Meanwhile Rick, Carl and Michonne are continuing on their merry way. I say “merry” deliberately there, as it really seems like the tone of Michonne’s character is changing markedly. I don’t want to alarm anybody but in this episode, a character (Carl) actually laughs. Sure, it’s cut short by the unrelenting weight of death that envelopes each character at this point, but it was a moment of levity in the unending darkness, and a moment more than we’ve ever seen before.
Rick, Carl and Michonne are still holed up in the house that she stumbled across a few episodes back, and agree to stay one more day on Michonne’s advice. While she and Carl go on a supply run, another group turns up at the house, which they claim. Get it? They claim it. The house is Claimed. Like the title of this episode.
Meanwhile, Michonne reveals to Carl a little more information about her child. Then, as if to ram home that theme of family and loneliness, she finds an entire dead family in the bedroom upstairs. While not exactly the most subtle of metaphors, it really was a grim scene, and the corpse in the rocking chair was the icing on the cake. Those maternal instincts kicked in too when Carl came to survey the room and she wouldn’t let him enter, which was nice. I still really like the chemistry between the two of them, and I still hope that Rick dies somehow to just let the two of them get on with it. Back at the house, Rick hides under a bed when he hears that other group arrive, only for a member of said group to sit on the bed above him. They’re an uncouth bunch, so obviously Rick’s afraid, and with no Michonne to chop any heads, he’s stuck for the time being. He eventually makes good his escape though and finds Michonne and Carl in the process. Together, they make for the tracks.
We’re still setting up for the big reveal of whatever Sanctuary is now, and this episode was another few moves on the chessboard. I can’t wait to find out what Eugene’s actual motives are, and why the gang was so easily distracted from going to Washington. I also really want Glenn to find Maggie, which I’m sure he will – I’m positive the show’s not going to go all Game of Thrones on us just yet. Maybe later, but not yet. Overall, Claimed was another strong outing for The Walking Dead and as we build up to the finale, I’m definitely excited to see more.
Random Robservations:
- Rick’s mineral water under the bed was from Walford Springs. Bought from the Queen Vic, perhaps?
- Only the smartest among us shoot holes in the petrol tank, apparently. Kudos for the realism in the jeep not actually exploding.
- Shave the mullet already!
- Keep the beard!
See you next week for more of The Walking Dead!