Season 4, Episode 9
Air Date: Sunday, February 9, 2014, 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need you to protect me anymore.” – Carl Grimes
I’ve been waiting right along with the rest of you for the return of The Walking Dead. “After” is such a good showing. It not only reminds of where we left off in “Too Far Gone,” but shows us where the survivors will be heading as they have their own adventures. I can’t say it’ll be sunshine and roses for all of them but I think we’ll find out sooner rather than later about that.
Observations and thoughts:
On the Road Again
Carl and Rick have a bonding moment.
The usual suspects are out on their own, trying to survive as they did once upon a time. Remember when you were first introduced to a character, walking along in confusion, struggling to make it from one day to the next? No? We’ve been in the prison too long, right? Well, in the before, there was no safe haven to assure the survivors of their fate. But here in the after, scavenging takes the place of going to the communal kitchen to get grub; huge groups of people are a thing of the past; stability is an obsolete word. Things have fallen back into the raw and gritty way of being and shit is getting real. This new reality is seen through the eyes of a few—the important few, in my opinion. How will the survivors make it now that their family is no more? Who will come out on top? Who will be the ultimate, well … survivor?
A Head of the Game
So let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Hershel (Scott Wilson). I’m still not over his death nor do I think anyone will be anytime soon. Was it necessary for the writers to include his reanimated head in a scene? I mean, I know The Walking Dead does gruesome better than any other TV show but damn. Between the gory messes, lopped off heads, and 112 ounces of chocolate pudding, I was sure I’d lose my dinner at some point. When I think about the zombie apocalypse, I know there’s always a touch of grossness. I just don’t know if I can handle it anymore, though. Either each new episode goes over the top with the kills or my poor constitution can no longer handle horror shows.
The Walking Dead
Michonne finally wakes up from her daze.
Rick (Andrew Lincoln) checks out for most of “After.” I think the toll of being a leader has finally gotten to him. He’s in need of rest. Not only that, he deserves a break. His exhaustion is written on his face, carried in his walk, and running rampant through his thoughts. The poor guy looks lost in the sauce; he’s supposed to be the person in charge, yet he’s lost close to everyone and everything he cares about. This has to reflect on his leadership skills. It would weigh heavily on anyone in his position, to be honest. I’m happy to see Rick getting some time off. (And Lincoln’s walker impersonation is stellar!) But what does this mean for him going forward? Along the same token, Michonne (Danai Gurira) walking in the midst of a zombie horde is so symbolic of her life right now. She’s the human embodiment of a zombie. She ambles about aimlessly in search of sustenance. But what she seeks isn’t food; she’s looking for companionship, a reason for living, love. Not only that, the sneak peek into her life from ‘before’ reveals some of the mystery behind the woman she is now. Kudos to Gurira for unleashing the hidden emotion from a usually closed off Michonne. In what has to be one of the best dramatic scenes this season, Michonne cuts down a bevy of walkers upon a major epiphany. She doesn’t want to merely exist. Life may be handing out short sticks but Michonne will continue to fight for that life. Hope is a wonderful thing, folks.
Random thoughts:
Carl (Chandler Riggs) is really being a little shit. Why doesn’t he show some respect for his father? Talk about an ungrateful turd. I know he’s in a weird place in his life but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. He needs to grow up, and fast.
As a book lover, I was screaming for Carl to get bitten. He was kicking books in a lame attempt at escaping a walker. You don’t do that. You just don’t. Kicking books; how dare he? Zombie apocalypse or not, you move the books gently and put them in a neat pile. And then you run for your life.
I have an issue with the dream sequence in “After.” Point being, I didn’t know it was a dream sequence. In fact, I had to watch it twice before I realized what I was witnessing. The scene is beautifully done but confusing as hell upon first glance. And it opens up so many questions for me in regards to Michonne and her ‘pets.’ I have to read the graphic novels to get some background on the characters I’ve come to know and love. I just know I’m missing out on so many details of their pasts. But then I think that information might ruin the show for me. *sigh*
Memorable line:
“I’d be fine if you died.” – an angry Carl to a passed out Rick.
**
I hope Carl enjoyed that pudding. It’ll probably be the last he sees for a while.
I enjoyed “After” in all its gory splendor. While it wasn’t the bloodiest episode, it did make me turn away from the screen a few times. I’m pissed off at Carl for being a spoiled baby teen. That kid has so much built up anger and a chip on his shoulder the size of a mountain, he was bound to explode. I hope Carl’s need for defiance is out of his system and he appreciates his father for what and who he is. Rick is only human, after all, not the superhero Carl has made him out to be. There’s so much to explore with “After” and I don’t know if I’ve even scratched the surface. I’m dying to see how the other scattered survivors have fared though, so any further introspection will have to wait until next week. Don’t forget to drop me a line to let me know what you thought of “After” in the comments section below or tweet me @ellemoe.
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Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2014 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
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