What I initially believed would easily be the worst episode thus far of this season managed to redeem itself through its use of character development and (thankfully) lack thereof.
The use of flashback coupled with this episode's use of Abraham's wound(s) leads to an overall very impressive episode. Through each of these devices we learn more about Abraham and see that he's not as one-dimensional as (I had) originally believed. In addition, this episode explores Eugene's character and we discover quite a blood-boiling fact. Just to be clear, I never liked Eugene to begin with: perhaps it's his pragmatism or perhaps it's his cold, sociopathic nature which repulses me...but I digress.
The first fifteen minutes were incredibly slow, leading to my low-expectations of the episode. Watching the scene in which the bus flipped over and (shocker) zombies appeared to surround the bus and the dazed passengers I couldn't help but cringe at the excruciatingly basic turn of events for our dearest survivors. Surely the writers could have thought of *something* more innovative than that? Surely they've not run out of ideas so soon? But needless to say, the episode only improved from there as a crucial element of this episode's high quality was introduced: the recurring wound.
Throughout the episode, the focus always manages to return to Abraham and his wounded hand. With the aid of exposition, we see that Abraham once had a family, yet with the outbreak and what it does to people, his family was horrified by Abraham and left him. It is from this point, when his own family were so afraid of him and what he could do that they left him, that Abraham's wound surfaces. And it has continued to exist (and perhaps worsen) until present day as we can see in this episode.
Despite Rosita's best efforts to help Abraham's wound heal, his driven, brash and explosive nature do not allow him to do so. This leads to him pushing those who care for him the most away from him, only isolating himself further and surely only leading to this wound deepening. We see this frequently throughout the episode: after Rosita has bandaged his hand, and the blood seeps through, his wound surfaces once more. And then in the final scene with the big-reveal we've all been waiting for (or more likely dreading) Eugene finally spills the beans and quits biting his tongue. This marks character development for Eugene, as his willingness to confess *all* of his lies suggests he trusts the group he's with (something which we suppose must be difficult for someone of his social calibre) - either that or he's just bewilderingly foolish to think that having lied about something so significant for so long would go by without consequences. Although, that being said, he states himself that the reason he confesses is because he no longer sees a need to lie, for it would ultimately do him no good - yet again highlighting Eugene's pragmatic nature, yet also his desire to survive and also adapt.
This begs the question of what we will see from Abraham in future episodes. One of the major themes within The Walking Dead is adapt or die: survivors can continue to survive by adapting, or they can refuse to adapt and in the event of which they inevitably die (e.g. Lizzie and Mika, the two little girls whom by far had the most tragic demise of any character thus far). If Abraham is unable to adapt and heal his wound - and soon - then he will inevitably have the same fate as so many before him. In this episode he failed to adapt when he could have, and instead he relapsed, perhaps beginning his cycle of stubbornness and plight for a purpose once more. On the other hand, Eugene did adapt, and as such one would expect him to survive, no? Well we'll have to wait and see, as Abraham (*thankfully*) whacked him three times in his smug face and if he hasn't suffered some sort of damage from those blows I'd be (un)pleasantly surprised.
I previously stated that I thought the lack of character development (in regard to Abraham) was crucial to this episode's success in reception. The reason for this is that it is the relapse of Abraham which makes this episode so entertaining. We are not spoon-fed a happy ending in which all the characters are on the same page and are given neatly intertwining personalities. No: instead we witness the breakdown of a character (and surely his total isolation from the rest of his group - as witnessed with Rosita reaching for her gun when Abraham approached Eugene to finish him) and the breakdown of the morale of the group. Where will this lead them next?
And how could anyone forget that flawless final flashback? Just when I thought it was over and the episode had been perfect, it managed to amaze me one last time and outdo itself. We learn from the flashback that it was Eugene who gave Abraham purpose when he was at his lowest point (when he was about to commit suicide, Eugene's cries for help drew Abraham to his assistance - further underlining Abraham's purpose-driven nature) and somewhat paradoxically, it is Eugene who has now caused Abraham to relapse and turn on the one person he has fought his hardest to protect for so long.
All in all, an excellent episode which should not be missed; my favourite of the season so far!
The use of flashback coupled with this episode's use of Abraham's wound(s) leads to an overall very impressive episode. Through each of these devices we learn more about Abraham and see that he's not as one-dimensional as (I had) originally believed. In addition, this episode explores Eugene's character and we discover quite a blood-boiling fact. Just to be clear, I never liked Eugene to begin with: perhaps it's his pragmatism or perhaps it's his cold, sociopathic nature which repulses me...but I digress.
The first fifteen minutes were incredibly slow, leading to my low-expectations of the episode. Watching the scene in which the bus flipped over and (shocker) zombies appeared to surround the bus and the dazed passengers I couldn't help but cringe at the excruciatingly basic turn of events for our dearest survivors. Surely the writers could have thought of *something* more innovative than that? Surely they've not run out of ideas so soon? But needless to say, the episode only improved from there as a crucial element of this episode's high quality was introduced: the recurring wound.
Throughout the episode, the focus always manages to return to Abraham and his wounded hand. With the aid of exposition, we see that Abraham once had a family, yet with the outbreak and what it does to people, his family was horrified by Abraham and left him. It is from this point, when his own family were so afraid of him and what he could do that they left him, that Abraham's wound surfaces. And it has continued to exist (and perhaps worsen) until present day as we can see in this episode.
Despite Rosita's best efforts to help Abraham's wound heal, his driven, brash and explosive nature do not allow him to do so. This leads to him pushing those who care for him the most away from him, only isolating himself further and surely only leading to this wound deepening. We see this frequently throughout the episode: after Rosita has bandaged his hand, and the blood seeps through, his wound surfaces once more. And then in the final scene with the big-reveal we've all been waiting for (or more likely dreading) Eugene finally spills the beans and quits biting his tongue. This marks character development for Eugene, as his willingness to confess *all* of his lies suggests he trusts the group he's with (something which we suppose must be difficult for someone of his social calibre) - either that or he's just bewilderingly foolish to think that having lied about something so significant for so long would go by without consequences. Although, that being said, he states himself that the reason he confesses is because he no longer sees a need to lie, for it would ultimately do him no good - yet again highlighting Eugene's pragmatic nature, yet also his desire to survive and also adapt.
This begs the question of what we will see from Abraham in future episodes. One of the major themes within The Walking Dead is adapt or die: survivors can continue to survive by adapting, or they can refuse to adapt and in the event of which they inevitably die (e.g. Lizzie and Mika, the two little girls whom by far had the most tragic demise of any character thus far). If Abraham is unable to adapt and heal his wound - and soon - then he will inevitably have the same fate as so many before him. In this episode he failed to adapt when he could have, and instead he relapsed, perhaps beginning his cycle of stubbornness and plight for a purpose once more. On the other hand, Eugene did adapt, and as such one would expect him to survive, no? Well we'll have to wait and see, as Abraham (*thankfully*) whacked him three times in his smug face and if he hasn't suffered some sort of damage from those blows I'd be (un)pleasantly surprised.
I previously stated that I thought the lack of character development (in regard to Abraham) was crucial to this episode's success in reception. The reason for this is that it is the relapse of Abraham which makes this episode so entertaining. We are not spoon-fed a happy ending in which all the characters are on the same page and are given neatly intertwining personalities. No: instead we witness the breakdown of a character (and surely his total isolation from the rest of his group - as witnessed with Rosita reaching for her gun when Abraham approached Eugene to finish him) and the breakdown of the morale of the group. Where will this lead them next?
And how could anyone forget that flawless final flashback? Just when I thought it was over and the episode had been perfect, it managed to amaze me one last time and outdo itself. We learn from the flashback that it was Eugene who gave Abraham purpose when he was at his lowest point (when he was about to commit suicide, Eugene's cries for help drew Abraham to his assistance - further underlining Abraham's purpose-driven nature) and somewhat paradoxically, it is Eugene who has now caused Abraham to relapse and turn on the one person he has fought his hardest to protect for so long.
All in all, an excellent episode which should not be missed; my favourite of the season so far!