Article originally written for Seat42F.
As THE WALKING DEAD begins last night on AMC, things are
tense in Alexandria. With a person lost on both sides, Rick’s group and
Deanna’s aren’t exactly happy with one another, especially when those that
return from the supply run tell conflicting stories, each side blaming the
other for what happened. Will they continue to “Try” to get along, or is this
the beginning of the end of the happy town?
Rick (Andrew Lincoln) is the best representation of a wild
person trying to go back to civilization. He is on edge because of what happens
to Noah (Tyler James Williams), but also because Carol (Melissa McBride) keeps
urging him to take out Pete (Corey Brill), who is abusing his wife, Jessie
(Alexandra Breckenridge). The evidence seems to be there, Pete’s son, Sam (Major
Dodson), telling Carol bad things that Jessie doesn’t exactly deny. Still, Rick
isn’t sure he should interfere, until he admits to himself his feelings for
Jessie.
I love that Rick tells Carol she would still be here, even
if her own abusive spouse, Ed, hadn’t been eaten by Walkers. Carol is a very
strong person, someone capable of holding her own, and even giving back, as she
does when arguing for Rick to take action against Pete. Jessie isn’t the same
type. She will probably die if no one stops Pete. But what to do? Is she
someone Rick should take care of? He decides yes, but admits he wouldn’t do the
same for just anyone.
Rick is not part of the community yet. He isn’t interested
in protecting all of these new people, seeing them as weak and not willing to
do what’s necessary to survive. In “Try,” he tells Deanna (Tovah Feldshuh) that
they must separate Pete and Jessie, and if Pete doesn’t cooperate, kill him.
Deanna says they do not execute and Rick better never suggest it again, which I
think is her trying to assert the control she feels slipping away, enhanced by
grief and anger at losing her son. But Rick knows what will happen if they let
a bad guy escape be exiling him. He’ll come back, and there will be
consequences. Rick has seen this before, Deanna has not.
All this leads to a town square brawl between Pete and Rick.
Rick gets the upper hand, then rants at Deanna and the others, waving his gun
around. He tells them they’re not safe, and that they can’t go by Deanna’s
rules any more. It’s quite a speech, though it does come off crazy. I think
Rick is just at his breaking point, knowing in his gut that Alexandria is not
going to survive unless changes are made, but unable to make those changes. He
hasn’t adapted, “Try” as he might, and this is a key moment for his character.
Which ends with Michonne (Danai Gurira) cold-cocking him.
Rick may be right that Deanna’s way isn’t right, but Rick’s rules would take
away much from the good civilization that is being preserved here. Not everyone
wants what Rick wants in THE WALKING DEAD.
Glenn (Steven Yeun), for one, is looking for balance. He
tells Nicholas (Michael Traynor) that he will not go out on any more runs, not
because Glenn in threatening Nicholas, but because Glenn wants to save him.
Glenn isn’t looking to punish; he’s looking to protect. He wants to build upon
what Deanna has established, not tear it down.
Michonne also wants to hang onto the promise of a
semi-normal life. She chases Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) out into the woods,
alongside Rosita (Christian Serratos), sans police uniform and sword. Sasha is
angry and needs to blow off steam, feeling guilty for telling Noah he wouldn’t
survive, which only builds upon her struggle at losing Bob and Tyreese. As
Michonne helps Sasha, though, it’s not anger Michonne feels. She remembers her
past, remembers what it’s like on the outside. Not bringing her uniform reveals
her doubts about fitting in, but not bringing her sword is a rejection of who
she was. Michonne is reminded of what’s outside the walls, and after bringing
Sasha home, she chooses Alexandria. This leads her to don the uniform and knock
Rick out, as mentioned, to preserve the peace.
Carl (Chandler Riggs) is part of the fitting-in group, too.
He tries to stop Rick’s fight. This is after he shares a moment and almost-kiss
with Enid (Katelyn Nacon) in the woods. Carl realizes the danger, but like
Enid, he also wants to live in a world where he can run and enjoy himself.
Alexandria offers a chance at that.
What will happen next? Deanna seems very close to kicking
out at least Rick, if not the group, knowing she needs them, but coming close
to rejecting the price of their assistance. However, seeing Carl and Glenn and
others “Try” to fit into Alexandria, witnessing Michonne exert control over Rick
when it’s necessary, perhaps Deanna will be tempted to punish only Rick,
leaving the others alone. If Rick’s people can help him find the middle ground,
as they have done, the entire group stands a chance at making Alexandria a
home. Will Deanna allow that to happen?
Outside the walls, Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Aaron (Ross
Marquand) find mutilated Walkers with Ws carved into their foreheads. This
continues a trend that started at Noah’s family’s neighborhood. Periodically
we’ve seen scenes of disturbing brutality. I haven’t made a thing of them in my
reviews because they’ve been minor foreshadowing in very full episodes, but in
“Try,” it’s clear that THE WALKING DEAD is heading somewhere with this sooner,
rather than later. Who is doing this, and what do they want? They surely won’t
be friendly to the good people of Alexandria.
THE WALKING DEAD continues to masterfully balance deep
character stories with larger plots, spooling out an arc patiently and
artistically. Some of my fellow fans have mourned the loss of the hours
focusing on one or two characters that were so brilliant last year, but I think
the current structure matches what’s happening now better. THE WALKING DEAD has
continuously shifted and morphed over the seasons depending on the needs of the
story, and I think it is brilliantly continuing to do the same this year.
THE WALKING DEAD ends its fifth season next Sunday at 9 p.m.
ET on AMC.
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