Contributor: Bronzethumb
Written by Nichole Beattie
Directed by Billy Gierhart
After the fantastic season opener, “Sick” is an episode that consolidates the show’s new lease on life without venturing too far from what it’s done previously. Nothing about the episode stands out as bad — in fact, it’s quite an excellent installment in just about every respect — but nothing stands out as particularly new either. We’ve dealt with characters and stories like this before, many times, and viewers who’ve been with “The Walking Dead” from the start will feel sated but not necessarily challenged by this episode.
The final moments of “Seed” created two problems to be solved. The first is what to do with the group of prisoners who have been hiding out in the cafeteria; Rick agrees to help them clear out a cell block in exchange for supplies, but it quickly becomes apparent that some of the prisoners aren’t to be trusted. The second problem is how to help Hershel, near-death and at risk of turning into a walker, and the non-fighters must face the possibility of being without a doctor or a father.
The main thrust of “Sick” is zombie-killing action, with much of the A-plot being Rick and company’s mission into the cell block to make it habitable. “The Walking Dead” continues to do zombie action better than many zombie movies by framing it in a very non-cinematic way. It feels television, but in the best possible way, without elaborate camera manoeuvres or overblown music. It puts the action in a real-world context and makes it all the scarier. The A-plot also turns up some moments of unexpected comedy, such as the prison riot tactics, but it delivers very little in the way of surprises. Within five minutes, it’s pretty easy to call exactly how things are going to end.
The plotline with Hershel has more meat to it, but much like the zombie action, it’s a great continuation of things we’ve seen before. It’s another cast member in mortal danger, almost at the point of death, with friends and family left to do what little they can and pray like mad. And it’s done extremely well: Lori’s desperate attempt to revive Hershel late in the episode is the tensest and scariest moment the show has produced in many years. Further credit to the actors, because they gave some of their best performances yet, particularly Lauren Cohen in her unfolding reaction to Hershel’s state of near-death.
It’s the character beats happening in the periphery that really shine and fee like an intelligent next step of the story. Carol has really stepped up over the course of two seasons and her actions in this episode put this change in a harsh light. The same goes for Carl, who has a great heroic moment; even though it’s a little annoying to see Lori treating him like a helpless child, her reaction as a mother is understandable. In the A-plot, Rick gets to demonstrate again what a stone-cold killer he’s become and reinforce the dark, cynical view “The Walking Dead” takes on post-apocalyptic leadership and humanity. Even the oft-forgotten T-Dog gets to be awesome.
There’s little to fault in “Sick” except the feeling that we’ve see all this before. Not in the same location or with the same side characters, but “The Walking Dead” is no stranger to the deathbed or the desperate mission into zombie territory. We know how this works, and there’s a touch of annoyance at having to wait until the next episode to get something new out of the show, but the fantastic character moments do a brilliant job of making up for it.
Score: 8/10
