In the aftermath of "No Way Out," how long will the peace among the survivors last? And what will be the fate of Carl?
The Good
I've said it many times, The Walking Dead is more than just a comic about zombies. The zombies are just the background scenery. This series has always been about the survivors. After the shocking discovery that their new sanctuary was far from secure, the survivors manage to get a little down time. That doesn't mean they can just sit around and relax. Steps need to be taken to ensure a catastrophe doesn't happen again.
Of course our main concern is Rick. How will he handle everything that has happened. He's already lost his wife and newborn daughter. Carl's life hangs in the balance and losing him could be enough to finally push Rick over the edge. Rick's always had to make decisions at the spur of the moment. Seeing him reflect on the fact that he made a tactical error makes him more human. Rick may soon need the support of those closest to him, whether it's Andrea, Michonne, Glen or even that phone he brought with him. As for Carl...let's just say that there is progress towards the discovery of what his fate will be...
The Bad
It's great seeing the characters get a chance to catch their breathe. The comic can't always be non-stop action and fighting for survival against zombies. We do see some more development with supporting characters but realistically, the action is what we crave. Gaining more insight into the characters is good but I simply wanted just a little bit more.
Part of the excitement and suspense in the series is never knowing what will happen next. I thought Rick and his crew would leave their sanctuary as it just seemed too safe. While the last arc showed it wasn't exactly safe, the community can easily turn things around and turn it into an even better place. Being this many issues in, I know I should have complete faith in what Kirkman has in store for everyone but I can't help but wonder where this direction will take the series.
The Verdict
I can't really recall many issues of The Walking Dead that I didn't enjoy. There is always the feeling of not knowing what to expect and that nobody is safe. With the main characters surviving the recent zombie attack, we're left seeing everyone pick up the pieces. It's great to see what happens in the aftermath but that also means less in terms of action. There is some progression in side plots and we do find out a little more about the fate of Carl. Whether this is the calm before another storm remains to be seen.