Warning Spoilers Ahead

Going into the second episode of the fourth season of The Walking Dead we know there’s going be issues. A walker is on the loose within the prison, with the residents still unaware. Ominous doom opens up the episode as that infection is sure to spread under the radar for who knows how long.

After the rather horror movie-esque beginning we quickly shift to Carl, Rick and Michonne with further discussion about swords to plowshares. When Michonne asks Carl why he doesn’t wear his sheriff’s hat anymore he says it’s “not a farmers hat.” But that calm goes all to hell within the first ten minutes as promised during Talking Dead last week.

While the walkers amass on the outside fences, internally an outbreak goes down with numerous unnamed new individuals being infected and dying. The focus initially is Daryl and Glenn whipping ass, but shifts to Carol and Rick. Both are thrust into their roles, Rick being forced to kill again and Carol that of “mother.” Carol is forced to deal with a father who leaves two young daughters. The death of innocence and that no one can afford to be children anymore. It’s a heart wrenching moment that spotlights the humanity that pervades the show. It reminds us this isn’t about zombies, it’s about the people who live in this world.

But the focus quickly shifts to the end of the last episode and the death of the pig. There seems to be more than just walkers to worry about, but also disease, something that hasn’t been addressed at all in the series. In this case it seems like it’s most likely a flu of some sorts. With all the death and rot, something would eventually rise. It’s a new villain for them to deal with and one that is much harder to defeat.

There’s a lot of focus on choices still and people’s roles. Carol dealing with the children, Rick’s new role of not being leader. People are clearly damaged now with the toll of it all adding up. The psychological aspect of it all is adding up and getting to the survivors and the symbolism of this episode is out there. Rick literally bathing himself in blood to ensure the survival of his people, the loss of any attempts of a normal life is clear. No one can live a normal life in this new world, no one can think that they can go about ignoring the reality they live in. In those final moments of this episode as Rick arms Carl, straps on his own belt and gun and burns his shirt it’s clear this season will be a heart wrenching.

Directed by: Guy Ferland
Writer Credits: Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard, Scott M. Gimple
Overall Score: 10

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The Walking Dead is back for a brand new season and right from the start this isn’t quite the same group of survivors that we knew before. After last seasons’ merging with the survivors from Woodbury this is a new community. One that’s somewhat given up weapons for plowshares. The prison is now a community, with farming, animals, long-term planning.

The fear is no longer the Governor and his army, instead the group is back to worrying about walkers, who keep on coming, building up against the fences like an endless horde. This is survival, with a focus on long turn sustainability. We’re quickly introduced to the new status-quo and numerous new characters, quickly figuring out who to keep our eyes on and who are just eventual zombie food.

This is a new society in a way, where scouting missions return prizes such as razors and comic books, as much as food and supplies. It’s no longer a Ricktatorship, instead of one man leading the charge, a council is in place making decisions and absent from that is Rick Grimes, who has taken to a life farming, raising his children, and contributing to the community by heading out into the forest for supplies. There’s time for zombie killing and there’s story time too. This is a society with children, plans and schools. But for all of the calm, there’s still a sense of dread underneath it all. This is a changed group, where they not only mourn the loss of members, but are so settled that they can mourn the loss of their animals. They are working towards long-term lives, trying to get over the fear that’s kept them alive.

But, threats still loom. The Governor is still on the loose and the team is on the lookout for him. That’s on top of the influx of zombies.

But, the theme of the episode seems to be choices. The choice to kill and destroy and the choice to make a new life. My guess is that’s a theme we’ll see continue throughout the season.

This episode has really brought us two things. Amped up fx is the first thing that stands out. A scene in a store with zombies literally falling from the sky increased the gore, excitement and goo. It was a tense scene, that showed off the production values, which were worthy of a movie, and frankly better than many.

The second thing is, that everyone is on the chopping block. Even as we’re introduced to new characters, folks are offed. Yeah, the death toll increases further in this episode, reminding us to just not get too attached to anyone too much. And that death is interesting in the episode, the loss of a community member is juxtaposed with the loss of an animal. Through all of that gore mentioned above, the humanity of the show and characters comes through just enough.

The first episode was an amazing start of what is a phenomenon of a show. Ending with such dread and a clearly ominous second episode. The fourth season of this juggernaut is here and it came with both calm and thunder.

Directed by: Greg Nicotero
Writer Credits: Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard, Scott M. Gimple
Overall Score: 9