The Walking Dead Recap/Review: "Indifference"

Maya Zach ’17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff
The Walking Dead has made a shift back from the intense, action-packed, death-riddled style of season 3, to the (slightly) more mellow, character-driven style of season 2. Though this might be a letdown for the casual viewer, this is a huge boost for the more hardcore fans.
Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) cannot grasp the emptiness that comes with the turn. She believes that people live on as walkers; though they aren’t the same person, they are still someone, something. Carol (Melissa McBride) does what she can to explain that this isn’t true. She follows this with the reminder that she cannot be afraid. No matter what happens, she has to be brave and she has to look out for herself and for Mika. Carol is quick to shut Lizzie down when she lets the dreaded M-word slip out, “Mom.” Though she has taken on the responsibilities of being a mother, Carol cannot let either the girls or herself become so attached. Their deaths would be so much harder to bear if they have the familial attachment.

When Carol and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) are on a run, they discover two young adults (Robin Taylor and Brina Palencia), both injured, who have been traveling recently. When they are gathering supplies, one dies and the other disappears, taking with them two of Rick’s guns and his watch. The entire time, Carol tries to explain to Rick why she killed Karen and David. After a full day, Rick finally voices his obvious opinion: they could have survived, she had no right to kill them. He makes a major decision for the group—something he hasn’t done in a long time—he tells her to get lost. When Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) discovers what she did, he will kill her. And if he doesn’t, she will be ostracized. Rick does her the courtesy of giving her a head start with a week’s worth of supplies.
Over the seasons, Carol has developed from a meek victim of abuse to a tenacious, self-reliant survivor. Rather than spiral into despair after losing her husband (who she did love) and daughter, she grew strong; she decided that she would never again be a victim, nor would she let anyone else fall prey, neither to walkers nor overbearing men. She has taken it upon herself to be a leader; to make the decisions that others shy away from. She will do anything for her friends and family. However, it is a little hard to grasp that she is willing to kill innocent people, especially her friends. This might be a bit of a stretch.

Meanwhile, Daryl (Norman Reedus), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Tyreese, and Bob (Lawrence Gillard Jr.) go through a series of character-defining events as they make the trek to the veterinary school. However, they arrive, gather medical supplies, and start their slog back to the prison.
Both Michonne and Bob call Tyreese out during the episode. His justification for wasting time is his belief that Sasha and the others are already dead or beyond saving. Bob tries to instill hope in him, at least enough to get him going. When Tyreese is nearly mauled by a walker due to his own fault, Michonne calls him out on his death wish. His anger at Karen’s death and Sasha’s illness are clouding his judgment, they’re making him angry, which will get him killed.
Michonne has been leaving the prison for long stretches at a time; she has been in search of the Governor. She is seeking revenge. When Ty asks her about it, she comes to the realization that she is not actually angry with him anymore; she doesn’t need to waste her time tracking her down. If she comes across him, she will kill him, but she does not need to go out of her way to make that happen.

Bob, the mysterious outsider, admits to a drinking problem. He has been dealing with it and hasn’t had a drink in a long while. However, when he sees a bottle, he can’t resist; rather than gathering medical supplies, he stocks up on liquor. He almost dies just to keep his hands on the bottle. Daryl is fuming; the only reason he doesn’t leave him to die is Ty stepping in and calming him down.
Tensions are running high in the group, there are many lives on the lines, and Carol has been banished. The next episode is bound to be explosive. Don’t miss it!