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The Walking Dead, Ep. 5.12, “Remember” takes a closer look at Rick’s face

The Walking Dead, Ep. 5.12, “Remember” takes a closer look at Rick’s face

The Walking Dead S05E12 Remember promo image

The Walking Dead, Season 5, Episode 12: “Remember”
Written by Channing Powell
Directed by Greg Nicotero
Airs Sundays at 9pm (ET) on AMC

Rick and his group are accepted into Alexandria and they wonder when the last shoe will drop, as leader Deanna seems at odds with her people. Meanwhile, Carl and Rick observe odd rituals happening outside the village.

Guess who’s back? Back again? Rick is back. Tell a friend.

The writers take a closer look at the group in “Remember,” giving the audience a much more defined glimpse into the madness of Rick’s group and Rick himself. His ominous final words depict a man who is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the safety of his group. And he’s not alone.

Upon being interviewed by the Alexandria matriarch, Deanna, many folks from the group are minimal on details of what they’ve seen outside the walls, while Carol puts on a brilliant show for the cameras. Describing her husband Ed as lovable while playing the meek 400 Club member is a wonderful bit of hiding in plain sight, and there’s nothing Carol can’t do when pressed.

Andrew Lincoln dominates this episode, playing a man on the verge of going feral in the woods who must once again re-adjust his lifestyle. When last we saw Rick shaving, he did so among the company of a kind father and son, and now he shaves among snakes in the grass. Or potential snakes in the grass. Regardless, Rick has now become the man he hates the most: Shane.

Think of the last words Rick spits out to his group in the episode; they’re absolutely something Shane would have said when he was alive. After all, had Rick died, he was ready to take over Hershel’s farm. He even staged a few insurgences that led to the uncovering of Sophia.

That said, seeing Rick go back to his original form is a fantastic montage and it’s hilarious how everyone reacts to Rick suddenly reclaiming his face and losing the Manson beard. Rick almost hit the far end of survival and he’s not coming back any time soon, no matter how many beautiful woman give him a makeover. (Alexandra Breckinridge looks utterly gorgeous no matter what role she’s in.) It’ll be interesting to see how the writers approach this storyline, one that’s ripped right out of the comics.

There are hints here and there of what’s to come and it’s great that the writers are biding their time. I am willing to wait on the big N and Lucille a while longer. The show is establishing the Alexandria community beautifully, right down the botched hunting trip that nearly ends in a mangled Tara. The fight between Deanna’s son and Glenn is a wonderful moment that caused quite a ruckus while I was watching at my home. Glenn really is stronger on the show than he is in the comics and Steven Yeun carries the persona well. He’s the Glenn of the comics, except with slightly more to him around the edges. The look from Maggie after the confrontation indicates she’s not regretting her choice in mate.

Rick as town constable just makes sense, but Michonne as his number two is a no-brainer. I really loved how to she threatened to knock Deanna’s son down again after the Glenn confrontation. It’s surprising how easy it is to get over the gates of Alexandria though, as Carl witnesses an escape and is able to follow Enid beyond the walls before running in to Rick for a round of father-son Walker bashing. The ease of her departure, and lack of guards, is puzzling, as is why Enid is willing to venture so far out, and to whom.

All in all, “Remember” is a mesmerizing episode and if the promo is to be believed, next week’s Aaron and Daryl adventure should be an interesting departure.

[wpchatai]