The world they knew is rapidly changing, nature is literally taking over, and, as time passes, the communities confront unexpected obstacles and danger.
Apocalyptic politics apparently translates most clearly as the "walking up to the biggest inmate on the first day of incarceration and trying to kill them."
Director Ernest R. Dickerson does everything he can to make this episode of The Walking Dead work, but a weak script undermines the dramatic twist that I think just about everyone saw coming.