Season 4, Episode 15
Air Date: Sunday, March 23, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“What do you do when the mission’s over?” – Tara
The Walking Dead takes one for the team with the mediocre filler episode “Us.” I’m still not sure what the title refers to, unless it has to do with finally reaching Terminus, pointing to the final two letters in the word. Or maybe, it’s the simple meaning of the word relating to the group of survivors. You know, there’s no “I” in team and all that jazz. It is clearly apparent making it alone is no longer a viable option. The general consensus dictates it’s much better to be an us during a zombie apocalypse. But what if you don’t trust those in your group? The writers take us for a little ride on the doubt train. Is everyone heading for their ‘final destination’ or are they finally going to find refuge? I don’t think Terminus is all it’s cracked up to be.
Don’t F**k with Daryl
Joe’s group have no idea who they’ve got tagging along with them.
This is my motto for all future episodes of The Walking Dead. I can’t say it enough. There’s just something about Daryl (Norman Reedus) that got me on his side without really knowing much about him. It has to be the innocence that hides behind his eyes. Yeah, we know he’s all bad ass all the time but there is a certain naïveté to Daryl as well. I’ve noticed how he is with this new group. As an aside, Jeff Kober is amazing as Joe. He has a calm sense of chaos about him, and portrays Joe as a kind of mentor among the marauders. Joe appeals to me, even though he’s a snake in the grass. I’m fond of him and might like to see him stick around a while. He’s not one that will be taken out swiftly or easily either. I think the rest of the gang will need to watch their backs when he’s around. The writers have added yet another character with backbone who turns out to be the villain you love to hate.
Back to the good stuff: Daryl, at this point, should be wandering around like a walker. Since losing Beth (Emily Kinney), he’s fallen into a depression, which Reedus gives a solemn beauty to. Upon first glance, you don’t think Daryl is brooding but you can see his underlying hurt. I still think he’s depressed from his self-proclaimed failure at the prison; he’s preoccupying his mind with working out ways to either blend with or ditch his new “gang.” These douchecanoes aren’t good for him, and Daryl won’t acclimate to their ways. (I’ll probably hate the word “claimed” for a while now, too.) While I’d rather Daryl were alone, it’s good to see he has a purpose again.
Random Thoughts:
So where have these three been, and how will Rick react to seeing Joe again?
I’m intrigued by Abraham’s (Michael Cudlitz) need to get Eugene (Josh McDermitt) to Washington, D.C. but I also feel it might be a lost cause. I’m ready to say this whole deal is important to Abraham because there’s nothing else for him to do. A mission—even a foolhardy one—is better than remaining stagnant. McDermitt transforms into the scientific genius with ease, affecting an aloofness Eugene would much rather hide. How many other brainiacs do you think have survived the zombie apocalypse? He can’t be the only one.
So yeah, I cried when Glenn (Steven Yeun) takes off after seeing Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) message. And I’m talking real tears here, folks. Sue me. It was touching as all hell. The close up of Glenn’s face is such an honest shot, and his look of hope just got to me. There’s no way Yeun faked the emotion he wore. He has a look in his eye that says, ‘I told you so, bitches,’ and a newfound purpose to not give up. He knows his woman is out there waiting and looking for him, and he’ll find her no matter what. You gotta have some sweetness in a world turned sour. Thank you, writers for the ever enduring love of Maggie and Glenn. I am a romantic at heart, after all.
Memorable lines:
Daryl: “Ain’t no rules no more.”
Joe: “Oh there are, and you know that. That’s why I didn’t kill you for the crossbow.”
Who is this dude, and where does he get his so-called “rules” that don’t make sense?
**
Joe to Daryl: “Ain’t nothing sadder than when an outdoor cat meets an indoor cat.”
Took me a second to figure this one out, and I’m still waiting for Daryl to punch him in the face.
**
Glenn: “I’m sorry I hit you in the face.”
Abraham: “I’m not. I like to fight.”
**
I know I’m not the only one happy to see these two reunite.
All season we’ve seen cold, hard evidence of how people are the true threat during an apocalypse. Walkers still put fear in those fighting to survive dire straits but they don’t hold a candle to the desperate living. I’m really interested in what you thought of “Us” and would love to hear from you. Only one episode left. What do you think is going to happen in Terminus? Drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe.
Tune in to the season four finale of The Walking Dead, Sunday, March 30 at 9/8c, only on AMC. For more on the show, visit the official site.
Follow The Walking Dead on Twitter, using #TheWalkingDead.
LIKE The Walking Dead on Facebook.
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2014 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
Latest posts by Elle (Posts)
- The Walking Dead Season Finale – “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life” Review. It’s Showtime! - April 6, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “Something They Need” Review. Full of Guns and Surprises and Guns. - March 29, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “The Other Side” Review. Girl Power! - March 22, 2017
- The Walking Dead ― “Bury Me Here” Review. The End Is Near. - March 15, 2017
2 comments
Hi!
Is there a chace to put full resolution pictures on the site ?
Hi, thank you for your comment. We are trying to increase the size of the photos so they have better resolution.