It’s an odd day when The Walking Dead is funny, but this week’s episode about a very odd day was funny. It may be Rick’s “law of averages” catching up. After all of the bloodshed and tears on this show, we were due some lighter moments.
Given last week’s emotional, tension-filled tearjerker, we probably needed a transition to get to the right mindset for an episode that had a stronger relationship to slapstick comedy than tragic drama. The episode seemed off from the get-go, with a series of scenes that felt not-quite-right in some subtle way. The result was that my expectations were shifted to a place where I was ready for anything.
When I say the scenes felt off, I mean they were plausible but weren't what we’ve become used to. We start off seeing Rick, Michonne, Carl, and Judith playing house like it’s a typical day in the suburbs. This makes me immediately think of some kind of alternate world setting, or wonder if there’s been a significant time jump. There has been a time jump as I soon realize, but it’s a short one, not a long one. The big clue that this all is real is Carl’s bandaged eye in the photo.
We continue to see more evidence of change. Maggie seems to have settled into parenting Enid. Carl and Enid reverse roles as Carl is the surly teen wanting to wander the woods while Enid wants to be present in the community. Nonverbal Rick lets loose during a road trip with Daryl, singing along to country western tunes in the car.
Our big bad of the episode is a colorful character who calls himself Jesus, who masterfully cons Rick and Daryl and appears more slippery than dangerous. He saves Daryl contrary to his own self-interest. He’s obviously capable of escaping Rick and Daryl any time he wants, but we end the episode with him appearing to try to warn Rick about something. It’s still too early to tell, but it appears he will be one of the good ones.
The highlight of the episode was the cat-and-mouse antics among Daryl, Rick, and Jesus, with every time Rick and Daryl appearing to have gained the upper hand being followed with the truth that Jesus isn’t so easily outmaneuvered. In the end, it appears they have all lost the prize they’ve been fighting for, as the truck they found loaded with food supplies slips backward into a pond. Rick and Daryl lost their food, but they found Jesus. Time will tell which is a better.
On a more personal level, the show finally linked Rick and Michonne romantically. It's been building for a while and I wasn't surprised. I’m curious what you all think of this. In some ways it works - they’ve been very close since they lost the prison. Personally I’m having a little trouble seeing Rick romantically involved with any these days as his head always seems to be on bigger matters.
In contrast to the comedy of the Rick/Daryl/Jesus shenanigans, we see Deanna again, this time turned into a walker. She’s spotted in the woods by Spencer, Michonne, Carl, and Enid. In an emotional moment, Spencer is given the opportunity to put her down and get some closure. This is followed by Carl and Michonne having a touching scene as they discuss Carl’s decision to not putting down Deanna himself. Carl’s answer, that family should have been the one to put down Deanna, and that he would put down Michonne if she were a walker, suggests he considers Michonne family. Both were well-done scenes and balanced the lighter moments.
Overall, I really liked this episode.. I wasn’t quite sure about it going in, but it won me over for its originality. What did you think? Loved it? Hated it? Let me know in the comments.
