‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Cherokee Rose’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons as to why fans of The Walking Dead have stood by this series through thick and thin over the past eleven years. For some, it’s because they love zombies, and this show gives them their gory undead fix. While for others, it’s all about the quality drama that the series provides audiences with and others… well they are simply in love with the characters and everything they bring to the table. But out of all of those reasons, there’s one that truly stands above the rest. In that, this is a series that really does offer a masterclass in storytelling week in and week out. Because the carefully planned seasons this show offers up, know how to take the audience on quite the ride… one that knows exactly when to slow things down so the viewer isn’t overwhelmed, as evidenced by today’s Retro Recap.

Because ‘Cherokee Rose’ is a supremely relaxed tale and that’s a wonderful thing. Because the prior three episodes were outright freight trains, filled with terror and tension. But in this tale, everyone gets to catch their breath and celebrate a win since Carl is going to be okay and by slowing things down quite a bit, some other benefits come into play. Such as the fact that this episode takes a little time to explore this decimated world and some of the challenges that will come into play going forward. For instance, survivors of this plague have to figure out how to secure important resources such as water wells, since the dead can find their way into them and make things gross. Or they have to figure out how to raise a child in a world where cries carry on the silence of the wind, a problem that Lori Grimes is going to have to solve post haste… since she discovered in this tale that she is pregnant.

But what truly makes episodes in this vein quite special, is that they can allow for beautiful moments to spring up as well. Since this is a story that saw a family work to embrace the wonder of being together once again since Rick and Lori made great effort to be near their son’s side and enjoy the peace and quiet of the farm. Plus, we got to see love begin to bloom in this tale as well. Since Maggie and Glenn gave into their natural chemistry while on a run, allowing for them to build the powerful connection that would define them for years to come and of course… there were even moments of hope to be found in this tale. One of which came about by way of Hershel Greene, since he expressed how his faith was keeping him going during these tough times and how little miracles from above, kept him believing that things might be okay. 

Plus, what Daryl did for Carol in this tale was also incredibly hopeful in nature. Because he refused to give into the negative talk that was starting to surround the search, and he did his best to find every clue that might lead to Sophia and that never-quit attitude definitely was inspiring to say the least, as was his gift to Carol. For during his travels, he uncovered a Cherokee Rose, a rare flower mired in all kinds of legends revolving around a dark chapter in American history since they relate to the Trail of Tears. But it wasn’t the dark history surrounding this flower that allowed for it to catch Daryl's eye, it’s what it stood for. Since it symbolized hope and protection and giving that to Carol and explaining the origin of that rose, really was quite the beautiful sequence. One that genuinely reminds the viewer that we can be more, and we can better, in times of crisis. 

If anything, this was just a cuddly break from the horrors of a world full of death and it was a welcome change for certain. Because you simply have to give the audience a break from time to time and let them process the ugly stuff and/or wipe it out of their minds if only for a moment and this episode definitely accomplished that particular feat no problem. Because you simply get lost in the wonder of this tale and you absolutely find yourself smiling more often than you normally do when watching this series. But alas, the good vibes present here simply cannot last. For this is a horror story through and through and it just so happens, that the next episode of this storied saga, will return the journey to its terrifying roots in the next episode. Courtesy of some roadblocks in the search for Sophia and a horrifying discovery. Until next time.

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