Don't Talk to "Strangers" on "The Walking Dead:" A Television Review

*there are major spoilers here.

Director: David Boyd.

Writer: Robert Kirkman.

Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira and Melissa McBride.

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his crew have survived Terminus. Now, this growing group have found another character to add to the pack. Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam), a cowardly priest, has a refuge and a few secrets. Lots of sideplots were developed further in this showing. Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) has a trap in store for the survivors. A few cannibals have survived their defeat, at the hands of Carol (Melissa McBride). A kidnapper is about and Bob will never look the same. This episode was quite a bit slower than the previous episode, "No Sanctuary." As well, some of the night scenes obfuscated the visual frame. But, "Strangers" was still an exciting outing.

Everything is going well for Rick and his current company. But then, they meet a new character. Father Gabriel does not offer a spiritual message, but he is not very kind to others. It is revealed that Gabriel left other survivors to die, while he hoarded his food. This character also falters in an action packed scene. This man of the cloth might hamper the other characters, in future encounters. Then, Beth's (Emily Kinney) kidnapper appeared on a darkened road. Another villain, Gareth (Andrew J. West), also made his appearance and Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) was the belle of the ball and on the main menu, in a late scene. All of these characters will collide further in future episodes.

Father Gabriel needs to step it up, quickly.

Father Gabriel will be another minor character. But, how long will he last? And, how long could anyone last in a zombie apocalypse as a pacifist? It seems that Gabriel's time might be limited. His encounter with a group of zombies, in a thrift store, showed his yellow stripes. Rick was forgiving of his inaction, but his patience will not last long. As well, Gabriel's secret is easily deciphered thanks to a wood cut message. The message reads: "you will burn for this." There are also knife marks on an exterior window shutter. So, it becomes apparent that other characters came by, looking for help; Gabriel was less than hospitable. Gabriel is both selfish and cowardly and maybe better off in a zombie's maw. This character is neither good nor evil, but he is no a champion of virtue, either.

The cannibals are back! Gareth and a few shadowy characters have overcome their imprisonment, at Terminus. They must have eaten all of the people back at Terminus, because they are already hot on Rick's trail and looking for human food. Daryl (Norman Reedus) notices he is being watched at night. This presence was likely Gareth and his wandering horde of man-eaters. Also, Gareth wastes no time in taking one of the survivor's crew. Bob is captured, chopped up and eaten in under a minute. Who is next on the menu? Gareth says that he eats out of need. But, the other survivors are able to find food, with a little work. Gareth is less inclined to scavenge and happier to eat fellow wanderers. It is obvious this character is more of a sociopath, than a man of true necessity. His comeuppance is coming soon.

While slower paced than "No Sanctuary," "Strangers" still offered lots of tension. This group of zombie killers is deserving of a rest, after the battle at Terminus. They find that brief refuge in a church. Here, the characters reunite and talk of the past. Characterizations are developed and connections are formed. This episode was much like a breather for the survivors and possibly even for the viewer. Still, there was a lot of tension in this showing. Beth's kidnapper is seen driving down a darkened road; Daryl and Carol give chase. The threat of Gareth and his group of cannibals has already been discussed. All of these threats will split the survivors up further in future episodes.

"Strangers" was another mostly thrilling episode. "The Walking Dead" continues to offer lots of sideplots and conflicts. As a late note, it appears that Abraham has his own secrets: "we are waiting for our moment." Abraham says this while watching Michonne's (Danai Gurira) handiwork. It becomes clear that many of the characters, minor or otherwise, have their own motivations and strategies for survival. These smaller inter-conflicts are what keeps the show interesting. This viewer will return to see how much of Bob's body is left, if any and zombie television fans are sure to find something compelling here.

Overall: 7 out of 10 (Gareth will be a problem until confronted - again, why was Bob crying in the woods? the next episode should reveal Gabriel's secret fully).


Subscribe to 28 Days Later: An Analysis Email Subscription

Posted in: 2014,andrew lincoln,conflict,review,television review,the walking dead,the walking dead season 5,zombie,zombie apocalypse,zombies