There is a
striking air of familiarity to this latest episode. It is a stripped
down, streamlined episode that, in more than one aspect, harks back
to season one.
The focus is
entirely on Rick, Carl and Michonne as they make a run back into Rick
and Carl’s home town in search of supplies, guns and ammunition.
The nature of storytelling on display refers back to the simplified
nature of the first season that primarily revolved around Rick
looking after his family.
There is also
the much-anticipated return of a character that played a major part
in shaping Rick. Whilst exploring the town, the group encounters
Morgan, the man who saved Rick’s life way back in the pilot
episode. His reappearance allows Rick to attain some form of
resolution to that part of his life as he tries to repay his debt to
Morgan and help him confront the realities of the world.
Carl is given
the chance to develop and demonstrate how he is becoming a product of
the environment that he now founds himself growing up in. A few of
Michonne’s layers are also peeled back as she begins to show signs
of becoming a fully-fledged member of Rick’s group.
Episodes
like this, that feature just a few regular characters, can be hit and
miss but this is without doubt one of the best episodes of the season
and arguably one of the best in the series’ history. Credit must go
to Scott M. Gimple who has delivered a terrific script.
This season
continues to go from strength to strength and here’s hoping that it
is a level that can be maintained with the season finale only a few
episodes away.
Review by Jonathan Gray
