Given everything that has happened and given the fact that Rick’s group really have no home base now, it makes sense that this week’s episode would be a little slower and serve as a “bridge” to get the group from point A to point B in terms of the plot and storyline. And, it was. But, that doesn’t mean it was any less good than the others. In fact, even though it didn’t have any intense action sequences that fans crave, there were several important things that happened, thus making it likely one of the most memorable episodes.

1. TEAM RICK UNITED

To tell you the truth, I didn’t really like what I saw at the beginning of the episode. Maggie (Lauren Cohan) was quickly spiraling down a deep pit of despair after losing both her father and sister, and she began shutting everyone out, including Glenn (Steven Yeun). They had lost everything and so many people that she really was beginning to question if there were any point in going on.

Daryl (Norman Reedus) was in an equally dark place. He spent more time isolated and by himself than with the group in the episode, and he was reluctant to talk to even his closest friend, Carol (Melissa McBride).

However, when the big storm hit and the group was holed up in that barn, every last one of them got up to help keep the door shut. Even Carl (Chandler Riggs) put Judith down and pitched in, and if Baby Judith could walk, I bet she would have helped too.

This was an amazing scene because it clearly illustrated that even though it may appear that these people may have hit rock bottom, they are NOT going to give up. Even with all of the horrible things that have happened to them recently, they stand united and won’t go down without a fight.

2. **WE** ARE THE WALKING DEAD

For those who are not familiar with the Walking Dead comics, very early on in the comic book series Rick makes a point that the walkers aren’t really the ones who are dead. He says, “WE are the Walking Dead,” referring to the fact that we may be alive now, but given the hopeless situation, it’s only a matter of time.

This is, by far, the most famous quote from the comics, and fans have been waiting patiently since the very beginning of the television series to see it play out on the small screen. It took a little longer, but we finally got to hear that iconic line. And, the fans couldn’t have been more thrilled, with Twitter nearly exploding as the scene played out.

When I was a kid, I asked my grandpa once if he ever killed any Germans in the war… He said he was dead the minute he stepped into   enemy territory. Every day he woke up, he told himself, ‘Rest in peace. Now get up and go to war!’ And then after a few years of pretending he was dead, he made it out alive. And that’s the trick of it, I think. We do what we need to do, and then we get to live. But no matter what we find in D.C., I know we’ll be OK, because this is how we survive. We tell ourselves that we are the walking dead — Rick

3. FATHER GABRIEL FACES HIS SINS — FINALLY!

Father Gabriel annoyed the hell out of me in the comics. He knew what he had done, knew he was indirectly responsible for the deaths of his entire congregation, and yet, he had the nerve to continue to get on his self-righteous high-horse and point out other people’s flaws. He was a disgrace to the cloth and had no business calling himself a priest.

It seems that someone out there agreed with me, because Gabriel finally faces the reality of his sins, perhaps due to his confrontation with Maggie.

You had a job. To protect your flock. And, you hid. Don’t act like that didn’t happen — Maggie to Gabriel

As everyone is sitting around the fire, Gabriel pulls off his white collar and throws it into the flames — a symbol that he is no longer a priest and probably should never have been one in the first place.

Kudos and plaudits to the writers for making the decision to do this. It’s something that very much needed to be done and something that should have been done in the comics as well.

4. AARON MAKES HIS BIG APPEARANCE

If you saw my preview of the episode, you’ll know that I predicted we would see the pivotal character from the comics for the first time in this episode. Even though I was fairly certain the character would show up before the episode’s end, when Aaron (Ross Marquand) finally did come out of the brush and reveal himself to Maggie and Sasha, I still squealed like a teenage girl.

If you have never read the comics, Aaron is one of 2 recruiters from the Alexandria Safe Zone. If you want to join the Alexandria community, you can’t just walk up to the door and ask. Instead, Alexandria finds YOU. 

Aaron would scout the surrounding area for other survivors who he thought would “fit in” and be able to contribute to Alexandria. He would observe them from afar for a few days, and if he came to a favorable decision, he would then show himself and invite the survivors to come to Alexandria.

Which is exactly what happened at the end of the episode, and it is also why he already knew a great deal about the group, including the fact that Rick was their leader.

I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am. Aaron marks the start of a new beginning. He is the first step towards the Alexandria Safe Zone and a path to much better times — something that the group is craving and so desperately needs.

5. LET THERE BE LIGHT — AND HOPE

Hope was a general theme that was woven throughout the entire episode. Even though Maggie made clear to Gabriel that she was no longer religious, there were many signs sent from God — or from some other higher power — trying to tell the group that they are not alone and to not give up. Just have faith and trust.

 

First, when the group was hungry, the wild dogs were sent their way, and they had food. Then, when they were thirsty, it rained and also, the bottled water was left, no doubt by Aaron.

When the storm hit, as Maggie pointed out, it should have ripped the barn to shreds. But, instead, they were spared, and the walkers surrounding the barn were the ones that were left mangled and mutilated.

Then, there was that final scene. The very moment that Aaron appears the music box that was supposedly broken began to play music as clear as day. If that isn’t a sign, then I don’t know what is.

The bottom line is this — things WILL be better now. This was the theme of last week’s premiere episode, and with the horrors they were facing at the time, nothing could have been further from the truth.

But, everything is starting to turn around now, and it all begins with Aaron. It’s OK, it WILL be better now. Honestly. Just like Lizzie and Mika said.

The Walking Dead airs on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

s are closed.