I’ve been sick the past few days – like achy, it hurts to move sick. And I’ll be honest, I think my heartbreak over Sunday’s episode of The Walking Dead has something to do with my slow recovery!
The Walking Dead – Four Walls and a Roof (S05E03) Review
There were a few things I hated (Yes, I know it’s a strong word, but as I said, I’m passionate about my shows.) and a few things I loved about Sunday’s “Four Walls and a Roof.”
Once again TWD blew the roof off cable ratings, and with good reason. The show is once again firing on all cylinders, and though there was much to dislike about the episode, it had more to do with the necessary turn of events as opposed to weak writing, acting, etc.
Note: There are potential spoilers throughout this review, so you may want to stop here and return after watching the show. Watch it already!
What I loved and hated about the show tended to go hand in hand. For example:
- I HATED that we lost Bob. Deftly played by actor Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Bob was the everyman. He was the decent guy next door. Sure he had a few demons, but don’t we all? Bob was just a decent guy, and his recent love affair with Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) – Oh, how I loved it! When he was taken last week by the assholes from Terminus, I knew Bob wasn’t long for our show, but I couldn’t figure out one thing… Why was he outside? Why did he leave the party in tears? Well, it didn’t take long for us to find out why. And this gives way to a scene I loved…
- TAINTED MEAT! TAINTED MEAT! LOVED it. Bob had been bitten by the disgusting water walkers the crew disbanded in the previous episode. (If they were in water, are they still walkers? Swimmers? Floaters?) When Bob started crying after listening to Governor Lite’s (Gareth) long winded monologue, I got pissed. I wanted Bob to go down fighting, but when he started laughing, I knew our friend wouldn’t let me down. And he didn’t! When he shows them his festering shoulder, I almost laughed myself. The look on those assholes faces! PRICELESS! Of course, that earned Bob a beating, but he knew he was going to die anyway.
- I am still HATING seeing The Big Man, Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), so broken. He looks positively beaten. And frankly, I don’t like it. Perhaps he is becoming the conscious of the group, and I don’t mind some reflection, but I’m also a firm believer in the idea that sometimes a good man has to do what’s right. That might mean standing his ground and getting his hands dirty once in awhile. Yes, The Husband pointed out that in the end he was the one to deliver the fatal blow to Bob once Bob passed away, but I don’t think he did it because it was the right thing to do (give Bob the dignity of passing away without ever turning). No, I think he did it so his sister wouldn’t have to. There’s a small difference, but it’s there. Tyreese, as of right now, is a broken man, and I don’t like it.
- But I LOVED Bob’s goodbye to Rick (Andrew Lincoln)! I loved his goodbye to Sasha! Bob was deep, and he had some words of wisdom that I hope Rick takes to heart. “Nightmares end, but they shouldn’t end who you are. And that’s just this dead man’s opinion.” Oh, Bob! how I will miss you and your sweet optimism.
- I HATED that Sasha let her need for revenge drive her away from Bob’s side. I get it. I do. If someone hurt The Husband, my need for revenge would wash over all rational thought. But I was hoping that she would stay by his side and let Tyreese take her place as one of the heavies. And yet, when the Terminus Assholes came into the church, Tyreese was by Bob’s side, NOT Sasha. In the end, they got their sweet goodbye, but still…
- I LOVED that Governor Lite is gone – brutal as it was. I wasn’t a fan of Gareth’s smirking boy band brand of bad guy. (Boy, that was a mouthful!) He annoyed the hell out of me, and though I suppose that is the mark of a villain, I just couldn’t dredge up anything other than distaste for him. The Governor (the original) was smart, charismatic and evil. But Gareth (Andrew J. West), my little Governor Lite, was like the little brother, trying so hard to impress his popular older sibling, but never quite living up to the task. Good riddance!
- I HATED that at the end the group is separated. Maggie and Glenn went with Abraham and Eugene to DC in the bus, leaving Rick and everyone else at the church. WHY? The Husband thinks it’s because Daryl and Carol are still missing. I suppose that’s as good a reason as any, but I still didn’t like it.
- I LOVED that Michonne got her katana back. It’s like all is right in The Walking Dead world now.
- And I LOVED that Daryl is back, though who did he bring with him…?.ARGH! I have to wait. I’m not a patient woman.
I was never that into Rick the Farmer, and Rick the Reluctant Leader could be a drag at times. But this new Rick… The Rick that is stepping up to the plate and laying down the law… Yeah, I dig that character. He told us at the end of the premiere that the Terminus assholes need to be put down, and he was right. He had good reason to throw it in everyone’s face, to hand out the I told you so‘s, but he didn’t. Nope, he just made sure we knew and Gareth knew that he keeps his promises. And oh, was Gareth’s death a bloody one! Though I have to say, he deserved it… and more.
No, the Rick that we are seeing now has accepted his role as leader, and I think he’s going to do a bang-up job.
As Abraham said, “The new world needs Rick Grimes.”
Xina, I like you. I pretty much agree with all your comments. Really not into Tyreese being so broken. I wasn’t into the looks that Maggie and Glenn were giving when bedlam ensued. Those guys were cannibals! They were going to eat anyone they came across. What was supposed to happen? What happened to Governor Lite should have happened and more.
I’m glad that others are with me when it comes to Tyreese! Seeing him so beat down is NOT fun. I also noticed Maggie and Glenn during the church scene, though I do think they accepted it and agreed it must be done, when she commented to FAther Sketchy that it’s just “Four Walls and a Roof.”
Cannibals are nasty disgusting people.