The Weekly Dead: ‘Slabtown’by The Connector (http://www.scadconnector.com/author/the-connector/) on November 9, 2014Item ReviewedThe Weekly Dead: ‘Slabtown’

AuthorThe Connector

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Written by Dana J. Hortman, contributorImage from AMC

On episode four of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Beth, who was previously taken at the end ofseason four by a black car with a white cross, wakes up and discovers the former way of life:electricity, the ticking clock on the wall. She’s also startled when police officer Dawn and Dr.Steve Edwards enter the room. The pair explain that they are at Grady Memorial Hospital inAtlanta with other survivors, who had found Beth one night and saved her. Before they exit theroom, Dawn tells Beth, “You owe us.”

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As Beth ventures out of her hospital room, she soon realizes she’s gone back in time to a worldfull of working medical machines, neatly dressed professionals, and properly prepared food.Unlike the apocalyptic world outside, Grady Memorial possesses a peculiar order. However, theprice for the order becomes obvious — each survivor rescued is useful and has a job to do.Officer Dawn says, “Food, clothes, protection. When have those ever been free?”

Later when she goes to the cafeteria, Beth meets the strange and twisted officer Gorman.Though Beth is hungry, she immediately declines eating when the officer insinuates that dinnerwill cost her. Instead, she takes the tray of food to Dr. Edwards. Inside the office, she finds thedoctor listening to Junior Kimbrough on a record player as well as a Caravaggio that had beenabandoned outside of the High Museum of Art. The two seem to bond, and eventually Bethreveals that she plans to eat very little so she can quickly pay off her debts.

Beginning the repayment of her debts, Beth aids Dr. Edwards and observes firsthand accountsof how the new group functions. Joan, a fellow survivor — who tried to escape, but was bittenby a walker — must have her arm removed immediately, per order of Dawn. Beth also befriendsNoah, a janitor, who’s been at Grady Memorial for a year repaying his own debts. Eventually,Joan and Noah inform Beth that though Dawn may be the leader, she can hardly restrict otherslike officer Gorman.

Though Grady Memorial represents a miserable prison-like refuge, Beth finds comfort inbefriending Dr. Edwards until he asks her to administer a patient’s medicine, which later killshim. Noah takes responsibility for the death and receives a severe beating. However, the culpritwas Dr. Edwards, who knew the patient, a former doctor. In order to guarantee his duties as theonly medical professional, the patient had to be killed.

Gorman makes a final advance towards Beth when Joan, who turned after committing suicide,attacks him. Anxious to rediscover freedom, Beth and Noah try to escape. While Noahsucceeds, another officer catches Beth before she can get away too. During the final scene,Beth prepares to assist Dr. Edwards with another patient when she recognizes the woman lyingunconscious on the stretcher — it’s Carol.

+ THE GOODAlthough I haven’t always been the biggest fan of Beth, I’m glad to see that she is alive andsurviving as best as she knows how. I’ve always considered her to be a weak character.However, this episode proved those immediate judgments wrong. The time she spent with Darylseemed to be of assistance to Beth. In “Slabtown,” Beth isn’t a weak farm girl, who depends onbig sister Maggie to survive — she’s all grown up, possessing the strength and determination ofa true Grimes Gang member. Although she didn’t escape with Noah, don’t discount Beth’sability to try again and succeed, especially with Carol joining Grady Memorial. I predict a futurebattle between Dawn and Carol.

- THE BAD

Compared to the previous episodes this season, I thought this particular one was rather boring.Not because there was a lack of intense zombie battles or Rick Grimes slaughtering a pack oftroublemakers, but because the story about Grady Memorial seemed to drag on longer than itshould. I agree that every story needs conflict and rising action before the climax, but why notbring Carol into the hospital sooner rather than at the end of the episode? I also hated theamputation scene. “The Walking Dead” is supposed to be gory and gross, but using a wire tosaw a girl’s arm off was too much to handle.

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Rating 🔾Our Rating 👥 User RatingRate Here %

Storyline A ✓

B+Visuals A+ ✓

A-Pacing B+ ✓

B+Acting A+ ✓

B+Interesting A ✓

B+

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THE FINAL SAYOverall, I liked this episode. Though it’s monotonous, the plot is slowly building up for asuspenseful midseason finale, which will take place in several weeks. I’m interested to see if theshow will continue focusing on Beth and the hospital in Atlanta, or go back to Rick and theGrimes Gang at the little white church. Eventually, the group must make their way to Washingtonto meet with Abraham and the rest of the crew, but not before they return to Atlanta. And nowthat it’s been established that both Beth and Carol are at Grady Memorial, is it safe to assumethat Morgan is with Daryl? If so, I was right all along.ATotal Score

B+You Said1 rating

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