The Walking Dead - Recap: Dawn of the Dead

Naturally, my disappointment is largely rooted in how badly I want to get back to this particular story with Beth (Emily Kinney), since I found this creepy hospital dictatorship to be one of the more interesting locations in some time, even while recognizing the recursive nature of this plot. Yes, once again, a character finds herself in a society which, much like Woodbury, seems innocent and lined with good intentions, but belies a darker, seedier underbelly. Basically, no one wants to be there, but nearly everyone has reasons to stay. Dawn, the leader of the society, believes they all must work together since they're going to be expected to rebuild society once help finally arrives. Dr. Edwards can't really leave because this is the one place where his life has any value. The misogynist Gorman doesn't want to leave because he has it good in the hospital -- he has authority, he's relatively safe from walkers, and it's implied he can rape whomever he wants with Dawn's tacit endorsement. Meanwhile, Noah (Tyler James Williams) actually wants to leave, but doesn't think he'd actually make it past the guards and the hordes of walkers waiting outside. And then there's Beth, who wants to leave every bit as badly as Noah, but is trapped by Dawn's delusional commitment to making this screwed-up society work.

Credit: AMC

While we're making comparisons to Woodbury, I'd actually argue this hospital is a bit more twisted than that seemingly idyllic little town: not only did these people kidnap Beth under the guise of rescuing her, they run a society in which guards are seemingly paid in sexual currency. At least, that's the implication, since Joan (Keisha Castle-Hughes), one of the women who attempted to escape, is traumatized because Dawn has apparently failed to keep Gorman under control. The scene in which Gorman harasses Beth with a green lollipop is downright disgusting, and it makes Gorman's eventual death (by a turned Joan, no less) incredibly satisfying. In fact, a lot of the episode was fairly satisfying, whether it was the echo to the series pilot (as Beth awakens in an abandoned hospital with a decimated skyline outside the window) or through Beth's friendship with Noah and the escape that follows. But above all, it was satisfying in how it developed the character of Beth. I think a large part of why this episode is happening now, at this time with this character, is because this is the kind of story that could only really happen to Beth...

Credit: AMC

Noah theorizes that the hospital crew only abducts people whom they presume are too weak to fight back. This will allow them to exert authority and power over these indentured servants, and also allow the guards to have their way with the women. Beth was taken because Dawn doesn't see her as someone whose life would have any value outside of this context. She doesn't know what Beth has been through, not only because Beth never brings it up (seriously, she could have at least mentioned she has people/family out there that she needs to get back to) but because Dawn doesn't seem to care about anything external to the society she's helped foster. But Beth has been through a lot, and it's helped her to grow as a survivor and as a character within the narrative context of this show. Which is why this story centered on her: or all her bravado last season about not needing Daryl anymore, she's still very far from being independently capable. I mean, sure, she's a hell of a shot (I lost count of how many walker head shots she nailed from a distance in the last ten minutes alone), but if it had been Maggie or Carol or Sasha or nearly any other female from Rick's group, I don't think this episode doesn't play out the same way. But that's because those people have learned how to survive, and are confident in their abilities. Beth isn't quite so steely-eyed just yet, and part of the joy of the episode is seeing that ferocity develop. And it's a hard-won development, as she faces betrayal from Dr. Edwards (who tricks her into killing another doctor so his position in the society won't be threatened) and recapture after her failed escape attempt (although, to her happiness, Noah does manage to escape. And I'd be surprised if he wasn't the one told to "come on out" by Daryl last week).

Credit: AMC

Ultimately, there's no escaping this hellhole, it seems. So it takes a sudden appearance from Beth's past for her to find new hope: Carol (Melissa McBride) is wheeled into the hospital, unconscious. Upon seeing her taken in, Beth suddenly rethinks her plan to make one last ditch escape attempt by stabbing Dr. Edwards and anyone else who might get in her way. She hangs back, either out of surprise or out of the realization that there just might be another way out of this. I'm excited to see how this story pans out. If Noah is the person with Daryl, then he likely told Daryl what's going on at the hospital. And if Daryl knows, then he's likely going to tell Rick so they can mount a rescue mission. Hell, I wouldn't put it past Carol to get caught on purpose just to find a way into the hospital. I know I'd love to see Carol tear that thing apart from the inside. There are a wealth of story possibilities here, even beyond my loose speculation. And I love it when The Walking Dead can inspire that kind of reading. If I have any complaint, it's that the show didn't manage to find a better use for Oscar nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes. But I'm still encouraged by the storytelling here, as "Slabtown" kicks off the latest bout of round robin stories. And I'm pretty excited about that, actually.