‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘The Next World’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous AMC series, The Walking Dead, we talked a little bit how the last episode, explored the power of unity and bravery, and how that can inspire others to do wonders. Since Rick Grimes’ decision to fight the dead with all his might, brought his community together at last and everyone worked together to save it from the rotten scourge within its walls. Giving rise to a feel-good and hopeful ending, one that spoke to a potentially better tomorrow for this community. Which truly made it seem as though, the next episode in this adventure was going to look at that better tomorrow and how it was going to come to life and that’s why ‘The Next World’ was such a surprising tale when all is said and done.
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Simply because, that wasn’t present here in the slightest. Instead, this is a story where the writers’ room realized… they hadn’t fully explored just how far unity and bravery can inspire a person and that is precisely why that became the focus of this tale instead. So, we could see in essence, the complete transformation of Rick Grimes into a leader that once again believes in the good of people and the power of unity, since he did more or less lose his way and it accomplished that feat, by putting he and Daryl back into the thick of the world. To look for supplies of course, since Alexandria was in dire need of food and every other supply that people need and while they were out there, this duo were presented with quite the frustrating challenge.

In that, they met a man named Paul ‘Jesus’ Rovia… who… sadly stole the truck full of supplies that Rick and Daryl stumbled upon while looking for crops that Eugene suggested they bring back. Which in turn, led to some comic relief for a change since every time this duo bested Jesus, he found a way to hang with them or best them… giving rise to some genuinely awkward and funny moments and some downright tragedy. Since the truck was lost. But despite the hell that Jesus put them through in this tale, Rick did everything he could to care for Jesus and help him, especially after he was wounded. Because what happened in that prior episode and the advice that his friends gave him, helped Rick to realize… there was a better way and that if one exercised caution and watched actions over words closely… he and others could trust again and build a better tomorrow with more people. And since Jesus didn’t play shady like others had before him, Rick knew he was a decent fellow… one that might be worth speaking with further. 

Which was… a supremely subtle and unique way to express that unity and bravery gives us hope and the license to dream again if we’ve lost our way, and it was wonderful to see old Rick back in the fold because of that and the uplifting nature of this tale didn’t end there. Because there was also a touching plotline present behind the scenes revolving around paying one’s last respects to the dead in a world where death means nothing. For Spencer was out in the woods often, looking for his mother’s reanimated corpse, unfortunately. For what was once Deanna escaped on the night the living dead in Alexandria and was meandering about, and with Carl’s help and kindness and Michonne’s as well… Spencer was finally able to put an end to Deanna’s reanimated suffering and lay her to rest. Which was simply a beautiful sequence and gesture through and through, one that reminded us of the importance of respecting the fallen, even when circumstances try to sully that memory. 

If anything, this episode was just… a wonderful breath of fresh air. Because it has been quite some time since we’ve been able to laugh at an episode of this series. But thanks to the arrival of Jesus and the talents of Tom Payne, Norman Reedus, and Andrew Lincoln, we were finally able to. Plus, there was even romance in this tale, since this episode featured the birth of Richonne thanks to that stolen kiss and evening of passion. And regardless of how awkwardly that ended, courtesy of more comedic timing from Jesus, that sequence sets up a powerful love affair that fans responded to positively and well, now that we’ve reached the end of this particularly delightful tale, the time has come for us to explore the bigger world beyond the walls of Alexandria, and the trouble that awaits everyone in the shadows. Until next time.

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