Air Date: Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“Knots untie; locks get picked.” – Jesus
What would Jesus do?
The Walking Dead (TWD) takes a step in another direction with “Knots Untie.” While we still don’t quite know who Jesus (Tom Payne) is, or his big secret (because you know he has one), it’s possible he may not be all bad. I’m just playing devil’s advocate here because I’m tired of all the new people we meet being evil and wanting to hurt, maim, and kill. With that said, I’m not sure where “Knots Untie” is going. Are we supposed to understand why the writers make this episode character-centric but with no real point? I didn’t learn anything new, nor do I feel like I’ve watched an entire episode. This felt like bits and pieces of an idea thrown together to make one cohesive hour of dramatic television. I’d like to have seen more about the Hilltop community since those people have seemingly returned to the Stone Age. Spears, knives, and cooking over an open flame? Talk about roughing it. Is there something to the way they are living though? Does it make more sense to keep things simple, give to the greedy, and survive at all costs the non-violent way? Just what have our survivors walked into?
What Do You Think About…?
Holy effing ess! Maybe Rick (Andrew Lincoln) hasn’t gone back to being a softie. Watching him knife a guy like a stuck pig then ask “What?” makes me wonder just how desensitized he is to the ways of the world. To be fair, a man has a knife to your throat, I think it’s safe to say it’s kill-or-be-killed. And Michonne (Danai Gurira) is always ready to hop to Rick’s defense. Does their intimate relationship ensure they have one another’s back? Michonne does not hesitate when Rick is in danger, but she isn’t the only one who does that for him. I wonder if their keeping each other warm at night will incite Rick’s rage should something happen to Michonne. He does tell Carl (Chandler Riggs), “This is different.”
This Abraham-centric episode leads me to wonder where things are headed for Abraham (Michael Cudlitz). He stays in his head for most of it, pondering life, I guess. I hope his concentration on life means just that. We don’t want him gone because we’d lose those hilarious lines only he can deliver like, “When you were pouring the Bisquick, were you trying to make pancakes?” and “I see rain coming, I’m wearing goulashes. I double up.” Abraham’s thoughts on sex during the apocalypse probably mirror those of many others when it comes to purposefully bringing children into a world full of death. The decision makes me wonder if Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) understand the full extent of their choice.
Have you noticed how thick the survivor’s coats are? You know it’s hot as all hell in Atlanta, yet they’re wearing winter coats with fur collars. Kudos to all the actors for being as awesome as they are, while slowly melting beneath layers of leather and fur.
You don’t want to tussle with these guys.
Daryl (Norman Reedus) can break arms now? When did that skill come about? Not that it isn’t kickass; I’d just like to know when he started going all Stephen Segal on mofos.
Jesus says he “trusts” Rick and the gang but why should they trust him? I know I don’t. He’s keeping secrets that shouldn’t be kept. The need to know about Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), whom we’ve yet to see, is important. And did anyone else think about Terminus when watching the survivors walk into Jesus’ camp? I’m just saying.
While I’m disappointed Morgan (Lennie James) doesn’t get to meet Jesus this go round, I know he will eventually. My curiosity is piqued because I have to know what Morgan will think about how Jesus goes about things. Carrying no gun, wanting peace; I’d like to see them have an in depth conversation about life. It’ll be exciting if nothing else.
Quotes
Daryl: “Hope it tastes better than it looks. It looks like shit.”
Denyse: “Well, shit is still better than road kill.”
These two sure have an interesting relationship brewing here. Where is Carol (Melissa McBride)?
**
Abraham: “You ever think about it? Settling down.”
Daryl: “What’s the point of settling?”
**
Gregory to Maggie during negotiations: “Let’s speak the common tongue here, huh?”
Gregory (Xander Berkley) is an asshole. I’m so glad Maggie puts him in his place.
**
Rick to Jesus: “We need food. We came all this way, we’re gonna get it.”
Damn, Rick leaves no room for negotiation with Jesus or the entire Hilltop community. He’s pretty much saying you’ll give me what I want or I’ll take it. And then he shows them.
**
Rick to Jesus: “Confrontation’s never been something we had trouble with.”
**
Overall
Maggie had to be quick on her feet when dealing with Gregory.
Spears vs. guns; I’m thinking the people with guns are winning that fight. The Hilltop community isn’t any threat to those from Alexandria but I still have my concerns. I was expecting more from “Knots Untie” with Rick and Michonne’s relationship coming to light, Abraham’s internal struggle, and Gregory’s asshattery. Could it be that the writers are setting us up for something epic? Gotta keep watching to find out. Let me know what you think about “Knots Untie” by dropping me a line in the comments section below or tweet me @ellemoe.
P.S. Is it terrible that I enjoy the #Fear462 clips—which air during The Walking Dead commercial breaks—more than the entire season of Fear the Walking Dead?
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Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2016 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
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