In “Claimed,†the writers put aside the action. Instead, the pace of the show slows down to give viewers some insight into how the characters are developing and changing. The most dramatic change in character is that of Michonne’s. It’s the first time viewers get to see Michonne smile so much. A smile that is captivating. Nonetheless, it is still something to get used to because it is so out of character for the sword wielding Michonne.
Rick gains back his health and the realization that he cannot be both father and best friend to Carl. He knows his son is at a very crucial point in his life. Carl has suffered so much loss. His sense of security has been taken from him, leading him to feel isolated and alone. In time, he could turn inward and find it next to impossible to connect with another human being.
Rick’s wisdom shines through when he honors Michonne to be Carl’s friend. She is taken aback by his request, but quickly accepts. She is done with merely surviving. She is done with death.
She wants and needs to participate in life. Her best way back to that is Carl. She seals their bond of friendship and trust by telling him she had a baby boy. She never mentions that he is dead. That is too painful to utter, but Carl knows. After all, he lost his baby sister, Judith. Carl returns her gift of trust by saying that maybe Judith and Michonne’s son are in heaven together. This is the first time in a while that Carl has shown some faith in life ending something other than just death.
The scenes with Carl and Michonne are intelligent and beautifully performed by both actors. However, this show is not about life with being all sunshine and bright smiles. This point is clearly brought home when group of men break into the house when Rick is napping. Rick hides under the bed, and what ensues is one of the best tension filled scenes of the series. All the viewers see and hear is from Rick’s perspective from under the bed. The men are clearly violent in that one is willing to choke another over a bed. Rick makes his way out of the house just in time from keeping Michonne and Carl from meeting up with the intruders in the house. He quickly learns that they are not safe from walkers or people.
The writers continue to emphasize Glenn’s no nonsense attitude when he punches Abraham in the face. Glenn is not someone to be trifled with, especially when it comes to someone trying stop him from finding Maggie—a mistake Abraham will never make again, if he is smart.
Audiences learn something about the dynamic of Abraham’s crew. It seems that Eugene is doctor who may have the secret to a cure for the walkers. Abraham’s faith in Eugene borders on the religious. He will get him to Washington and the CDC. How much are we to believe that remains to be seen. What we can definitely expect is a lot of tension between Abraham and Glenn, who couldn’t care less about a cure. His only goal is to find his wife, Maggie.
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