 4 is my favorite season as well, for many of the same reasons that it's your favorite! 'Too Far Gone' and 'A' are two of my favorite episodes and Rick's throat bite is my favorite Rick moment! -J Grimes (cause I'm too lazy to switch to my other channel and comment)

[@JamesStewart-hk8fc]

keep these coming faster than a month at a time if possible, they’re awesome

[@ryansteele2677]

There's a rather dark theory that Lizzie was exposed to a group of proto-whisperers (possibly just through her past time of watching the walkers) and this is why she's confused about the walkers nature...

[@ryantruskowski2803]

This is my favorite season of the show! Episodes 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 14 and 16 are all 10/10s for me :)

[@imatwigz_5157]

10:57 Bro's face 😂

[@MaryChungus]

tbh the one thing that really made me love TWD was that they actually used film. it makes the show look SO good, its such a shame they ditched for the final seasons

[@JeRushaCorsette]

I agree!! It was so good!! I loved all the interaction between the characters

[@Indyawillis85]

Season 4 is my favorite season of TWD. There are so many great story lines and character developments.

[@christianmanka3884]

Easily my favorite season. I love the whole show. Every season is good to perfect for me. But this season is everything the walking dead could and should be.

[@Tattooed_Reflex]

Awsome video as always, I miss the early days of walking dead so much

[@Adog00]

Been waiting for this one 😂 keep it up man❤

[@schrubber98]

For a dude that didn’t pick up on the rick-michonne-foreshadowing you seem pretty sure about the vibes between Daryl and beth (I think you‘re totally wrong on the ladder lol)

[@mortem-tyrannis]

8:37 I don't think what Carol was doing was flawed at all, it just worked against her because that girl was a little nut job psychopath. Rick didn't want them to be training because of some misguided thought that they were safe.

[@thisbeem2714]

But he didn’t stop her when he found out. I expected him to at least tell the council.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

@thisbeem2714 yeah I assumed he would have but if I remember right things went sideways quickly, I might be wrong on that I haven't watched in a couple months.

[@thisbeem2714]

@@mortem-tyrannis he told Carl he wasn’t going to stop her. Maybe had things not gone sideways he would have reconsidered.

[@mortem-tyrannis]

@thisbeem2714 sounds about right

[@Darkstar-qb3dh]

Farmer Rick is one of my favourite Ricks, needed him at Alexandria

[@jacqiagalle6461]

Excellent content I really enjoyed it. Season 4 was one of my favorites ❤

[@micahromero2609]

The daryl and beth episode is my favorite episode out of the whole show

[@ArchieFH]

the most underrated youtube channel

[@MewXo]

Season 4 is literally my favorite

[@JMDcracked]

OH BABY THATS WHAT IVE BEEN WAITING FOR

[@Amber-se7qq]

I find sickness of this epidemic level to be terrifying, especially in these conditions, so I actually liked the flu plot line of S4 and Herschel is such a great character and I love seeing him shine and especially his speech about risking your life. I probably won't be rewatching the two Governor centric episodes as they weren't that interesting for me. The Grove I don't consider to be the darkest episode personally (I'm reminded of Scars in S9) but definitely upsetting to see Lizzie kill her sister and Carol having to put her down. I enjoyed how Carl was written this season and the scene he shared with Rick taking down the walkers like a pro was touching as Rick looked on in surprise. I wouldn't say Beth is cynical, just numb and guarded about death, knowing that it's her new normal. Not a fan of the idea of Daryl and Beth being a romantic couple and I don't really care if she is 18. That's a pretty big age gap and it grosses me out. I also think this is an example of why people claimed that they didn't see Rick and Michonne happening. Viewers seem to rely too heavily on overt displays and tropes of love/affection to signal romantic interest. Daryl was carrying Beth because she hurt her ankle but people read that as something else. That also goes for Beth hugging Daryl from behind. It was a comforting hug that he needed but I never read anything deeper than that. Michonne, on the other hand, bringing Rick and Carl gifts is notable because she didn't bring gifts for anyone else, which already showed she had grown the closest to them when she went with them in Clear. Also Michonne bringing Rick a trimmer is a HIGHLY personal gift to give, even by everyday standards. That means she was also closely observing his face lol.

[@hanzok2230]

Started watching you recently, you're on point. Great videos!

[@carolbetarello]

I stopped watching years ago after season 5, because I didn’t pay the stream it was and was too lazy to download it from the Internet. But I’ve been wanting to get back to it for a few months now. I forgot about most of season 5, so I was rewatching it, but I also didn’t remember season 4 exactly, and now after seeing a couple of recaps, I might watch the show from the beginning. 😅😂

[@regent2125]

This season was so good I loved every episode

[@OffTheTopPodcast21021]

S4E8-S5E3 is my favorite run of the show

[@kadoharp]

Season 3,4, and most of 5 are my favorite parts of TWD. I love 1 and 2 but the prison, terminus, and the start of Alexandria are peak for me

[@AbrasiousProductions]

I always tear up seeing Herschel's death.. he didn't deserve to go out like that💔

[@salamp4909]

This season is when i started watching twd. It’s so crazy it’s been a decade

[@ZavidWebster]

Season 4 Characters: Rick Glenn Carl Daryl Carol Hershel Maggie Beth Michonne Governer/Phillip/Brian Martinez Karen Shumpert Tyreese Sasha Judith Bob Zach Patrick Lizzie Mika Molly Luke Sam Ana Tara Lilly Meghan Peter Mitch Alisha Joe Garreth Abraham Rosita Eugene

[@NillrogWoW]

Really love the longer videoes!

[@pyroAdapt]

I honestly have never agreed with people about the Daryl and Beth episode. It was fantastic especially for daryls character development and understanding who he is and why he acts the way he does and really gives alot of insight into how he feels about his new family as well and irs all brilliantyl acted. I think we were just too spoiled and didn't know how good we had it because compared to the level of awful filler shit we got later? The Daryl and Beth episode looks pretty good...

[@peterpetrelli2529]

The only reason that it would be cool to make Philip make PEACE with Rick's group is the posibility of spending the part 2 with Terminus more. Instead of stand Alone episodes with 2 characters they can show us more of them and first they look just like the basic bad guys of the season or nice guys but then everything changes in the finale episode when Gareth drugs everybody and destroys the prison before taking everybody to the Terrminus. Then in season 5 they still can do the sake things but Hershel and Philip can be killed there like the victims of this fight to show how dangerous they are. They can still meet Abe's group and everybody alse even with this change.

[@saulgoodman3248]

Been looking forward to this awesome work man.

[@au-ingaming9354]

S4 E13 "Still" is the most underated episode in the series

[@pepeelghetto1231]

Seasons 4-6 were probably the best most consistent era (? BUT season 2 is THE best season. :p

[@sadboisam513]

Dude I love your videos! You make me wanna rewatch the series with a new set of eyes. Will you ever tackle the tell tale games? because I’d like to get your perspective on them

[@thethriftytypewriter]

I’m gonna try to live stream them soon! I’ve never played them before