*Contains Spoilers*

Still is an interesting episode to say the least. It was a bottle episode featuring only Daryl and Beth that put the ongoing plot on hold. It’s already getting tons of hate, heck, it was being hated on before even airing. I can’t fully judge Still yet. I enjoyed the character development, but the question is if it was at the cost of bigger things. If the resolution to the main story lines going on now feels rushed, I can look back and put blame on this episode. I wasn’t really getting into the first half; felt clunky and kind of pointless for the most part. The second half won me over, ending on a high point as well. That had me reflecting: was the beginning crucial to the success that came later? After giving some thought, I don’t believe all of it was. I believe the episode would have been stronger if another group was utilized. Still was good, but the worst installment since The Walking Dead came back from its mid-season break.

The only plot to speak of, if you want to call if that, is Beth wants her first drink. I mentioned concerns above, but Still embodies why I absolutely fell in love with this show and why it’s my favorite. There are a lot of casual fans who watch solely for the zombie killing. They come for the action set pieces, and even though those occur, it’s not what The Walking Dead is truly about. It takes the genre to a new and immensely superior level, adding depth and meaning. In my honest opinion, you’re not a true fan if you hate episodes similar to this. You don’t have to think it’s perfect, but you can’t despise it. Angela Kang isn’t one of the best writers the show has. Never have been blown away by anything she’s done. Her best was her latest one prior to this, Infected – the most underrated episode of the season if you ask me. Kang impresses once again this season.

The grouping of Daryl and Beth had me curious what the writers had in store. We did get a good scene with them at the end of 30 Days Without an Accident; thought that was foreshadowing they’d get more screen time together. I wasn’t completely sold in Inmates, but now I get and enjoy the pairing. In the beginning, Daryl is still in his shut down state. Beth’s optimism hasn’t faded all the way, but it’s not as prominent as it was when we last saw her (I’m not quite sure about the time line). I gauge at least a week has passed. In the middle of eating, Beth simply says she wants an alcoholic drink. That’s her mission, she just wants to do something instead of doing nothing as Daryl seems only fixated on basic survival at this point.

Beth ends up saving Daryl from slipping irrevocably into his grief and regressing from the person he’s become to his old self. Daryl is torn up over losing the prison and all it’s members. He feels as if the blame falls on him for not continuing his search for The Governor, even dissuading Michonne from the task. It was a treat to finally get confirmation and hearing more of Daryl’s pas life. He is the only character that has actually benefited from the apocalypse. The most important development was for Beth, though (she had more lines in this episode then she’s probably ever had). As Beth states, she doesn’t have the physical strength that the other female characters have, but she has a different unique kind. It peaked my interest when she said Daryl will be alive long after she’s gone. That makes me think one of them won’t make it out of the season. There arguments and discussions throughout the episode featured some smart writing illustrating different points of view while have Daryl and Beth have a better understanding of each other.

The Walking Dead has always had top notch actors and actresses giving fantastic performances. With such a great cast, anyone not up to par with the rest stand out. Now, Emily Kinney isn’t awful or anything, but she is the worst person on the show currently. Kinney was survivable in the first half of the episode, but still had her usual faults. The second half was a completely different story. Her best moment was the porch scene. Kinney’s acting felt 100% natural for a change. She has a tendency to come across very forced, I was glad to see the improvement. I’m warming up to Beth, but Kinney needs to keep getting better if she is to survive longer. She’s inconsistent, but has potential, as it’s shown sometimes. Norman Reedus gives his best efforts since This Sorrowful Life. He is so believable in the role, aced his aggressive and emotional breakdown.

- As a side note that I didn’t mention above, the cold open was fantastic. Creepy and intense scene with them hiding in the trunk from tons of walkers. The sound design was spectacular. The song at end was extremely poignant, and had me looking back on Still with a new appreciation. It felt as if Daryl’s walls have been burned to the ground. Beth and Daryl both flipping the bird at despair and giving us hope for the rest of their journey was a fitting end.