‘Walking Dead’ a more solid series five years later

ANDREW LINCOLN
as Rick Grimes, leader of toughened survivors

The Zombie apocalypse keeps getting tough for the “family” of survivors in “The Walking Dead,” as a couple of unexpected deaths made life harder in the fifth season. But while the most harrowing situations were spread throughout the episodes, the season finale is relatively tamer, although it isn’t without darker implications.

Scattered after the destruction of their prison haven last season, the survivors eventually regrouped in Terminus, whose seemingly harmless community members trapped wanderers and treated them like livestock.

Terminus’ cannibals, former victims of savage humans, had an iffy rationale for choosing to devour fellow humans—but they made shocking foes for the already-toughened group. Still, the self-styled “hunters” were efficiently disposed of by ex-cop Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his “tribe.”

This season kicked off in spectacular fashion, with exiled member Carol (Melissa McBride) rescuing the beleaguered team in the nick of time. Like other characters introduced early on, she has significantly grown into the role of survivor. The once-suicidal teen Beth (Emily Kinney) also showed a similar capacity for thriving amid upheavals.

The season also showed previously unseen territories, like an area in Atlanta surveyed by cops. Headquartered in a hospital, they abducted less-threatening humans and forced them into their little workforce.

Now there’s a hidden haven, Alexandria, touted by an optimistic stranger named Aaron (Ross Marquand). Located near Washington, DC, the walled suburban community is a surprise to Rick and company, who unanimously see its residents as weak and inexperienced.

“Walking Dead” continues to be about Rick’s growth, shaped by his leadership role, his desire to keep his family unharmed, and unceasing threats that spring from unlikely places. Lincoln really should get an acting award for the role already—he’s consistently authentic and moving, not to mention, intense.

The fifth season’s more notable surprises include the guest-appearance of actors, whose dead characters briefly returned as hallucinations, and a new gay couple, whose tender on-screen kiss caused a mild ruckus online.

Storywise, this fifth season is able to add to most of the characters’ progression; the deaths, however shocking, contribute to many regulars’ development.

And with its growing cast, mainstays are given significant or substantial things to do—especially if their characters are about to die. The show, while audaciously ridding itself of interesting people regardless of popularity, gives them proper sendoffs, anyway.

Some viewers find the recent season-ender perplexing, though, and comparatively less compelling. (Two characters died, and a number almost did, but some argue that the episode didn’t deliver because they were expecting a fan favorite to bite the dust, like in earlier episodes.) But that’s how unpredictable the show has gotten.

Still, some things are inevitable. The chaos—and fatalities—will resume later in the year, and will affect the roster in stunning ways, no doubt.

Five years later, it’s a more solid series, further strengthening many of its hardened figures with thoroughly challenging cycles—hordes of the undead, sadistic humans and, of course, the occasional annoying or downright dumb character.

(“The Walking Dead” airs on Fox, Mondays, 11:35 a.m. and 8:55 p.m.)

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