The Walking Dead: Alone is the 13th episode in the season and deals with two groups struggling between belief that other members in the prison survived and the belief that they should just move on. This episode opens up with Bob when he used to be alone and shows how he just wandered from place to place surviving and just going through the motions but not having any life in him. It was so bad that he would resort to drinking cough medicine to get a buzz from the alcohol in it whenever he was safe from the walkers. Sometimes it was in an enclosed area and other times it was on top of trucks but it was always the same feeling until one day he encountered Daryl and Glenn passing by who stopped to question him. He tells them that he can’t remember how long he’s been on his own and that he was with two different groups who didn’t make it. And when asked if he ever killed a person he says yes and it was because she asked him too. He doesn’t have any questions for Glenn and Daryl and most certainly it’s because he feels good to be part of a group again. So when he’s with Maggie and Sasha in their current situation it’s understandable that he’s feeling good and optimistic after taking care of the walkers surrounding them despite their current predicament. And Maggie wants to still look for Glenn but Sasha has a different mindset. So how long can this group last when they’re seeking different things? Meanwhile Daryl is showing Beth how to track and use his crossbow, and when they come upon a walker Beth tries to take him out but gets caught in a hidden trap injuring her foot. If things weren’t difficult enough for them before it’ll only be harder now.

The opening scenes the past few episodes have been outstanding, and this episode is no different with its opening showing Bob traveling through areas looking lifeless but still surviving. It perfectly captured the quintessential question of what is the difference between surviving and living, and as a result touched on the heart of what’s so appealing about the human element in this series, as well as hope. So it was very interesting that Bob, Maggie, and Sasha were stuck in a fog surrounded by walkers as the symbolic significance of that wasn’t lost. Neither was the progress made by Daryl and Beth in last week’s episode so when she did get injured it didn’t come off as a “c’mon on” moment but as very unfortunate, and at least she got a piggyback ride from Daryl out of it. They had a better understanding of each other and were closer than ever unlike the other 3 who came across a sign pointing to a sanctuary named Terminus and argued about what to do next. Bob agreed with Maggie that they should head there in hope of finding other members from the prison and Maggie is convinced that Glenn would head there if he saw it. Seeing as how it’s 2 to 1 they decide to head there but make camp first.

And this is where I enjoyed the contrast between the two groups as Daryl and Beth are at a funeral home and see how someone gave the walkers funerals, and also find some supplies. But they value everything as they’re not just trying to survive but living, and so find “peace” within the madness. And that’s in contrast to the exchange between Sasha and Bob, which was very well done and finally addressed her utter lack of searching for her brother Tyreese. Bob already knows what it’s like to just go day-to-day surviving with no hope and that’s his basis for disagree with Sasha who believes Glenn is dead and they’re juts put their lives at risk. It gave Sasha more depth as a character, and Bob became a more rounded character and his transformation is very welcomed.

And the connection they form also serves as a reminder for why Maggie is relentless in her search for Glenn with or without them. And this also serves as a way to move the story forward because Terminus is now a focal point for the characters and whatever is there seems to be the next thing everyone will face. There are some good action sequences along the way and Maggie’s actions made sense in the context of her explanation and I’m glad there was really good growth this episode and not dragged out over many episodes. And considering the past few episodes it’s not surprising that this occurred because a much better job has been done with the character development since leaving the prison.

And one wouldn’t expect a major character to die in an episode where there wasn’t a major build up to it happening so it’s really impressive that an action sequence here could really make it feel as if that could happen, and despite their breakthrough things don’t get easier for Daryl and Beth. And there are some major story developments in their case and it was unexpected as well as an interesting turn in terms of not only what it could mean to them but for everyone. And I’m not giving away any spoilers, however I will say that I’m really looking forward to what’s in store for them the next episode they’re in and the fate of one of them. And developments in previous episodes come back and did have significance.

And so the only issue I would have with this episode is one I can’t truly discuss here except to say a perimeter could’ve been better although I do have to admit that would still be nitpicking in light of how much the story progressed as a result. And so I choose to instead enjoy the wonderful character development and story progression in this episode, and I can’t wait until the next one.

SUMMARY

The Walking Dead: Alone is a thoroughly enjoyable episode that finds the right balance between character development and story progression, and as a result increases my enthusiasm for this series somehow, considering it was already high. The tone was set from the start with the opening sequence with Bob, and doesn’t let up as that theme is used to give insight into all the characters this episode and there’s an extremely interesting parallel to one of the sequences at the end. This episode does an excellent job in highlighting the difference between just surviving during a zombie apocalypse and actually living, and what plays the crucial role in making that difference. And with the story developments here I only expect things to keep getting better but at the very least, episodes will be just as enjoyable and that wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.