THE WALKING DEAD Season 5 Episode 13
Episode Title: “Forget”
Writer: Corey Reed
Director: David Boyd
Previously on The Walking Dead:
The Walking Dead viewers probably expected the residents of the Alexandria safe zone to have a hidden agenda. That’s understandable after the last so-called sanctuary turned out to be a haven for cannibals.
But two episodes into the new era suggests that the biggest threat now is the complacency of the Alexandria residents, the paranoia of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and the PTSD of Rick’s group.
There’s also someone out there who has been carving a W onto the foreheads of walkers. Does anyone want to Negan… I mean, guess about what that means for the future?
Sasha Interrupted
Of Rick’s entire group, Michonne (Danai Gurira) is one of the most acclimated new residents of Alexandria. While she’s unsure about her new role as a constable alongside Rick, Michonne gets comfortable enough that she actually places her sword on her wall in the hope that she won’t need it any more.
However, Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) is having a much harder time making the adjustment. Between taking family photos outside the wall for target practice and unloading on the frivolous residents, Sasha seems like she’s on the verge of a mental breakdown. It’s almost as if she wants to die. And given the fact that Sasha is the only remaining character from Tyreese’s crew, she might get her wish.
The Plan
The good news is that Rick is starting to believe that the people of Alexandria aren’t secretly out to get them. But as far as Rick is concerned, that just makes them too weak to lead in the long term. Rick conspires with Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) to steal weapons from the armory and they agree to keep their plan between them.
Carol revels in her renewed “invisibility,” as the residents of Alexandria accept her at face value even as she secretly unlocks the window in the armory to let herself in later.
They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?
Outside the wall, Daryl is annoyed when Aaron (Ross Marquand) finds him and basically invites himself to come along on Daryl’s hunting expedition. Along the way, they spot a wild horse that Aaron calls “Buttons.” Daryl comes close to capturing the animal, but Buttons is spooked by the appearance of walkers and he runs off.
Daryl and Aaron continue to pursue the horse, but they are helpless to save it when a small group of walkers tip Buttons over and begin eating him. Aaron and Daryl take out the remaining walkers and Aaron puts down the horse to keep it from suffering.
The Cookie Monster
Deanna Monroe (Tovah Feldshuh) throws a dinner party for Rick’s group to officially welcome them to Alexandria. Rick uses that as an excuse to launch their weapons heist. At his behest, Carol sneaks out of the party to climb through the window she unlocked earlier. A young boy named Sam Anderson (Major Dodson) follows her in the hopes of getting cookies.
Sam witnesses Carol stealing the guns and says that he has to tell his mother what he saw. In a terrifically chilling response, Carol gives Sam a choice: he can tattle on her and find himself as walker bait in the near future… or he can have cookies. And she does it in such a measured tone of voice that it’s darkly funny.
My Dinner With Daryl
Although his bonding mission with Daryl and the horse doesn’t go quite as planned, Aaron tries to convince Daryl to go to the party. Aaron ends up inviting Daryl to share a spaghetti dinner with him and Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson) before unveiling their own agenda for Daryl.
As Aaron explains, Daryl is one of the few individuals who can tell the good people from the bad people and still handle himself outside the walls… as the newest recruiter for Alexandria. A new motorcycle also appears to be a part of the offer. Apparently, Daryl is moved enough that he refuses to take a stolen gun from Rick and Carol while giving the community a chance to prove itself.
Within These Walls
Rick is far less willing to let Alexandria fully win him over. He smuggles his new gun inside and spots Jessie (Alexandra Breckenridge) with her husband. Did I mention that Rick kind of stole a kiss from Jessie at the dinner party? Or that he handles his gun suspiciously while eying Jessie’s husband?
All Rick has at the end of the episode is the company of a lone walker on the other side of the wall.
That’s all for this week’s episode. Share your Walking Dead thoughts in the comment section below!
