The Walking Dead, Episode 210, "18 Miles Out"

The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 10: 18 Miles Out

TV Rating

TV-14

ZPAA rating

Late teen and up

Gore level

7.5 out of 10--burnt corpses; lots and lots of zombie head stabs with related blood and gore; gun shots into and through zombie heads with blood and bits; a car running over a zombie's head; fist fight that gets bloody; blood used as lure to knife-kill zombies.

Other offensive content

Much discussion leading to an attempted suicide; some swearing; bad attitudes towards others; planning on killing other humans as expedient to the group.

How much zombie mythology/content

Our cast of bold characters finally realize that they can't just shoot zombies all the time because eventually they will run out of bullets. Knives are quieter and last longer. If only they'd take Crocodile Dundee's advice and get bigger knives!

How much fun

The debates over killing people (whether they are an immediate threat or not) become more real and more interesting. The show is threatening to get very talky/less actiony, but this episode had a good balance between the two.

Synopsis & Review

Rick and Shane head off to take the "newcomer" 18 miles or further from the farm where he can be left to fend for himself. The "newcomer" is part of the gang that confronted Rick, Hershel, and Glenn at the bar, so he definitely poses a threat if he goes back to his people. 18 miles should be far enough so they won't be able to find the farm.

On the way, Rick stops and has a "come to Jesus" meeting with Shane. They talk about Shane leaving Otis to die which seems to be settled. Rick wants Shane to settle down and accept Rick as the leader and also stop messing with his family. Shane makes his case that he's only been doing what's been in the best interest of everyone he thought was alive, but it isn't quite convincing.

They come to a parks and rec area where Rick thinks the newcomer will have a chance. The newcomer of course begs to stay with them, finally saying he knew Maggie in high school, implying he knows where the farm is. Rick and Shane debate about killing him right there since he probably knows where the farm is regardless of where they leave him. They fail to convince each other and resort to fisticuffs. Shane throws a wrench through a window and out come the walkers. Mayhem ensues.

Meanwhile, back at the farm (used literally twice in two posts!), Hershel's daughter Beth is out of her coma and barely functioning. She shows all the signs of wanting to kill herself and has a long discussion with Maggie about how they should kill each other because they have nothing to live for. Lori tries her best to prevent Beth from doing anything, bonding with Maggie who doesn't want her sister to die. Andrea, on the other hand, advocates letting Beth do what she wants. Andrea was on the brink of suicide but found something to live for. She thinks Beth should have the same opportunity to end it all if she can't think of a reason to live. Maggie is unaware of Andrea's position when Andrea offers to watch Beth for a while so Maggie can have a break. Drama ensues.

The debates about killing potential threats (the newcomer) and assisted (or at least allowed) suicide are fairly interesting and both sides of the debate are given their due. The show does come down on the side of allowing people the freedom to off themselves since if they don't do a good job (i.e. they survive), they'll learn that the really wanted to live all along. This argument is hard to believe because competence at committing suicide isn't related to how serious you are (or think you are) about it. The end of the episode left a slightly bad taste in my mouth, though I do want to catch up and see what will happen next.