THE WALKING DEAD: 2.04 Cherokee Rose — REVIEW

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We review the overarching story developments from The Walking Dead 2.04 — “Cherokee Rose”.

Since the value of serialized narrative largely stems from how much the viewer learns from episode to episode, for this review, we’ve decided to look at the ongoing story and character development presented in “Cherokee Rose”.

Overarching Story Development — What We Learned

• Carl is recovering well from his gunshot wound. The ordeal has had an interesting impact on both Rick and Lori. Rick applies pressure on Hershel to let them stay; he knows that he’ll have a better chance protecting his family at the farm than out in the wilderness. Lori, who doesn’t want her son to die anymore, is still grateful to Shane for his part in Carl’s recovery, and reiterates her very personal desire for him to stay. (this has more potential relevance by the end of the episode).

• Shane continues to lie about the events that led to Otis’ death (that said, he seemed genuine in his tribute). He all but confesses his sins later to Andrea while telling her how to “turn off the switch”. Rather disappointingly, Android Andrea doesn’t seem to read between his lines:

“There’s nothing easy about taking a man’s life, no matter how little value it may have. But when you get it done, you have to forget it.”

• As suspected, Carl’s injuries have dented Rick’s faith in God, although Hershel suggests that God was working for him, given that he and his family are still alive despite the odds.

• We also learn that Hershel didn’t have a good relationship with his father. He uses his own story to reinforce Rick’s confidence about being a good father to Carl.

• Glenn and Maggie continue to grow closer, very close, in fact, when they have apocalyptic sex while on a shopping trip to the pharmacy. It will be interesting to see how this relationship develops, especially if old Hershel finds out. It’s not out of the question that he might want Maggie to repopulate the earth.

• Daryl opens more doors to his character when he gives Carol a Cherokee Rose and tells her the story about hope, as the search for Sophia continues. Interestingly, he doesn’t tell her about the abandoned house that he found, where Sophia may or may not have taken sanctuary. Perhaps he doesn’t want her to lose hope.

• Rick gives his hat to Carl and puts his badges and Sheriff’s shirt in a draw, symbolic that he’s taking off the things that define so much of who he is, and how he wants the world to see him. Is this a positive sign, is Rick learning to adapt, or does it foreshadow a more ‘lawless’ Rick, one who will edge closer to Shane on the moral compass?

• The biggest overarching development is the reveal that Lori is pregnant (with Glenn obviously aware that she might be up the duff). This gives us a possible answer for what Jenner whispered to Rick in the finale, although that may be jumping the gun. Either way, the big question is whether Rick or Shane is the baby’s daddy.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

The Walking Dead still struggles to have purpose and direction. The Hershel farm tent pole must be easier on the budget, but I wonder how effective it is for the story? Not that this should necessarily be a problem — good storytelling is good storytelling.

It was silly for the group put so much energy into the “zombie goblin”, given that there were four other wells on the farm. It certainly wasn’t worth risking their best ‘Tight Space Mission Guy’ over (why not send Lori down instead?). That said, the prosthetics were pretty gruesome and it was amusing to watch in its own context.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the Glenn/Maggie developments; certainly not as uninteresting as I feared it might be. Lori continues to grate, and now she has a bun in the oven? I’m not sure we need another baby, Carol’s enough.

Overall, the season still not where many of us would like it to be, but this was another good episode with a decent amount of ongoing character development, even though nothing really eventful happened in terms of action. (Glenn/Mags aside).

8/10 Seriable Stars

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Tagged as: cherokee rose, reviews, The Walking Dead