If “Sick” did one thing absolutely right, it was instilling the notion that time is slowly changing the mindset of each and every character, losing social civility and morphing them into the zombie killing survivors we see standing before us. From Rick, to Carl, to Daryl, to Maggie, to just about anyone, each episode challenges everything the survivors once knew, and we’re now seeing a full transformation into a tribe-like mentality, putting their protection ahead of anything else.
There might have been a time where Lori gasped at Rick’s suggestion of killing the inmates off from the get go to cement the group’s safety, but instead we see her trust in Rick’s molded instincts and bless him with the words “do whatever you have to,” something along the same line of thinking she used when talking about Shane. The inmates proved to be a test of morality and decision making for Rick, who I believe would have axed each one without the food to barter with.
Let’s put Rick under a microscope for a second though, because his series long transformation hit a vicious milestone this episode. Sure, we’ve seen Rick dispatch of human threats when he whacked those two goons at the bar, but that was out of necessity. They were ready to kill him, and he did what he had to. This time around, Rick was going on nothing but an uncertain hunch.
Sure, based on what we saw, it was 99% apparent the lead inmate was seriously trying to kill Rick and take over the whole prison for himself, but still, we saw how loose they all were in battle, and when you’re surrounded by brain-eating zombies, I could see how easy getting caught in the moment could be. But, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, Rick raises his machete and strikes the potential threat down in what is the most alpha-male type move by Rick to date. He shows no remorse, regret, or sympathy for his actions, justifying the death with safety.
His unchanging demeanor is more visible when locking the Kevin Hart look-a-like inmate outside, leaving him for dead as walker chow. As we hear his cries of agony, Rick doesn’t even flinch at his decision. The emotions and guilt that would have eaten away at Rick are well and gone, as months of brain smashing and betrayal have warped the mind of our fearless leader the most. As Simon put it last week, we’re seeing the “Rick-tatorship” in full force, leaving no room for uncertainty. We’ve officially entered be or be killed territory, something I’ve been waiting for The Walking Dead‘s TV version to fully embrace.
Carl’s character arc is becoming more intriguing as well, reflecting the naivety that comes along with his age through reckless actions. Idolizing his father and wanting to help the group like the older men do, Carl does something amazing by finding the prison’s infirmary all on his own, dispatching of two walkers in the process. Carl is a hero for bringing suppliers which help Hershel’s recovery and Carol’s work simultaneously, but such actions are those which Rick always warns about, going off on your own and not telling anyone.
Carl is a child being raised in circumstances we can’t understand, being brought up in a time where killing and death are a part of everyday life, and fictional monsters turn out to be real. Mix that with childhood feelings of invincibility and the cockiness of a young adolescent boy, and you just know Carl is trouble waiting to happen. He already essentially got Dale killed, when he let free the stuck walker by the river, but his actions are only getting bolder. The question now shifts from will Carl get in trouble to how and when will Carl get himself in trouble, and will he put another survivor’s life at risk, again?
But there’s another important question to ask too, how are Rick and Lori going to stop him? Lori of course is horrified to hear what Carl did, mortified at the thought of what could have happened to her son, but Carl just shrugs it off as a lack of appreciation like any kid that age. That’s the last we hear of it though, as Lori gets busy with Hershel and Rick focuses on the inmate problem. If no one is taking the young boy’s risky actions all too seriously, there’s no stopping his progression of daredevil maneuvers. Lori continually admits she isn’t the best mother or wife, and I can’t say I disagree with her all too much.
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