For the first time that I can remember, “The Walking Dead” has had two straight episodes that I’ve loved. That’s right, I gave glowing marks to both “After” and “Inmates“, defying the odds and expectations. Does the show continue to build on that start, especially with three new exciting cast members, or does it start staggering like the undead show it once was?
You can find out below, and as per usual, if you haven’t watched the episode yet, I highly suggest not reading.
1. “You were smiling. You smiled.”
FUCK YEAHHHHHH ABRAHAM. Just off the cold open, I can already tell I am going to love Michael Cudlitz as Abraham. I already knew I would because I’m a fan of the actor and the character, but that cold open with Alanna and him dealing with some walkers was a pretty pitch perfect introduction to the character.
Yeah, sure, he was smiling, but if you’re in the zombie apocalypse, why not enjoy some aspects?
In one scene, he did a hell of a job of showing what he’ll bring to the show, and what I think he’ll bring for me is a few more smiles than I am used to.
2. Rooms for Facts
In this half of season four, the show has done a better job with Carl and Michonne than anyone, and in this episode they used an excellent little tool of story mechanics to both introduce Michonne more and to get Carl to get a little less moody. While they were off searching for supplies, Michonne answered one question of Carl’s for every room they cleared, and in the process we learned about her son and her past.
The fact that Carl (in his mind) lost Judith and Michonne lost Andre (her son) fused the two together more, giving Rick what he wanted – a best friend for Carl – and Michonne something she needed in the process. Given that we are four seasons into the show, you’d think we’d have developed relationships and characters more than we have, but it simply isn’t the case. With the show doing things like this, we’re finally moving in that direction, and is very welcome at least from this viewer.
One note: how could Michonne not grab that copy of Super Dinosaur for Carl? She knows he loves comics!
3. Tension House
As I said, Carl and Michonne went off for a supply run, and while they did that Rick hung out and did what he could to recover. This included taking a nap, and as we saw in this half season’s premiere, Rick – in his grossly injured state – is REALLY out when he takes a nap. So much so that he missed a pack of rather unfriendly bandits come into the house he was staying, and he very nearly got himself caught multiple times.
It did give the episode some really serious narrative tension in the mix, as Rick having to deal with them was a mixture of straight up hiding and pure violence. These guys were nothing to mess with, as multiple of them died in the house just while Rick was listening in, and by the time he runs into one of them, he has no choice but to take him out.
Walkers are an omnipresent aspect of the show, but the real danger comes from the people who have yet to turn. I really loved how they made this group a rather faceless group of badasses, focusing on aspects like a repetitive bouncing ball and sheer macho posturing over forcing any real semblance of personality or reason onto them. It really made the episode flow better and more powerful, and I think it was a very smart decision.
But for real: how do these bandits not hear Rick moving around? Sure, they are loud, but Rick wasn’t exactly being careful with his movements. That was the only negative part about that section for me. Maybe a bit too much suspension of disbelief, even if Rick is part ninja.
4. Moron contest: Glenn versus Eugene
It’s not just Alanna and Abraham hanging out, as Rosita, Eugene and a newly not unconscious Glenn are along for the ride on the badass army-mobile.
Continued belowGlenn, quickly realizing that he’s moved past his target of the bus that left the prison, freaks out a bit and ultimately draws Abraham’s ire by wanting to leave his team and find Maggie (who Abraham reasons is likely dead) instead of coming along with them on their mission. Glenn could have tried explaining more, but instead he straight up decks Abraham, causing quite the knockdown brawl between the two of them, and ultimately leading to Eugene trying to protect himself from a pack of walkers with a rifle and mostly just taking out their aforementioned army-mobile.
Now, while I understand why both of them did what they did, Glenn and Eugene – two guys who are either known to be smart or said to be smart (respectively) – acting a fool in such a way really felt like forced actions for the sole purpose of triggering plot. They needed to continue on foot, and they needed to continue together. This is the way they decided to do it, and while you can see why they would do those things, it still felt unnecessarily stupid by two rather bright characters.
5. It will all be okay, okay?
By the end of the (mostly) excellent episode, we’re given two theoretical points that could act as a lifeline for the remaining cast members.
One: Rick, Michonne and Carl come across the same sign that Tyreese and Carol’s team did last episode, which was sending them to a community that had been set up that just might be good for them (hint: it probably isn’t). That means we should have a family Grimes reunion soon, but it could also mean after the show had the characters on the move for the start of the season, we could be getting back into a community soon. For me? I’m hoping that ends up not happening, as the show is one that works better when the characters are on the move rather than staying in one place. The latter means forced drama, and that never works for anyone. I for one am crossing my fingers that this community is a bit of a disaster and only acts as a place for the teams to unite.
Two: Eugene’s magical solution to the apocalypse. Anyone who has read the comic likely knows the reality behind this, but could the show audible and make him actually capable of a solution? That would be a hell of a surprising turn, but the show perpetually deviates from the path of the comic, so who knows. All I know is eventually – probably not this season, but next – the whole squad will likely head for DC.
I don’t think either solution is more than a mirage for the group, but hope is never a bad thing, even for us viewers spend our Sunday nights watching a show about the apocalypse.
