I tip my hat to you, Telltale ( HUGE SPOILERS)
The following is just my opinion on the whole episode. Even though I know there is a lot of hate out there, I would like to remind the community and Telltalegames that there are people out there that made this episode already one of our favorites.
Here is a list of why I think this episode is well written, amazingly animated and just awesomely put together:
1. Omid's death.
Sure, it stings. When Omid (and Christa) arrived in Episode 4, I was sceptical. I liked him better than Christa, but the lack of conversation we had between him and Lee, and the fact he made one creepy remark about little children being in a group kinda rubbed me wrong. ( Kinda the same way people start hating on Luke now.. ) Omid's death was quick and tragic, but as many have said before, died protecting the ones he cared about, and has been given a better, more meaningful death than other characters in this series ( Looking over at Doug/Carley (I liked their death too, which made me all sad, for sure as it was also tragic and a shocker)). Taking away Omid that soon just made me fall into that endless whirlwind of sadness and disbelieve I became in love with playing through the first season, and made me instantly know that Telltale wasn't going to be easy on our butts.
2. The time skip
YEAH YEAH, We all know by now everyone HATES a 16 month time skip, but honestly? I think it was put to good use. Take away the well known area around Atlanta/Savannah, put us in some woods with no knowledge, other than speculation, about whatever happend to Omid Jr. I personally had no single issue with it, as it made me feel all the worse about all we had experienced before. I think picking a 16 month gap was well placed and way better than a silly compilation or even a whole freaking season on how the two would end up together further north. Honestly, the lack of background to Mark in season 1 episode 2 gave me a harder time, since he seemed alright to me.
3. Sam, the dog.
Okay, here is where I am probably going to have some people hate on me. Even though Sam was pretty cool at the start, I was already bummed out starting to realise that there would be a canine companion with us during our travels. Not that I hate dogs, but having to take care of one in the world of the walking dead would have felt to me like a giant chore, especially being a tiny little girl like Clementine is. After I played some frisbee with it, I started to like the dog (Not knowing his name was Sam, as my initial thought was ' OHH A DOGGIE, LETS PET IT!!1!') but after killing his, I assume, former owner, for a second time, I was sure that I could live with him by my side, as he wasn't as dumb as I thought he would have been. Sam didn't just run head-first into zombies, slicing them apart with his teeth trying to protect the little girl - I THOUGHT - he would have liked a bit by now. I didn't hesitate to give him any food, and immediatly chose the option to do so. And my God, was I happy to see him get that aggro. The game showed me that THE SECOND I let my guard down, stuff was going to explode in my face, and that fight was something I would never have expected after all that Sam and I did. Sure, his death ( and yes, I killed him ) was super, SUPER depressing, and having to watch him struggle like that was incredibly sad, but it made the rest of the episode feel so much more well written to me.
4. The new group
I certainly hope this group will hold up and become the main focus of the season.
Luke, the guy who carries you, didn't strike me as odd in any way playing through it the first time ( or any other time for that matter. ) Atleast not HALF as creepy as the Saint-Johns were meeting them the first time. I honestly believe that he is a good guy, and I hope he stays around for a good long while.
Nick seems alright. Sure, he screws up, but if I learned anything from Ben in season 1, it's not to judge the book by it's cover. Surely, Nick can't screw up THAT much more than Ben, right? Ben was... 'loveable' in his own... special way..(?)
Uncle Pete is okay in my eyes as well. He kinda reminds me of a white Lee. (Short hair, stubble, the fact he probably got bitten and the tease in the 'Next time'-sequence of him PROBABLY going to walk around with 1 less limb. Plus having a latino looking Kenny in the new group already, it would only make me feel more at home. )
Alvin, the old black fattie with glasses make me feel uneased with his presence, but after having to talk to him outside and convincing him to grab me some bandages, I only feel more drawn to him.
REBECCA >:I
His b*tchy wife, however, I don't like. But more as in the Larry kinda way. Sure, she seems bad, but after learning Larry was just out to protect his family, I could only feel sorry for him, so I am glad they added a new person in the series that I could feel hatred to, as I will then have a reason to do anything to proof to her that I am a loveable little girl that will do whatever to protect and survive with others. So YEAH, take that, Rebecca hating community!
Carlos, the 'Doctor' is more of a blank to me. He forgave me for stealing supplies, and I respect the way he tries to protect his little girl, so I guess he's alright. I can only be mad at him for sucking at his knowledge about bites, but then again, wouldn't we all be a bit thrown off by the fact a random girl with a bite comes up to you when there's no signs of dogs around for miles? Sure, I would have took care of the wound, but I understand his reasoning.
Sarah, the other girl is cool. Can't wait to have more time with her. That pinkie swear made all the horrible dog-killing, Omid dying and almost drowning slightly more bareable.
5. The choice.
I played the game like.. 4 times now, since I can't handle to wait for the next episode to come out, so I think I got close to picking almost any option so far. The first time I picked Nick, but then out of curiousity I picked Pete to be saved, which made me feel waaay more at ease. So naturally I had to edit my original choice to go with Pete. Well written choice, which I hope wouldn't make TOO much difference in the long run..
SO THAT'S IT.
I loved it. 10/10
I can't bare to watch the community keep hating on the writing when I know the vast majority will love this piece of art.
Please leave your thought and/or hatred for my opinion down below, and I will be open for any reasons you guy think otherwise. JUST WANTED TO SHOW TELLTALE THEY DID A GOOD JOB 
*Ps.
The 'cereal' looked more like noodles to me, which would basicly explain why there wouldn't be any milk used ( I didn't see any sign of it actually being cereal anyways). AND YES, YOU CAN EAT NOODLES WITH A SPOON!
*
Comments
Couldn't stop laughing when i saw her eat "cereal" i immediately thought of gamer poop. THIS GUY MADE US SOME LUCKY CHARMS.
Didnt like the dog turning mean but it was a shocker to me!!! Plus the fact you have to sneak out kinda makes me feel I have no real choice to gain trust otherwise. Loved the way how Clementine can play with other peoples mind, that black couple both hate her in my game allready lol.
Might have to replay to get Pete, I thought well hes a gooner going with Nick...
Both endings are pretty unsure to me. I think either way you go, you might still get to see more of either one of them. Nick kinda looks to me as a reason why the 'other group' led by Carver would contact our group. Maybe they found him? And if Pete is dead, maybe they found his body, right? WHO KNOWS?! TAM TAM TAAAAMMMMMMmmm......!!