The Walking Dead - “Self Help” Review. The Mullet Lied.

Season 5, Episode 5

Air Date: Sunday, November 9, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

“We don’t stop; we don’t go back.” – Sgt. Abraham Ford

I’m left feeling dumbfounded by the revelations in “Self Help.” We were led astray by someone we blindly believed had the key to it all. His lack of physicality and awesome knowledge leads Eugene (Josh McDermitt) to betray the survivors in a way that cannot be undone. His intelligence can carry him only so far, and his plan is to have it carry him to safety. But just how long does he think this so called security will last? If you’ve read the comics, I’m sure you knew what was coming. Those of us (like me) who don’t know anything about these characters beyond what’s portrayed in the show are probably still picking their jaws up from the floor. The Walking Dead does not have a dull moment when making huge revelations. Taking a look at the psyche of the mentally and physically weak is the underlying tone of “Self Help.” And how about that title? It’s not just a section in the library.

Give Me Something to Believe In

What’d you do? (If you get this reference, you get ten points!)

They say clothes make the man but I’m more inclined to believe it’s the hair. Oh yes, the mullet reveals all. Business in the front and all party in the back—you have to wonder why a guy doesn’t want to cut the locks dusting his shoulders. To me, it’s an accessory he can’t afford to keep. Walkers can grab onto it and keep a hold of Eugene while ending his life. After what we discover in “Self Help,” maybe the undead should. Maybe Eugene needs to learn how to fend for himself. The backstory to Eugene and Abraham’s (Michael Cudlitz) relationship is eye-opening. Not only do we learn something about Abraham we wouldn’t have guessed, we find his hope lies in purpose—having something to live for. What does a man do once he’s left alone to his own devices? The Walking Dead ventures into the heart of a hero and a coward. Abraham has a commanding presence. Cudlitz shows every facet of Abraham’s dilemma in his constant forward motion. There’s something keeping him moving so he doesn’t fall again. Abraham knows stopping, for even a moment, can cost him everything. No wonder he is so against settling down. No place is safe. He’s lost in a world coming to its end. He needs focus to exist. Now that he has a mission, Abraham wants to survive.

I have to hand it to Eugene; he’s smart. The man knows he isn’t capable of surviving on his own; he says as much to Tara (Alanna Masterson) in a moment of complete honesty. I find it easy to loathe, blame, and mock him for his betrayal even though I understand it. Eugene’s truthfulness reveals a vulnerability just hidden below the surface of his usual fear. He’s that guy who doesn’t know how to fight, yet finds himself in a place of fight or flight. Except self-defense is useless to Eugene. He uses what he has at his disposal to ensure he makes it just one more day. Isn’t survival ultimately the name of the game here? Haven’t all the survivors done something they aren’t proud of in the name of survival? Eugene did not think his manipulation through, though. He doesn’t consider the consequences of his actions in getting to D.C. without delay.

Things That Made Me Go Hmm…

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cringe during this scene.

I know it’s the apocalypse and all but you don’t burn books. As a bibliophile, I cringed watching the pages being torn from books to provide fuel for a fire. I knew it was coming but I sure hoped it wouldn’t.

Obviously, Abraham’s cut isn’t that old. I’m curious why the writers feel the need to have it bleed so much. Is it a reminder to him of what he did to cause the injury, or a reminder that his blood still flows, therefore he lives? It doesn’t go beyond anyone’s notice and remains a focal point in “Self Help.” Could it be we’re simply meant to remember there is blood on his hands?

Eugene finds a friend in Tara. Unlikely? Not really. Their connection relates back to her taking the time out to talk to him about things other than the cure to save the world. “I don’t know why I told you,” Eugene says. But I think deep down he does. He’s feeling guilty and it’s eating him alive. Sometimes you just have to vent, even if what you say turns people against you. Tara and Eugene make an interesting duo. To me, they are both outcasts, picked up along the way with no real ties to anyone. Would anyone care if Tara were killed? I’m still waiting for that to happen, by the way. And now that we know the truth about Eugene, you know he’s moved from VIP to MEP (Most Edible Person).

Memorable lines:

Glenn: “Why the hair?”

Eugene: “Because I like it. And no one is bringing scissors or clippers to it.”

Glenn (Steven Yeun) finally asks the question we’ve all been dying to have an answer to.

Eugene reveals to Tara his greatest fear: “I cannot survive on my own, I cannot.”

Abraham: “‘Bout time things started going our way.”

Way to speak too soon, Abraham.

Maggie to Eugene: “You’re not the person people think you are, and you want them to know who you are.”

Overall

Helluva time to get a ‘Dear John’ letter.

I appreciate the foray into the other survivors’ stories. Getting to know these strangers makes them closer to family in a way. Abraham isn’t who I thought he was; Eugene is smarter than I realized (to a point); and being alone can be a serious motivator. Is the bomb Eugene drops a surprise to you? Where do you think Abraham and the gang should go now that their way forward is riddled with the unknown? Let me know what you think by dropping me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe.

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Elle

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle