The Walking Dead – Claimed (Episode 11 review)

Fans of the comic book must be very thrilled to finally see Sgt. Abraham Ford introduced into the show, and they are undoubtedly waiting to see what the writers do with his character. Our first glimpse at him came at the end of last week’s episode, and this week starts off getting to watch him kill walkers with a smile on his face, not so unlike Michonne in season 3.

Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

His character is already being firmly established, as his mission to get Eugene to Washington is his primary drive and he does not tolerate any kind of delays, seemingly willing to take people hostage so they can assist in completing the mission. Glenn wanted nothing to do with “saving the world”, just finding Maggie, and Abraham was having none of it. Glenn may be tough, but he overestimated his strength when he punched Abraham in the face, who is significantly larger (and less fatigued) than Glenn. If it were not for Eugene’s mistake, who knows how badly Abraham could have injured Glenn, as he was very similar to Tyreese when he enters “rage-mode”. It will be nice to find out more about his (and the other new characters’) past to see what exactly makes him so determined to transport Eugene, beyond the obvious good it could do. As Tara pointed out, doing something that seems good does not make somebody a good person, which is something she knows not just because she is in a similar boat, but because of what she saw The Governor do.

It was also nice to see Michonne and Carl’s friendship highlighted again. Neither character has really had a confidant since the world ended, so it is interesting to note how they bond almost without hesitation. Michonne, for the first time, gave the viewers insight into her past and what she had lost by actually speaking about it, not just dreaming about it. The most haunting scene of the episode was definitely when Michonne uncovered the room of the family who had committed suicide together to avoid the horrors of the apocalypse. No doubt it was a reminder to her of how she lost her own son and the others that she cared for in a similar manner, and Carl himself is one reason why she goes on. Carl’s comment on Andre and Judith possibly being together in the afterlife was a turning point for Carl, too. Not only because he is accepting (although incorrectly) the fate of his sister, but he has reversed his stance on the possibility of there being more than the hell that is on earth (he called Carol an idiot for such beliefs back in season 2, if you remember).

Michonne (Danai Gurira) – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Rick’s story for the episode was not only the most intense of the episode, but his first real foray into doing what needs to be done in a long time. The scene played out quite similarly to the popular video game The Last of Us, as he attempted to evade dangerous marauders, but killed without hesitation when needed. It is pretty obvious that the writers have at least no current intention of killing off Rick, who has still been the main character up to this point, so the intensity of the scene less had to do with if Rick would get out, but how. There were at least four men that he would need to sneak past to get to safety, and beyond that, what would happen if Carl and Michonne returned before he could warn them to stay away? Thankfully, after nearly being caught twice, with one man being choked unconscious by his comrade and Rick strangling the other with the strap on his gun, Rick escaped just in time to get Carl and Michonne out of the dangerous area.

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 11 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Some large questions now are who is going to make it to this mysterious safe zone, when will they make it, and how long will they be able to stay there before it is destroyed? The coming episodes will answer at least the first two of the many queries, for better or for worse. The writer’s taking advantage of the splintered group stories has been very tactful so far, and it will be very interesting to see how long they utilize it and who will survive no longer being part of a group. CrypticRock gives this week’s episode 4 out 5 stars.