‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’ Recap – ‘Quatervois’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 205 of ‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’.
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When we last settled in to discuss the fascinating AMC zombie series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, it appeared as though our survivors were about to go through some supremely hard times. For Hope and Iris were split on how best to handle the CRM and the lies it told them all regarding Omaha and the Campus Colony, and Huck was on an island unto herself after facing her past actions in a terrifying manner, twice in a single night. But rather than let the story surround itself with excessive drama revolving around a break in unity, the writers’ room used this tough moment as a grand opportunity to explore what can allow for us to put aside our differences and come together in a seamless and powerful manner.
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As it turns out, the best way to do that… is to help the people that we want on our side, to realize that we are in fact… on the same side and share the same goals and we should work toward those above all else and ‘Quatervois’ accomplished that examination, by way of two key plot threads. The first, involved a reunion of sorts at the clearing center where Silas was staying. Which took place, partly because this chunk of the group missed their friend and road brother and needed to feel that unity once again. But also, to launch a daring plan to get into the research facility post haste. For Iris believed that if she and Will were surrendered to the CRM and inside the facility, they could show Hope and Leo how serious they were about fighting the good fight and how badly they needed them at their side to make that happen.

But in order to get out without rousing any suspicion, they needed Silas’ help. Specifically, by having him steal a keycard and a truck so he could meet them at a relatively unguarded part of the station, wherein they could sneak onto the truck, grab Elton and Percy and head toward Portland. Then they could inform them of the betrayal and perhaps rally the last CRM colony to fight or reason with the CRM since Oregon’s resources were supremely important and well… the first leg of the plan mostly went off without a hitch. For Will and Iris and shockingly Percy, did get inside the facility and the reunion we’ve all been waiting for, took place. Since Iris and Hope and Leo, were able to embrace as a family and well, once the wonder of that ended, the second half of the plan went into motion.

Wherein Iris and Will sold Leo and Hope on their ideas and how they were in fact on the same side and wanting the same things and believe it or not, this part of the plan worked as well. For Leo realized that long and dangerous journey or not, his daughter was right, and this kind of injustice could not stand and the right thing to do was to make what was left of the world know of the treachery happening on the CRM’s watch. Which made it seem as though, we were barreling toward quite the happy ending in this tale. One where they would board the truck and start the long road west. Something that was reinforced by the fact that Silas got the truck as asked and was able to park it near the preferred exit zone. But alas, before we could enjoy that reality and see them escape into the night, something important had to happen.

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In that, the audience at the very least, genuinely needed more substance in regard to this plan. Something that would give us a reason to root for these heroes harder than we ever have before and well, we got just that… by way of Huck. Because her mother’s chilling words at the end of last week’s episode, left her wondering what kind of lies were genuinely being told to her. And taking a moment to research what happened in the CRM while she was gone, alongside gathering valuable factual intelligence on Omaha, before having a low-key confrontation with her mother… finally allowed for Huck and the audience to learn exactly what the CRM’s plans actually are and what we learned, is quite chilling and terrifying to say the least. To the point where we now know that the CRM is no better than the dead that walk the earth.
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For Huck’s confrontation with mom, revealed the fact that her mother is indeed a monster. One that has no problem doing what must be done to accomplish the goals of an organization that is in the midst of a power grab. Because while she was gone, the CRM and the civilian government of the Civic Republic Military battled hard over who would maintain control of these colonies in the future. And of course, the civilian side was winning that particular argument. For the agreement in writing from the beginning of this nightmare, outlined a peaceful handoff after ten years of strife and that time drew near. Which means that the military side of things figured out a crafty and simple way to maintain the control and power and vision they believed they so rightly deserved to exert over the frightened and fragile populace. In that, destroying Omaha would allow for them to hold onto their power.

Because the sheer possibility that super columns of the living dead could assault Portland and the CRM’s home city, would be enough to engender great fear amongst the populace and the civilian arm of the government. To the point where Kublek and her cohorts would be asked to remain in power indefinitely, under the guise of keeping everyone safe, and well, that’s about as brilliant of an evil plan as it gets. Since it reminds us, that power always corrupts and is in demand, even at the end of the world and old habits die hard, since this was reminiscent of what the Bush Administration pulled off to bring about the Second Gulf War. But while that, and the data that Huck lifted from her mom’s office will be enough to rally so many to the cause, there is one large obstacle to making that happen. In that, Silas was captured in the closing moments of this tale, and it won’t be long until his friends are as well, adding a new wrinkle to this fight.

But while we wait to see where that takes us, we can revel in the majesty of one powerful tale. One that showed us that humanity hasn’t changed all that much after the fall of civilization. Since there are still power-hungry idiots eager to use crisis to exert control, making the CRM nothing more than another sorrowful annotation in the history of an endless cycle, with a slight twist. In that, by adding this twist into the mix, The Walking Dead: World Beyond is now prepared to explore a grand question that The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead are diving into right now. Specifically, is mankind worth saving? A question that demands an answer after seeing that a reformed America isn’t that much different from the one left behind, and it will be fascinating to see what the show has to say in regard to that as we barrel toward the finale of this unique tale. Until next time.

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