Review ‘The Walking Dead – S4E8’ From The Editor

On the Nov. 30 mid-season finale of The Walking Dead, we lose another one of Rick’s longtime survivors. While he and Daryl finally manage to come face-to-face with the crazed officers running Grady Memorial Hospital, who will make it out of the showdown alive?

Tonight, “The Walking Dead” looked to settle many scores, in between the state of things at the church, if Glenn’s group would meet up with anyone else, and ultimately whether or not Beth and Carol could be rescued from the hospital.

Let’s go ahead and start with the latter story, given that this was the most surprising one of the entire night. Beth’s gone. Dead. Eliminated. We wondered if someone was going to die tonight, but it almost seemed like she was going to make it through. This is extremely devastating for Daryl, and he wasted basically no time at all in killing Dawn. This was his retribution, but there is no replacing her. Carol is back with the group now and safe, but that is not a huge success rate. It was Noah that ended up being such a sticking point, and Dawn’s insistence on having him is what created so much chaos.

The runaway police officer from the previous episode could be seen trying to escape once more outside. He stood by a police car as he tried to get rid of his shackles. Several zombies crowded around him. Rick gave chase to him in that same police car and eventually took him down. Rick spoke to the now injured officer and told him that all he needed to do was just stop. The injured officer made requests to Rick, such as take him back to the hospital. Rick refused his request and shot him in the head.

As for the other characters, Father Gabriel eventually survived, though we still don’t know what exactly he is up to. He is, however, reunited with Carl and Michonne, who in turn reunited with the likes of Glenn and Abraham. Unfortunately, this reunion led to the news to Maggie that her sister was dead, which is putting her in one of the most devastating positions out of everyone on this show.

Back in Atlanta, Rick returns to the group and questions the pacifist plan. Daryl disagrees and thinks they still have a shot. They question the two remaining captives who advise to not let Dawn know that Rick killed New Bob. They think she’s weak and hanging on by a thread. To that point Beth and Dawn, who are now BFFs for some reason, discuss Dawns ascent to power. Dawn strongly implies that she led a coup against Captain Hanson her former commander when he “lost sight” of things.

Beth witnesses another cop, O’Donnell, abusing another patient. She seeks time alone, but Dawn soon finds her. They talk a bit about the nature of Dawns power and Dawn reinforces the idea that Beth owes her, this time because Dawn knows what really happened to the cop who tried to rape Beth. O’Donnell hears the whole conversation and says he has to tell the others. He questions Dawns leadership and states how much she’s changed. Dawn points out how much O’Donnell changed. He attacks her and they brawl for a while. Beth intervenes and pushes O’Donnell down the open elevator shaft.

Later, Beth tries to sleep in Carol’s room. Dawn busts in and offers her a drink. She really can’t leave Beth alone. They talk some more, Beth accuses Dawn of using Beth to do all of her dirty work. They talk about Noah, Dawn says “everyone comes back.” Carol starts to stir in the bed behind her.

On the roof Tyrese confesses to Sasha that he let the guy from Terminus live and lied about it. He points out that they are the same. Sasha isn’t so sure anymore. Meanwhile, Rick thrusts the plan into motion. He intercepts a patrol car and lays out the terms for the prisoner for patient swap. The tension is palatable. There is a great moment where one of the officers asks Rick where his people are, only to have Sasha pick off a walker right behind him.

Apparently off camera Dawn agreed to Rick’s terms. Hmm, I don’t know why they would have skipped that, but anyway…They meet in the hospital hallway for their exchange. It all goes rather well until Dawn also demands that Rick leaves Noah. Rick rebuffs her request, but Noah agrees to go. Beth says she finally understands what Dawn meant when she said “everyone comes back” she stabs Dawn. Dawn shoots her in retaliation. Daryl shoots Dawn in the head. The tension is at its maximum when, the lady cop who was the prisoner, orders the hospital staff to drop their weapons. She says that the problem was Dawn and now that she is gone there is no conflict, she even offers Rick and his group sanctuary. Rick declines and says anyone that wants to come with him can come.

Outside Abraham and Company arrive. They work their way through some random walkers in the parking lot until Rick’s group emerges from the hospital. At first Abrahams folks are happy, but when they lay eyes on Daryl carrying Baths limp body, the mood swiftly changes. Maggie becomes inconsolable, having just had her reunion with her sister ripped away from her. End Episode.

Post credits finds Morgan finally making it to the school, where he kills a walker, and then to the church, where he prays. On his way out he finds the map that Abraham had given Rick when he left for D.C.. He sees the name Rick Grimes in the message written on it and cracks a little smile. Although at the speed he is moving who knows when he is going to catch Rick.

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