The Walking Dead Review, Episode 212: Better Angels

Spoilers ahead, NSD readers!

After enduring a 2nd season of The Walking Dead that has mostly been a pissing contest between Rick and Shane, we finally get a really great episode. It's about time given that next week is the finale. Is it too little, too late?

There was nothing small about this weeks episode (except Carl). We get multiple Walkers in the opening sequence AND...T Dog (w00t! He even had lines!). We also got another speech from Rick. Who ,during Dale's eulogy, preaches that by remaining indifferent and not killing Randall they honor Dale's memory. Yawn. This was brilliantly inter cut with Shane, Daryl, Angela, and T Dog (w00t!) mowing down a gang of Walkers. By concluding with Shane bashing in some zombie skull, it was certain (to me, at least) that the Shane/Rick drama was coming to an end before the curtain closed on Season Two.

Rick and Shane were the first characters introduced on The Walking Dead. We met them sitting in their squad car chatting about relationships and displaying a strong, bro-bond over some lunch. Fast forward to the stand off beneath the moonlight and you wonder, 'How did we get here?'. I don't feel the necessity to re-cap, I think you guys have been watching, but is it simply Lori that tore them apart? Is it just in the heat of the moment, when their backs are against the wall, that Rick and Shane don't see eye to eye? You'd figure that by being partners they'd have been in the thick a time or two. Alas, small town squabbles are no match for the Zombie Apocalypse and Shane wished Rick would've stayed in that hospital bed where he had left him.

It's seems as though Otis wasn't the only thing left behind during the excursion to secure the supplies that saved Carl. Shane was gone, and it took a heart to heart from Lori to rekindle the crazy in him. I was a bit surprised that Lori approached Shane. She'd put the bug in Rick's ear a few episodes back that he was 'dangerous', but there she was weeping to him and apologizing for how hard things have been on him. She left Shane (and me) with a big 'WTF?' look on his face. Give it to Shane, he gave Rick one last chance though. After approaching him at the farmhouse and informing Rick of Carl's confession of taking Daryl's gun, he felt that Rick was no longer fit for Lori, Carl, or this Walker-infested world.

The showdown between these two was, by far, the highlight of the season for me. Boneheaded-indifference aside, Rick did not want it to end as it did and the standoff under the moonlight was superb. Both actors shined. Ladies, don't fret. You'll be able to catch Jon Bernthal (Shane) AND the dreamy Milo Ventimiglia (Peter Petrelli from Heroes) on Frank Darabont's LA Noire coming to TNT.

The emergence of Carl was a bit puzzling. I had expected it, but I was left with this burning question, 'Was Carl going to shoot his father for what had happened to Shane?'. It may never be explained, as there is a hoard of Walkers emerging from the woods, towards the farm and next week's finale.

In other news, it looks as though the dead will walk no matter what. No zombie bite required! Do you guys think that this is what the CDC Doc whispered into Rick's ear?? Perhaps we find out next week!

So much went down last night in Episode 212. I couldn't cover it all, so now it's your turn! post your thoughts and comments below. Also, stay tuned for Walking Dead Review Redux later this week as we anxiously anticipate the finale of Season Two of the Walking Dead!

-D