By Karen Moul


Week twelve brought us a landmark chapter of The Walking Dead, as the season’s slow build paid off with a truly game-changing episode. Rick and Shane finally brought their love-hate relationship to a resolution, and Shane’s death brought undeniable proof that the zombie infection is not passed by the walkers.

From the opening scene to the stunning climax, almost everything about “Better Angels” was right on. The tone of the episode was infused with a real sense of foreboding. The sudden cold weather, the grimness and depression, preparations for winter, it all created an undercurrent of threat that built to a stunning climax. Even Dale’s funeral had an air of danger. I loved the way Rick’s talk of humanity was juxtaposed against shots of the smaller group hunting walkers, not just beheading but beating and stomping them to death. It was personal, violent and showed how angry they are at losing Dale. But few viewers missed the irony of Rick’s voiceover about honoring Dale. I’m not sure this group is capable of taking Dale’s message to heart.