The Walking Dead Breakdown Part II: On the Edge

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

There comes a time where each and every one of us have questioned just how strong of a person we really are.  We wonder how much we can take and what the world can throw at us before we possibly find our breaking point and snap. Of course this isn't something we often ponder about on any normal night, only on the nights we are under duress.  

But it is now something to ponder about every single character on The Walking Dead, especially after the season five midseason finale.  I say that in part because of the brutality and despair on display this week, not from the officers at Grady Memorial, but from Rick and his group.  Especially after Officer Lamson said something significant to Rick after Officer Grimes ran him down with a police cruiser, that Rick had been out here too long. 

There is now cause for concern, because it's becoming evident that the group is struggling with not only finding a sense of purpose, but a need to heal.  When you think about it, it hasn't been that long since the Governor attacked the prison, and it hasn't been that long since the group hit the road before discovering the horrors of Terminus. They have barely had time to breathe, barely had time to gather their wits about them and now with the loss of Beth in that time frame as well, we have to worry about the mental health of the group.  

After all, Rick is in a super dark place, willing to wax anyone who crosses him in any fashion and as the leader of this group, his actions speak for the mood of the group if you ask me.  We have seen Tyreese and Sasha grapple with what is right and what is wrong.  We saw Daryl kill without hesitation, and over the last few episodes we have seen Carol question who she is. There's been no solid break for this group, and they've seen plenty that they hold near and dear disappear. 

They need something to hold on to now, and it will be equally as difficult with the loss of Beth and finding themselves on the road yet again.  They need a sense of purpose, and I'm hoping that Washington D.C. will become that beacon of hope that the group clearly needs now.  Because if something doesn't change soon, if they can't find a silver lining, some of the characters we know and love will step over the edge they stand on now and slip into the darkness they try to leave behind. 

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