After last week’s devastating (in a good way) episode “The Grove”, we are truly ready for anything. Will we get good “The Walking Dead”, or the bad version? Find out below, as I share five thoughts on this week’s episode, titled “Us”.
As per usual, do not read this review if you’ve not seen the episode yet. Details from the episode will be discussed.
1. Abraham, Eugene and Rosita
I have to say, this episode did a pretty fantastic job of giving us more to chew on with those three characters, as Abraham, Eugene and Rosita get a lot of screen time. And they make the most of it, as we learn a lot about each. Most notably, Rosita, who has barely had anything to say before this, actually has some fantastic moments, as she calls out the rest of her team for the treatment of Tara and Glenn for being an ass. She’s a bit of a badass, as someone who isn’t defined by Abraham or Eugene (as she was in the comic) but really someone who stands out on her own.
Meanwhile, Eugene’s pervy, video game obsessed with ways give some of the comedic highlights in the episode (alongside his hair), and Abraham’s utter badassery continues to be a shining light in every scene he’s in. I particularly loved it when Glenn said he was sorry for hitting Abraham, and he casually responded with, “I’m not. I like to fight.” That’s so Abraham!
2. The Reunion
Certainly the most notable moment in this episode for the average viewer was the moment where Glenn and Maggie were finally reunited, and it was handled very, very well. It was a great moment that found not only them getting reunited, but Glenn and Tara getting saved by Maggie (who had found Team Abraham) to further bond this new team supreme.
I really enjoyed everything about the way they handled that, but one underrated part of it to me is that Glenn – instead of saying to Maggie that Tara was part of the Governor’s crew – introduced Tara as someone he met on the road. It was a true act of kindness that was deserved after the dedication Tara had for Glenn. Of course, there’s a pretty good chance Michonne will recognize her, so time will tell how that works out for her.
3. Claimed
A big part of this episode is Daryl’s graduating from outsider to consigliere to Joe, the leader of the roughnecks whom Rick once tussled with. In the episode, we learn about the way their group rolls, the true definition of previous episode title “Claimed” and, most of all, we learn what they’re up to: they’re chasing Rick. Based off some perhaps deserved rage over him killing one of their members (which doesn’t seem a big deal to me given how commonly they kill each other), they’re tracking him to lay some hurt down, and I have to imagine that conflict will be a big driving point in next week’s finale.
Most interesting of all with this group, to me at least, is the relationship between Daryl and Joe. Joe, as played by Jeff Kober, feels like he has a certain amount of this new world figured out, and even though much of what this group does is repulsive, it has a level of new world logic to it. You can see he recognizes a kindred spirit, or maybe the opposite side of the same coin, in Daryl, and when he really gets to that realization, he delivers the line of the episode about Daryl: “Ain’t nothin’ sadder than an outdoor cat who thinks he’s an indoor cat.”
Who is Daryl? Is he the guy the crew loves and relies on? Or is he an outdoor cat pretending until he gets to a place where he can reveal himself? I think Joe and his team might find out the answer the hard way next week.
4. Terminus
At the end of the episode, Glenn, Maggie, Abraham and the rest make it to Terminus, and out of all the places our group has been so far, this looks like the best, for sure. Gardens a growin’, food on the grill, security and a warm face with the name Mary to greet them, Terminus looks like the real deal Holyfield.
Continued belowBut in this show, looks can – and almost always are – deceiving. I’m not sure what the future holds for the crew, but while I think they’re certainly happy for now, what the future holds for everyone is something that I don’t imagine is full of happiness. Terminus will burn, as all good things do in The Walking Dead.
5. All together now
One episode left, and I have to say, I’m really liking where we are. Out of 7 episodes, I would say I’ve had positive feelings about five of them, and this week’s episode was especially strong. It helped that it touched on everyone’s story but two groups, as continuing to move the chess pieces forward for multiple groups has been something the show has not done that well this season. This episode found them balancing the cast quite well, while finding time for dynamite character moments. Pair that all with solid performances and some quality zombie killing, and you’ve got a rock solid penultimate chapter to this season.
Next week could be crazy, but you may not get a review from me as I will be returning late from Emerald City ComiCon. We’ll see what the future holds though, for both Rick and his merry band and for my review.
