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]]>The dilemma of how to mete out justice in a post-apocalyptic society is a juicy one (see the 1975 Survivors episode “Law And Order” for another brutal example). Rick wants to kill Pete because he’s a danger to the community, while Deanna is willing to turn a blind eye to domestic abuse because the Safe Zone needs a surgeon. Both of them are convinced that they’re in the right and neither of them are.
It’s certainly easy to sympathise with Rick’s statement that exiling Pete would only lead to reprisals (especially with the alarming happenings beyond the wall), but his brutal attitude to law enforcement is only a few steps away from another Ricktatorship. There’s also the little matter of his feelings for Jessie. This isn’t justice – it’s too steeped in his own desires for that.
Likewise, simply ignoring the problem is not the answer and it reveals a weakness in Deanna’s leadership. There are no easy answers at the end of the episode, though I hope the show finds an interesting way to deal with Pete, rather than simply having him killed by a zombie.
But what to do about Rick? After his maniacal, blood-soaked breakdown at the end (nice one, Michonne), he surely faces exile himself. Perhaps a conveniently timed attack by the Wolves (or whoever they are) will prove that the new world does need Grimes after all. Though for what, I’m not quite sure – all the fight really proved is that he’s terrible at controlling his anger issues.
Elsewhere, that was a great scene between Glenn and cowardly Nicholas. For one of the original survivors (and a fan favourite from the comic), Glenn doesn’t often get strong material like this. Admittedly, you can’t help but think that it might backfire on him next week, but for now let’s just enjoy him dropping a few truth bombs.
Some respite from all of the nastiness came with Carl and Enid’s moment in the tree. It looks like they’re going to kiss, but don’t, because of teen awkwardness. Surrounded by flesh-eating walkers, Carl is far more afraid of doing the wrong thing with the girl that he likes. A lovely, human moment.
Next week: the season finale. Yes, already. But at least it’s a feature-length offering. After an inauspicious start, this has turned into a terrific back half to this year’s run. The finale’s titled “Conquer”, and there’s a butt-load of sinister connotations to that word…
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W Is For
Darryl and Aaron’s trip beyond the walls of the Safe Zone revealed more mutilated walkers, and a dead woman tied to a tree. It’s pretty much a shoe-in at this point that whoever is doing all this is going to show up in either the final half hour of the season, or the first episode of the next run…
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Hey You, What’s That Sound?
“Try” featured one of The Walking Dead’s best ever pre-titles sequences – a montage of the characters set to Nine Inch Nails’ “Somewhat Damaged”, courtesy of Aiden’s “RUN MIX” CDR. I’m no NIN fan, but this was a superb juxtaposition, the angry industrial clatter reflecting the building rage in many of the characters.
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Walking Dead Bingo
Next week is the feature-length season finale. That usually means at least one character being carried out feet first. We’ve lost quite a few regulars recently, but there’s always room for more on this show. My money is on Sasha, Pete and Nicholas buying the farm, but creepy Gabriel surviving and being shamed by his actions. There’s also the outside chance that Nicholas might shoot Glenn, but they wouldn’t do that… would they?
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Best Line
<strong>Rosita, to Michonne:</strong> “You didn’t bring your sword with you. That’s not nothing.”
The Walking Dead airs on AMC in the US on Sundays and Fox in the UK on Mondays.
For more on top sci-fi TV shows like The Walking Dead, subscribe to SFX (opens in new tab)
Angela Kang
Michael E. Satrazemis
Pete and Rick come to blows, Sasha breaks down and Daryl and Aaron find something disturbing in the woods.
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]]>The sense of catharsis, of having weathered a (literal) storm at the end of last week’s instalment, continues into this one. It’s far from a comedy episode, but there’s a lightness of touch and some genuinely snappy, funny dialogue.
It cuts straight to the chase. The group have captured Aaron and interrogate him about his plans. The interesting thing here is how the tension comes not from the new guy, but from Rick. His paranoia is understandable, but all consuming. He’s ready to give up the chance of a new life for his friends and family because he doesn’t want to risk being disappointed again.
That Michonne is the voice of reason here is a brilliant development (and, side note, the filthy look she gives Glenn when he comes on all soldier boy is hysterical). She’s rational and intuitive and makes much better choices than Rick. I know who I’d be listening to in this situation.
That said, Aaron doesn’t really help himself. Ross Marquand does a fine job of selling the character’s trustworthiness, but the apple sauce scene is ludicrous. Judith is hungry and crying. Aaron suggests that Rick feeds her some of the said comestible, but then refuses to taste it himself (thus proving that it’s not poisoned). Why? Er, because he doesn’t like the taste. Seriously, when dealing with someone as trigger-happy as Rick, that’s a really dumb decision. It feels like an artificial attempt to add tension to a scene that was already plenty dramatic.
With the decision to visit Aaron’s base made, the gang hit the road again – cue a terrific set piece as they drive through a swarm of zombies. The show gets to flex its rarely-used horror muscles here. It’s a safe assumption that everyone is going to make it out OK, as they’ve just offed two regulars, but Larysa Kondracki’s direction makes for a genuinely tense, scary scene.
Thankfully, everyone did make it through OK and we met Eric – Aaron’s partner in both love and hunting new recruits. It’s a touching reunion and the moment that we know for sure that Aaron is on the up and up. As Rick sits, waiting and listening, he hears the sound of happy children. They’ve found a peaceful community where he can start a new life with his family. We know it won’t last – everything eventually crumbles to shit in this show – but for now, life is good.
That’s good. It feels like the show has been on the road for a very long time now, so a new regular location brings with it the promise of new types of story. What sort of people are already living there? How will Killer Rick cope in a peaceful environment (if that’s what it turns out to be)? Will he finally tame that beast of a beard? I guess we’ll find out next week in what looks like The Adventures Of Rick Grimes In Stepford…
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Hot Shots Part Trois?
As soon as that flare gun appeared, you just knew it would be put to inventive zombie-killing use…
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“You Lost The Plates?”
Aaron collecting licence plates for each of the states is a lovely detail. Completely pointless in regards to the rest of the show, but very believable.
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Twice Bitten…
Even at the end, Rick still can’t quite trust Aaron – the detail of him hiding a gun outside of the base is a smart touch. I wonder when we’ll next see that?
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Best Line
<strong>Michonne:</strong> “So we’re clear, that look wasn’t a ‘let’s attack that man look’ it was a ‘he seems like an OK guy to me’ look.”
The Walking Dead airs on AMC in the US on Sundays and Fox in the UK on Mondays.
For more on top sci-fi TV shows like The Walking Dead, subscribe to SFX (opens in new tab)
Seth Hoffman
Larysa Kondracki
We get to know Aaron and Rick acts like a massive arse.
The post The Walking Dead S5.11 “The Distance” review appeared first on Game News.
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