TV Review: The Walking Dead (Season 4, Episode 2, October 20, 2013)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 2: Infected

THE HOOK: In the wake of war with Woodbury, Rick and his group have turned the prison into a working community, but danger continues to stir on the outside as well as from within.

The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t watched this episode

THE LOWDOWN: The final moments of the premiere left us in a bad place with Patrick going walker, and the opening moments tonight are no better as we find out someone’s feeding the damn walkers. Really guys? Like you don’t enough shit to worry about. This boils down to one factor with the fences being overrun, and that’s something I didn’t care for tonight. If there’s walkers gathering around the damn fence, the perimeter standing between you and death, I’d like to think they’d have someone on walker killing duty non-stop. We’ve seen it to a degree, but why stop? Keep that shit going in rotations of five or six and kill them until the group is thinned or even gone. I know they’ll keep coming, but there’s absolutely no reason for hoards of walkers overrunning the fence. I just feel that it not only could have, but should have been avoided and was a useless tension builder.

Patrick sure did stir up a ruckus in cellblock D. I found it convenient that he bit the first dude in the throat, hence no screaming (a little lame), but it sure did take a while for people to notice. There were a lot of walkers in there. Of course, with all the nameless refugees these guys have been saving, something like this was bound to thin the herd. I like the flu epidemic angle, but I’m not so sure separating everyone is the answer. It looks like it’s in the water, but then again, it looked like it may have spread from the pigs, to Daryl and then to Patrick when they shook hands last week. I couldn’t help but laugh when Rick cautions Carl about getting too close to him, but hugs him anyway and then sends him back into the mix of people not exposed. One thing I’m still very impressed with is Carl’s character transformation. He was my favorite in the comics and he’s fast becoming my favorite here. I liked that he was straight with Rick about Carol and “reading time”, it’s refreshing to see their father and son bond rekindled. They’re they group’s backbone in the comics, which is why I’ve been waiting to see them forge that alliance here.

Carol is another character who’s really stepped up in this show. She deserves to be on that council and I like the calls she’s making. Her looking out for the two daughters is a good thing after what happened to Sophia (what a nuts scene with the kids and their dad). The whole dynamic is switched from the comics (Carol having died in the comics with Sophia living on), but it’s nice to see the show pulling from these same storylines. There’s a lot of great character moments tonight, something that I feel strengthens this show considerably. I’m not a big of fan of “sketchy Rick”, who can’t seem to get a grip on things no matter how hard he tries. I do feel for him though, he’s been through just as much as everyone else, as well as had to make most of the calls that got them to where they are. I’m not saying it shouldn’t take a toll on him, that he can’t afford to be a little broken, but damn, their situation “is what it is” at this point and I just want Rick to phase back in and start taking charge again. Keep the council, sure, but Rick’s ass needs to be on it.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 4’s second episode doesn’t waste any time with idle chat or pleasantries, its go time baby. Yes, there’s character building, but it doesn’t bog anything down or have time to drag. In light of all the things I’ve mentioned thus far, we close out with someone going rogue and burning the two sickest quarantined people. Poor Tyreese. This is his first real taste of loss. Dude’s a ticking time bomb, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere near him when he blows. The prison is falling apart, and I can’t see these guys staying there much longer. I’m looking forward to a change of scenery, the new characters on the way, and catching up with the Governor at some point. All in all, this season looks to be shaping up rather nicely, and I’m definitely anxious for more.

ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: I love the exploding head stomp. It always puts a smile on my face.

BLOOD AND GORE: Patrick makes a big mess in D. His first victim alone was a hell of a gorefest. And then there’s the eyeball.

WTF CHARACTER MOMENT: Michonne. She was put off by the baby at first, but once she held her, out came the tears. It was a moving moment, and a clear milestone for Michonne’s character. I can’t wait to see the flashback that explains it.

COOLEST SCENE: I found Rick’s diversion to be particularly moving. He looks so lost when he’s cutting those pigs and sending them off to their deaths. The blood spraying across his face was a nice touch, but it’s his overall demeanor that’s bone chilling.

FINAL VERDICT:

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