‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘The Grove’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

One particular aspect of our health that we tend to neglect in times of crisis, is our mental health and understandably so. After all, there’s chaos surrounding us and we have to stay firmly in the moment to handle our business, so we don’t think about taking care of our mental health, nor are we that concerned about the mental health of others during this period of time either. For it really is survival mode in that moment and that is unfortunately, problematic. Because that kind of neglect leads to more strife and more problems and while there is some part of us that knows we need to heal and help others do the same, that really is easier said than done when our world is falling to pieces around us.

But thankfully, stories are there to help us to understand the importance of taking care of one’s mind and the minds of others, when crisis arrives, and it just so happens that The Walking Dead takes the time to explore such matters in its next episode in the most horrifying way imaginable. For ‘The Grove’ showcases what happens when mental health isn't properly nurtured and it accomplishes that feat… by fooling us, at first. For when we catch up with Tyreese and Carol, and Mika and Lizzie, and young Judith… they’ve found sanctuary on the road to Terminus. By way of a beautiful cottage that has a big yard and only one walker to clear, truly making it appear as though… they can finally catch their breath and ponder upon a better tomorrow for the kids.

But it doesn’t take long for Lizzie… to make things weird. Because for a fair chunk of this episode, she expressed her beliefs regarding the walking dead and how she genuinely saw them as flawed human beings, and being able to breathe and talk and reflect, motivated Carol to see if by chance… she could move that silly thought out of her head and help her to understand that the dead are an outright danger. But sadly… those words fell upon decidedly ignorant ears and well… that brought forth some dark moments. The kind where Lizzie killed Mika to prove a point and that decision forced Carol’s hand. Since she realized that Lizzie was now a murderer, one that was unstable and broken, and didn’t understand right from wrong and never would and that in turn… led to one of the ugliest moments in TWD history. Wherein Carol was forced to put Lizzie down to protect herself and Tyreese, and young Judith.

Which is a moment that is still as devastating as it was when it originally aired and well, at first glance… that doesn’t seem to really speak to the importance of internal and external mental health care. But when you take a moment and really reflect upon Lizzie’s journey, the commentary and messaging is there. Because had her parents, really taken the time to talk with Lizzie and teach her more about the horrors of this world and why the dead were ‘evil’ if you will, alongside taking the time to nurture her fragile emotions and provide her with time to heal and process and decompress… then perhaps things would have gone differently. Because clearly, fear and the lack of information surrounding this crisis, piled all kinds of stress and anxiety into Lizzie’s young heart and outright broke her in the end.

A reality that makes her story nothing short of a grand tragedy. One that definitely came to its end in a devastating and uncomfortable manner, to hammer home the importance of taking care our ourselves and others and that makes this a poignant tale for certain, one that still holds up well after all these years and features some stunning performances across the board. With special recognition to Melissa McBride and Brighton Sharbino. Because without their acting chops, that final… heartbreaking moment would not be as legendary as it is and well, now that we’ve come to the end of the line for Lizzie, the time has come to turn our attention to another end, that of season four. For only two episodes remain in this wild journey... toward the mysterious place known only as Terminus. Until next time.

---