Whenever they advertise a “mystery cast member” on Talking Dead, you know that means things aren’t going to end well for one character.
Such was indeed the case during The Walking Dead’s midseason premiere. Episode 9, which was one of the best in Season 5 and wonderfully weaved together, featured more lost hope and someone being careless and ending up dead (though the impact was much deeper and much more meaningful). Spoiler alert: name upcoming.
That person was Tyreese, who was bitten by one of Noah’s twin brothers, who turned into a Walker after the community went to pot. Tyreese was looking at a wall of photos when he started getting emotional and didn’t notice the Walker twin meandering into the room. A bite later and he was on the ground grabbing his bloody arm.
It was only a matter of time before Tyreese was gone, but it wasn't without one of the best collection of scenes this season. First, some of what else that happened this week.
We picked up where we left off in Episode 8. It started with a funeral, but instead of Beth it was for Tyreese, which was a clever swerve. Maggie still cried over Beth and Noah spoke of a magical “safe” place outside of Richmond, Va. Rick and his band of three merry men (Glenn, Tyreese and Noah) and woman (Michonne) made the trek up the road to scope out the scene.
Noah had hopes of finding his family. But you know better than that in this world, as Noah had another dose of soul crushing. There was nothing more than a few Walkers and a bunch of burned houses.
Of course, Walkers can’t set fires so it was obvious someone ransacked the gated community well before they arrived. You can bet we’ll find out the culprit in time. I’m guessing his name starts and begins with an N.
Noah cried, like Maggie, then decided to run to his former house. As if losing Beth and seeing the town destroyed weren’t enough, he had to see his family dead, too.
He also didn’t hesitate to bludgeon his twin after Tyreese had a chunk taken out of his arm. Tyreese hallucinated with cameos from The Governor, Beth (awwww), Bob and Lizzie before fending off another Walker attack. Both times he was bitten in the arm and left in a puddle on the floor.
Meantime, Noah went to find the others to rat out Tyreese. On the way he was trapped by some Walkers and, of course, needed rescue. They teased Michonne in “trouble” and they sprinted to check on Tyreese.
Tyreese remained defiant even to the end, which shows his true mettle. He lashed out at The Governor, who criticized him for not killing Carol. He said he took his father’s lessons to heart and did all he could to help, even if people died along the way.
Then Rick repaid the favor by having Michonne cut off Tyreese’s arm in a startling scene that you kind of saw coming but still were somewhat surprised at the pacing of the scene. It was too late, however. Tyreese faded and joined Beth and the rest of those who have departed.
Lizzie told him it was all OK. She said it was more than OK, that it was better. Death is indeed better, after all, then the despair you face in this world, and Tyreese found his peace.
No one is safe. Everyone eventually will go and it’s sad to ponder when some of the really big favorites have their time called.
For now, we still have the rest. Take solace in that. RIP, Tyreese.
And this means Sasha is the first to be tested after losing everything. Maggie will be another of those, as I still think Glenn will die in a heroic fashion. We’ll have to see how long Sasha makes it or if she lets this defeat her completely.
Quick thoughts: Rick gave Dawn a slight benefit of the doubt, as he told Glenn he could see it in her eyes that shooting Beth was accidental. Rick said it didn’t matter because he wanted to kill Dawn in retaliation. Glenn, the moral compass of the show, said it wasn’t right, but later agreed it didn’t matter…
It was a nice reckoning of sorts for Tyreese. Of course, he wasn’t one of the evil people on the show. He’s far from it. But he did have lingering doubts about the impact of not killing the Terminite when he had the chance. Bob tried to soothe him, but idle words from dead hallucinations aren’t always the best way to cope…
Walker kill of the week: Rick yanked out a piece of rebar and brained one to save Michonne. The flurry at the end was good, too, with super-awesome special effects and such…
Michonne briefly campaigned for the group to stay in the burned community. Rick said there were too many trees and anyone or anything could attack at any time. Michonne suggested cutting down the trees like some lumberjack (sorry, your sword isn’t THAT sharp). They smartly decided to go toward Washington, D.C…
Noah wins the award for “Most Times Trapped Under A Wooden Object”…
Rick did his best Lori impression when he ran into a truck full of half-Walkers…
Deaths are handled better each time in this show. Tyreese’s was treated with elegance and it was different than past demises. It was touching, too, which is what separates The Walking Dead from a lot of other shows…
Director Greg Nicotero noted the time frame between Episode 8 and 9 was 17 days (such an odd and yet exact figure). This makes sense given Rick's beard growth, as I noted in my preview. Nicotero also said he directed Episode 12 and 16. I don't know how they stand sitting on that kind of drama...