The Walkng Dead, Ep. 212, Better Angels

The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 12:Better Angels

TV Rating

TV-14

ZPAA rating

Late teen and up

Gore level

8 out of 10--Only a few zombie attacks, but the humans dispatch of them quite brutally (including two skulls dripping with blood and contents); bloody handcuffs; bruised/beat up faces; flash-cuts of zombies growling and looking ugly.

Other offensive content

Mild bad language; bad attitudes from several characters; tense confrontation between Rick and Shane; stolen property unreturned; fake ending of the episode (think of how many times Return of the King seemed to end).

How much zombie mythology/content

Apparently some people can become zombies without being bitten, though how it happens is not explained.

How much fun

Hershel has some comic lines about where people should sleep in his house.

Synopsis & Review

The episode begins with Dale's grave side eulogy delivered by Rick. Now that the main voice of conscience is gone, the group is going to redouble its efforts to be more peaceable and unified. Seemingly in tribute to Dale's memory, the decision is to take the newcomer about an hour away while the rest of the people move into Hershel's house and get the farm ready in case newcomer's friends somehow discover where they are.

As often happens, a good plan gets messed up by other details intervening. Carl tells Shane that he took Daryl's gun and had a run-in with the zombie that bit Dale. He gives up Daryl's gun and wants Shane to keep it a secret. Shane is smart enough to realize this will not work out well for him. As he bides his time, Lori comes to him and admits she doesn't know who's child it is and that she is sorry she hasn't been nicer to Shane and appreciative of all he's done.

He goes to Rick and tells him Carl's story and hands over Daryl's gun. He wants Rick to talk to Carl but Rick wants to finish up with the newcomer before talking. Rick says he'll have Lori talk to him. Shane gets on his case: dealing with the newcomer is more important to Rick than dealing with his own son. He storms off.

Shane goes to the newcomer, takes him out into the woods and talks about joining their group. Is he really abandoning Rick or is this some double-agent work to get in good with everyone? What is Shane's ultimate plan? The episode goes in many unexpected directions with a heart-stopping conclusion. The group really will never be the same again.