By Dana J. Hortman, contributor
On episode five of “The Walking Dead,” Hershel and Glenn attempt to save the lives of the prison community as more become infected with the contagious flu. While the others are anxiously awaiting Daryl and the crew’s arrival from gathering medical supplies, the mass of zombies outside the prison finally breach the fence.
Spoiler Alert:
Driving back without Carol, Rick’s solemn expression suggests a sense of guilt. Does he regret exiling Carol because of her actions?
Back at the prison, Hershel bounds himself inside of cellblock A in order to aid the sick as the survivors’ conditions worsen. With the help of Glenn and Sasha, whose health is also deteriorating, the team of three works together to intubate each patient, allowing them to breathe easier. However, their efforts prove useless as several patients — including Dr. S — die; patients are placed onto a gurney and taken outside to block the others from seeing. Hershel, who has never had to put a patient down, is forced to kill the patients as they “turn.”
Meanwhile, the prison fence collapses despite Rick and Carl’s best efforts to reinforce it with wooden posts. As the “walkers” begin to invade the outer and inner fences, the father/son duo retreat to the courtyard. Armed with rifles and ammunition, the pair shoots the zombies dead. Following the invasion, Daryl and the gang return with the necessary medical supplies.
The episode concludes with Hershel offering assistance to Michonne in disposing the zombie carcasses. Little do they know, there is something watching them from afar—the infamous Governor.
Three Obsessions:
1. Hershel for President. The compassionate white-bearded Southern gentleman has expanded his leadership roles in the prison. Making the ultimate sacrifice, he has locked himself in the ward with the infected, providing medical treatment on an hourly basis until the medical supplies arrive. Though exhausted, his spirits and sense of humor remains high. I support his “spaghetti Tuesdays.”
2. Father/son bonding time. Rick and Carl are a dynamic duo. One minute they’re reestablishing the prison fences’ solidity, the next they’re tag teaming against invading zombies. A typical father/son bonding moment would involve playing catch or fishing, but in a post-apocalyptic society, I suppose killing zombies with shotguns are the only option.
3. Ladies and gentlemen, the Governor is back. I knew it was coming. You knew it was coming. We all knew it was coming. He’s back, and he’s ready for revenge. When will the others discover his return? What will Michonne do with her Katana sword? Only three more episodes until the mid-season finale. Brace yourselves fanatics, the plot is about to get interesting.
Did You Know?
During a recent interview with Steve Fennessy of “Atlanta Magazine.” Andrew Lincoln (Rick) explained that fellow cast member and bromance partner, Norman Reedus (Daryl), enjoys charging drinks to his tab at local bars. According to Lincoln, Reedus is notorious for taking a photograph of the expensive bar check, which in one instance was $500, and sending it to Lincoln, his middle finger in the air in typical Daryl Dixon style.