‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Four Walls and a Roof’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

There are a great many reasons as to why fans of The Walking Dead have made a point to clear their Sunday Night schedule to watch the show for years on end. For some, the human component of this tale is utterly compelling and addictive. For others, the zombie, the gore and the terror are too much to resist. For others, a chance to enjoy a lasting and quality post-apocalyptic show also proves to be quite the draw. But of the many reasons people tune in, there is one reason above all that we truly adore this show. In that, it is one of the few shows out there, that always wraps up its plot threads. Sure, it might take a little while in some cases, but the show will get the job done, as evidenced by the next episode from season five.
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For ‘Four Walls and a Roof’ is a story that brought a bevy of plot threads to a conclusion. After all, this is where we came to learn that Father Gabriel didn’t abide by the teachings of the Bible when the dead returned to life and attacked the living. He instead let his humanity take over and he hid from his congregation and listened as the living dead either wounded them well enough to join their ranks or tore them to shreds. Giving us the answer, we sought regarding his secret and there was more resolution to be found in this tale as well. Since Bob was returned by the Hunters from Terminus and revealed his bite and was eventually able to die peacefully and truly pass on amicable and uplifting terms, bringing resolution to his long and winding and sometimes difficult journey.

Plus, this is also a story that brought forth violent closure regarding the villains that have been tormenting this group for a hot minute. Because despite dropping off Bob, likely due to the fact that he referred to himself as ‘tainted meat’ because of his bite, a move that should have signaled a clean break from their pursuit of the Grimes Gang… they kept watch and made their presence known. Courtesy of some intense gunfire, and that prompted Rick to put together a wicked little plan to end them once and for all. One where it seemed as though Rick and his best fighters were going to head to the nearby school where the Hunters set up camp, to make them pay for harming a friend and once they were gone… Gareth and his buddies moved into the church.

Wherein they were treated to quite the surprise. Since Rick and his friends doubled back and incapacitated the Hunters to put fear into their hearts. A move that once again, harkened back to the central theme of this season, regarding whether we can maintain our humanity during dark times. Mainly because Rick left us in question as to how easy that might be to accomplish. Because Rick was downright scary here, to the point where watching him put down a bad guy that deserved every hack and slash that came his way… was uncomfortable in nature because of that fury. But none the less, Gareth and his despicable ilk were dealt with, and the end of this chapter brought forth several new and intriguing ones.

For this is also a story that saw Eugene and a contingent begin the trip to Washington under tense circumstances and of course… it also brought Daryl back with a surprise to be revealed later. But while that doesn’t speak to closure in that moment, make no mistake about it, we got plenty here. For Bob and Gabriel’s hanging storylines were dealt with, as were the Hunters. And truly, their end is so impactful and so powerful… that it still makes one squirm after all these years. But what matters most, is that this was a great episode. One that once again sucked us in with big and moving moments and well, now that one evil has been dealt with, it is on to a new one, one that was revealed to us through the lens of a character that has been missing for some time now. Until next time.

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