The Walking Dead 2.12 - Last Man Standing

Time to put aside childish things... (credit AMC)

After having my heart ripped out at the end of last week's episode, it seems only fitting this this week's installment of The Walking Dead should make my brain explode. So many implications, so little time to sort them all out.

It also makes me take a good, hard look at the title of this entire show and wonder... are they all a little bit dead already?

SPOILER WARNING!!!


As expected, Dale's death has hit everyone hard. Especially young Carl. It's time for him to put aside childish things, for he's never going to have the normal childhood Rick wants for him, and start thinking about what it takes to survive this world. I don't think we'll ever see a lighter side to Carl again after the events of Dale's death, or the events to come in this episode, so it will be interesting to see how dark they choose to take the child.

Shane and Lori's interesting windmill conversation actually made me see Lori in a somewhat new light. For once, she didn't seem to vacillate on which man she wants and she didn't seem to be unconsciously manipulating Shane. It was an apology for the massive screw up job she's pulled on both men because she sees what it's done to both of them.

Unfortunately, Shane left Crazy Town in his rear view mirror a long time ago, and I really think Lori's confessions may have steeled his resolve to end Randall and kill Rick in order to make Lori, Carl and the baby his own. Rick doesn't help matters by constantly choosing the good of the many over the good of his family either.

There is little time to grieve Dale, although seeing Glenn taking up Dale's job and the RV was especially poignant. Of all of them, Andrea is at peace because she backed him in the end. She's also moving up in ranks under Rick, which should make for some interesting character growth.

Of course, the biggest change is in Daryl, who now has his place and a purpose again. Since taking the decision to end Dale out of Rick's hands, we see the fire to protect this group (what's his) back in his eyes after the death of Sophia.

I especially love that even though he may follow Rick's lead, we're still not quite sure if he really believes Rick's choices are right. When the shit hits the fan, if Rick hesitates, I have little doubt Daryl will step in to protect what means most to him. Still, it is intensely gratifying to see Daryl step into this new role and is further proof that in terms of character development, Daryl has tons of potential.

Full moon execution... (credit AMC)

The climax of this episode might have been the worst kept secret in Hollywood, but no one can deny the power punch of shock and awe actually seeing it play out. Under a backdrop of an eery full moon, Shane and Rick bring to a close a contentious roller-coaster ride of a relationship that has been a long time in coming.

Shane really did bring all of this on himself, but Andy Lincoln's broken screams never fail to elicit a gasp from me. And as disturbing as Shane's demise was, his resurrection was ten times more horrific.

Now, the viewers get a taste of this little "theory" when Daryl and Glenn discover Randall-walker in the woods and see he has no bite wounds. Within minutes of death, Shane rises and stumbles after Rick and Carl. What does this mean?

It's been speculated that Jenner's whisper to Rick at the CDC was something along the lines that "everyone carries the virus." Die without a head-shot and you still come back, walkerized. While it's fascinating to speculate if the virus is dormant in their systems, only awakening at death, or if it's airborne, the bigger question for me is, is there any hope left at all?

If they are all basically screwed to hell at the offing, dead men waking (so to speak), where's the hope in the long run? If there is no hope... damn... what a bummer.

Notice at Shane's death, the flashes of what I call, "the hunger"? Images of the ravenous walker hunger that Jim was having as he fell ill with the virus in season 1. An omen of what they all carry within?

This episode was the epitome of excellent story telling, acting and cinematography all wrapped up in a nice neat package of win. We said goodbye to another fan favorite, but with the hope that all of this change for our characters brings about amazing developments down the line.

So many questions, so little time. The time for grieving and talk is over. It's balls-to-the-wall survival time and I guarantee, more of our little group will fall before the end.

What did YOU think of 2.12?

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