The Walking Dead: 15 Thoughts on "Forget"

Tonight's episode of AMC's The Walking Dead was one of those where not a lot happened...but a lot happened. 

And, as we'll do from time to time when we can, I compiled a short list of reactions to the episode, ranging from predictions and analysis from the comics to just things that popped up and felt worth mentioning.

So let's get to it...

The conspiracy

"If they can't make it, then we'll just take this place," Rick said last week, and we see various different people reacting differently to that plan this week. Some very surprising results come out of it, but certainly the conspiracies -- including Carol pretending to be someone she isn't and the group going out and wasting ammo to convince the Alexandrians they're not just taking the time to be away from the group -- are not lacking.

"We're here now."

The idea that the Alexandrians are lucky because they have Rick and company is objectively true -- but it's also a reflection of the self-confidence Rick showed when he said that the Terminians were screwing (heh!) with the wrong people.

What's Deanna's deal?

She seems too good to be true, and frankly in this world, that's traditionally been the most dangerous thing you can say about someone.

There's something going on there, and questions we want answered.

The horse

That horse seems like a symbol of civilization in this world; Rick had one early on when he still had hope to restore society, and other times when it's seemed like a return to normalcy was plausible, they've popped up as well. Michonne had one at the prison and before that, the Greene family had one at their farm. Of course, all of those attempts at civilization failed, so take from taht what you will.

Tobin

While the name "Tobin" reminds those of us of a certain age of the spirit guide referenced in Ghostbusters, he's actually a character from the comic...although not a particualrly memorable one, as I had to check with the Walking Dead Wiki to be sure I was right about that. He had a series of poor decisions that cost some lives and endangered some people while outside the walls, but ultimately redeemed himself by serving as a line of defense at a key moment and sending others out of harm's way to summon reinforcements.

And casting-wise? They nailed his look.

"You're here with us, now"

Team Rick is bringing Noah on board in a big way, even if he doesn't really feel totally integrated yet. While Aaron and Eric are going out of their way to make Daryl know that he's not the only one who feels alone, that's what Glenn and Maggie are doing for Noah.

Daryl's sexuality

It can't be a coincidence that the whole discussion of Daryl's sexuality reared up again this week, when there was a "dinner with the gay couple" story beat going.

After all, they have to know that anyone who spends four minutes onscreen with Daryl is going to end up in a shipper video.

Alcohol is not your friend

Oh, Pete. Fans of the comics will know that this is not a guy who means well, but he does his best to let the casual viewers know, too.

And, yeah, drunk Pete being a thing? Well, that tracks with the steady stream of alcohol that poured through the good ol' Governor's place.

Ordinary life like before

Rick does like the fact that they're getting to live a "normal" life. He, Daryl and Abraham are diving headlong into hope. It's something that they've done before -- Rick believed maybe a little too much in the prison, for instance -- but hope is a hell of a drug in this world.

The stamp

That "A" stamp for Alexandria?

That seems fairly ominous when juxtaposed with the "W" on the zombie heads, doesn't it?

How much have you had to drink?

I kind of love drunk Abraham. He reminds me a bit of the great stoned a-hole Michael Cudlitz played in Grosse Pointe Blank.

Bobby Beemer!

Carol breaks in

That was actually Glenn in the comics, who broke into the armory.  Of course, Carol was long gone by then.

And, sadly, we didn't get the death or cookies scene.

Sasha

Okay, so Sasha's explosion at the party -- "That's what you worry about?" -- is officially my favorite moment since they came to Alexandria.

That said, her storyline in this episode is very much what's on the the mind of the world right now; it's hard to know where she's going to end up, but they're clearly dealing with PTSD, enjoying the opportunity to make zombies into social commentary, one of those things that the genre can't seem to escape.

Hanging up the sword

There's a metaphor if we ever saw one.

Of course, in the comics, we get a hanging up of the sword a bit later -- after the events of "All-Out War."

Daryl goes soft

What's the big fear that many of the survivors have been having? That a place with a civilized society and creature comforts will make them soft.

And what happens this week? Out uber-badass Daryl decides that "I'm good" when it comes time to decide how and whether to defend himself with a backup piece. 

That seems...bad.