As the late, great Elvis said: We can’t go on together with suspicious minds.
It’s the secrets, the fear and paranoia that will undue the assumed safety of Alexandria. Suspicion (and new secrets) continued this week, as Rick and Carol formulated a plan to steal a few handguns. It’s a plan predicated on expected violence because, as we know, Rick often can’t leave well enough alone.
On a side note, we had proof that it was obvious Carol was playing into Deanna’s hands by portraying the coy role during her video interview last week. Carol said she missed her abusive husband and we all knew that was a crock. She became immediately unassuming, even telling others she had limited experience with guns, and was able to sneak away when a big gathering was planned one night.
Meantime, Michonne was “deputized” under “Constubble” Rick. She looked out of place in a uniform, just as Carol does in a soccer mom sweater or Daryl with a shower (of which he likely still hasn’t taken but his hair STILL looks fab). She later hung up her sword, which was a huge switch for her character and a rekindling of her previous life (we’ll see if it lasts).
Speaking of Daryl, he went out on one of his lone wolf excursions. Aaron followed closely, but tracker Daryl sniffed him out. Aaron was surprised at Daryl’s ability to know the difference between a human and a Walker and when asked if he could tell the difference between a “good” and “bad” guy, the hunter said “it didn’t matter” (but it really did, as we’ll find out later).
The pair came across a long-lost horse, Buttons. Aaron said he’d been trying to catch the steed for a long while. Daryl, the Horse Whisperer, spooked Buttons, which eventually met its demise in a group of Walkers, but far less of them than the batch that ate Rick’s in Season 1.
The rest of the group braved the dinner party, which was complete with plastic cups and sparkling cider. Noah retreated to the corner and Glenn and Maggie joined him as wallflowers. Rick mingled with Jessie, who said cheesy dinner parties make you feel like it’s the pre-zombiepocalypse world (which makes the pre-zombiepocalypse world less appealing).
Rick promised fresh cookies to Jessie’s son. He received a red “A” stamp in exchange. I say the cookies are the better end of the deal.
Daryl was lured into Aaron’s house by some “awesome spaghetti.” His ulterior motive was to ask Daryl to replace his beloved Eric as a recruiter for the community. Aaron also showed Daryl to the garage, where there was a bevy of motorcycle parts to put together.
This will give Daryl a sense of purpose, something he was missing in the first few days of being in Alexandria. Aaron later said Daryl indeed could tell good folks from bad ones and that skill will make him an excellent recruiter. Also, everyone likes Daryl on a motorcycle, so there’s that.
I figured Carol would be caught when she tried to abscond with the guns. I thought Rick would then be forced to punish her. Instead, Jessie’s son happened upon Carol and it didn’t end well for him.
As we know, Carol isn’t averse to plucking off people, let alone a child. Carol turned back into “Stone Cold Carol Peletier” and threatened that if he ever told he’d wake up one morning tied to a tree and soon to be brunch for a Walker. The alternative was to shut up and take the cookies. He chose wisely, for now.
We ended with more division within the group. A key shot saw Daryl, Carol and Rick walk in separate ways. Daryl said he wanted to “try to live there” and Carol seemed taken aback by his choice to not wholeheartedly go with the plan.
Rick was feeling his oats as he finished the show. He checked out the wall, but not before eyeing Jessie and her husband. He did so by touching the butt of a gun in obvious foreshadowing of more suspicion against Rick and for good reason (in other words, Jessie’s hubby is going down).
He’s not the only one, however. Things will deteriorate and quickly when they begin to do so. But maybe it’s a swerve, just like the mystery cast member on Talking Dead not dying in the episode. I’m going to say no, Alexandria will have a similar fate as the prison and Woodbury and it’s only a matter of time.
Quick thoughts: Sasha hates family photos and apparently also hates bacon. I’m a fan of a good sausage over bacon BUT hating bacon should be a criminal act worthy of exile…
Speaking of Sasha, she’s not dealing well with her emotions. She started the show by taking shooting practice and saying “come and get me.” She ended with an outburst at the party, maybe because they didn’t have Cheez-Its…
Walker kills of the week: Daryl smashed two heads in, a second into a dead carcass. The same sequence had Aaron shooting one in the head with blood splatter hitting the camera…
Call me crazy, but scuffed up, dingy Maggie is hotter than cleaned up, primped Maggie…
Deanna’s husband, Reg, has “going to die soon” written all over him. He looks like a stiff wind would give him a heart attack. Also, the great engineer built the wall with supports OUTSIDE the fence. That will come back to haunt them…
Poor, poor, Buttons. Blame Daryl for spooking him and later being eaten…
Rick and Jessie sittin’ in a tree, K I S S I N G. Well, not yet, but it’s coming…
Daryl better not die trying to find that old lady’s pasta maker…
Big question: Who carved the “W” in the Walkers head. One doesn’t need to label a Walker since it’s a Walker and all. That will be something answered in time, but perhaps it’s connected with all of those mutilated bodies and signs on bodies we saw a season(s?) ago…