Scott Gimple and the rest of The Walking Dead writers have an impeccable talent of starting with the original comic book material, embellishing it when necessary but also recognizing when a series of scenes are so well-written, so polished that it would be a disservice to the television viewers to try and change it. After all, why mess with perfection, right? Tonight’s episode is a prime example. Last week’s introduction of Aaron (Ross Marguand),  his invitation to Rick’s group to follow him to his home, and tonight’s introduction of Aaron’s partner, Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson)  played out almost exactly like in the comics. And, with the sequence one of the most memorable in the comic book series, I think that was a wise choice.

With Aaron having the balls to sneak up on two women with guns last week, he is led back to the barn with the rest of Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln)  by Maggie (Lauren Cohan)  and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green).  Of course, this is completely unexpected and immediately puts the entire group on alert, especially Rick. Aaron is very likable, although a tad bit awkward.

He wants us to audition for membership — Maggie

It makes us sound like a dance troupe, that’s only on Friday nights — Aaron

Oh, and he’s a funny guy (or tries to be). He may be awkward, but he is somewhat prepared. Aaron tells Sasha to hand Rick his backpack and to look inside at the pictures he brought with him. The pictures are of his community — presumably the Alexandria Safe Zone — showing how safe it is with its 15-foot steel walls.  But, still Rick doesn’t buy a word of it and before he can finish what he’s saying, Rick steps up and punches Aaron out. Nice, Rick. That was such a warm welcome.

MICHONNE IS THE VOICE OF REASON

In the comics, Michonne (Danai Gurira)  is the one who finally speaks up and questions what in the hell Rick is doing. And, I was so happy to see that the writers decided to keep that part in these scenes. Everyone there knows about Woodbury and the Governor. Everybody knows about Terminus and its crazy leader, Gareth. But, the one person who knows better than anyone else is Michonne — remember, she’s the one who made the Governor as soon as she saw him. She knew he was bad news from the get-go, even at Andrea’s protest. This woman is good at spotting bad apples, and she’s saying Aaron is different, nothing like the Governor, nothing like Gareth. Perhaps we should listen to her, don’t you think?

You know what you know, and you’re sure of it. I’m not — Michonne to Rick

After Rick stays behind with Aaron and the rest of the group checks out Aaron’s story, they discover that this guy may be on the level. They find his RV and his car, exactly where he said they would be.  Thus far, every last thing he has said has checked out. So, Rick agrees to go — but on his terms.  They go at night, and instead of taking Route 16 like Aaron suggests they are to take I-24 instead. Aaron is firmly against this since they have already cleared Route 16 and they have no clue what they’re facing by going in a different direction, but Rick stands his ground. His way or the highway.

INTERSTATE 24 = INTERSTATE WALKERS

Aaron once again proves that he’s telling the truth, except this time Rick’s foolish decision to not listen nearly gets them all killed. Rick, Michonne, Glenn, and Aaron take the car, and the rest of the group travel close behind in the RV. However, after Glenn gets distracted when they discover the device Aaron had been using to listen to them, he takes his eyes off the road just long enough to plow into a mini-horde of walkers. It completely jams up the car, leaving it undriveable, and oh by the way, it’s the middle of the night too. Nice work, genius Rick. Maybe you should have listened to Aaron and taken Route 16, don’t you think?

In the meantime, they also see a flare, which for some reason makes Aaron very agitated. He doesn’t tell them why, but before you know it, he’s taken off, his hands still tied behind his back. Glenn has a pretty close call after almost being bitten, and after fighting off the walker, he sees Aaron. He is bound and trying to fight off a walker with his feet, and for a second, it looks like Glenn is ready to desert him. But, he does the right thing, kills the walker, and also unties Aaron.

Glenn also gives Aaron back his gun, which Rick doesn’t particularly like.

Whoa, whoa! If you really want to tie me up again, you better hurry up — Aaron to Rick

A HEARTFELT REUNION BETWEEN AARON AND ERIC

Rick and Co. go in the direction of the flare and are signaled with a whistle by Daryl (Norman Reedus).   Everyone is there, safe and sound. Yay. But, Aaron is pretty upset and immediately starts yelling for Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson).  We really don’t know who Eric is yet, but once Aaron finds him, it’s pretty apparent.

There have been some great reunion scenes on The Walking Dead but honestly, I think this will go down as one of my favorites. Aaron begins crying and lays a big kiss on Eric, telling us right away that Eric must be Aaron’s boyfriend/partner. Yes, they may be a gay couple, but they appear to be one of the happiest in the series. And, a big high-five to AMC for allowing that kiss in. It was in the comics, but some were worried that AMC would force the television writers to leave it out. I have a whole new respect for the network after tonight’s episode.

WELCOME TO THE ALEXANDRIA SAFE ZONE

They decide to wait until morning, but at first sunlight, they’re on the road again. Abraham (Michael Cudlitz)  gets a couple of pretty good scenes. As they go past Washington D.C. and see the Washington Monument in the distance, the look on his face is priceless. Yes, he finally made it. It’s not the path and circumstances that he had envisioned, but he made it still the same.

He also has a pretty funny scene with Glenn. When the battery in the RV dies, Abraham is left cursing and frustrated, trying to figure out how in the heck they’re going to find another one. Well, I think all that time working with Dale on his RV back in seasons 1 and 2 paid off, because Glenn promptly shows Abraham where spare batteries are kept.  Too funny.

Then, that ending. Welcome to the Alexandria Safe Zone, folks. Just like Rick, I’m sure some — perhaps most — of you still have the likes of the Governor and Gareth on your minds, and it’s very hard to imagine anyone, or anything, good left in this world. But, unless they decide to turn the comics upside down on its head, this **is** the real deal. This is a safe, secure place, led by good people (well, except for 1 or 2 — stay tuned).  It’s not a Woodbury, which was a decent place but led by a decent man who morphed into a psychopath after losing his way.  And, it’s definitely not a Terminus. This is the new beginning that the group had been looking for.

Remember back in the mid-season premiere what Lizzie and Mika said? They kept telling Tyreese that everything was OK, it was going to be better now. I’ve been saying this as well, but really, it’s the God-honest truth. Things are going to be different — and, things are really going to be better now.

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

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