The Walking Dead Coverage: Shane’s Song

Episode Commentary: Save the Last One

While there were other plot developments this week and characters the likes of Andrea and Glenn have begun to show more depth than they have all season, the exploits of Shane were easily the most memorable.

While this will have fans of the comic more pissed off than ever, mainly considering the fact that this character should have been long dead by now, it takes the series in new and interesting directions.

Continuing to separate the show from the source material, this week’s episode was easily the best so far this season.

Between the beginning and end of the episode, Shane’s character has gone through the type of metamorphosis that can only be described as game changing. No longer is he the best friend with a huge secret. He’s so much more now. The first to begin to adjust completely to the horrific surroundings, Shane represents “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman’s truest intentions; he is the microcosm for society. It’s by complete design that Shane, one sworn to protect and serve, while the world is able is be as ethical and moral as it possibly can be, can change completely in the face of death. Shane ‘s decision ensures one thing- his survival.

In a way, this degeneration of humanity is what will propel the series to the creative apex it needs to reach. The soap opera drama is all well and good, but life-changing decisions, made at a rapid fire pace, with the lives of everyone in the balance, well that’s what this series is all about.

It’s a good thing this writing team is finally getting there.

The conversations between Rick and Laurie were also an excellent addition to this episode. It throws up so many flags about her character that you know something big is going to happen with her soon. The fact that she even argued that Carl might be better off dead shows that she’s a mess emotionally and isn’t going to be able to deal with the continued mental strain that is sure to get worse as they venture on. It leaves her wide open to tell Rick about her prior relationship with Shane or meltdown in a way that affects the entire group.

Andrea’s changes will also have ramifications on the group and her conversation with Dale will finally forward this character to where fans of the comic book series can be happy. Can she be the sniper and protector the group needs her to be? Or will she be a pawn in someone else’s game of survival?

The same thing can be said about Glenn. For the first time in the television series, he seems to be more than a useful side character with a witty line here and there. Can he and Maggie help each other through these dark and difficult times? Even more important, can he become the type of character this series needs him to be?

Through Shane’s actions and the beginning of the character development needed to induce the type of multi-faceted story arcs any hour-long drama needs to survive, this series just bounced back from a mediocre second episode in the best way possible.