So is everybody done wailing about gay people on the most popular scripted show on television? Good. That was embarrassing. What a bunch of maroons.
Working from a solid script by Channing Powell and directed with confidence by Greg Nicotero, “Remember” introduces us to the community of Alexandria by utilizing the clever conceit of videotaped interviews (for the sake of transparency) with the community leader, Deanna Monroe (Tovah Feldshuh). While it forces our characters to actually speak their minds for a change, these actors so inhabit their characters at this stage, that it is fascinating to watch them squirm as Deanna forces them to interact like “normal” human beings.
The video segments provide moments for the characters to share their hopes and fears, sometimes only through their demeanor, but it also allows for some deceit and some manipulation. While Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Daryl (Norman Reedus), and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are clearly identified as dangerous elements right off the bat, Carol (Melissa McBride) takes the initiative to immediately begin playing the role of den mother — awkward with weapons and really looking forward to taking on a support role in the community making cookies for kids and meals for the elderly.
McBride’s easy shift into happy homemaker mode – complete with flowered sweaters – was perfect, illustrating once again just how dangerous Carol can really be.
Rick’s hesitancy serves not only to protect his own family, but is taken by Deanna as proof that he’s a good fit for Alexandria – providing a brutally honest-to-the-point-of-being-frightening perspective that they may be missing. Given the fact that her son, Aiden (Daniel Bonjour), is in charge of the recon missions and uses his time in ROTC as some sort of validation of his authority, makes it plain that there’s an experience vacuum Rick and the others immediately fill.
And when Aiden balks at criticism of his approach, Glenn (Steven Yeun) tries to take the high road, but puts him on his ass with little effort.
Remember when Glenn was a goofy kid running dangerous errands?
The only concern I have about bringing our heroes into Alexandria, is that in one fell swoop the cast has increased in size by at least thirteen new characters. But the good news is, at least one episode in, most of the new characters are fairly well-established, with only a couple lacking definition. And a couple of characters, for example, the mysterious brooding dude smoking on his porch at night, is such a broad-stroke character that we are able to know just about everything we need to know about him by his tone. And his tone makes him a target for Rick.
The kids introduced this episode are pretty non-descript, but that’s kids for you. The fact that Carl (Chandler Riggs) does his best to fit in and then reports to his dad later that these people are weak before the two of them share a bonding experience killing some walkers is wonderful character work. Riggs has really grown into this character and his performance is one of the best things about the episode. He still might not win an Oscar, but he’s eons better than he was just a season ago.
By the end of the episode, Rick has shaved off his beard (NOOOOOOO!!!!!) and accepted the position of town constable, which does nothing to comfort Daryl – until he mentions the fact that if things don’t work out then they’ll just take the damn place over.
Which raises the question that everyone is asking: Are Rick and Company turning into the bad guys?
From what we’ve seen so far, Deanna has nothing but good intentions. She might not be telling them everything that’s going on, but why would she? There could be any number of dangers on the horizon (The Wolves, for one), and/or any number of political or interpersonal pressures in Alexandria that Deanna could use support with. We just don’t know at this point, but when Rick suggests taking over, he’s not talking about taking a vote.
He’s talking coup.
And it was kind of awesome.