‘The Walking Dead’ Recap: ‘Diverged’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1021 of ‘The Walking Dead’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that The Walking Dead has managed to outright surprise all of us as of late. Simply because these extended season ten episodes have managed to show all of us that this series is capable of so much more than merely offering up a fascinating adaptation of the comic it hails from. For now, we know that this show can provide us with some intimate character studies, that speak to our world and some of the interpersonal and psychological problems that plague us and that’s brought about some incredible storytelling for certain. The kind that has moved us emotionally as we watch proud heroes deal with some genuinely relatable problems.
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But while it has indeed been fascinating to explore the power of trauma and the nature of faith over the past few weeks, the landscape of the horror industry is changing, and fans expect a little more from scary stories that offer up observations and commentary. In that, part of the expectation now; is that tales of terror provide the viewer with some kind of resolution/advice on the matter in question. All so that fans that are going through whatever the story is exploring… can enjoy some kind of guidance and direction, and thankfully this particular series understands the importance of that. Since the next episode in this storied franchise, takes the time to offer up some friendly advice in regard to everything the series has explored over the past few weeks.

For ‘Diverged’ focused heavily on how we begin to heal and move forward in regard to whatever has wounded us, and it accomplished this particular goal, by putting Daryl and Carol’s already shaky biffleship in an even more precarious place. For when we catch up with them here, they’re heading back to Alexandria after the events of ‘Find Me’ and well… they’re still in a frosty place. Because there really wasn’t any resolution to the fight they had in that aforementioned tale, and rather than take the time to sit down and hash out their issues, they instead opted to go their separate ways for a little while, which seemed like quite the ominous move for certain. Since normally, not talking and not spending time together, equals the end of something wonderful.

But that is when the episode began its subtle exploration of how we move forward from our problems and in essence, their mutual decision to spend a little time apart, served as the first real lesson of the night. In that, sometimes in order to begin to heal from something that is tearing at us, we simply need a little alone time. All so that we can properly process what’s going in an objective manner and keeping busy while we’re alone, helps with that too. Since it allows for our minds to quietly work stuff out in the background and boy… did these two have plenty to do in order to hammer that lesson home. Since Daryl had to hunt for parts for his bike in a dangerous and zombie filled manner whilst Carol worked to try and find and remove a rat that was roaming through the walls in Daryl’s apartment back home. 

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However, while that was a simple and impactful lesson to send the audience’s way for certain, since gathering clarity does indeed help us solve a great many of our problems, the story still had more to offer in regard to this exploration of healing. Because another important aspect of dealing with something that’s bothering us, is to outright feel our feels on the matter. For burying our emotions is unhealthy for certain and can allow for them to build up and become explosive… which in turn can lead to more issues, and this dynamic duo expressed that… by getting their feelings out in private. For Carol took the time to take out her anger over everything, on the drywall the rat was living behind, whilst Daryl more or less took his fury out on the living dead that he encountered along the way and it was quite fascinating to see the story take the time to point this out in a subtle and wonderful manner, since this is an aspect of healing that we don’t talk about enough. 
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However, while these powerful and poignant moments could have carried this episode on their own and given the audience plenty to chew upon in regard to the healing process, it still had more lessons to offer us in regard to what we need to do to heal. Such as pointing out the fact that we can’t fix everything at once. Because our problems and our pain are supremely complex in nature and cannot be resolved quickly. Which means that in order to properly heal when it comes to the pain, we carry in our hearts… we simply have to take it one day at a time and celebrate the little victories that remind us we’re on the right track and making progress. And that was expressed here by way of the little things that Carol and Daryl did to improve their situation and their mental health, and it was quite wonderful and lovely to see this episode offer up this particularly hopeful lesson. 

Yet what was truly impressive about this particular tale, is that it also took the time to inform us, as to what we should do when someone close to us has disappointed us. Because that is what was really at the core of this tale, since Daryl was indeed disappointed in Carol for her risky and reckless actions and well, what this episode offered up in regard to that was powerful for certain. Since it basically reminded us to be objective with our friendships too and weigh the pros and the cons of said friendship, so that we will come to understand if our friend's odd actions indicate a toxic change in said friendship, or if that person really did make a stupid mistake that can be forgiven and moved on from and thankfully, that quietly happened here as well. Which allowed for Carol and Daryl to realize their friendship really is a healthy thing and that time will eventually put them back in good standing with one another. 

If anything, all of these lessons made this quite the poignant and lovely tale, one filled to the brim with positive messaging about healing, and that really is the perfect way to wrap up weeks of harrowing explorations. Since all of these journeys offered the audience a complete look at the nature of trauma and how we find our way back from it. Plus, we would be remiss to not point out that this particular tale was also filled to the brim with quality performances, since both Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus were able to use their acting skills to teach us those lessons in a nuanced and beautiful manner and well, now that we’ve in essence wrapped up this fascinating journey through the human condition… we can turn our attention to quite the important story. One that will finally show us what drove Negan to become the monster we met in ‘Last Day on Earth’ and ‘The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be’ and that will make the wait for next week’s finale a difficult one. Since this is a journey we've been wanting to see, for quite some time. Until next time.  

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