Episode 2.03 “Save the Last One” Recap and Analysis by hemoWILLIEac
A Little Introduction
Wow, what an episode. Definitely a slow burn, but once the bookend that began before the opening credits comes full circle, it paid off big time. This is an interesting episode for the show, because it deals with a very specific theme: the choice to live. I’ll make sure to hit on this theme as many of our characters deal with it in their own ways.
And as it Began…
The beginning of the episode cetainly threw me for a loop, especially after last week began with a flashback. It was hard for me to determine if this was another flashback or something we would return to later.
Shane looks crazy as all hell in this scene. I do think however, that the look in his eyes is more about his transformation as a character than about a loss of sanity. Shane, who I have always seen as a man of caution rather than action, has become the man he feels he needs to be. He has even surpassed Rick as a survivalist at this point, now able to go to a place few can to live.
This choice to live is something that carries even greater meaning for Shane. Will he now choose to take what he believes is his? Lori and Carl? Leadership of the group? Shane will be making some serious moves in these next few episodes. The question is, who will be left standing when he is where he wants to be?
Glenn does a little soul searching.
Only the Good Die Young
Our next scenes catch us up on the status of the children in the group. Rick’s monologue about Shane is a reassurance to Lori, Shane is a guy who will get the equipment back through whatever obstacle, just as he got back to school in time after his prank. This is the first time we really see Rick look up to Shane, as opposed to the other way around. It’s very ironic that Rick would find this faith in his friend in the very same episode that he transforms into a different man entirely.
Meanwhile, at the RV, Daryl heads out to look for Sophia once again, proving that he cares for this group. I think Daryl has made it his personal quest to find the girl. This could make things even more interesting if my theory that Merle has Sophia turns out to be true.
Dale and Andrea are still butting heads. Dale loves Andrea and simply doesn’t want to see her get hurt. Andrea hasn’t figured out her place in this world yet. Before, she was simply living to protect her sister. Now that Amy is gone, Andrea needs to find her reason to live. When Daryl questions her later in the episode, it is clear to me that she has chosen to live. She nows that she’s ready to move on, but still needs to find that purpose.
I hope the Andrea and Daryl relationship continues to grow. They almost seemed like kindred spirits during their trek through the woods, and they do seem appreciative of one another. I think these two could prove to be the greatest assets to the team inevitably.
School’s Out Forever
Shane and Otis have made their way into the gymnasium at the local school, but are still just as cornered as ever. Otis formulates a plan that will help both men escape with the valuable equipment. The two men manage to make a run for it, and part ways for the time being.
I did enjoy Otis saying that he just wants to do right for Carl. He was a good guy. The moments of Shane’s escape were very unnerving. I honestly though he might bite the bullet on a few occasions, but he’s a survivor, as we’ll see later on.
Back at the farm, Glenn arrives with a still sick T-Dog. Maggie greets the two men, and it’s already clear that she has taken and interest in Glenn. This relationship is another I can’t wait to see grow. I love how nervous Glenn seems around her and how confident she seems around him. Their interactions are sure to make for some great moments on the show.
Shane: friend or foe?
Choosing Life
The theme of this week’s episode becomes even more evident during Rick and Lori’s heated discussion on Carl. Lori is beside herself at the thought of Carl having to grow up in this world. Rick would never consider compromise. He believes that there is a place for them in the world.
Ultimately, his choice to spare the deer became Lori’s awakening. There are still moments of happiness and beauty to be found in the apocalypse. You just have to dig through the mess to find them. This revelation opens up Lori to her choice to live. She knows now that if she can give Carl just a handful of these moments, his life will be worth saving.
Glenn and Maggies share a great scene together during Glenn’s first prayer. He too is trying to find himself in this world. I feel like these two will eventually be each other’s reason to live. Maggie is there for Glenn when he needs someone, and Glenn returns the favor, giving her an outlet to make peace with her lost loved ones.
Dale giving Andrea her gun back is important to both characters. These two love each other, and Dale has realized his mistake, though he doesn’t regret it. Andrea is also appreciative of Dale, though she won’t admit it herself. These two have a lot of healing to do with each other, but when the healing is done I’m sure they will be stronger than ever.
…So too Shall it End
The race to save Carl ramps up, with Shane arriving just in time to help, proving that Rick knows his friend well enough to put that faith in him. He explains that Otis was killed during the escape, and is clearly shaken up. Carl is seemingly saved, and Rick and Herschel receive the hard task of telling Patricia about the loss of Otis.
Lori asking Shane to stay is another crucial moment in this episode. Shane is in a very dangerous state of mind, and this request could prove to be false hope to Shane. It could possibly set him on a course to take back “his family”.
The episode ends beautifully. Picking up where the pre-credits scene ended, we are shown the final moments of Otis and Shane’s escape. Earlier, Shane was willing to sacrfice himself to let Otis escape with the equipment, but somethng clicked inside of him. Killing Otis was Shane’s choice to live, plain and simple. It was not an act of evil, but merely a man choosing his fate.
This Shane is not the one we have grown to know, but rather the one we’ve seen glimpses of before. When he attacked the wife beater. When he trained his gun on Rick. The only question to ask now is whether this is the Shane that will step up and do anything to help the group, or if it’s the Shane that will do anything to get what he wants.
Save the Last One
The episode started out slow, but ended with the most shocking moment of the series so far. It sets the stage for many great relationships to emerge, and the rebirth of one of the show’s most important characters. Best episode of the season? I think so.
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Will Gibbs is a Michigan native and journalism student at Oakland University. He is a long time Walking Dead fan and self proclaimed "zombie survival expert." When he's not writing, Will enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and reading comic books. |
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to me, Shanes actions were to MAKE sure he saved Carl, in an attempt to prove himself to the group / Lori.
not so much of a kill or be killed moment, he surely could have continued with Otis, just at a higher risk
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