Season 8, Episode 4
Air date: Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 9PM E/P on AMC
Rating:
“I ain’t no king. I ain’t nothing. I’m just some guy…some guy who found a…” –King Ezekiel
“Some Guy” opens with a flashback to The Sanctuary before the big battle with the Saviors goes down. King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) washes his face and gets dressed while his soldiers say goodbye to loved ones as they prepare to stare down the unknown. After a grand and powerful speech, the inhabitants of The Sanctuary surround King Ezekiel with adoration and respect, just as his soldiers do at the end of “Monsters” before the Saviors unleashed their .50 caliber machine guns on them.
The King looks around at the death and destruction surrounding him – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Back to the present, the camera pans around the battleground where many lie dead. Suddenly a bloodied had emerges from beneath a mound of lifeless bodies. As he crawls out, tension fills the air as Ezekiel hears growling. Alone, devastated, wounded, and surrounded by those who sacrificed themselves for him, Ezekiel will soon be trapped by those very same people, now undead, who want to devour him. My pulse began to race, my hands slowly inching toward my face to cover my mouth which is agape in anticipation as a bewildered Ezekiel tries desperately to scoot away from certain death.
Glasses has Ezekiel pinned down but not for long – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
“Some Guy” focuses on Ezekiel and his story. From flashbacks to conversations with Carol (Melissa McBride) to intense scenes as Ezekiel tries to escape from the walkers, the entire episode exposes the slowly disintegrating façade he’s maintained with his people. When survivors from the massacre come to his aid (at different intervals), Ezekiel begins to feel more unworthy of their devotion and loyalty. And when a lone Savior wearing glasses (uncredited) comes to take Ezekiel back with him, things take an ominous turn when the man reveals he knows the truth about how the king came to be in power. Side note – is it just me or does ‘Glasses’ look like Jim Carrey and Walton Goggins had a baby and it grew up to be a nasty Neganite?
Meanwhile, Carol tries her best to disarm the remaining Saviors but things begin to look bleak when she is outnumbered. I deeply admire Carol’s determination. She always thinks about the future because if she doesn’t stop the Saviors from taking the weaponry, they will head to The Sanctuary and do unspeakable things.
Jerry protects his king…no matter the odds against them – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
“Some Guy” is by far the best episode this season. The use of flashbacks is done wisely, shedding light on the current situation at hand. This season’s previous episodes have been so disjointed and difficult to follow at times with the constant back and forth throughout the episodes. “Some Guy” does a great job of lightly peppering in the scenes of Ezekiel becoming the King. As Payton mentioned last season, he, like any good actor, must prepare for his role. Ezekiel, a former zookeeper and lover of “matinees,” took on the persona of King Ezekiel because he knew people wanted something and someone to believe in during a time of absolute chaos. In a zombie apocalypse, survivors want to hold onto something bigger than themselves, whether it is faith in a divine being or in a self-proclaimed monarch; Ezekiel symbolizes hope for those in The Sanctuary. They know he’s not really a king, but he behaved like a ruler, a just and wise one, and took care of his kingdom. As the conversation with Jerry (Cooper Andrews) proves, Ezekiel is their king.
Jerry (handing Ezekiel his sword): “Your Majesty.”
Ezekiel: “You don’t need to call me that.”
Jerry: “Dude, yes I do.”
Carol and Jerry try to stop Ezekiel from sacrificing himself to save Shiva – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
During a heartbreaking scene, the source of the toxins plaguing the walkers is discovered. And as Carol and Jerry help Ezekiel wade through thick mud and polluted water filled with soggy looking walkers, things look dire until the familiar roar of Shiva the Tiger is heard. Ezekiel pleads with Jerry and Carol to run away but they both refuse. In the quote at the beginning of my review, Ezekiel, no longer using the eloquent vocabulary he’s known for, begins to shout that he’s no one special; he’s not worth saving…but he’s wrong. He is one of few new characters in The Walking Dead series that I actually really like. He’s a beacon of hope. Although I’m curious how Ezekiel will be without Shiva?
Observation
When two Saviors flee with the weapons, Carol is presented a choice – chase them down and try to stop them, or help Ezekiel and Jerry. As the Saviors drive away, the familiar rumble of a motorcycle in the distance gives Carol peace of mind that the Saviors won’t make it far because she knows Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) will stop them.
Badass Jerry for the win – slicing guys in half like a boss – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Jerry for the win! Jerry finally shows that he’s not just the sweet lovable guy when he wields that axe with such ferocity, I was taken aback. And yes, he refers to King Ezekiel as “dude,” not once but twice!
The promos for next week’s episode, “The Big Scary U,” show what’s been going on with Negan (Jeffery Dean Morgan) and Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam). I’m ready.
Overall
“Some Guy” provides insight into a man’s psyche but unfortunately, we will have to wait to see how all of the sacrifices made will impact Ezekiel. The episode also gives us an answer to the slimy sludge-walkers but presents a vexing problem. How long have the containers labeled “corrosive” and “dangerous substance” been poisoning the creek? How long before the tainted water trickles into larger water reservoirs, contaminating the drinking water supplies. It may have already.
What did you think of “Some Guy?” Comment below and tag me on Twitter @judybopp to chat.
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Judy Manning
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