Photo by futureatlas.com, via flickr
Jennipher Schafer/Staff Writer
Going into the season finale of “The Walking Dead” I had many fears. Since the show is loosely based off the comic book it doesn’t necessarily mean that it takes all of its cues from those pages. Even avid readers of the comic don’t always know what to expect.
Coming away from this season the message is clear and frightening. In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead the worst monsters to fear are broken and depraved living people.
If you still haven’t seen the episode, there are spoilers ahead.
Before the second half season, we had been left with the aftermath of the Governor’s raid on the prison. The Governor seemed to be the worst of the worst. He was ruthless, cunning, and most certainly insane.
However, the second half season brought up many terrifying issues which were brought to light in flawless delivery.
Michonne had to come to terms with her journey. She spent time reflecting on it earlier in the season. It was the season finale when she shared her story with Carl to try and save the bond between father and son that she had finally allowed herself to accept her past and integrate it into her present.
The reality of the circumstances leading to her “pet” walkers keeping her safe being entirely out of revenge for her son shed light on drug abuse.
Substance abuse was also a theme for Daryl as he and Beth confronted his childhood being raised by a moonshiner. Further pressure for Daryl to return to a life of immorality with Joe and his gang genuinely seemed to tempt him.
Joe’s line “Ain’t nothing sadder than an outdoor cat who thinks he’s an indoor cat,” forced Daryl to look inside and see if he really was a good person, or if he had just been fooling himself into believing he was.
In the season finale several deeply disturbing elements came into play. When Joe’s gang found Rick, they were clear about their intentions telling Rick that he and his men would “Have the woman, then the boy. And then we’ll kill you.”
The acting on part of Chandler Riggs (Carl) and Danai Gurira (Michonne) was spot on for fear and desperation in that situation. Rick’s final chance to save his son from such a fate was to bite his assailant’s throat ripping out his jugular vein much like the walkers do when they feed.
Was it disturbing? Yes. Was it understandable given the situation? Absolutely.
This season was no stranger to controversy after the much-debated Lizzie and Mica arc. Fans were stunned when Lizzie brutally stabbed her sister to death in an attempt to show Carol and Tyrese that she’d wake up and they could all be happy together.
While nobody could debate that the child was disturbed, this particular end was unexpected. Carol was left with no choice but to kill the child for fear of the danger she placed everyone in.
Where will they go from here is anyone’s guess. Comic book fans suspect that Terminus is the home for a group of cannibals who thrive by luring in unsuspecting victims with the promise of shelter and sanctuary.
Season five has not begun filming yet, but fans can’t wait for this fall.
jennipher.schafer@fiusm.com
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