There's No Place Like It... Review: The Walking Dead - "Home"

Season 3, Episode 10

Air Date: Sunday, February 17, 2013, 9/8c on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

“Come on in; you need rest. It’s not safe out here.” – Hershel Greene

There's No Place Like It... Review: The Walking Dead - "Home" 1

Prison is what the survivors call home.

There’s a song Luther Vandross sang titled “A House is Not A Home,” where he lists the things necessary to make a house a home. People to love, someone to hold, someone being there to share it with you. It can get pretty deep if you think about what he’s saying. I had that in mind when watching “Home” because it sheds some light on the one thing these survivors are striving to achieve. The title of this episode of The Walking Dead also made me think about what home means to me. Whenever I visit my hometown of Philadelphia, I consider it going home, not just going to Philly. In my case, home has an emotional connotation to it. There isn’t just a physical connection. A person can be considered your home as much as an actual place. So when you watch “Home,” you’ll have a better understanding of where the characters are coming from and where they are going. This new day they live in, where home is what you make it—be it a prison or an abandoned town—shows us how much they need to hold onto the place they can go back to when all else fails.

Observations and thoughts:

The opening scene of “Home” reminds me of the season three premiere, “Seed.” So much is said without a word being spoken. I love the time the writers give viewers to settle into what’s to come—the depth of Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) desolation; the loneliness of Michonne’s (Danai Gurira) separation from the rest of the group. It’s all there and spread out for us to see. But is Rick chasing a ghost? Is Michonne seeking something she’s already found?

Rick can’t believe his eyes.

Lincoln is phenomenal. I don’t know many crazy people, or even people suffering through grief the way his character is, but his emotions mirror that of someone on the brink of despair. Lincoln does the crazy eyes well; he looks like a man at the end of his rope, barely holding on, yet waiting to be pulled back to reality. I hurt for him while watching the downfall of a truly incredible character. I don’t know where Lincoln will take Rick next, but I’m along for the ride.

Merle (Michael Rooker) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) probably used to be each other’s home. But now, I think Daryl sees his brother for what he is. Merle has changed, and not for the better. He’s out for himself. It’s clear to Daryl what a family is—not just those we are related to by the blood running through our veins, but the blood spilled between comrades. It’s no wonder he makes his way “back where I belong.” There is so much to touch on with the two brothers and I know we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg. The hidden animosity Daryl has for Merle is slowly making its way to the surface. I think I understand more about Daryl now that I’ve seen just how vulnerable he is. And Merle, well, he used to be the right hand man of the Governor (David Morrissey). Just how do you think he’ll handle his new place as one who has no say in things? I’m happy Daryl changes his mind about where he wants to be, but now that Merle’s tagged along, what will become of the home the survivors have built on the hopes of one man?

Daryl heads home with Merle right behind.

During Rick’s hiatus from reality, Glenn (Steven Yeun) is in charge but he doesn’t wear it well. I think he’s overwhelmed and beside himself with power. He’s so upset with himself for not being able to protect Maggie (Lauren Cohan) that he goes overboard with his newfound power. I’m not sure what will assuage his need for blood other than taking out the Governor. Too bad I don’t believe Glenn will be the man to do that. I guess he’ll have to find another way to show how much of a man he is now.

With Rick finally confessing to Hershel (Scott Wilson) about what and who he sees, what will Hershel do with that information? It’s obvious Rick needs to take some time to get back to the Rick we know and love. There’s no way he can do that with visions of Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) plaguing him. I don’t want to see Rick pushed out of his leadership position, but what other options are there? As an aside, Wilson does an excellent job with the downtrodden Hershel. His voice cracks in just the right way when Hershel asks Rick when he’s coming back to the group. You can feel Hershel’s desire to help even though he doesn’t know how. Wilson doesn’t often get the opportunity to display the frightened side of Hershel, but when he does, he does it well. If this isn’t a great ensemble cast, then I don’t know what is.

Andrea contemplates everything she’s seen and been told in order to figure out her next move.

Andrea’s (Laurie Holden) still not getting it. I’m ready to give up on her and write her off as a loss. If she really wants to get back to her “family” why doesn’t she just go? It wasn’t that long ago she was hell bent on leaving and now she’s so enraptured with what Woodbury could be, she doesn’t think of any other options.

Memorable lines:

Glenn: “For the last time, running is not an option.”

Merle to Daryl: “Man, I ain’t wasting my bullets for a couple of strangers ain’t never cooked me a meal or filet sanded my piece. That’s my policy. You’d be wise or die, brother.”

Daryl to Merle: “When we were kids, who left who then? Huh?”

Hershel to Rick: “Glenn’s on the warpath. Smart as he is, he can’t fill your boots. I’m afraid he’s reckless. We need ya now more than ever.”

Here’s some food for thought: with all the high powered firearms being used at the prison, don’t you think every Walker within hearing distance should be descending upon the place? The gang is already “between a rock and a hard place” with the Governor on one side of them and Walkers on the other. How long will the prison stand with those odds? Should they run or stick it out?

Tune in to The Walking Dead, Sundays at 9/8c only on AMC. For more on the show, visit http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead.

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