Even though we are technically still in season four, it really feels like we have started a brand new season. The whole prison/governor arc has concluded along with all of the characters splintered off in their own mini groups. The tone and overall feel is very different. It’s also great to see them on the road again. This marks the first time we have had our core group separated for more than an episode. This happened back in Beside the Dying Fire (the season two finale), but everyone reunited near the end of it. Too Far Gone was amazing capping the prison storyline which lasted quite a while. Nothing could have topped it, and I’m glad the show didn’t try to. Instead of attempting to give us big action or tons intensity, we were given a slower character-focused episode. The Walking Dead excels when it can focus on a few characters at a time – just look at Clear and 18 Miles Out.

Only three survivors are shown: Rick, Carl, and Michonne. As for the rest, we’ll have to wait and see what happened with them. The episode goes back and forth between Rick/Carl and Michonne. I’m going to start off talking about Michonne. We got some great character development from her. When she was first introduced, there was a cloud of mystery there that had me wondering. Particularly about her two pet walkers. She had been so reserved for so long, I’m glad we finally got some real insight. It was foreshadowing earlier in the season having her cry while holding baby Judith. Also, was apparent she had a soft spot kids back in season three. We finally got to see what that was all about. It was told in this dream/flashback scene. I loved it.

Not something we usually see on The Walking Dead, I’m glad they tried this – it payed off. Was very creative. The writers were able to interweave multiple parts of Michonne’s past into one. At first I thought I was watching a straight up flashback, but it soon came apparent that it wasn’t becoming less and less orientated as the scene progressed. What I deduced from it, was that her boyfriend and the other guy (could be someones brother or simply a friend) didn’t want to live in this new world and killed themselves along with the child, Michonne’s son. That’s a brutal back story. Her emotional state was a major subject, and the dream sequence wasn’t the only way that it was shown. What was really great about her arc is that in the beginning she is basically giving up.

She finds footprints showcasing that there were survivors from the prison battle, but ignores them. Then eventually comes back to follow them after she spots a walker that looks similar to her when going off by herself in a herd of walkers masked by her new pet walkers, and goes on a killing rampage (not only was it a good way to showcase inner turmoil, it was cool to see her slice and dice tons of walkers). The loss of the prison truly effected Michonne, and we got to see that. When she finds Rick and Carl she breaks down. It was such an excellent moment of happiness. She’s clearly formed a bond with those two, and I love that. Melissa McBride remains the best actress on the show, but Danai Gurira has been given some fantastic material this season and has knocked it out of the park. She can illustrate so much without words as well making the character feel real.

Now to delve into Rick and Carl. There relationship is one of my favorite aspects of the show. It’s always been apart of the series, and they’ve had a good amount of screen time together. Many memorable scenes between the two. This season, with Rick taking a break for leadership to be a proper parent, there has been even more time dedicated with them. While we got a lot of Michonne, this is really a Carl episode. That is something we don’t got often. He’s always there and given a couple of scenes, but not heavily focused like some of our other characters. It was clear as things started up Rick is in the worst state physically he’s ever been in, and Carl is obviously frustrated with his dad. Both acted realistically. Carl is in his teenage years and has been supportive of Rick for a long time only to lose everything once again. It was only natural for him to take out all his suppressed anger at his father. This doesn’t excuse some of the horrible things that were said, but I see where he was coming from.

He did have some good points, though. Rick was trying a little too hard shielding him from the horrors of this new world when that is futile now. The world he is growing up in is forcing him to grow up and become a man, but Carl still has conflicting kid-like emotions. The writing did a great job getting that across. This was illustrated particularly well when Carl walks in some boys room and you saw his face light up for a second. It was cut short when he remembered that he couldn’t play any of these games or watch those movies. Instead he had to pull the cord off the TV using it for survival instead of entertainment. Symbolism like this is everywhere in After. The pudding scene was perfectly placed and brought back by the end. The score and cinematography were top notch, especially in that scene. Felt like something out of movie.

It’s hard to pick a best moment since there were many stupendous ones, but if I had to, it would have to be when Carl thought Rick was a walker. That was when he realized that he was wrong and didn’t mean all the cruel things he said. Carl admits that he was wrong and scared. His false bravado that was built up completely shattered at the end – that whole element was executed flawlessly. Throughout we see Carl wanting to be independent thinking he’s a true tough guy. He even said he’d be fine if Rick were to die when he was in his unconscious state (that was a harsh statement). This is where his two walker encounters come into play, showcasing he is incapable of surviving on his own yet. Those two scenes were intense. When the group is on the road and not fortifying a safe place, the threat of the walkers skyrocket reminding us that they are still a threat.

I feel Carl and Rick are closer than ever now; they have each other backs and because of all this will move forward being equal partners. That’s one father son duo I wouldn’t mess with, just ask the dozens of walkers that broke into the prison. For a kid actor Chandler Riggs continues to impress. Most of the time I can’t stand them, but he delivers his lines and conveys Carl’s emotions extremely well. Even with all the positives, the episode would have suffered badly from a bad performance. Chandler Riggs anchored the episode as he needed to since a big bulk of time is spent with just him. Andrew Lincoln is amazing as always showing off his vast skills, but this time around it was Chandler Riggs who stole the show.