We had our first main-character casualty of the season, as the tension between Rick and the survivors and Gareth and the Hunters intensified and culminated in a bloody exchange.
Let’s start with a spoiler alert…
Bob was delivered back to the church, but only after Gareth and crew learned he was bitten and “tainted meat” as he shouted with a laugh. Bob was retrieved on the lawn and the group soon learned he was chewed on at the food bank in Episode 2. He didn’t make it out of this episode, but his stay wasn’t without passionate speeches to Sasha and Rick.
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We also learned more of Father Gabriel’s past and, as expected, it fell in line with the comics. Sasha accused Father Gabriel of having a hand in Bob’s disappearance. He denied this, of course, but was soon pushed into admitting his ultimate sins.
Father Gabriel was scared when the world started crumbling, but then again, who wouldn’t be? Instead of opening his doors to his congregation, he turned his back and let them die. They all died, including the blonde, soggy lady at the food bank.
That’s enough to leave him hollow. He understands this and said he was damned. The group moved on to more pressing matters, however.
Those matters were with Gareth and the cannibals. Abraham wanted to get out of Dodge and head to Washington, D.C. Rick wanted to strike Gareth, especially given they knew their location thanks to Bob’s reporting skills, even though it was an obvious diversion.
Abraham, after playing the bully and browbeating Eugene, relented and said they’d leave in 12 hours. He joined Rick and those who thought they’d be getting the drop on Gareth. Not so fast, my friend.
Gareth and the Hunters found their way to the church with Carl, Bob, Eugene and a few other folks crammed into a room in the back. They stalked two doors and things looked bleak until sounds of Judith brought Gareth another way.
Then Rick and the others took aim from the shadows. A few former Terminites went down and Gareth’s hand was blasted to bits. He pleaded with Rick, he promised they wouldn’t cross paths if he let them go.
Rick didn’t believe him, not surprisingly. The next few seconds were among the most intense and bloodiest of the year and involved machete and gun splatters.
Bye, bye, Gareth. Hello, ultra-violent and awesome Rick.
Abraham, Eugene, the woman of few words, Sarita, Maggie and Glenn, left in the bus to D.C. Rick and the rest stayed behind. Abraham said the new world needed Rick.
I would agree. But I doubt there will be a new world or one that will include savior Eugene or Sarita or Glenn for that matter.
We finished with another “cliffhanger” as Daryl came out from the woods. Michonne asked about Carol. Daryl’s expression left much to be desired and we went to black after he said “come on out.”
I’m guessing the person in the woods isn’t Carol. It’s likely Beth, who was seen in the previews in a hospital. I’m also guessing Beth’s stay wasn’t pleasant.
Hello, experiments. Hello, super Beth?
Quick thoughts:
Bob’s revelation that he was tainted meat also gives us the reason why he was crying in the forest. His happy life, which included a budding relationship with Sasha, was soon to be no more regardless of his capture…
Bob offered up the best and most touching speech of the season when he told Sasha he didn’t want to make a big deal about the bite. His reason was simple. He didn’t want the conversation to be “about the end.” Nor did he want it to be about the past or the beginning. He offered up “I really liked the middle.” Awwwww…
They did well in showing the Hunters as barely human. Their tearing into human flesh was reminiscent of a Walker and they continued to make little distinction between the two. They loved the meal until Bob dropped the “good” news…
Gareth met his match on the violence scale. Rick doesn’t play around. He wins when it comes to revenge, too…
Father Gabriel tried his best to condemn the bloodshed. Sorry, dude, your “home of God” argument went out the window when you refused to let people in when they needed shelter. Faith in this world is about as important as money…
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It was a wonderful dichotomy with Rick slashing Gareth to pieces then holding Judith. He’s become a man who will do whatever it takes to survive and keep his family safe. He earns morality points by not eating people. I’m looking at you, Gareth…
Tyreese was weak again this week, but he showed some strength when he ended Bob’s suffering instead of leaving it to Sasha…
Don’t get me wrong, forgiveness is a vital part of humanity. But it’s difficult to forgive in these times and Tyreese needed better tact when he tried to tell Sasha to forgive the Hunters. His words might not have fallen on deaf ears if he chose to bring up the point a while after Bob died. It will be interesting to see if Tyreese can make others feel the same way…