The Walking Dead S05 E02: Strangers

Played like the second half of a Super Bowl game, last week’s episode of “The Walking Dead” showed how Team Cattle royally kicked Team Butcher’s butt, and we can thank Carol aka Wonder Woman for that victory. Now if we can only have Carol dispose of ISIS. Carol could do this with one arm tied behind her back. On the run again, Team Rick needs to find supplies, but will it be worth the risk?

Carol

Ladies, don’t we always complain that our men just don’t understand us; that they speak a different language than we do? Things never change not even during a zombie apocalypse and Carol has to wait for Rick, Tyreese and Daryl to get their ducks in a row. Strong women can frighten a man. Carol is strong. She killed some people back in the prison, but she had her reasons; kill the infection at its source.

Banished by Rick for her crime, she’s returned to the team a hero. They’ve forgiven her, and Daryl wants to pick up where they left off. Really ladies, who can say no to Daryl? Hopefully Carol will forgive herself. That fist bump between Tara (Alanna Masterson) and Rick? He’s forgiven her role in the Governor’s attack on the prison. Will Maggie forgive her as well?

Survivors

While the team searches for a new shelter and some food, Abraham urges them to consider going to Washington so Eugene can save the day. The reply from Team Rick is a solid, no. Someone is following our survivors, but Daryl hasn’t been able to track the culprit.

The cries for help introduce a new character, Pastor Gabriel (Seth Gilliam). The walkers apparently didn’t enjoy Gabriel’s preaching on the mount. Rick and his team save the pastor’s life, but Rick senses that Gabriel is hiding a secret.

After leading the team to his church, Rick wants to know where the good pastor’s been getting his canned food. Seems the apocalypse and the yearly food drive occurred at the same time and there are plenty of canned goods at the food bank. I’m so happy that Rick took the mysterious pastor with him. I don’t trust this man and that religious clothing won’t win him any Brownie points with Rick, who wants to “hold on to his squirrels.”

Rick’s advice to his son was right on, and close to what I tell my older grandchildren now that they’re old enough to go to bars. “You are not safe. It only takes a second and it’s over. Never let your guard down.” I don’t think we have to worry about Carl. This kid has seen it all. While dad and the others head to the food bank, Carl notices something that doesn’t speak well of the pastor.

Food Bank

Before we head to the Food Bank, I wanted to say how much I love Tyreese. This man is comfortable in the role of protector, so comfortable that he and Carol have unconsciously performed a gender role switcheroo. Carol has taken on the role of warrior; ready to kill all threats, while Tyreese has taken on the role of nanny; keeping baby Judith safe from all threats. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to step out of the norm and explore the many parts that make us unique. I met Chad Coleman in person at a convention and he’s as nice in person as he is on the show.

When our team enters the Food Bank, they are greeted to a horrible sight. Church people have been trapped in the basement… well… they were people at one time, but now they are ‘wild and wet’ walkers. Pastor Gabriel is looking pretty suspicious and I’m wondering if he had anything to do with their death.

While the team battles water-logged walkers, “Church Lady” walker goes for Pastor Gabe. Was she the woman in the photo with Gabriel? Rick saves Gabe from sacrificing himself to the Church Lady, but Bob is attacked by Prune face walker. Luckily Sasha saves him. Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) are hot for each other and kissing every chance they get.

Michonne had to fight off a walker with scissors. She doesn’t have her sword and she doesn’t miss it. It reminded her too much of the past. What she does miss is Andrea and Hershel; don’t we all. I can’t wrap my head around Michonne being without her katana. It’s like Superman without his cape.

Conclusion

Rick’s warning to Carl reminded me of the “X-Files” – trust no one, Scully. In a world gone crazed, they are words to live by. Pastor Gabe is hiding something and those scratches on the wall gives a hint to how bad his secret is. Luckily, Team Rick is able to relax, eat, and drink wine; communion wine that is. Maggie forgives Tara’s part in the death of her father and baby Judith gives the okay for Team Rick to go to Washington with Abraham and Eugene.

I can’t for the life of me figure out why anyone would go for a stroll; alone, and during the apocalypse. With Sasha inside, what possessed Bob to leave the safety of the group? Why was he crying? I have this feeling that he may have been bitten and he’s keeping it a secret. Maybe he wasn’t expecting to fall in love. It doesn’t matter because he he’s kidnapped by the whacky people from Terminus.

We learn three things: Gareth is a nut job who explains, while chewing down some food, that he’s only doing what has to be done; Martin, who we assumed was killed by Tyreese, is still alive; Bob is part of a pot-luck-dinner and he’s the main dish on the menu.

While Gareth and his men barbeque and eat part of Bob’s leg, Carol is stopped from sneaking off my Daryl. Our little stud muffin wants to start fresh with our little Wonder Woman, and finally, Carol realizes that Daryl understands her; finally!

I guess we have to wait until next week, my little zombie snacks, to see if that car Daryl and Carol are chasing is the one that took Beth. See you next week, same time, same apocalypse.