Decisions, Decisions... Review: The Walking Dead - "Indifference"

Season 4, Episode 4

Air Date: Sunday, November 3, 2013, at 9/8c on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

“I’m not afraid to kill; I’m just afraid.” – Lizzie

“Indifference” relates to one’s feelings. There is serious indifference in the way certain people are reacting to situations. The Walking Dead takes a look at this lack of sympathy in a few of its characters and leaves us to decide who’s right or wrong. This is a tough episode to digest.

Observations and thoughts:

What’s A Man To Do?

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) spends the opening scene reliving what he thinks happened when Carol (Melissa McBride) took it upon herself to “save” the group. He spends a few minutes running through what may have happened, why it happened, and how the decision was made. But at this point, it’s impossible to know how he feels about the situation and what he plans to do about it (if he plans to do anything). I don’t see him confessing all to the group. There are too many people to be hurt by Carol’s ‘initiative,’ and I think Rick has to take that into consideration.

Freudian Slip

I don’t think I’ve reconciled yet with what we learned about Carol. She’s not the person I once thought she was. She’s on the verge of becoming something she can’t come back from. She’s gotten so hard I’m not sure she remembers how to be the afraid-of-her-shadow woman she used to be. One scene is very telling:

Lizzie: “Ok, mom. I mean, ma’am.”

Carol: “Don’t call me mom.”

Lizzie: “It was an accident.”

Carol: “Just … don’t.”

Now, why would Carol react so harshly to being called “mom?” Just last week I spoke about her maternal instincts toward the kids in the prison and her feeling closer to Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) since she’s close to Sophia’s (Madison Lintz) age. Is it because Lizzie reminds Carol so much of Sophia that it hurts to hear herself being called “mom?” Does her reaction prove her indifference to the people around her? Is Carol really acting in the best interests of the group or her own best interest? I don’t know what to think about her anymore.

Mis-ter-understood

Bob (Lawrence Gillard Jr.)—if that’s really his name—would be on the permanent ‘stay your ass at home’ list. I’ve been wondering about him, considering he’s the “weakest” link. He wants to prove himself, and make sure he’s not part of some sort of “curse,” yet I think he’s bad luck all around. I don’t trust him.

What in the world is going on with Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman)? He’s battling some internal demons or maybe he just has a death wish. He thinks the mission to find meds is pointless because everyone back at the prison is already dead. It’s a possibility, of course, but not knowing for sure has to be killing him. I believe this is what Rick worries about most when thinking about how Tyreese will react when he finds out Carol is the person responsible for killing Karen (Melissa Ponzio). Rick doesn’t want or need that drama on top of the already mounting issues they face at the prison.

Who’s The Man?

I’ve liked Norman Reedus since his unforgettable acting in the cult classic The Boondock Saints. So to see him now, as fan favorite Daryl Dixon, makes me smile. Reedus throws himself into the role and embodies everything that is Daryl. Why do you think fans love his character so much? You know there will be hell to pay if anything ever happens to him. It’s because of scenes like the one in “Indifference,” where he faces off with Bob by literally getting in his face. The silence speaks volumes. The tension is thick enough to be cut with a knife. The looks on the two men’s faces is enough to reveal the seriousness of the situation. As a viewer, you wait for one of the men to make a move and you find out quickly who’s the real badass between the two.

Not With A Ten Foot Pole

“When Tyreese finds out, he’ll kill you.” You know Rick doesn’t want to broach the subject with Carol but the issue needs to be addressed. She made a decision that shouldn’t have been made by one person. “I was trying to save lives; I was trying. Somebody had to.” Her need to reassure Rick that what she did was right is what concerns me most. She probably feels guilty. At the least, she’s harboring doubt at making such a hasty decision. She wants Rick to know he can still trust her, even after committing cold-blooded murder. So, was I shocked by what Rick decides to do? No. Do I agree with his decision? Eh, I’m on the fence. I think anyone who decides to take matters into their own hands and murder one of the survivors should be dealt with harshly. If harsh is throwing them out, then so be it. What I’d like to know is how the group will fare without Carol. Oh, and wait until Daryl finds out! It won’t be pretty. Daryl told Tyreese he wants to bring the culprit to justice too. Will Daryl still feel the same way once he finds out it was Carol? Conflict coming right up!

Random thoughts:

Why doesn’t driving in Atlanta with their windows rolled up cause anyone to break a sweat? You know it’s hotter than hell in the south on the coldest of days. I’m amazed the survivors don’t complain more about the lack of air flow when traveling by car. I’d at least want to run the AC.

Michonne (Danai Gurira) is always the voice of reason. She seems to get through to even the most clouded of minds. She amazes me with her skill. She listens, issues advice with judgment, and points out the obvious. “But I’m not angry; I was.” Tyreese could learn a lot from Michonne, even if it’s just anger management.

Memorable lines:

Michonne to Tyreese: “I know you’re pissed, and you have every reason to be. But anger makes you stupid and stupid gets you killed.”

Carol to Rick: “You don’t have to like what I did, Rick. I don’t. You just accept it.”

Rick to Carol: “You’re not that woman who was too scared to be alone. Not anymore.”

During the zombie apocalypse, you can’t second guess yourself. You make a decision, you stick by it. Questioning yourself and having doubts leaves you open for mistakes. Mistakes can lead to death. Rick is doubting himself with the decision to rid himself of someone he finds is or will be a threat to him and his family. But isn’t Carol family? Is that why Rick looks in his rear view mirror, glancing back instead of looking forward when leaving her behind? Let me know how you feel about it by dropping me a line in the comments section below or on Twitter @ellemoe.

Tune in to The Walking Dead, Sundays at 9/8c only on AMC. For more on the show, visit the official site.

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Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle