The long wait for The Walking Dead’s return ended on Sunday, as we were treated to a bloody and brutal first act also filled with tears of joy. The show was devoid of a major death, as I expected, but was filled with enough to set the table for a compelling first few weeks of facing the remnants of Terminus.
Season 5 picked up close to where Season 4 left off, which is a departure for the show. There typically is a span of time between seasons and we’re usually not treated to information regarding the length of said period.
We opened with a Terminite questioning what they’ll become and a stone-faced Gareth leans in and said all they wanted to do was show humanity. The eventual warped sense of “humanity” aside, this group proved to be like all others. Most people have good intentions, but when the world ends as we know it, you have to take measures to survive.
Sometimes these measures are drastic. Other times these measures are unconscionable to some, but just to those who have to endure a new way of life. Gareth believes his actions are justified because he survived a brutal attack of his own and he’s clearly willing to set aside morality in doing so.
Rick and many of those in his group also have set aside their morals, especially when it comes to survival. But they draw the line at eating people, as they rightfully should because that’s the last line between Walker and human. You’re no better than a mindless Walker if you eat your own, of course, but try telling that to Gareth and most of the Terminites.
We move on to Rick, Bob, Glenn and Daryl were next in line at the trough after four random dudes were bludgeoned and bled out. Glenn was on the cusp of feeling a bat twice, but Carol and her shooting skills caused an explosion and resulting firefight with Walkers and Terminites ended the peril.
Chaos reigned and our holdovers eventually escaped Terminus. Carol made her way through the compound, retrieving Daryl’s bow along the way. Let’s all let out a collective awwwwwwwwwwwww, shall we?
Mary (more evil than her persona on Star Trek) said Terminus didn’t start as a cannibal colony. It was created to harbor good will, she said, but an evil group infiltrated, raped, destroyed and plundered and stoked the fire of Gareth’s group becoming something more disturbing. Mary said they decided to become the butchers or the cattle.
They chose becoming the butcher. Carol accepted Mary’s explanation and promptly let her become Walker meat. Maybe we’ll see Walker Mary in the future like we did with the Irish lass whose name escapes me at the moment.
The episode closed with the tearful reunions of Daryl and Carol and Rick and Carol with Judith. You’re not human if these scenes didn’t make you misty-eyed. I’m not ashamed to admit I was overcome with some emotion.
Sadly, as we know in this series, the good times don’t stay that way for long. Gareth is still out there. He’ll grab his best men, or at least some who are still around, and will seek revenge (The Hunters, anyone?).
Buckle up, folks. It’s going to be an intense season.
Quick thoughts:
The Penguin bit the dust in the opening minutes. It's ok, he has a future on Gotham, anyways.
There was no word on the best way to spice up human meat. That will remain a lingering query…
Daryl’s hair appeared to stand up to the boxcar elements. This also was worry for some, as his hair-care products, or his fancy “home remedies” were nowhere to be found…
Carol, who wins MVP for this week, did more damage with five bullets and one firework than most people have in four seasons…
Glenn has officially replaced Hershel as the show's "moral compass." He quickly stated "that's still who we are, it's gotta be," when Rick questioned if they should save some people in other train cars. Of course, the Luke Harper (WWE fans get the reference) lookalike didn't last long when saved...
Tyreese lost his nerve at the beginning but found it in a big way by the 45-minute mark. You could tell he was still unnerved by how they had to kill Lizzie. He also was still processing the facts of Carol admitting to killing his love. Tyreese showed his worth when he ripped through a handful of Walkers and killed a Terminite who thought he had the upper hand when he threatened to harm Judith…
We saw a familiar face at the end, as Morgan showed up to find the amended signs for Terminus. Morgan also speaks “tree carving” so he should be cool…
No word on Beth, other than a brief mention in the opening minutes, but I've always believed she was alive. We'll find out her whereabouts soon and it's doubtful she's been staying at a nice resort...
Gareth, who has parallels with Rick, still has a chance for redemption, as he started off innocently enough only to become a butcher. Even the most evil characters had that opportunity (see: The Governor), but it doesn't always pan out for them (also see: The Governor)...