‘The Walking Dead’ Recap – ‘Acheron: Part 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1102 of ‘The Walking Dead’.
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Over the course of its illustrious and gory history, the zombie sub-genre of horror has managed to offer up some fascinating explorations upon the human condition. The kind that has forced us to look in the mirror when it comes to race relations or ponder upon the nature of our desire to collect as many objects as possible in our homes. Plus, it’s taken the time to look at wealth inequality in modern America and most important of all, this is a sub-genre of storytelling that has forced us to face our collective fear of death by having us stare it down, straight in its mottled face, by making it the central horror of the story. 
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But where this particular type of story truly shines in its respective analyses, is when it gets genuinely philosophical in nature and asks tough questions about our society and who we are as a people and one of the toughest questions the zombie sub-genre has ever asked in regard to the human condition… is whether or not we are worth saving as a species. Which seems like a little too dark of a place to go, but when one considers the atrocities we sometimes commit against one another, it is indeed a question to ask, since there are no other species on this world that plot and plan to harm their own kind in the manner that we do and oddly enough, this particular question is relevant to our discussion today, simply because last night’s episode of The Walking Dead pondered upon that particular query.

A feat that ‘Acheron: Part 2’ accomplished, by putting our darkest impulses on display. For shortly after the group in the subway found a safe place to regroup and catch their breath, it became apparent to them... that Negan opted to leave Maggie behind to face a fate worse than death. A decision that she was able to reinforce to everyone, when she (thankfully) returned to the safety of the group after escaping the clutches of the living dead. And Negan's decision to leave Maggie to potentially suffer in that manner, after supposedly being reformed from the events of ‘All Out War’, combined with the call to leave Gage to die at the hands of living death as well… truly left everyone wondering as to whether or not this entire effort for a better tomorrow was worthwhile.

For no one was doing anything noble or hopeful on this mission. In fact, they were in a way, no better than the twisted Whisperers they recently defeated and that epiphany truly left everyone wondering… what the point of this mission was and if Alexandria was worth saving. A question that had more gravity to it, after Maggie re-told the tale of a horrific encounter she had out there in the wild. One where a single man committed to the darkness in his soul and took part in unspeakable acts without the rules of the world surrounding him any longer. And while that story should have been a damning statement on the condition of the world and the future of mankind and answer that all-important question in the negative, it actually helped the group in a more positive light than anyone initially acknowledged.

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Because that story in essence, helped to remind everyone that often times, committing to the ugly within comes with a choice. A choice to quit on the best parts of who we are and to do so collectively would indeed be what makes us unworthy to forge ahead as a species and well, once the group came to understand that… they found a sense of renewal in regard to their mission and that motivated them to fight the dead and escape the subways as one, once they reunited with the always resourceful Daryl and the always faithful Dog, of course. All so they could continue their work and eventually put together a better tomorrow for humanity, as they always planned and well, this decision could not have come at a better time. For in the closing moments of their journey… they finally reached the outskirts of Meridian and encountered the Reapers and well… they will have their work cut out for them and will need that unity, since the Reapers have clearly given up on a more hopeful tomorrow and will fight fiercely to protect their stolen resources.
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Yet while that segment alone could have carried this episode and left us inspired with its ‘we are worth saving’ mantra, there was more hopefulness to be found in this particular tale. Because back at the Commonwealth, Yumiko was trying desperately to figure out how to get through to their interrogators and prove the group's worth to them. So they could find shelter and peace and potentially her brother. Which in turn motivated her to do something quite bold and well… be brave and honest during her next interrogation with this mysterious group. Because in essence, she had nothing to lose, and no one had really tried a more direct approach with these officials thus far and at first… it appeared as though this strategy was going to end in disaster. 

Because Yumiko basically disappeared after her gambit, as did Princess and the King, leaving Eugene to wonder if by chance bravery and honesty was frowned upon by the Commonwealth and would lead to trouble. But that didn’t stop him from offering up both of those things when his time came, despite being terrified and frightened, and alone and worried that this was the end for him, and well… in the end he came to learn that the truth and strength; is exactly what the Commonwealth valued. For shortly after telling his interrogators everything they ever wanted to know, he and the rest of his brave group were given asylum within its borders, and he even got to meet Stephanie after all and in the end, hope and a hint of worry hanging over our heads is what this particular story leaves us with.

The hope stems from what wonders awaits Eugene’s group of explorers when they finally step behind the undoubtedly secure walls of the Commonwealth and the worry comes from the fact that we simply don’t know if Maggie and her group are going to be safe. For the Reapers have proven themselves to be a fierce and terrifying foe, one that will stop at nothing to get exactly what they want and will sacrifice whoever is necessary to achieve their goals. But while we wait to see the good and the bad that awaits us in next week’s tale, we can celebrate a fine finale to this two-part adventure. Because this one really took us on quite the emotional and philosophical ride, and it deserves a round of applause for finding a positive answer to a question that looms large on our minds sometimes and truly, this episode makes it clear that this final season of this storied saga, is going to dig deep into concepts that make us uncomfortable and stay with us for some time. Simply because much like Yumiko… the story has nothing to lose… so why not go for broke and challenge the viewer in ways, they never thought possible. Until next time.

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