The Walking Dead Review: Episode 5×02 – “Strangers”

Things actually get creepier the safer you feel on The Walking Dead. And that’s just one reason this is fantastic TV.

The Walking Dead — With most of the group reunited for the first time since their prison home was destroyed scattering everyone, tensions are eased. With the exception of Beth (Emily Kinney), whose whereabouts remain unknown, they are all amongst family again. In a chance encounter, they meet Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) along the road and save him from a group of walkers. It appears the good Father hasn’t developed the skills to take care of himself in this dangerous world.

In need of a place to rest, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) leads the group cautiously behind Father Gabriel back to his isolated church. The survivors of the Prison and Terminus look to find safety and purpose after all that’s happened. Every one of them has been changed by the events that brought them back together. No one is the same. One can’t help but ask—as they settle in to a church for refuge—can they forgive each other, and more importantly themselves, of all they’ve had to do to survive? Will Rick’s decision not to go back and kill “all” those left in Terminus haunt them? There are so many unanswered questions, new possibilities and unseen dangers ahead. With  so much to discuss, let’s jump in to the murky waters of this episode and wade through all the possible answers!

To forgive, forget and move on.

There are many reasons The Walking Dead is one of the best shows on television, not the least of which is it’s ever-present social commentary on the human condition. No matter how much action, tension or chills are offered up each week, the writing team always centers themselves around what it takes to remain a decent human being in a world full of horrors. Time and again, this episode reinforced the need to forgive the past or bury it so deeply that there would be little hope it would resurface.

No one knows the redemptive and cathartic arcs of The Walking Dead better than Robert Kirkman, the creative genius behind the comic, who penned this week’s episode. Though we meet only one new character in Father Gabriel, the irony of the title “Strangers” is not lost on us. This group must get to know each other for who they are now, and not the people they used to be. Tragedy and heartache have changed everyone, but perhaps none more acutely than Carol (Melissa McBride) and Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman). In a quiet, creek side moment devoid of all the noise of the world around them, both actors make us believe in their pained, emotional state. They conclude that no one needs to know about the gut-wrenching fate of Mika (Kyla Kenedy) and Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino).

“I just need to forget it.” ~ Tyreese

McBride and Coleman interact exquisitely well. The chemistry between these two actors has been steadily growing since last season. They agree to bury the pain of these deaths and keep the burden only to themselves. In a show where the dead do not seem to stay buried, this is one secret these two people feel must stay hidden in order for the rest of the group to move on. Can the two of them leave the demons of this tragedy  behind? It’s not clear and we’re left to wonder just how much this will linger in their minds. Some scars last forever.

With a new understanding of Carol and her dedication to the group, it’s Tyreese that feels the need to “make” the group understand the reasons behind Carol’s actions in killing Karen (Melissa Ponzio) and David (Brandon Carroll) at the prison.This acceptance by Tyreese, the one person hurt the most by the loss of Karen, is an important step towards others accepting Carol’s actions. When silently questioned by Daryl (Norman Reedus) Carol repeats Tyreese’s feelings that she just needs to forget it. It seems everyone in this episode is recalling things they feel can redeem them, seeking forgiveness for things they can no longer keep hidden or desperately trying to forget things they just cannot bear.

Tara (Alanna Masterson) brings the sentiment full circle in the backdrop of the church that is providing temporary refuge. She admits to Maggie (Lauren Cohan) her role in the attack on the prison. Nothing must stay hidden Tara says. Clearing the air and gaining forgiveness from Maggie gives Tara the ability to move forward with a clear conscience. Will others find that same redemptive healing? They all need those moments to become whole and move on.

Is there purpose beyond simply existing in an apocalyptic new world?

Surviving alone is not existing. Michonne (Danai Gurira) stated that clearly. Her sword is not something she misses. It’s just a thing. A reminder of the day-to-day scrambling just to survive. That isn’t living. What’s more important is remembering the people they’ve lost and enjoying the family she’s found. That’s living. It’s been good to see her smile again. This group has restored her faith in herself and in humanity. She lost one family, but has found another.

Abraham’s (Michael Cudlitz) speech to the group, his plea to follow him to Washington, is a moment of hope this group hasn’t had. Though a bit overdone, over the top and clearly self-serving, Abraham does make an indirect point that everyone gets. Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) said it best.

“This world is a nightmare. And nightmares end.” ~ Bob

In that moment I think Rick knew that Bob was right. There is only so far one can slide and come back. Rick had stood on that edge himself. You can’t completely let go of the world that was lost if you ever want to be a part of a new one. Daryl hints at this same sentiment to Carol. We can start over he tells her. All of us.

Can this group that has been fractured so harshly following the horrific events of disease and loss in the prison become whole and find purpose beyond simply existing? Abraham and Eugene (Josh McDermitt) provide a reason to exist. To be something greater than themselves. To save the world and allow the living to reclaim it.

You are not safe. Never let your guard down, ever.

When the group comes upon Gabriel, Rick and this band of survivors are a striking contrast. They move with military precision.They are self-sufficient, err on the side of caution and take little for granted. There’s a feral and wary look in their eyes. They no longer easily trust. Gabriel’s every word and every joke seem to touch the nerve of a group that has had to fight for every scrap to survive.

Rick asks Gabriel the three questions he poses to every newcomer. Gabriel’s answers, from a person that’s survived this long, sound impossible. He has killed no walkers. He has killed no people. Surprised, Rick asks the final question Why? In a clever twist, it means something very different this time. Father Gabriel insists he needs no protection except from God. But Rick knows, they’ve ALL done something to survive.

Gilliam and Lincoln play this scene out with such a contrast. Suspicious and untrusting, every word from Rick is an interrogation. Gabriel is defensive, cautious and incredibly fragile in his responses. It’s hard to tell if Gilliam overplays Gabriel or if his exaggerated fear is genuine. Time will tell. Lincoln is stoic, sure of himself and for the first time in a long time has Rick’s compass firmly planted in his heart and mind. The unsure moments of his past seem a memory. This is a confident and wiser Rick. His intuition and conviction came through clearly in Lincoln’s performance.

Suspicious that Father Gabriel is something other than the innocent and pious person he claims to be, Rick insists Gabriel go with them on a supply run. Before Rick goes, he gives Carl final words of advice that underlie he’s learned from his mistakes.

“You are not safe. It only takes one second. One second and it’s over. Never let your guard down, ever.” ~ Rick

But it’s Carl (Chandler Riggs) that’s come a long way from the day he shot someone in cold blood.

“We’re strong enough that we can still help people. And we can handle ourselves if things go wrong. And we’re strong enough we don’t have to be afraid and we don’t have to hide.” ~ Carl

But Rick knows, everyone has had to do something to survive. It certainly felt like Father Gabriel may have come face to face with his own sins in the murky waters of the food bank as he froze when encountering a walker he knew. And if he hadn’t already lost his lunch before that scene, we most certainly would have after. The gory and soggy walkers were a sight to behold. In that moment when Gabriel seemed to concede his fate and was again saved, Rick realized he was right. Gabriel was hiding something that he couldn’t outrun.

Every survivor has scars. The question is, can one put those things aside, forgive themselves and look past them in others? What line is too far? And what scars take you to places from which you can’t come back? As the episode closes and we see clearly Gareth’s (Andrew J. West) shocking intent, we realize that Rick and this group still have lessons to learn. They are being hunted. And it just may take that wild and feral side of themselves to fight for their very survival to an enemy that sees them only as prey. When that moment comes, what of their humanity will survive?

FINAL VERDICT: Is there hope of a greater purpose beyond being the prey or the predator in a world of the dead? We can’t wait to find out.

This episode felt very much like the calm before the storm. We’re treated to the quiet character moments that have come to define The Walking Dead as we see how each of these individuals is coping with or putting aside things in themselves they must face. A couple of awkward scenes with Father Gabriel and Abraham’s speech felt forced, but all in all this was another quality episode of a great show. We’d have liked to have Daryl talk a bit more about Beth to the group, but we know there was a lot to cover and apparently that is going to get covered soon enough.

Director David Boyd brought together a lot of moving parts. It’s challenging to maintain continuity with such a large ensemble cast, but there were no glitches or moments that didn’t feel right. On the contrary. Everyone had their moments to shine in an episode where so many were together. Robert Kirkman did an excellent job finding those moments were no one ever really felt lost. It was a refreshing change from almost all of season 4 where episodes focused very heavily on only a handful of characters at a time.

Unbelievable praise must go to Production Designer, Grace Walker and Special Effects Make-Up by Greg Nicotero and Howard Berger. The flooded basement of the food bank will no doubt go down as one of the most horrific and memorable scenes from this episode. After 4 seasons of walkers, it must be a challenge to push themselves to create something new and this scene definitely topped most. Great location scouting, amazing production design and incredible makeup all combined to create one of the most vile walker experiences this show has attempted.

Hunt or be Hunted has been the promo for this season for some time. Now we know at least part of what that means. This group isn’t safe at all. They face an enemy with a vendetta and one that may not listen to reason at all. In the very chilling scene where Gareth  makes his appearance, we find out just how cold and brutal he can be. We weren’t sure an enemy could be hated more than The Governor (David Morrissey) but West is making us believe that there are darker places humanity can reach.

The reality may soon sink in with Rick that no place may ever truly be safe if they don’t work to make it themselves. Is there a new understanding of right and wrong in a world that’s eroded into the rotten decay of the dead? We certainly didn’t think things could get worse, but you can bet your soggy walker bottoms we’ll be there next week to find out!

Questions, Comments, Concerns and My reaction on Twitter…

• #Knucklbump is Tara’s thing. @lightbrigade
• “I just need to forget it.” That’s a hard one to forget Tyreese. @ChadLColeman
• “It’s nothing.” ~ Daryl. Metaphor for what we’d all escaped from last week?
• “A glorious tan??” Good outta the bad seems to like the right mindset not to lose your mind. @gilliardl_jr
• “We don’t give two short curly’s how it looks!” #ThingsAbrahamSays lol @Cudlitz
• “Maybe I’m leading you into a trap to take all your squirrels.” ~ Gabriel. This is the WRONG group to joke with Father.
• It all comes down to holding on to your squirrels in the Zombie Apocalypse.
• Transport is great. But do we want the “Short Bus?”
• “You are NOT safe. No matter what you think. It only takes one second. Never let your guard down. EVER.” ~ Rick to Carl.
• “We’re strong enough we don’t have to be afraid. And we don’t have to hide.” ~ Carl is growing up fast. @ChandlerRiggs
• “We get a chance to start over. All of us. Whatever happened. Happened. Let’s start over.” ~ Daryl @wwwbigbaldhead
• Soggy walkers reek!
• Thought for the day. Do soggy walkers counter flaming walkers? Things that make you go hmmm…
• Does anyone else feel like we’re just in the calm before the storm? Bad things are about to happen.
• See someone you “used” to know Gabriel?
• I love Michonne! Blender kill!!
• “You miss the sword?” ~ Rick. “Wasn’t really mine the first place.” ~ Michonne. I tell you.. WE miss the SWORD! @DanaiGurira
• We miss Andrea and Hershel too. That moment hurt. @DanaiGurira
• “You’ll burn for this.” I think Father G has some sins he hasn’t quite fessed to yet.
• “To the survivors.” ~ Abraham. But what do you have to give of yourself to survive Father Gabriel?
• Nice speech Abraham. But there’s one thing left to do—Find Beth.
• I have a bad feeling about Bob.
• “If what you’re hiding somehow hurts them in ANY way, I’ll kill you.” ~ Rick. He isn’t taking any more chances. Badass Rick is back.
• “You taste much better than we though you would.” ~ Gareth. Holy SH*T!
• Hunt or be hunted. Now we know what that means! @gilliardl_jr
• What did Gareth mean by “there’s irony it’s you”? Is Bob hiding a secret? Does Gareth know him? That felt like a very familiar conversation to me.
• Season 5 is starting off STRONG! And wow. Get a great RT from @WalkingDead_AMC and watch your notifications spin! lol