Simply put, the Season 5 finale of The Walking Dead may be the best one yet. There were so many intense moments packed into a 90-minute episode that it makes many big feature films that try to do the same, pale in comparison. Warning spoilers ahead…
Last night’s episode titled Conquer had a central theme of survival and forgiveness. Some, will steal from the living in order to live ala those two members of the Wolves who in the beginning tried to take from Morgan before he got all Jedi/Ninja-like and kicked both their butts. Then there are people like Nicholas and Father Gabriel. It was Nicholas’ own need for self-survival that not only led to Noah’s death but he also tried last night to kill Glenn who knew what had happened. Glenn ended up getting the upper hand despite being shot. Glenn had his opportunity to exact revenge on Nicholas but he chose to spare his life. As for Father Gabriel, he is so riddled with guilt from his past cowardice that even though he “wants” to die, by offering himself to a walker, the human need to survive outweighed his desire to die. Thus creating more guilt.
Then there is Sasha who this season had probably lost the most with the death of Bob and her brother Tyresse. Although she came within an itchy trigger finger of killing Father Gabriel, with a little help from Maggie, she still held onto her humanity and doesn’t do it. Instead, the three find solace and peace even if it is for just a moment.
Have I mentioned Rick yet? So many on the Internet have seen a parallel between Rick’s actions and the way Shaun had behaved. I can see that correlation. But Rick has always been the stronger one and thanks to a little knock in the head by Michonne, the Rick we know and would be willing to follow resurfaced during last night’s finale. The reality is, the citizens of Alexandria although well being are ill prepared for what lurks behind the safety of the wall that surrounds them. Rick and co. knows that reality all too well.
That reality hits the people of Alexandria when a walker made its way into their compound and later killed by Rick who discovered that the gate was left open. It was left open by Father Gabriel. If that wasn’t enough, Jessie’s deranged husband Pete brandishing a sword confront Deeana, Rick and the others in a town meeting. Pete’s drunken rage leads to Reg’s (Deeana’s husband) death. Rick is then given the go ahead to kill Pete. No matter how much Deeana wanted to create a “normal” life, life now is anything but normal. Shortly after Rick kills Pete, the camera pans up to show Daryl and Aaron returning with Morgan, who earlier had saved them from a herd of walkers. It took five seasons but Morgan and Rick are finally reunited. We’ll have to wait till the fall to see whether or not this reunion will be a good one or not.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
