Written by Dana J. Hortman, contributor
Image from AMC.
After a two week column hiatus caused by sickness and midterms, I am finally back to normal and ready to dish on the latest episode of my favorite show on TV right now.
On episode three of the fifth season of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” the remaining Terminus faithfuls, including gang leader Gareth, are seen enjoying Bob’s roasted leg in the courtyard of an abandoned elementary school. Abducted from the church graveyard in the previous episode, Bob woke up to discover Gareth and his Terminus gang gnawing on his leg meat. While all but Bob seem to be satisfying their appetites, a growing group of hungry walkers wait just beyond a set of nearby windows that are slowly beginning to break. Noticing them, Gareth begins his little speech about “nothing lasts too long anymore.” But his monologue is interrupted by bursts of Bob’s sarcastic laughter. He reveals to Gareth and his crew that he was bitten and they have eaten’ tainted meat.
Meanwhile at the church, Rick forces the priest, Gabriel, to reveal his past. He confesses that he locked himself inside the sanctuary while his congregation begged and pleaded for refuge. Aside from Gabriel’s confession, the group discovers Bob lying outside in the grass and that Gareth was behind his kidnapping and amputation. The Washington group asks to begin their journey immediately, and Glenn and Maggie promise to accompany them the next day if they’ll wait for Daryl and Carol’s return.
Upon settling the feud, half of the group leaves to search for the Termians, leaving behind the other half, who must hide in the priest’s office when Gareth and his crew ambush the church. Although it seems the half hiding are doomed when baby Judith begins to cry, Rick and the rest counter-ambush the Termians, killing them all with gunfire and machetes. Appalled, yet terrified by the bloodbath, Gabriel objects by saying, “This is the Lord’s house.” Emotionless, Maggie responds, “No, it’s just four walls and a roof.”
Eventually, the fever sets in and Bob dies, but only after saying goodbye to his group and girlfriend, Sasha. Keeping their word, Maggie and Glenn leave with Abraham and the half heading north for Washington. The rest remain at the church, anxiously waiting for Daryl and Carol’s return. The episode ends with Michonne discovering Daryl emerging from the dark woods and motions for someone to “come on out.”
