The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 12 Review: Are You A Daryl Or A Carol?

This week's episode entitled "Remember" has Team Rick trying to integrate into the idyllic community of Alexandria. We meet "mayor" Deanna Monroe. She was previously a congressperson so she's up for the job. Deanna videotapes a few group members as she asks questions about their past. The residents seem on the up and up but isnt this too good to be true? Instead of staying in their separate houses, the survivors all sleep in one room together (as they've done so many times previously). Rick feels extra vulnerable since they gave up their weapons upon entry. The scene with Carol unstrapping her big giant gun was hilarious. Rick later arms himself with a kitchen knife (just in case).

Madame Mayor

At least the group can eat, shower, and rest for a while. Rick gets a shave and a haircut (courtesy of a nice neighbor lady named Jesse). I had forgotten what he looked like underneath that crazy beard. Carl hangs out with some teenagers and plays video games. It was touching to see him struggling with doing normal kid stuff.

Not Sure If I Should Shave. This Beard Is A Babe Magnet.

Carol seems to have done a 180 and declares herself a "people person". In her interview she says she had nothing to offer Team Rick but they kept her around as their "den mother". She also misses her dearly departed husband Ed. Dont buy any of this for a second! Carol is crazy like a fox. She is integrating herself into the community to see what's really going on.

Just Call Me Carol... Carol Brady

Rick and Michonne get their job assignments as sheriffs (which is only appropriate). Daryl is having the hardest time assimilating. This is not surprising since he was not integrated into society before the apocalypse. He spent most of his time in the woods with Merle. Let us not forget that he's still struggling with the death of Beth as well. If I was in Alexandria I'd probably be a "Daryl" too.

Sorry Not Giving Up My Crossbow... Or Showering

The relative calm in Alexandria have made it's residents weak. Even Carl comments on them being soft. And we've seen from past experience what can happen to those who are unprepared. Aidan (Deanna's son) and a few others go on patrol. It becomes quickly evident that they have no idea what they're doing. Usually mild mannered Glenn ends up punching Aidan. Deanna thanks Glenn for giving Aidan a reality check. The good news is, if these people really are wimpy, they will be easy to overthrow (as Rick, Michonne and Carol note).

Glenn Is Having None Of This BS

What to expect in coming episodes? Here's a few guesses:

Jesse's husband is jealous of Rick. There will be conflict.
Enid and Carl fall in puppy love and scale the wall to kill zombies together. How romantic.
We find out Maggie is pregnant.
Carol steals all the sweater sets in town to complete her wardrobe.
Darryl still refuses to shower.
At some point all hell will break loose and Team Rick will be on the road again.
Carol gets her big gun back.

Dont Mess With Team Rick

Favorite Quotes:

"I like it here. I like the people. But they're week and I dont want us to get weak too"- Carl to Rick.
"I've killed people. I dont even know how many by now. But I know why they're dead. So my family, them people out there, can be alive"- Rick.
"But if they cant make it...we'll just take this place"- Rick.
"You should keep your gates closed...It's all about survival now at any cost"- Rick to Deanna.
"You look ridiculous"- Daryl to Carol about her khaki and sweater ensemble. She responds by telling him to bathe or she'll "turn a hose on you in your sleep". Oh I how I love those two!
"We were almost out there too long"- Glenn to Deanna.
"I really didnt have much to offer the group so I sort of became their den mother"- haaa Carol is lying through her teeth. Cross her and you will find out.
"The boy and the baby. They deserve a roof, I guess"- Daryl to Deanna.
"We brought dinner"- Glenn after Daryl killed a possum with his crossbow (and then proceeded to gut it on the porch).
"Looks like the Communists won after all"- Deanna about her assigning jobs to everyone. Great delivery of the line.
"We're all about transparency here."- Deanna when she videotapes everyone.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). It's interesting to see how our characters react in a "normal" environment since I've only seen them during the apocalypse. Survival is all about adapting to changing circumstances. Adapt or die. So far Carol is clearly the winner. I cant wait for her to open a can of whoop ass on the townies.