The Walking Dead – Consumed (Season 5/ Episode 6 Review)

In the latest episode of The Walking Dead, titled Consumed, viewers are brought back to Carol and Daryl who set off to find Beth’s potential kidnappers. In their pursuit, there is still a lot of awkwardness, mainly with Carol, who appeared to be leaving on her own before Daryl got to her. Throughout the episode, she battles a lot of demons with her recent past, most decisions not at all easy, but in her mind, were necessary. Daryl seems to understand that she will talk when she is ready, but he is there for her no matter what.

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier - The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier – The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

When they reach downtown Atlanta, they decide to seek shelter for the night in a halfway house Carol was aware of. It turns out she stayed there once with Sofia when she was still with Ed. They encounter a few walkers locked in a room which are clearly a mother and daughter. Daryl takes it upon himself to put them out of their misery and burn their bodies, a very sentimental and peaceful moment, especially for Carol. She later explains that she has become the stronger person she was meant to be, at a very high cost. It is possible at this moment that Daryl comes to the conclusion that Carol feels dead inside, and no longer has a rightful place among their group.

Walkers - The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

As they continue to scavenge to find clues on Beths whereabouts, they run into Noah, who robs them of their weapons, and leaves them to defend themselves against a small horde of walkers, which of course is no problem for the duo. Allowing viewers to understand the timeline of events, Noah’s appearance implies that Consumed is taking place after his escape from the hospital in Slabtown.  Encountering Noah again a short time later, this time he does not escape and Daryl easily takes him down trying to consume his anger.  Disgusted with Noah, Daryl almost allows him to be eaten by a walker, but Carol protests. They soon learn that Noah is aware of who Beth is, but before they can get any further, cops from the hospital show up. Upon escaping, Carol is run down by a car and swiftly taken away. Noah prevents Daryl from interfering, explaining there are a lot of people. Daryl, already developing a new plan, responds with “We have people too.” Matching all the pieces to the puzzle, it is understood now that Noah was in fact the character with Daryl in the woods upon the conclusion of the dramatic episode Four Walls and A Roof .

Tyler James Williams as Noah - The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Tyler James Williams as Noah – The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Appropriately titled Consumed, metaphorically and visually, this episode revolves around fire. Within Carol’s flashbacks, each time shows a fire nearby, the diseased ridden inmates at the prison, burying Lizzie and Mika, and post escape from Terminus. It suggests that Carol is burning away piece by piece, as she is the total opposite of who the audience first encountered in season one. Daryl is there to be a constant reminder that she is not ashes, or an outcast, she is still alive and a survivor, and has a place among their family. With only two more episodes before The Walking Dead season five goes on break until February, it will be extremely interesting to see how everything plays out.  CrypticRock gives Consumed 4 out of 5 stars.

walking dead episode 6 4
Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier – The Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 6 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Read about Self Help:

walking dead firetruckheader edit_edited-1

Coming soon an in-depth interview with The Walking Dead’s Chandler Riggs
10590533_702040323197650_7417393481897382532_n

Like the in-depth, diverse coverage of Cryptic Rock? Help us in support to keep the magazine going strong for years to come with a small donation.

Shannon MontalbanoAuthor posts

Avatar for Shannon Montalbano

No comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *