‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Claimed’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It’s been a little while since we’ve talked about a jam-packed episode of the The Walking Dead on AMC. You know, the kind that features a zombie’s herd worth of plot-lines and it makes sense as to why. Because there was just so much going on in the first half of season four, and it featured so many powerful moments, that putting together an episode with a bevy of plot-lines would have done such incredible storytelling some grave injustices, wherein we would have been annoyed instead of moved. But now that the Governor has been dealt with at last, the time has come for the show to return to its ambitious storytelling roots. For the next episode in this magnificent saga, brought multiple plot threads back to the forefront of the series.

In fact, ‘Claimed’ offered up three different storylines for the audience to chew upon and the first one of note, involved Glenn Rhee and the newest additions to the cast. For when we catch up with Glenn here, he’s finally regained consciousness and has come to discover, that he’s miles away from the bus and Maggie. A move that motivated him to stop the truck and argue wastefully with Abraham about their mission to Washington, regardless of its potential to end this madness. All because he was desperate to go back and rescue his beloved Maggie and after some ugly mistakes on Eugene’s part, he was finally able to do so. Mainly because the truck was rendered inoperable. But all of that aside, this was just a wonderful and simple way to get to know our new characters and how tough and determined they are.

Speaking of getting to know someone, the second storyline in this tale also allowed for us to learn more about the mysterious Michonne. For up until this point, we’ve only had hints about her past and what motivated her to become so closed off to others. But a supply run with Carl, one where the both of them were able to open up about their pain, revealed to us that Michonne once had a son named Andre, whom she lost shortly after the dead took over the world and that was powerful to learn. In part because it speaks to the incredible loss she’s endured and overcome, but it was also of note because she used her experiences to help others. Since her honesty was designed to help young Carl get through the possible death of his baby sister, and that really was something quite special to behold at a time when this scattered group was at their lowest and it truly informed us of how wonderful a person Michonne truly is.

But while it was fascinating to learn about others in this tale, the third storyline was designed to terrify. Because while Glenn made his way back to the prison with new friends and while Carl bonded and healed with Michonne, a comfortable and ailing Rick had quite the literal rude awakening. Since a group of unsavory scavengers broke into the Grimes Safehouse and claimed it as their own while he slept. Forcing Rick to hide to avoid confrontation and of course… to figure out how to warn Michonne and Carl to stay away, and while he was successful in doing so, and escaped with them… wow was this intense. Because Rick ran into a few close calls in his attempts to survive and evade these mysterious men, the kind that undoubtedly motivated a few of us to hold our breath in anticipation and worry the first time we watched this.

In the end, this really was quite the engaging episode, since it had something for everyone. After all, there were quality walker kills, character development and in-depth storylines with meaning, and plenty of action and adventure as well. Plus, we simply cannot forget that this one sets the stage for the future. Because this wasn’t the last time our heroes would have a run-in with the Claimers, and of course, Eugene’s ‘knowledge’ of the zombie virus would come up again and to top it all off… more hints about Terminus pop up here and well, now that we’ve reached the end of his jam-packed journey, the time has come to turn our attention to a pair of characters that have mostly been in the shadows in the wake of the fall of the prison, Beth and Daryl. Until next time.

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