More like, never forget! Last night’s episode of The Walking Dead was yet another reminder of what the show is really about: the people. And, what it lacked in violence and walkers, it more than made up for in quality story telling. But that’s just the tip of the Alexandria iceberg on The Walking Dead: Forget. Spoiler alert!
All is Not Well and Perhaps Never May Be Again
As Rick and “our gang” become more and more acquainted with Alexandria—accepting jobs and getting to know the locals—many of them can’t help but struggle with the reconciliation of what they have been through and what they are experiencing now. Who wouldn’t blame them? They have indeed been through a lot. The question is: have their experiences ruined them to the point that they can no longer embrace the possibility of something more stable and perhaps even a happy existence? Take Sasha for example.
One of the biggest reminders that all is not well occurred when Sasha had an outburst at Deanna’s party. Sure, she was wrong to verbally attack someone who was being kind to her, but after losing her boyfriend Bob and her brother Tyreese—all within a short period of time, mind you—it is no wonder that she flipped out over the fact that someone suggested being worried over making her the wrong meal. Sasha’s walls are up, she is incredibly guarded and I think it is yet another testament to the great writing on the show that they are delving into her process of coping, or lack thereof while still trying to survive.
Speaking of doing whatever it takes to survive; Carol had an interesting interaction with Jessie’s kid, Sam, when he caught her taking guns from the supply room. Just when you think that the past is behind “our group,” there is always a subtle—or in this case, not so subtle—reminder that all is not well. At the end of the day, Carol and the rest of the gang are all about family and self-preservation, even if that means scaring the wits out of a kid who still sees the world in black and white.
Daryl Accepts Alexandria
In a surprising twist of events, Daryl—the one member of “our group” who would have been voted most likely to resist Alexandria and all that it stands for—seemingly accepts their new home. But what do you expect? After all, Deanna probably realized that in order for the group to really embrace Alexandria, she would have to convince Rick, the leader, as well as Daryl and Michonne, the de facto second and third in command with respect to influence. Deanna is smart and very strategic minded. However, as we learned this week Rick and Carol aren’t fully vested in Alexandria, and based on everything that has happened to them I wouldn’t blame them for being cautious…even if their cautiousness appears to be more damaged than anything else.
Rick Becomes Shane
They say that those who forget their past are bound to repeat it. Well, apparently Rick has a short memory when it comes to Shane and Lori. What was Rick thinking when he kissed Jessie? Sure, it was just a kiss on the cheek, but still. And, as if that wasn’t weird enough, by the end of the episode Rick was displaying some seemingly jealous behavior when he started to reach for his gun while watching Jessie walk with her husband down the street. While on the one hand it was nice to see Rick smile again, I get the feeling that Rick might take things a little too far, which could be bad, unless of course Jessie wants him to.
The Walking Dead airs Sunday nights on AMC at 9:00pm EST.