'After' was a bold and confident debut for The Walking Dead in 2014 but splitting up the survivors was still a risk - not least because the new format threw up the possibility that we'd be subjected to filler episodes entirely focused on also-ran characters.

But while 'Inmates' is perhaps not as immediately arresting as its predecessor, it's far from a disappointment either with Matthew Negrete and Channing Powell's script seizing on the opportunity to reposition a few of the show's key players and shift them into new scenarios which bring out their best qualities.

Take Steven Yeun's Glenn as a prime example. Once vivid, smart and sympathetic - one of the show's best characters - his recent romance with Maggie had seen him transformed into a loved-up bore.

Here he's separated from his lady love and forced to fight for his survival, rediscovering a little of his former spark in the process. The moment in which Glenn reacts to news of Hershel's death with stunned, silent grief is nicely underplayed by Yeun too.


Maggie, meanwhile, has also been left barely functional by the loss of both her father and her husband, giving Lauren Cohan the opportunity to deliver the episode's standout performance as her character struggles to contain all her rage and pain.

Chad L Coleman's Tyreese is another who benefits hugely from a new set of circumstances. Through no fault of Coleman's own, the character grew somewhat tiresome in the early part of this season, lumbered with a permanent scowl and a tendency to lash out at undeserving victims.

'Inmates' sees Tyreese forced to put his own pain behind him to care for the prison's youthful contingent - Lizzie and Mika - and he's immediately far more sympathetic as a result.

Giving Tyreese's story strand a second shot in the arm is the return of Carol. Last seen being cast out of the prison by Rick, it was pretty much a dead cert that she'd be back at some stage, but it's still a delight to see Melissa McBride's wilful warrior back on our screens.

Of all the show's characters, Carol has perhaps gone through the biggest transformation since day one and it'll be intriguing to see where she's heading next - especially with the secret of her past sins still looming over her.