The Walking Dead
Episode Title: “Them”
Channel: AMC
Director: Julius
Ramsay
Writers: Heather
Bellson
Genre: Drama,
Horror, Thriller
Runtime: 44
min
Rated: TV-MA
Original Air Date: February 15,
2015
After last week's experiment with artsy
The Walking Dead episodes
“Them” gets things back to the more typical style. I for one am
happy to get back to a familiar format. The only issue here is that
it might be a little too familiar. “Them” is perfect ammunition
for those that contend that more often than not nothing happens on
the show. The group is starving and out of water and they spend the
majority of the episode walking down the same stretch of road. The
issue I have with that type of mindset is that I saw a lot going on,
even if for the most part nothing was happening.
After
the losses experienced by the group over the last two episodes there
was a dire need to see how certain characters were handling their
grief. Beth's demise has caused Maggie to lose all hope in their
situation. Why continue when there's only an inevitable, messy death
waiting for you? She does take a moment to explain her lack of
emotion following Beth's disappearance, though it seemed a little
flimsy. Darryl is mourning Beth in his own way; retreating into
himself and becoming more of a loner than he has been lately. After
some encouragement from Carol he finally finds a way let himself feel
his emotions. I think of all the relationships on the show, romantic
or otherwise, I enjoy the interactions between those two the most.
Sasha on the other hand is deep into the anger phase of her coping
process. She has become reckless and angry at everyone, even the
others in the group.
Times
were so desperate that at one point when they finally get some food,
it comes at the expense of a pack of wild dogs. I was a little
shocked that the writers took it that far, but I'm glad to see that
they did. It really drove home what a bad situation they were in.
During their trek a note and gallons of water are left for them in
the road. Having learned several hard lessons regarding the
'kindness' of strangers they are, of course, too wary to accept the
help. Moments later a storm pops up and after the initial elation at
finally having water it is soon apparent that they need to seek
shelter. Luckily Darryl had found a barn in his wanderings and they
camp there.
In the
barn we see a reversal of position from Glenn, in an attempt to snap
Maggie out of her funk. At this point it's hard to know which way
Glenn actually thinks. Is he the cynical “it doesn't matter” guy
that had surfaced recently, or was that only his own way of dealing
with the losses they had experienced. Michonne is still stuck on
finding somewhere to settle down, contending that they need
civilization in their life for it to have meaning. Rick's speech to
the group was just what they needed and he seemed to have everyone
back on the same page. Shortly afterward, Darryl goes to watch the
barn door and sees a herd of walkers outside. One by one the group
comes together to hold the doors and keep the walkers at bay, showing
the audience they're all finding a reason to keep on keeping on,
until a tornado sweeps by the front of the barn. Thus ending the
threat that the walkers posed. It was a bit unrealistic for the
twister to come within feet of the barn without damaging it, but it
was just the thing the group needed to left their spirits, so I guess
I'll let it slide.
At the
end of the episode Sasha and Maggie go outside to watch the sunrise,
while at the same time coming to grips with their loses. To conclude
the episode they are approached by a man named Aaron. Readers of the
comics will know why he's important and what his probable role will
be going forward. Let me just say that I'm excited to see how the
group handles the changes that are coming their way. After some
stagnation this season it looks like things are going to be picking
up soon.
Conclusion:
The sense of hopelessness in “Them” was strong, perhaps too well
hammered home. Overall we got the episode that several characters
needed to move forward. Sasha and Maggie seem to have found their
motivation again. With Darryl, who can say? He doesn't seem to be
ready to move past the loss of Beth just yet. The introduction of
Aaron at the end of the episode should lead to an interesting change
in the group's life in the near future.
Rating:
7.25/10
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