‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Strangers’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular aspect of storytelling that the AMC series, The Walking Dead, mastered early on… is balance. For this is a series that can at times, be supremely overwhelming because of the horrible subject matter and actions of the bad people in this rotten world. Or it can be supremely intense because of the violent acts our heroes have to take part in to survive to see another day. But rather than let that go on for far too long, this series knows when it to pull it back, and when to give us, and the characters for that matter… a little time to breathe and process and prepare ourselves for other horrors on the horizon and well, balance is top of mind today, simply because this series opted to offer it once again in its next episode.
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For ‘Strangers’ is a story… that saw the survivors of the West Georgia Correctional Facility and Terminus… take a beat while they searched for somewhere safe. Wherein they were able to reconcile the good deeds that happened in dark times and reaffirm their bond with each other, and it was just… calming and lovely to see this take place. Largely because it has been quite a while since these good people have been able to enjoy any measure of joy in this manner, but also because… it truly spoke to balance. For gone was the sense of dread and danger, replaced instead with feelings of appreciation and enduring love and the introduction of a new character, one that played a huge role in the comics as well and would play a huge role in this show… only added to that. 

Because Rick and company had every reason to distrust Father Gabriel Stokes. Since he was isolated and awkward and seemingly too kind in the moment, as was the case with so many before him before they turned out to be evil. But instead of turning their backs on him, they offered him kindness and understanding, with a hint of trepidation and they of course, didn’t push him. Since it was obvious here that Gabriel was hiding something of significance, as evidenced by the angry graffiti on his church and the response he provided everyone with when they all went to the local Food Bank to load up on meals for the first time in forever. And it was just lovely to see Rick and everyone else offer a measure of trust after so many bad moments and betrayals, and also take a little time here to think toward the future.

After all, this is the episode where Rick Grimes thought that packing up and moving the group to Washington D.C. was a great idea since they were still clueless to the truth about Eugene Porter and his grand lie. But it brought forth hope and forward thinking none the less and for a time there, this episode almost seemed cozy in nature. But alas, this is the world of The Walking Dead, and that means we had to be in store for some scares and worry, and strife. Which we received through Daryl and Carol’s decision to speed off into the night since they might have found a lead on Beth. Courtesy of the appearance of the car with a cross and of course… there is that ending to discuss. Wherein Bob was knocked out and surgically altered so that Gareth and his merry band of cannibals, could eat his freaking leg in front of him.

A scene that still sends chills down one’s spine and brings forth a touch of nausea when Gareth takes that big bite of Bob Brand BBQ and in a way, some might see that as the anthesis to the balance present here. But it most certainly is not, it’s a reinforcement of the balance. Since bad things immediately followed good things, as can oft be the case in our everyday world. But all thematic concepts aside, this really is a great episode. One that really does balance out that epic season premiere nicely and of course, sets the stage for so much more. Such as a renewed and ugly battle with the Hunters from Terminus, and some surprises and farewells along the way, since one character in the group, is harboring a scary secret. Until next time.

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