If you would like to read my review of the last episode, click here.
Synopsis: A new weapon in the Savior arsenal proves to be a giant hurdle as fighting continues between Rick’s forces and those of the Saviors. (IMDB)
Writer: David Leslie Johnson
Director: Dan Liu
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: 44mins
The last episode ended with another cliffhanger and at least this one (but not the one from the premiere) was resolved right away at the beginning of this one. So far, King Ezekiel has been a larger than life personality that could be too much at times. This episode knocked him down a few pegs which perhaps forced him to take a deep look at himself.
The episode started by a flashback showing how the Kingdom had come full circle with Ezekiel’s confidence now shot along with the majority of his people. Seeing them all dead came as a shock to him, being a man of the people and having cared for them for so long (us perhaps not as much). Injured and overwhelmed, it was difficult for him to take them out as Walkers. Luckily he didn’t have to as he was briefly saved before being taken hostage by a Savior, leaving him seemingly alone. But Ezekiel struck luck again with Jerry saving him once again.
Of course Carol was still alive after the attack and she infiltrated the building and took out Saviors in typical badass fashion while following their weapons shipment. This changed for her when she was forced to choose between the shipment and a helpless Ezekiel and Jerry trying to hold off Walkers at a nearby fence. Before we see that choice, we were treated to another flashback with Carol and Ezekiel where he told her a story about his time as a zookeeper and how he now decided who he wanted to be. Carol was also thrust in the same way he was.
Carol the shipment go to save Ezekiel and Jerry but Daryl and Rick were not far behind and intercepted them, taking gunfire of their own. They dispatched of the Saviors and got the weapons. Ezekiel wanted to be left behind because he wa slowing Carol and Jerry down. While on their way to a drain pipe, Ezekiel offered to save them by holding off the oncoming Walkers. When Jerry wanted to protect his king, Ezekiel had a powerful moment, claiming that he was not a king and that his whole persona was a lie. He was just some guy. He was then saved for a third time thanks to Shiva who sacrificed herself. The three returned to the Kingdom where Ezekiel was unable to address his people and walked away from them without uttering a word.
Overall, this was a good episode that instead of the craziness from the first, focused for the most part on the Kingdom story and Ezekiel’s character arc that was very compelling to watch thanks to Khary Payton’s amazing performance. Sure the spectacle that the show occasionally provides if fun and all but these smaller character episodes that have always been superior. If the season could find a balance then it would only be to its benefit.
Score: 8.5/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
