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Ever since its release The Walking Dead has been in the news. In this chilling television series crafted by the talented Frank Darabont for AMC, a post-apocalyptic horror tale unfolds, drawing inspiration from the gripping comic book series authored by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. At the heart of this gripping narrative stands Andrew Lincoln, portraying the resilient protagonist, Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes. Emerging from a coma, Rick finds himself thrust into a harrowing reality, where hordes of relentless undead, known as “walkers,” have taken dominion over the world. Now with the release of the show’s first season’s second episode, there are many who are excited about the upcoming episodes. Well, here is a review of the second episode of the show. Enjoy!
TWDDC Season 1 Episode 2 Review!
The second episode serves as a foundation, introducing us to the world and its intricacies, peppered with thrilling action and even a thought-provoking philosophical debate. It’s refreshing to witness The Walking Dead, a long-standing franchise, still uncovering new territories and unravelling the mysteries of its universe.
The episode kicks off with a bang as a mysterious and untamed woman named Esther, previously encountered by Maggie and Negan, snatches Maggie’s stash of supplies and bolts. Communication proves challenging as Esther exclusively speaks Hebrew, but she guides them to a surprising solution—a zip line. Reluctantly, our protagonists embark on this unconventional method of traversing the city, discovering that it’s not just the Croat’s people who utilize this mode of intercity transportation. The entire city seems to be buzzing around like the Dauntless faction from the world of Divergent. Personally, I find it exhilarating. Zip-lining keeps them safe from the lurking walkers below, while also providing a thrill that’s both perilous and undeniably enjoyable.
Esther leads our protagonists to a group of fellow survivors, introducing them to the lively and argumentative duo of Tommaso and Amaia, who embody the quintessential fast-talking, irritable New Yorker persona. It dawns on me at this moment that The Walking Dead universe has been sorely missing the vibrant energy of the Northeast. It hits like a jolt of electricity. The original series features an array of slow- and fast-talking Southerners, while Fear the Walking Dead exudes a distinct West Coast vibe. The World Beyond, on the other hand, doesn’t seem strongly tied to any particular region.
But this lack of chillness, this unique toughness displayed by Tommaso and Amaia, is something entirely new. Their weapons are ingeniously crafted from power tools, their unconventional diet features pigeons—it’s a brand of resilience we haven’t witnessed before. Although it may seem a bit too obvious when Tommaso refers to Maggie and Negan as tourists, I still found it strangely fitting. Regrettably, Maggie weaves a fabricated tale about their purpose in town, claiming their boat crashed while en route to Canada. However, the perceptive survivors see through her ruse, leaving our heroes in a precarious situation.
In the Hilltop offshoot community, Ginny, Negan’s ward, settles into her new temporary home. However, there’s a discrepancy about her origins—her teacher claims she’s from Oceanside, a beach community introduced in later seasons, but Negan previously mentioned finding her on a farm. Why the deception? Despite her silence, Ginny appears to be adapting comfortably. A pep talk from Nina triggers a poignant flashback where Maggie discusses weapons training with her son, Hershel. He shows reluctance, preferring drawing and displaying signs of potential depression or existential unease. This interaction reminds me of Maggie’s late sister, Beth, who had an introverted, artistic nature and struggled with mental wellness. It’s an unexpected connection worth exploring, and I’m curious if the show will delve into it further.
In New York City, Esther’s group imprisons Negan and Maggie while deciding their fate. Negan shares details about the Croat, a former torturer for the Saviors, whom Negan intended to kill. He claims the Croat is more evil than he ever was, which raises scepticism. Negan’s past actions, including creating a society where women were coerced into becoming his “wives,” burning his own people, and separating families, cannot be overlooked or rewritten. Demonstrating his capacity for violence, Negan threatens the survivors with a makeshift weapon and kills a hostage in front of them. Despite this, the survivors acknowledge Negan and Maggie’s aid against the Burazi, a group affiliated with the Croat. Maggie reveals their true purpose in the city, leading to potential alliances being formed. Perlie Armstrong, the New Babylon Marshal, encounters the Croat people and finds unexpected acceptance. With alliances and tensions escalating, it seems that Dead City is heading towards a fierce conflict—a possible all-out war.
Wrap Up
The second episode of The Walking Dead’s first season delivers an exhilarating mix of action, character exploration, and escalating tensions. From zip-lining through the city to the introduction of fierce New Yorkers and the revelation of Negan’s past, the episode sets the stage for an impending clash and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the unraveling of Dead City’s mysteries. With its gripping narrative and intriguing character dynamics, the episode leaves a lasting impression and solidifies the show’s hold on its audience.
