BWW Recap: THE WALKING DEAD and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night

If you're tired of everyone gushing about how THE WALKING DEAD is the best show on television, you probably won't enjoy this recap. When the creators say that each episode will get better and better, they weren't lying. It is almost ludicrous how good this season is already.

After last week's ending of the Bob-a-Cue, we picked up seconds later with Gareth explaining his preferences in meat taste regarding men, women, pretty people, blech. But Bob had the last laugh, see, he had been bitten and they were all eating tainted meat.

Still skeptical about Father Gabriel, Rick confronts him and asks where the missing Bob, Daryl and Carol are. The Good Father confesses that he isn't doing anything shady, he just didn't help his congregates when they came for help and heard them all die. (I still think there's more to this guy.)

When a one-legged Bob shows up at the church (did he escape or was he deposited there by Gareth?) Rick and crew decide to go after them. But always watching, Gareth arrives at the church with his crew after Rick and his leave. They prey on the left behind including Tyrese, Carl and Judith who can't hold her cry in for like 5 minutes! And right as they are about to attack, Rick appears out of the darkness. The confrontation between Rick and Gareth may be one of the greatest scenes ever on THE WALKING DEAD along with the massacre that followed in the shadow of the pulpit while the others look on in horror. Father Gabriel is horrified but to the rest, it's just another day. Abraham decides to leave to get Eugene to DC and he takes Rosita, Tara, Glenn and Maggie.

After Bob finally succumbs to his wounds, Tyrese takes care of him so Sasha won't have to. While digging his grave, Tyrese confesses to Rick that the road to Terminus basically killed him. Rick disagrees but then, Rick doesn't know about the flowers, does he?

So what I'm wondering, is our crew falling apart or are they more together than ever? Gareth and his gang were a glimpse at what they could have become and they feel validated in the way they have handled things. However, resorting to such brutal deaths tonight, are they any better? Sure they're not cooking people's legs over a fire but still. Is their method of survival the best? Father Gabriel doesn't seem to think so. But seeing Gareth on his knees begging Rick for mercy was just a masterful full circle moment and to see Rick have absolutely no mercy spoke volumes.

I'm also wondering if Michonne has turned a corner. She was reunited with her sword (yay!) but her biggest smile came when Daryl returned. Has she grown to find a family again and gotten over her quest for vengeance? That's a fascinating character growth. I'm also wondering what Abraham is going to do to Eugene once he figures out he's full of crap. Because he is, right? Even in the zombie apocalypse, you don't trust the mullet.

What I Know:

• Maggie still hasn't asked if Beth lived or died. So now she's gone off with Abraham so even if Beth is alive, they're still not reunited.

• I'm appalled at how satisfied I was at Gareth and smug Martin's brutal deaths. Not since Todd on BREAKING BAD has a death been more gratifying. I'm a horrible person.

• Next week we finally get to find out about Beth. And Carol? What was THAT look about at the end?

What I Don't Know:

• What was with the giant "A" marked on the outside of the church?

• Gareth was on our local radio show here in LA on Friday and he went on and on about his arc over the course of this season. Do the characters in THE WALKING DEAD enjoy going on talk shows and just lying their faces off? I know I would.

• So if Gareth isn't the big bad for the season, then who is? The jury is still out on Father Gabriel. Or is it the person who has/had Beth?

Lines I Love:

• Gareth - It wasn't gonna be a trap, it was gonna be a choice. You either join us or feed us.

• Gareth - I don't know, maybe we'll keep the kid. I'm starting to like this girl.

• Father Gabriel - This is the Lord's House. Maggie - No. It's just four walls and a roof.

• Bob - Nightmares end. They shouldn't end who you are. And that is just this dead man's opinion.

• Abraham - The new world's gonna need Rick Grimes.

Major Character Deaths:

• Bob - Poor Bob. I had a feeling he was bitten at the food bank, but still. Rough day when you get bit by a walker, your leg gets eaten and then you die in a church.

• Gareth - You were one psychotic villain but quite enjoyable to watch.

One final shout out to director Jeffrey F. January. There were some shots in this episode that reeked of terror. A still shot of the church sign as one group walked away and one group arrived? Just the still focus on that sign was one of the scariest moments for me. Gareth's feet walking slowly on the church carpet, the lighting in the church, Rick walking out of the darkness to reveal himself? Just pure poetry.

Follow me on Twitter @eponineq and follow @BWWTVWorld for all the latest updates, scoops and recaps.

Here's a preview for next week's episode:

Photo Credit: AMC

To post a comment, you must register and login.