The Walking Dead (2010 - Present): Review By ejk1

About fifteen minutes into "Pretty Much Dead Already," this is what I wrote on my Facebook page: "I got a bad feeling that Shane is gonna do something really stupid on The Walking Dead tonight." And boy oh boy, did he prove me correct. I have rarely seen such a powerful episode of television, one that stays with you for weeks, possibly months, and then there are those that stay with you forever. "Ab Aeterno" of the last season of Lost is immortal, as is the final episode of Angel. "Pretty Much Dead Already" goes right into the category of months, with the possibility of becoming immortal to my memory. Why? Because this is where The Walking Dead went from good to great in my eyes. Yeah, I may have had a premonition that Shane was going to explode tonight, but I didn't know he was going to go nuclear. And now, with the subsequent actions, who knows what is going to occur come February, when The Walking Dead resumes its second season? Well, I don't know, but I'm willing to make a few predictions here.

Before we predict anything, let's digest for a moment what we have witnessed. Glenn tells his group that Hershel's barn is filled with "walkers." It is at this moment that I, along with many of you I'm sure, began what I will dub "The Countdown to Shane's Meltdown." Man did he break! You could see how tense and crazed he was. Much props to Jon Bernthal for doing such an immaculate job as the antagonistic Shane, clearly becoming more and more agitated until his explosive temper got the best of him. His performance tonight was truly a tour de force. I also continue to enjoy the chemistry between Glenn and Maggie (by the way, Maggie is without question my favorite woman on this show. If it comes down to it, I want her to survive over the others). A particularly moving scene between them was near the end, after Shane went nuclear. Glenn calling out to Maggie, and Maggie giving him the "okay" was heart-breaking. I hope the actions at the end do not destroy their budding relationship.

Everything else was gravy. Dale was right, and in retrospect probably wishes he had shot Shane in the woods; I'm glad he had the guts to call Shane out on Otis's death. Daryl and Carol got closer; she's definitely going to need his strength to make through the horror she witnessed. Hershel continues to be a very sympathetic character, and that won't change considering the events that occurred. And of course, we come to that last final moment, where Rick was left to do the dirty work that not even Shane seemed willing to do. This was a heart-rending moment, one that did two things: ended a season long mystery, and ended the friendship between Rick and Shane. Rick can't possibly want Shane around anymore (we already know Shane doesn't really want Rick around). The final moment of "Pretty Much Dead Already" leaves us one great question: Would Shane have acted so impulsively had he known the true weight of the consequences that would ensue? I like to think not, but this character doesn't seem to revel in his morality.

"Pretty Much Dead Already" is the game changer I was waiting for from The Walking Dead. The acting was perfect, the plot was tight, and the action was plentiful and unmerciful (unless you count Rick's final action). Very few episodes hold this much weight and carry it so well; I hope the rest of the season can follow suit.

So what's to come in February? Well, here are some predictions:

It's Rick vs. Shane, and if you read the comic you know...

Hershel is going to slide very far down. His world has been shattered, his ideals smashed. He will be greatly changed by the harshness of the world.

T-Dog is going to finally become an interesting character. Possibly because of his death scene.

Glenn and Maggie will not become distant because of the actions of this episode. Hopefully.

That's all I'm willing to guess upon, but by all means, if anyone here wishes to throw their two cents in, be my guest :)