The Walking Dead Recap: ‘Us’ [Episode 16]
[Photo: AMC]
The writers have packed more action into the last several episodes that in any two prior episodes, it seems. FINALLY! We’re back to Glenn, Tara, Rosita, Eugene and Abraham. As everyone sleeps, Tara and Abraham chat. He has noticed Tara’s attraction to Rosita and lightheartedly teases her about it. Abraham also realizes that Tara is hiding something. She seems to want to tell him, but thinks better of it.
The next morning as the group moves on Glenn finally sees the message left by Maggie, Sasha, and Bob – to go to Terminus. He tears off, full speed, down the tracks leaving the group to catch up. The same morning also brings us Daryl’s sleeping group and a fast approaching walker. Luckily the camp is protected by barbed wire and Joe dispatches the walker. We learn that Daryl is out hunting for food. While hunting, an arrow whizzes past him, killing the rabbit he had in his sights. Sleazebag Len, the culprit, claims the rabbit, as is “the rule”. When Daryl refuses to adhere to the rule, Len begins taunting Daryl that his head must be messed up by some “bitch”– grossly joking that she was probably “one of the little ones”. Joe saves (Daryl or Len? It’s not clear) by breaking up the near-fight, cutting the rabbit in half and explaining “the rules”, again – you claim it, you own it.
[Photo: AMC]
That same morning we see Michionne and Carl, balancing on the rail tracks as they continue toward Terminus. Carl wins the bet as to who can stay on the tracks longer, winning a candy bar. He opts to share it with Michionne because they share everything. Rick smiles. I love Carl, the real boy, again.
The Mullet crew slows down hope to stop and rest when a walker falls from a bridge above (breaking open like a piñata). Abraham hurts Tara when he pushes her aside to save Eugene as it falls. Rosita, who I’d written off as a Lara Croft wannabe, says something that needed saying. Glenn is an ASS. He wants to move forward no matter what. He knows Tara will go with him, out of guilt, and he isn’t all that concerned about putting her at risk. The group continues on when Glenn trades his riot gear, to be given to Eugene for movement forward.
Cut back to Daryl and it’s clear that he knows that he doesn’t want to stay with Joe’s group. He reminds Joe that there is no “us” as he’s not part of their group. Joe, who loves cats, tells Daryl that there’s nothing sadder than an outdoor cat who thinks he’s an indoor cat and that unless Daryl is planning to move on right then, there is an “us”. Creepy. They secure themselves in a warehouse near the tracks. Joe feels like the new “Governor” and his group feels like Meryl’s kind of people. If “Still” was a tribute to Hershel and “The Grove” a tribute to Sophia; “Us” feels like a tribute to Meryl.
[Photo: AMC]
Glenn and his group approach a dark tunnel. He wants to work his way through, despite the fact that they can hear the walkers inside. Tara, limping on her bad leg, volunteers to go with Glenn rather than walk around the tunnel and spend the extra time getting there safely. Abraham gives them supplies, including a flashlight. Rosita hugs them and wishes them luck. Eugene lets Tara know that despite the fact that she’s attracted to girls, he finds her to be seriously hot. I’m guessing this guy was a barfly before the apocalypse. In the tunnel, Tara talks more about that day in the prison, when she agreed to follow ‘Brian”. Glenn looks horrified. I don’t think he wants to hear any more about that day.
Daryl’s group is claiming sleeping quarters as Glen and Tara confront a group of walkers who are trapped beneath fallen rock from a recent collapse in the tunnel. They systematically kill off those within their reach as they try to make their way to the other side, only to find a mobile herd waiting there for them. Oh yes, Glenn decides to push through. Shocker!
Abraham clears several cars and a mini-van, while Rosita guards Eugene – whose earlier discussions about gaming with Tara makes me think that he is in role-playing mode even now especially wearing Daryl’s riot gear. He bleats on about need to navigate their journey- that he would be offended as “a son of the South” to allow her navigate. I’m telling, this guy was not only a barfly, but one living in his momma’s basement. How is it possible that no one has noticed his 6th grade vocabulary? Where is Milton when you need him?
[Photo: AMC]
Back in the tunnel, Glenn distracts the walkers and sends them to the other side while he and Tara try to slip by. It’s just too easy, so it’s no surprise when Tara is trapped on a rock pile. Eugene has his group driving in circles, claiming to have calculated the time until Glenn and Tara would be able to join them at the other end of the tunnel. Looking in that direction, he shouts about some sight the audience has not yet seen.
[Photo: AMC]
In the warehouse, Daryl and Len are at odds when Len accuses Daryl of stealing his half of the rabbit. Len wants Joe to teach Daryl a lesson but the tables are turned when Joe reveals that he saw Len plant he rabbit when Daryl went outside. On Joe’s orders, his men begin to mercilessly beat Len. Daryl should run. NOW! Joe praises Daryl for his honesty.
In the tunnel, Tara tries to tell Glenn to leave and go find Maggie. She begins screaming for him to go, attracting the attention of the walkers. Instead of leaving, Glenn fires until he’s out of bullets and just as he’s about to begin fighting, a small army: Maggie, Sasha, Bob and the Mullet crew show up, emptying clips into the herd. Glenn and Maggie reunite!!!
[Photo: AMC]
Glenn introduces Tara and Maggie, hiding Tara’s role in the prison fight. Eugene finally says something smart. They can’t make it to D.C. in the “grocery grabber” mini-van and there may be safer vehicles at Terminus. The entire group decides to find Terminus (Sasha to search for Tyrese). Maggie burns the picture Glenn kept of her telling him he’ll never need it, he has her.
[Photo: AMC]
At the warehouse, almost remorseful about Len’s death, Daryl considers covering the body but tosses the cloth away. F-U, Len. Joe and his crew are also headed to Terminus. Joe doesn’t think that the sanctuary is for people like them and reveals that they are on the way to find the “walking piece of fecal matter” who killed their friend and left him to turn and attack them at a house they were searching (RICK!). They followed the mystery man’s track to the railroad and those signs.
Sasha, Bob, Abraham, Rosita, Eugene, Maggie, Glenn, and Tara find Terminus. It’s a seemingly deserted warehouse next to the rail tracks. The gates are easy to open. Is there still a sanctuary? There are gardens, work benches, potted plants and a smiling woman named Mary, who is cooking and warmly welcomes them when she turns around to see them standing there.
[Photo: AMC]
Getting in was too easy. How is this place safe? I guess we’ll find out when the finale airs, next week. I’ll see you then!
I’m an exasperated soap fan who keeps hanging on – waiting for the daytime I once loved to return to its former glory! Hey, it doesn’t hurt to have a dream. I learned to love soaps thanks to my wonderful mother and grandmother. I’ll always have fond memories of daytime, most especially of ‘Another World’, my first stoap love. The ever great, but sadly defunct, daytime shows like Ryan’s Hope, Search for Tomorrow, The Doctors, Loving, and many others keep a special place in my heart, as well.