Season 4, Episode 11
Air Date: Sunday, February 23, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“Let’s go. Let’s … go.” – Rick Grimes
I think I’m officially grossed out. I’ve been watching The Walking Dead since its premiere four years ago, and I have to say I’m getting worried. If I can’t stomach watching the little bit of zombie killing that goes on in “Claimed,” I have no idea how I’ll get through the rest of this season and the next. This isn’t Zombieland where the most inventive ways for killing a zombie are impressive. Maybe someone needs to tell the survivors that.
Observations and thoughts:
Breakfast, the Most Important Meal of the Day
Michonne is slowly coming out of her shell.
Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Carl (Chandler Riggs) having a moment over breakfast seems almost surreal. How interesting to watch the two of them smiling and laughing together since it’s been so long. I guess it can be considered unusual to hear anyone laughing during a zombie apocalypse but necessary nonetheless. The insurgence of laughter brings about a change in the characters that I can appreciate as a longtime viewer. Michonne tells Rick (Andrew Lincoln), “I’m done taking breaks,” which reaffirms the actions she took in “After.” Her days of wandering amongst zombie hordes are really over. I like seeing this new Michonne. She’s talking more, cracking jokes, and being friendly. Something we haven’t seen her since she was buddy-buddy with Andrea (Laurie Holden). Not only that, the writers take this opportunity to show us another side to both Carl and Michonne. They continue to grow as characters, shedding the negativity of past transgressions. I think sometimes we forget who the survivors used to be because we only see who they are now. Carl is someone’s brother, and son, in spite of being the mini-man he’s forced to be. Michonne was a mother, and apparently a comedienne. I’m looking forward to more insight into these two characters, and their budding relationship.
Just Roll With It
Glenn (Steven Yeun) is still on a mission to find his “wife” Maggie (Lauren Cohan). He’s like a dog with a bone, and Yeun plays the part with ease. You can see the pain and anguish on his face as Glenn realizes how much he’s lost. He won’t give up no matter what stands in his way, and that determination makes Glenn the man! He’s matured twofold and is definitely not the same character from season one. This Glenn is the commando version, no longer hiding from walkers but taking them out. You best believe he’ll move heaven and earth to get to his woman. I like seeing the dedication of two people trying to keep what normalcy they can in a chaotic world. The thought of getting married, of having familiar relationships seems almost foreign when living one day to the next is first and foremost. Maggie and Glenn once again provide hope for a new world—one without flesh eating monsters roaming the streets. The strength of their bond will be a tough one to break. It’ll be interesting to see just how far it takes them as the two fight to reunite with one another.
Redemption Song
I didn’t know Glenn had it in him!
Tara (Alana Masterson) isn’t quite the “loyal” person Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) claims. She too was a ‘zombie’ not that long ago and I’m still waiting for her to die at any moment. Her five minutes have to be up by now. She’s one of those characters who seems important but really isn’t. She came across so badass before but now, now she’s bordering on helpless. I wonder if that’s Tara’s dynamic. She clings to those stronger than she is in order to survive. She just might take to Abraham because he’s a no nonsense type of guy. And speaking of Abraham, this mission he’s on, is it one that will be fruitful, or a waste of gas? “Believe it or not, the fate of the entire damn human race might depend on it.” I’m interested to see where his storyline goes and how he’ll get along with the rest of the survivors once they meet. Because it’s bound to happen.
Random thoughts:
Can I say how freaked out I was when Dr. Eugene Porter (Josh McDermitt) has a hard time figuring out how to fire a machine gun? I mean, I was fuh-reaked. He’s either going to get someone killed or end up on the wrong side of a walker’s mouth. “Trust me, I’m smarter than you.” Okay, Mullet Man.
The writers tease us with the potential for non-walker related violence, and then nothing. I know this is a zombie show but the main characters are human. I’d like to see more of that aspect since there are no more ‘villains’ wreaking havoc.
Abraham says something that rings true, yet in the world of the zombie apocalypse, it’s every man for himself. Why doesn’t everyone who has managed to survive try to stick together? Why do people become selfish and have to take, take, take?
Why do you think Michonne shields Carl from what’s in the pink bedroom? Is she trying to spare him more pain, keeping him from sinking back into depression?
Memorable lines:
Michonne and Carl have a sweet bonding moment.
Michonne: “I’m sorry. I’m not used to making boys your age laugh.”
Carl: “I was laughing. On the inside.”
**
Abraham trying to get Glenn to see reason and stick with him: “… let me tell you how to best avoid winding up just another dead/alive prick. You find some strong, likeminded comrades and you stay stuck together like wet on water. We need people—the more, the better. We need each other, partner.”
**
Abraham to Tara: “I mean, even if he does find his wife, so what? How long do you think they’ll live happily ever after if we don’t get Eugene up to Washington?”
**
It’s official: there will be mullets in the zombie apocalypse.
While I can appreciate Abraham’s motives and words, I don’t know if what he’s claiming to be true will make a difference. So if Eugene knows how the whole zombiepocalypse happened, how’s he supposed to stop it? Has he shared this knowledge with anyone, because I’d hate to see him bite it before making it to D.C.? But I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it all pans out. Let me know what you thought about “Claimed.” 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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