More Crucifixes are Planted in "The Grove" on "The Walking Dead:" A Television Review

*a few spoilers for the episode here.

Director:Michael Satrazemcs.

Writer: Scott M. Gimple.

Cast: Melissa McBride, Chad L. Coleman, Brighton Sharbino and Kyla Kenedy.

Season 4 showrunner Scott M. Gimple wrote the fourtienth episode of "The Walking Dead," titled "The Grove." Gimple, in this viewer's opinion, has a great knack for finding a theme and running with it. Tonight's theme dealt with how a stressful situation e.g. a zombie apocalypse can affect children. Some rise to the challenge in a psychopathic way, while others fall apart. Both personality types did not do well in "The Grove." And, this episode brought a lot of bloody drama to a fairly static episode.

This episode stuck with one story in the zombie apocalypse. Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), Carol (Melissa McBride), Mika (Kyla Kenedy) and Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) are still heading up the railway tracks to Terminus. They find shelter in an old farmhouse, while a mysterious fire looms in the distance. Is that Terminus burning in the background? Here, they find shelter, warmth, safety and one strange element. Lizzie likes to play with zombies. She also like to feed them and her speech is like something out of Friedrich Nietzsche's works. It is all very dark. Lizzie turns on her sister with a knife and Carol turns on Lizzie with a gun. There was lots of bloodshed in this showing. As a closer, Carol told Tyreese about Karen's death; she was the perpetrator. A lot of mileage was covered in "The Grove."

Duck when Carol pulls out the gun.

The Carol, Tyreese and Karen scenario came across as a bit of a sidebar. There was some tension between Carol and Tyreese as Carol pondered telling him the truth, about Karen's death. Carol had killed Karen several episodes back in this season, to save the survivors from a virulent fever. Strangely, Tyreese forgives her immediately. That kind of emotional depth does not come so fast in reality. Though, it was good to see Carol showing some bravery in her talk with Tyreese. Karen, a very minor character, can be forgotten now.

The story focus in "The Grove" was on Mika and Lizzie. Carol's killer kids are getting a little out of hand. Lizzie is the more rambunctious of the two, or suicidal might be a better word. It is revealed that Lizzie was the one feeding mice to the zeds back at the prison, which drew hordes of the undead to the fences. As well, Mika's behaviour towards Judith was a little frightening in previous episodes. Lizzie has a killstreak a mile wide and turning on one own's flesh, her sister, makes it clear that there will be no redemption for this character. It is just surprising that so much discussion was needed before putting Lizzie down. Two more minor characters are outroduced in "The Grove" and most survivors are having a difficult time reaching Terminus.

Epis. 14 was one of the highlights of the season, for this watcher. Events in this showing were more focused, but still a little static. How long does it take to get to Terminus? However, there was a lot of excellent drama here as Gimple chooses to focus on the children. What challenges do children have to face in this dangerous environment? Children holding guns is something this viewer is happy not to encounter. As well, there was some denouement and resolution between Carol and Tyreese, which was a long time coming. Carol is improving her chances on returning to the group (although it is scattered). Also, elements like the mysterious fire and burnt zombies created for a few mild thrills. It would have been interesting if someone had investigated the fire. Still, this show continues to offer great production values in: casting, acting and the writing. "The Grove" was a great episode.

Fans of the show are encouraged to watch this latest showing. There was some morality at play here, involving responsibility and children. Also, Carol's decision to face Lizzie was a compelling scene. "The Grove" focused more on dramatic elements, but these elements were delivered with some surprise in Gimple's latest showing. One question remains: how many survivors will make it to Terminus?

Overall: 7.75 out of 10 (the previous slower episode Alone is followed by this more exciting one, the up and down pacing continues).

More on this show can be found at the AMC:

The Grove at the AMC


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