Air Date: Sunday, March 2, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“All I wanted to do today was lay down and cry … but we don’t get to do that.” – Beth Greene
The Walking Dead is taking a different approach to the second half of season four. The first half consisted of relationships built and maintained. This second half reveals individuals, their pasts, and what lies ahead in their future. What an interesting look at the world during a zombie apocalypse. The title “Still” must refer to the moonshine distillery. Or could it be more of an ode to the nature of the episode. Either way, stellar acting and cinematography make sure “Still” completes another piece of the survivor puzzle.
Observations and thoughts:
Camping Anyone?
Beth is doing pretty well for someone who wasn’t expected to survive long.
The ease of prison life is long gone and the remaining survivors left to make it in the woods resort to the basest of human instincts. I love this aspect of The Walking Dead. The writers don’t shy away from showing the more gruesome parts of surviving in an apocalypse. Yeah, we could be shown the lighter side of things where food comes easy, fire is at the end of a lighter or matches, and shelter is as lush as the empty house around the corner. No, life in the woods isn’t simple. Not only are there walkers roaming in search of food, wildlife hasn’t ceased to exist. Plus, we get to watch Daryl (Norman Reedus) in what could be part of his element. His redneck is showing.
Feelings
Guess who has them? We know Daryl does; we know he harbors these emotions inside, yet he doesn’t like to let anyone in. He’s lost so much that losing just one more thing will set him off. He’s not the bad ass we’re used to seeing because he can’t get past what’s bugging him—he couldn’t do enough. It’s not fair of Daryl to hold onto such guilt. I love seeing Reedus take his character to another level of emotional depth. And Beth (Emily Kinney) really brings it. She isn’t the quiet, singing girl we’ve seen from the prison. She isn’t all rainbows and lollipops as she seems. Beth is a survivor doing what she needs to do in order to make it from one day to the next.
Random thoughts:
Daryl needs a shoulder to cry on. Then he’s back to kicking ass.
I like the silent chaos of the scenes between Daryl and Beth. They play off one another without having to say a word. Daryl stays in his own world while Beth tries to make herself fit into his space.
There’s moonshine in the zombie apocalypse? Well, now I’ve seen it all.
Why do you think it’s easier for Daryl to believe everyone he’s come to know and love is dead? Would you resort to the same tactics to keep your sanity?
Memorable lines:
Beth to Daryl: “I can take care of myself, and I’m gonna get a damn drink.”
**
Beth: “Peach Schnapps. Is it good?”
Daryl: “No.”
Beth: “Well, it’s the only thing left.”
Beth doesn’t really say anything profound here but it still comes across that way. They seem to be the only ones left.
**
Daryl to Beth: “I ain’t gonna have your first drink be no damn Peach Schnapps.”
**
Beth to Daryl once she realizes why Daryl won’t open up: “I know when you look at me you see a dead girl. I’m not Michonne; I’m not Carol; I’m not Maggie but I survived, and you don’t get it ‘cause I’m not like you or them. But I made it, and you don’t get to treat me like crap because you’re … afraid.”
**
Daryl: “Everyone we know is dead!”
Beth: “You don’t know that!”
Daryl: “Might as well because you ain’t never gonna see ‘em again.”
I almost shed a tear here. I really need these two to find the others.
**
Could Beth be one of the last people standing?
Not knowing how long you have to live is motivation enough to get anyone up and moving. Beth’s desire to have her first drink is simply that. She wants something to do in order to feel that she’s lived before she dies. Who knows how long they have left? Who knows when a walker will sneak up on them and end it all with one bite? “Still” is a character-centric episode, getting to what’s hidden beneath the bravado the survivors wear, delving into the things best left untouched. What do you think you’d miss during an apocalypse? The Internet, alcohol, golf? All these things are mentioned, shown, touched on during “Still” for a reason. Let me know what you thought about “Still.” Drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe.
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Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2014 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
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