 " TS @-@ 19 " garnered favorable reviews from most television critics . In his 8 @.@ 5 out of 10 rating review , Eric Goldman of IGN wrote that the episode was an exceptional showing for the series , adding that it told " a compelling , intense story within its hour " albeit averting from the comics . As Michelle Kung of The Wall Street Journal wrote , " The first season of The Walking Dead doesn ’ t exactly end on an optimistic note , but our heroes are left driving into the unknown after escaping certain death at the CDC . " Kurt Christenson of New York Daily News analyzed that " almost and everyone 's still kind of in the dark " , and Kelly stated that " TS @-@ 19 " came to an " abrupt , explosive end " . Salon journalist Simon Abrams concluded that the frenetic pace of The Walking Dead was relatable , while Paste television commentator Josh Jackson was keen of the character development in the episode as well as the varying political themes covered ; " After six episodes , the characters are worth caring about . Despite occasional stilted monologues , quick tempers and unfortunate stereotypes , the few living souls in The Walking Dead are a bigger draw than the undead . The show has spent more time on topics like marriage , parenthood , unfaithfulness , loss , domestic violence , gender roles , small @-@ scale politics , loyalty , kindness than it has with kill shots . By filling the world with zombies , Frank Darabont is able to explore the human condition under extreme circumstances . " Entertainment Weekly writer Dan Snierson was entertained by " TS @-@ 19 " , and asserted that the conclusion " resonated over images of Rick & Co . U @-@ turning into the great unknown , we got the sense that as long as they were alive , at least there was a chance of a tomorrow . " Writing for the same publication , Jeff Jensen was intrigued at how producers approached the themes of the comics , and later noted that it was proof that they were using the comics as a route for thematic inspiration in lieu of a literal interpretation . For Los Angeles Times ' Gina McIntyre , " Tonight 's finale [ ... ] did yield much insight , though , into the nature of the plague itself , in relative terms anyway . " 
