Season 4, Episode 14
Air Date: Sunday, March 16, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“I’m not like my sister; I’m not messed up.” – Mika
The Walking Dead takes a big chance with viewers, considering the dark subject matter in “The Grove.” While the name speaks of serenity and breezes and wildflowers, the episode itself is filled with everything but. Talk about no one being safe from the chopping block! We learn a few truths, watch the unspeakable happen, and maybe shed a tear or two. Peace no longer resides here.
Walkers Are Not Our Friends
Where are all the therapists during the zombiepocalypse?
Little girls under extreme stress either handle it like a pro or crack under the pressure. I’m not sure I understand where the writers are going with Lizzie’s (Brighton Sharbino) story. I keep thinking they should leave that little girl out in the woods somewhere. Seriously. Is the point to show how the zombie apocalypse affects all involved? My mind is blown and I can’t get over how great Sharbino is in “The Grove.” She goes to another place with Lizzie. She removes the little girl from her current circumstances and puts her in a familiar place. Lizzie isn’t living in the zombie-filled world like everyone else. She stares at flowers to calm down and does things that make her appear damaged. We don’t know much about Lizzie and Mika’s (Kyla Kenedy) past, so we’re missing out on how their mother died. I think her death holds the key to what causes Lizzie to snap.
That A-Ha Moment
If you’re wondering why we see so little of Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), Carol (Melissa McBride), and the girls, it’s probably because they don’t really hold a candle to the other survivors. Each group has a niche and this one, well … this group has a hold on my heartstrings. One tug and I’m all teary-eyed. I’m trying not to get too involved with this length of the journey being travelled. I’m more than happy to see baby Judith but I’m not gonna lie; I can’t handle what’s going on with the others. The kids seem to be more of a hindrance than a help. Bu that’s the sleight of hand, isn’t it? Tyreese has fallen into the role of protector; Carol is the mommy substitute; and the girls are a reason to keep going. Coleman and McBride have a moving scene where they have to dig deep to pull out those buried emotions. Tyreese seeks vengeance but when it’s proffered, he forgives. Carol shows her true colors and maybe, just maybe, hates herself a little for it. She wants Tyreese to put her out of her misery. Why must Carol be the one to do the things no one else will? Why must Carol put on her armor and fight the good fight? Remembering where she came from, I can’t believe the woman Carol is now. She’s grown from a woman afraid of her own shadow, to one who’s a powerful force. Carol is the ultimate survivor. I don’t know how I feel about that at this point. Will everyone welcome her back with open arms? Will they offer their forgiveness as readily as Tyreese? McBride portrays Carol with a sense of grace among chaos. I look forward to seeing what more McBride delivers in such a well-rounded and developed character.
Mysteries Solved, Lunatic Revealed
What was left for Carol to do? I hate that she was put in such a tough situation.
“It’s the same thing! It’s the same thing! What if I killed you?! What if I killed you?!” Lizzie is out of her gourd. Sharbino doesn’t overdo Lizzie’s spiral to insanity; she shows what a great actor she is by never wavering from Lizzie’s thought process. The girl believes walkers are still people. She doesn’t have an inkling of doubt where the undead are concerned and wants everyone to see it too. Does she go too far? And Mika, Mika is wise beyond her years. She speaks to Carol with the knowledge of one who’s lived a hard life. I don’t think I ever looked at Mika as more than a scared little girl. Kenedy shows she’s more than that. I think Mika makes Carol stay on her toes. And Lizzie just pushes Carol to do the unmentionable. These girls, without realizing it, move the story forward.
Memorable lines:
Mika to Carol: “Killing people is wrong.”
**
Carol to Mika about killing: “Sooner or later you’ll have to do it; you’ll have to do it and you’ll have to change the way you think about it. You’ll have to change the way you think about it and you’ll do it because everyone does now.”
**
Tyreese to Carol: “As we’re getting closer and closer, I realize, I’m not ready to be around other people just yet.”
**
Tyreese to Carol: “I forgive you.”
**
Tyreese hasn’t mentioned Sasha in a while. Is that good or bad?
Is it family time on the farm again? That’s what “The Grove” would have you believe. “I’m not used to this.” Neither am I, Tyreese. Seeing a few survivors not struggling for a few minutes is a rarity. Finding shelter and some necessities tends to happen less and less. How lucky are these chosen few. “The Grove” is a turning point in The Walking Dead. I look forward to seeing how things pan out from here. The groups are working their way toward one another but the distance between them doesn’t lessen. If you’re recovered, let me know what you thought about “The Grove.” With only two episodes left this season, I know you have to have something to talk about. 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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