Yes, were only two episodes in and, yes, things are actually happening now.
What kind of people does this apocalyptic world force us to become?
The better question: When have we not been faced with that?
Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Thats a minute and 27 seconds that couldve been used elsewhere.
No struggle, no physical twitching from their wounds.
They just rest their heads in their arms and remain still.
For a show thats given us some true spectacles of zombie warfare, it just seemed lazy.
At least theres Ezekiel to perk us up: Onward!
The various squadrons of Hilltoppers, Alexandrians, and Kingdomites continue targeting various Savior strongholds.
Tara picks the one in front of a spray-painted message that reads, Tomm says kill the bitches.
Dont worry, Morgan isnt dead.
Tara and Jesus find a Savior cowering in a closet, having peed himself.
He begs to be spared and throws his hands up in surrender.
Tara is proven right when the Savior grabs Jesus and puts a gun to his head.
He stomps Maggies vitamins and taunts Tara by saying he peed himself on purpose.
Its not about revenge, its about getting it done, she says.
Jesus ties him up and notes that Maggie will listen to him if this debate continues.
Newly enraged, he picks up two guns and sprints after the Saviors.
The conversation quickly turns to the matter at hand, which is the next outpost they must attack.
Though hes talking about fake it till you make it, baby, it furthers Tara and Jesus conflict.
Is there a good side and a bad side?
Can they still be good if they commit acts of evil?
Rick, however, is attacked by a Savior.
Did Rick have faulty information, or is this another lie?
We then cut to Morgan, who is having flashes of an earlier conversation with Rick from seasons past.
When he reaches the outside, hes blinded by the light.
Tara informs Jesus that while he may have Maggies ear, she has Ricks.
He hears the voice of his former self saying, Where theres life, theres possibility.
But then he sees Jared, that hippie-looking S.O.B.
who took Morgans staff and killed Benjamin and sparked the whole dark Morgan phase of his life.
Morgan goes to shoot Jared, but Jesus stops him.
This is not what we do, he says.
Morgan shoots back, And what do we do?
Rick is facing his own literal moment of reflection.
Hes disgusted with himself as he sees himself in the mirror.
Its a bit much.
The second is the gunshot wound he endures.
Its fine; he can die if it means Aaron and Jesus can be together now.
But the final moments offer one last surprise.
Rick walks through another room and is drawn to a photograph on a table.
Damn it, he says, as a man with a gun comes up behind him.
Rick turns to see Morales, a figure whos been out of the picture since season 1.
That, Morales now tells Rick, was a long time ago.
(Headherefor actor Juan Gabriel Parejas thoughts on his return.)
Morales is another grey area for Rick and an answer to the questions percolating throughout the hour.
Is it kill or be killed?
Is it Taras way or Jesus way?
Is it good or evil?
As Ezekiel says, No and yes, yes and no, and then finally yes to both.
