‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Clear’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One thing that we can all agree upon, is that the horror genre rarely has bright spots or beauty to offer its fans and it is obvious as to why. After all, this is a genre of storytelling designed to evoke feelings of raw terror and it often accomplishes its goal through its monsters and its themes. In fact, it is so effective at exploring dark and taboo topics, that no one ever expects to find something beautiful or wholesome within the framework of a horror story when they settle in to enjoy one. But believe it or not, it is possible to inject beauty and wonder and uplifting meaning into a horror story and for proof… than look no further than the next episode of The Walking Dead.

A feat that ‘Clear’ accomplishes by outright surprising us with positivity. Because when we catch up with Rick and Michonne and young Carl Grimes in this tale… they appear to be taking part in routine acts in a routine episode. Since they’re heading toward to where Rick used to live and work to snag all the weapons left behind in the locker at the King's County Sheriff's Department. But alas, they find none of them and they even run into trouble with a violent stranger that has taken over and transformed main street to his liking. Making it appear as though this is going to be another dark examination on how we fall and how quickly we change when we are removed from the human experience. 

But the reveal that the stranger in question is Morgan Jones, and that Morgan has fallen to pieces mentally over the loss of his son and the world around him, allows for some beautiful moments to take place. Since his time with Rick in this tale, serves to remind us of the power of friendship and how good people in our lives give us hope and can in fact, heal us when we are down. As evidenced by how Rick was able to reach Morgan, despite his desire to die and inflict pain and that really did lead to some powerful interactions for certain. The kind that still move the viewer after all these years and genuinely supply us with wonder, more so after a second watching of this episode, since now we know that Rick’s efforts here would eventually help Morgan to find his way and emerge from the darkness.

However, while that plot thread alone brings tears to one’s eyes and engages the viewer in such an impactful manner, that this hour of storytelling flies by, there was more beauty to be found in this tale… courtesy of Carl and Michonne. Because Carl’s mission to snag Judith the last surviving photograph of his mother, is a moving one for certain. For it speaks to the wonder of memories and how we honor those we lost and risking everything for Judith to give her some kind of memory of her mother, adds hope to a story that really shouldn’t have any. But it works here, and it doesn’t hurt that this sequence also lightens the subject matter. Courtesy of that multicolored cat statue that Michonne lifts from the bar for her cell back home. 

In the end, this was simply a flawless episode. One that really explored the human condition and how important it is to connect and be kind to one another and support each other. As an added bonus, the incredible moments that take place here, offer up some social commentary. By serving as an allegory for the difficulties of the everyday world and how the people that support us, keep us from losing it when the going gets tough and all the elements we've discussed today, really do make this episode, one of the finest to ever grace the franchise and it was the last time we’d find any beauty in season three. For what comes next, are some dark moments, courtesy of the monster that is, the Governor. Until next time.

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