Season 4, Episode 10
Air Date: Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“What do you do when you see a walker?” – Tyreese
Overwhelming silence fills the screen, reminding me of how chaotic life at the prison must have been for the survivors. Being alone in this new world, the quiet must be abundant. The absence of noise caused by everyday living is a reminder of what used to be. Buzzards flying overheard make me wonder if they are there for the living on their way to being dead, or the dead walking among the living. Is it a sign of things to come, or just another facet of everyday life for the survivors of The Walking Dead?
Observations and thoughts:
Daryl! That is all.
As many of you may have been wondering, much like myself, we finally find out what happened to the rest of the prison escapees. Yes, I’m calling them that because technically, that’s what they are. I don’t find it ironic that the sign along the road most of them come across reads: Hitchhikers may be escaped inmates. Isn’t that what these survivors are — inmates, living in their own prison? Forget about the physical building they lived in, just think about their mental state, their lack of freedom, and the overall idea of living from day to day. They are prisoners—inmates. The title is apropos as we find out who flees with whom, and their outcome. All is not as well as it would seem.
The Odd Couples
I never thought I’d see Beth (Emily Kinney) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) together for any reason. In fact, I can hardly remember the two having reason to come in contact with each other at all. They’re such opposites, too. Beth is a gentle soul, and Daryl, well … he’s Daryl. Beth is no Maggie (Lauren Cohan), that’s for sure. If there’s one sister I’d want to be paired with, it would be the tougher of the two. Maggie isn’t afraid to put a hurting on anyone, and she’s so damn brave. I have to commend the writers for providing the two sisters with major character growth. They are no longer daddy’s girls. They are capable, even if they have a man by their side. No one stands out to me more than Glenn (Steven Yeun), though. Yeun has taken his character and morphed him into a badass. I would never have considered Glenn a tough guy in any respect. The way he takes charge and forces Tara (Alanna Masterson) to make a decision shows he’s certainly got a pair. The thing about Glenn and Tara is one of them has nothing to live for; the other has everything to live for. I’m interested to see how the rest of the season plays out for them. Will Glenn and Maggie reunite? Will Tara stop blaming herself for the prison fiasco?
Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) must have drawn the short stick when everyone started running off willy-nilly. The poor guy—saddled with two young girls and a crying baby. *spoiler* Yeah, Baby Judith is quite all right. I didn’t think the writers would kill off a little one. Well, not one I wouldn’t mind seeing bite it anyway. I was worried for Judith, and even more afraid for anyone who comes across the girls’ path. That damn Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) is a trip. She’s taken Carol’s (Melissa McBride) words to heart and is proving to be one tough cookie. And a little psychotic, I might add. Sharbino is forceful as the young girl trying to keep herself and her sister alive, no matter the consequence. I see nothing but great things for this young lady. She takes Lizzie from crazed to genteel in the blink of an eye.
Random thoughts:
Why wasn’t there a let’s-meet-here-should-all-hell-break-loose plan? I’m confused as to why the survivors are all scattered to the wind with no mind to come together at a common place. I get their complacence with living at the prison, but you have to have a plan B when living day to day during a zombie apocalypse.
Glenn finds himself in quite the predicament.
Getting back to my comment about the buzzards flying overhead, could they be an omen? What an interesting depiction ending the opening scene of “Inmates.” And the out of sequence shots are another way to keep viewers guessing. I’m not really a huge fan of this method as I never know what’s happening when. The cinematography tricks are done beautifully; I just don’t know if I like them. I’d rather see events happening in real time, rather than bouncing from the present to the past and back again.
Terminus: Safe haven or pipedream for the remaining human survivors? I don’t know what to think about the place supposedly along the railroad tracks. What would you do?
How long do you think anyone can run from walkers? Eventually humans get tired but walkers appear unfazed by the constant ‘walking’ they do. When in pursuit of a live target, they don’t falter unless tripped up or killed. So how long could one go after you? Who do you think would fall first in a chase?
If Maggie and Glenn aren’t a ‘hope parade’ all on their own, I don’t know who is. I love the faith they have in one another. They don’t ever give up but keep going on the mere thought that the other is alive because they just have to be. Riveting stuff.
I guess I should mention Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) for the simple fact they have the most engaging dialogue. I don’t see them as friends but I do believe a bond is forming here. They understand each other, which might help them break out of their shells. Bob is hiding something major we still don’t know about, and Sasha thinks her brother is dead. Martin-Green and Gilliard Jr. do a great job of playing off one another’s emotions. I’d like to see more of them in coming episodes.
Memorable lines:
Sasha to Bob after he apologizes for showing a little happiness: “You can smile. You’re alive; I get it.”
**
Sasha: “We should be out looking for food, shelter, so we can survive.”
Bob: “Then what?”
**
A woman on a mission.
“Inmates” proves to be a hushed, yet explosive episode. The groups of survivors aren’t even keeled. There’s a weak link in each and you know this will cause unnecessary drama. I do believe we’ll get to see what everyone is made of. The discovery of a new group of survivors brings intrigue, as well. I’m dying to know what you thought of “Inmates,” so drop me a line in the comments section or tweet me @ellemoe.
Tune in to The Walking Dead, Sundays at 9/8c only on AMC. For more on the show, visit the official site.
Follow The Walking Dead on Twitter, using hash tag #TheWalkingDead.
LIKE The Walking Dead on Facebook.
Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2014 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
Latest posts by Elle (Posts)
- The Walking Dead Season Finale – “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life” Review. It’s Showtime! - April 6, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “Something They Need” Review. Full of Guns and Surprises and Guns. - March 29, 2017
- The Walking Dead – “The Other Side” Review. Girl Power! - March 22, 2017
- The Walking Dead ― “Bury Me Here” Review. The End Is Near. - March 15, 2017
Follow Us!