‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Home’

​Written by John Edward Betancourt

It is definitely safe to say that the AMC series, The Walking Dead, is one of the most ambitious horror shows around. Because not only does this series continuously dig deep into powerful topics revolving around the human condition, but it also takes the time to push the envelope with gore on broadcast television and to top it all off… it is big on telling jam packed stories that stay with you long after a bold episode has come to end. A feat it usually accomplishes by offering up a critical and memorable twist or an epic moment at the end of a story that is filled to the brim with storylines galore. Which some might say is a gross miscalculation on the part of the writers’ room, since a bevy of storylines capped off with a shocker of an ending, should overwhelm and frustrate an audience.
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But few seem to mind this aspect of the show. Mainly because it gives both casual and hardcore fans a reason to watch those juicer episodes over and over again and analyze those other moments and their significance. But also, because… it’s hard to chide a show that consistently swings for the fences instead of playing it safe and really, this aspect of the series is top of mind today because it is exactly what one encounters in the next episode of this storied franchise. For ‘Home’ is chock full of powerful plot lines that are indeed overshadowed by a shock ending and when one revisits this gem, one comes to appreciate the deep things it has to say. Such as how Daryl’s storyline in this tale, serves as a grand commentary on how to set boundaries with toxic family members, and how to make them understand that their behavior is detrimental. A feat that the story accomplishes in an epic manner by having Daryl play the hero and show his brother a better way.

Yet that is merely the tip of the iceberg of meaningful storylines in this tale. Since Glenn’s journey here, takes the time to explore how positivity can be a drawback for us when we push too hard to create a stable environment. As evidenced by how he scared others with his ultra-heroic behavior and by how he rushed Maggie into a conversation about tough topics when she wasn’t ready. All because he was desperate to see the group find peace and safety again. Not to mention, it also dug deep into the lasting power of trauma and loss and how hard it is to let go of the memory of someone, when we don’t have proper closure. A concept that was explored via Rick in this episode, since he spent most of his time wandering about looking for his hallucination of Lori, to try and say goodbye at last, and that made for some powerful moments for certain.

The kind that are indeed overshadowed by the Governor’s surprise in this one. Because despite telling Andrea he was good to go mentally and ready to put Woodbury back together again… he was instead plotting revenge behind her back, and quietly having his lieutenants assemble an armada of the living dead, so he could take Rick’s group by surprise, and he most certainly did. Since he and his lackeys were able to scare and wound the group and kill Axel. All before launching a car full of the living dead through the gates and into the yard. Wherein those rounded up zombies were turned loose, forcing the group to think fast and move fast to save Rick and Hershel… and eventually Daryl and Merle when they dropped by to help out and save Rick’s hide, and well… this is so epic an ending that this is indeed what this episode is remembered for and that’s not a bad thing by any means.

Because you want moments that grab onto an audience and don’t let go, and you get that here, along with some other wonderful moments to for certain. The kind that are refreshing when you watch this one a second time around and they oddly add meaning to the ending as well. Since the group’s decision to split for a bit and try to handle their own business, speaks to the power of unity and how a united front can do wonders against evil. A lesson Rick and his friends would indeed learn from this ending. But before we examine their response, we can bask in one buffet of an episode. Since this one has something for everyone, and it really was a treat to revisit this story and everything it had to offer and this one really does reinforce the fact that this series always goes hard and what’s incredible… is that more incredibly ambitious episodes… are waiting for us in the home stretch of season three. Until next time.

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