by Cody Norton
Predictable from the moment it began, yet surprisingly engaging, “Consumed” reexamines a lost landscape and finally completes the final piece of this disjointed narrative. Through the restrained performances of Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride), The Walking Dead demonstrates that small character episodes can still succeed if they actually focus on compelling people.
Despite leaning on traditional plot elements, the drastically different scenery provides necessary change to maintain interest. Simply exploring more houses in the suburbs of Georgia would have been excruciatingly boring. Although they perform a very similar task, it’s the unfamiliarity of Atlanta that provides the tension. The last time we saw it was back in season one when it was overrun by the dead. After several years, it appears as if most have dispersed to the suburbs and other areas as people ceased entering the city.
Aside from Rick and Michonne, Daryl and Carol are the most physically capable survivors, and “Consumed” highlights their inventiveness at being able to avoid combat. Honestly, how has throwing a notebook to distract the walkers not been a recurring piece on the show? It’s simple and incredibly effective. Unfortunately, their cleverness is almost overshadowed by their stupidity in how they handled the crashed hospital van. Not only does Carol waste three valuable bullets, her and Daryl get themselves trapped on a bridge. Ultimately they are forced to fall off the bridge, via the van, as their glorious method of escape. It’s intense drama, don’t get me wrong, but it doesn’t serve justice to the show’s more logical characters.
Since Sophia’s disappearance in season two, there has been a developing relationship between Daryl and Carol, one that is rarely examined but is always present. This episode clarifies some of what connects them and shows their semi-joined mindset on how they approach the future. Both are victims of abuse but through the apocalypse have been given the chance to rediscover themselves. While Carol has started to take some misguided actions, Daryl is there to keep her head straight.
A main character is likely to die at mid season, and if anything, this episode appears to be sending the Grim Reaper in Carol’s direction. The group was far too successful with Gareth to receive the same kind of fortune again and the likelihood of both Carol and Beth escaping the hospital seems a bit unrealistic. I could be wrong, but this episode had the feel of her swan song. She’s become particularly unattached to the group and reimmersion doesn’t appear easy. It’s difficult to know though given that a lot of the characters are long dead in the comics, or are exclusive to the show, such as Daryl.
“Consumed” does a wonderful job of hashing out a very unclear relationship while also stepping outside the comfort zone of the Georgian woods. Its only issues are its all too familiar narrative and predictable outcome. The episode still proves to be an engaging opener into what should be a very exciting final two episodes. It’s the most engaging episode since the stunning season premiere and with a knack for a surprising amount of tension, TWD proves yet again entertaining episodes do not need all hell to break loose.
Verdict: A-
