The Walking Dead 5-1: Sanctuary My Ass

Beware spoilers below!

Sanctuary is a big fat lie! In the world of The Walking Dead, there is no sanctuary and Rick’s Rebels know this. The season five premiere, “No Sanctuary,” scratches that nasty itch we’ve all felt since the group was taken hostage in the season four finale, and gives us the most satisfying episode of the show to date. The Terminus plot line receives a heavy termination on this outing, and I couldn’t be happier about it.

Before we dive into the recap, let’s check in with Dale over at the RV.

Thanks, Action Chick. Listen, do you know anything about bears? I keep seeing one lurking around in the woods. He doesn’t seem aggressive, but he’s got on a chewed-up sun hat and I think he’s carrying around a copy of Sense and Sensibility. It’s a mite strange, if you ask me.

Thanks, Dale. Now, onward, to the recap!

Jesus! The suspense and the action come out in full swing, here, with a scene I love, love, love— Rick’s Rebels creating weapons out of zippers, belts, and God knows what else they can find. These cats could probably make a weapon out of hair. That scene gives proof as to why this group has made it to season five…they’re survivors!

Later, we get a grotesque scene in a slaughtering room where the cannibals very casually knock out and slit the throats of some hapless people, all while keeping a very “just doing my job” attitude that was seriously chilling. The imagery of the blood squirting into the trough along with the skinned, body parts hanging from hooks later in the episode is shocking, gross, and awesome.

All in all, this episode was about Rick’s Rebels getting the hell out of Terminus, showing how right Rick was when he said they were “screwing with the wrong people,” and giving us a fascinating look at what a well-oiled machine Rick’s Rebels have become. They move as one, attacking, dodging, dipping, diving, and dodging everything that comes their way.

“No Sanctuary” is probably as upbeat of an episode of The Walking Dead as you’ll ever get. The good guys all make it out alive, the bad guys get some serious comeuppance, and we get to see everyone get reunited— Carol’s crew finally catches up with Rick and company, so he gets to see that baby Judith made it after all. Yay! Roll credits now so we don’t have to see what terrible tragedies await Rick’s Rebels in the episodes ahead.

This is the Action Flick Chick, and you’ve just been kicked in the ass!

Dale’s Deeds written by Alex Langley.