‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Beside the Dying Fire’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One big reason that the AMC series, The Walking Dead, has enjoyed such longevity on the small screen, is that this is a show that is quite versatile in how it tells its stories. For this is a saga that can go from being a violent and gory horror story… to an outright dramatic piece. One that takes the time to grow and/or study its characters or it can take the time to explore a unique aspect of the human condition. Allowing for this series to surprise on a consistent basis, since we simply don’t know what kind of story we are going to be treated to when we settle in to enjoy another chapter in this harrowing journey of survival. But what’s truly impressive about this particular show, is that now and again… it actually manages to blend all of those fascinating storytelling elements together in a single tale, and for proof… look no further than the season two finale of this gory saga.
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For ‘Beside the Dying Fire’ is a story that managed to shift back and forth between all of those elements, a feat that it accomplished… by having the Greene farm be overrun by the living dead. For in the opening moments of this tale, the super-herd that had been slowly amassing since the Grimes Group left Atlanta, finally descended upon the farm after hearing Carl’s gunshot ring out and well… that led to complete and utter disaster. For the desperate attempt by the group to either draw the dead away or thin their numbers failed miserably, and it brought about a great deal of horrendous death for the Greene family. For Jimmy was bum rushed and torn apart after saving Carl and Rick from a certain and fiery doom and Patricia was torn to pieces during the evacuation and Andrea was separated from the group as well.

But worst of all, the safe heaven that the group was prepared to call home, was gone forever, overrun by the living death that had already claimed so many corners of the world and that left the group despondent and broken and that’s when the story shifted gears to a dramatic character study. Since this brief downtime allowed for the story to explore how fear can change us on a moment’s notice. For suddenly, a terrified and broken group were eager to project their fears upon Rick and challenge him at every turn and this was just heartbreaking to watch. In part because we’d never seen this brave group fall to pieces in this manner, but also because… this wouldn’t be the last time they would feel this kind of fear and be uncertain of their future or what to do with themselves. Allowing for this sequence to serve as a final reminder, that this was going to be a tough journey going forward. 

However, while both of those twists and turns could have carried this episode through and through, in true dynamic fashion… this finale also made sure to offer up one last surprise. In that, it set up a lot for the future. For the revelation that everyone in this world is infected with whatever causes resurrection, would bring about some fascinating explorations of the nature of the living dead in season three, and it would fundamentally change how the group approaches death in the future and Rick’s decision to be a hard leader would teach him some important lessons about being at the top and how to properly guide people in the apocalypse. But our glimpses as to what comes next… didn’t end there. Courtesy of the fact that Andrea ran into a mysterious stranger with quite the escort and of course… Michonne would turn out to be a critical character to the group’s safety and survival in years to come.

Plus, this episode also gave us a haunting preview… of the West Georgia Correctional Facility, a destination that would feature some powerful and heartbreaking and pivotal moments for the group and well, in the end… this really was quite the breathtaking finale when all is said and done. Because the battle of the farm was a true adrenaline ride, one filled to the brim with a genuine sense of danger through and through. And of course, all of the revelations and surprises at the end of this tale are still jaw dropping and epic in nature and well… what truly makes this finale so impressive, is that it managed to wrap up a long and winding adventure in a satisfying manner. All so that our minds were clear and ready for the horror that lie ahead, specifically… a megalomaniacal madman named Philip Blake, who loved to be called: The Governor. Until next time.

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The Greene family farm, falls to the living dead.