Ok. So, finally I get around to do this. First, I will sensibly caution about potential spoilers. And I will state, yeah, I understand why people got so pissed off about social media doing a play by play commentary and spoiling the episode, literally, as it aired. Hats off to Facebook and Twitter for those big plays.
First, let me start by saying that though The Walking Dead is indeed based on the graphic novels and series of the same name, I am treating the TV series as something different...and rightfully so. A lot of the antagonists are odd hybrids of the comic antagonists and a lot of the central characters are nods to different things. Sure, prior knowledge of the comics might help avoid some spoilers...but in the same respect, they're not exactly the same characters, are they?
The first three episodes of Season 6 are...interesting. From a purely artistic point of view I liked them. I liked the idea of the same story being told from three different sets of viewpoints over the three episodes, as well as the chain of events that one group's experience brought to the others. And given the size of the primary cast, Rick's Group as it were, this is probably an approach they may want to take more often.
So rather than analyse each episode individually, let's look at key points from all of them...or more specifically the actions of key characters. With this whole multiple POV approach that is probably for the best, right?
Rick - Unsurprisingly Rick has established himself in a dominant leadership position. To the point where the Alexandrians are regularly butting heads with his group. Now, to be fair as the character who is the main focus of the show, the main character for the audience to emphasise with and the main character we have followed so far...well, this is to be expected. Early on in the show he took on this sort of 'messiah' role. He suffered hardships. He lost his wife. He draws others to him. He leads. Even his former career as a police sheriff lends itself to this image.
And if Rick is indeed the new messiah in this world gone to hell that puts the position of 'his' hands as Carol and Daryl. But here's where the group's composition gets really interesting...and in the second episode of the season this becomes very much apparent for all to see.
The biblical concept of the left and right hands of God - the left being 'lawful judgement' and the right being 'loving kindness' is very cleverly inverted with this series. One would expect Daryl to be the left hand. He's had a rough upbringing, he very much looks like the sort of character who could kill and pass such a judgement and he's always portrayed as being at odds with everyone else, standing alone from them. A sort of solemn position of someone who has to pass the harsh judgements.
But Daryl is actually the right hand of Rick. Yes, that's right. Daryl is the hand of loving kindness. His character has developed as such and his relationship with Beth in Season 4 and Season 5 very much portrays him as a kinder individual, rather than a more aggressive individual.
So that sets Carol as the left hand. The hand of lawful judgement. And my god, how so. No mercy asked or given, this 'kind lady' pretty much storms through the Wolves with ease. She shows herself as being more capable than most and puts down those who are fatally wounded. Her actions in earlier seasons also back this approach.
And to be honest, Carol scares the hell out of me. It's like she has a completely different persona hidden behind the smiles and kindness...something that even the Alexandrians can be seen as being upset and scared of.
Speaking of 'core' characters...this is the same idea of every series. A character that has been around and survived since the very beginning in a series such as this is seen to have some sort of immunity. Some sort of plot armour. We don't expect them to be 'mortal', especially 6 seasons in.
But Glenn. My god. No matter how you put things, Glenn's ultimate fate is the thing that will have shocked people the most. After the amazing episode of Carol we get this...and not even halfway through the 3rd episode. Yeah, that's right. His death isn't even the 'finale' of the episode. It's the midpoint. And it's brought about in a tragic and pitiful way. Nicholas takes the coward's way out. The character that was always shaky and weak, especially after getting called out and caught out on it last season...doesn't learn.
And this final piece of him not learning...pulls down one of the characters who has been in the series since the very beginning. Already the internet has theories of how he survived and that clearly wasn't him being mercilessly devoured on screen. The fact they didn't show the full consumption is one of the key points people are holding on to, just in case. Of course, this could also be the fact that AMC didn't feel the need to go Game of Thrones on us with gratuitous gore.
Now if Glenn does come back? Well, ok. That'll be a nice twist. But part of me hopes he doesn't. Part of me wants the shock that a character who has been part of the core group can die so easily to stick around. That 'shock' to us is a reality for them. Throughout the first three episodes, in the bits that cut to her Michonne reminds us of this. Rick's group has survived. They've been in those situations where they have looked into the abyss and pulled through...the rebellious Alexandrians have not. It is a stark reminder of how different peoples' lifestyles have been and that leads us to the final character and bit I will look at...who also happens to be the primary focus of the fourth episode of the season so far.
Morgan. When we first saw him, early on...he was cautious. When we next saw him...he'd completely lost it. And when he returned yet again? He was sane. The fourth episode focuses on that...and the character of Eastman is great for that. He's a down to earth, sensible pacifist. He's a guy who is just surviving. No grand plans. No 'we must rebuild society' approach. Just a guy in the woods. And as Morgan's mind slowly returns from madness...we learn that the super sane Eastman...might not be all that he is.
Eastman's backstory is powerful. He lost it all. And then he passes it off as valuing all life as precious. That he turned the other cheek. Until later on...when not only does Morgan have to confront the consequences of his actions in the Walker eating the new star of the show (RIP Tabitha) but also the fact that Eastman's not as 'innocent' and pure as he presented himself. He did do the vile act he planned...and afterwards never again.
The fourth episode fills in the gaps for Morgan...but in that respect...in the fact he has to deal with his consequences it ties to the cliffhanger of the third episode with Rick and the RV. The fact he let some of the Wolves go came back...just as the fact he killed a man in his madness did in regards to Eastman.
So far? We've had our shocks. We've had our awesome moments. And we've had those moments of understanding.
But most of all...
We lost two stars. RIP Tabitha and Glenn. Especially Tabitha. Best goat.
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