Episode 2.06 “Secrets” Recap and Analysis by “The Wilf”

A Little Introduction

The penultimate episode of season two’s first half has arrived. This week the show primarily deals with secrets, as the title infers; but it also deals with paying off on many of the subplots introduced in the first few episodes.

Let’s take a look into the episode and how it continues, expands upon and ultimately finishes off some of the plots and secrets it has been harboring.

The Dead Next Door

The show begins by dealing with one of the major secrets of this season: the barn. As Lori and a very well-healed Carl share a nice moment, Patricia grabs some live chickens to feed to her undead neighbors.

Glenn is trying to keep his secret, knowing what the barn holds, but ultimately confides in Dale. You have to feel for Glenn with all of that pressure to keep not only the contents of the barn under wraps, but Lori’s pregnancy as well. Unfortunately for both Hershel and Lori, Glenn isn’t exactly a great liar.

Glenn and Maggie probably have more pressure on their blossoming relationship than any two people ever have. It is noticeable that Maggie doesn’t truly believe in her father’s methods of dealing with walkers, but feels compelled to stay by his side on the matter.

When she is attacked by the zombie in the pharmacy, she begins to realize that these are not people, but creatures that want nothing more than to consume. It will be interesting to see if Maggie can ultimately stand up to her father about the walkers, or if she will choose to keep quiet.

The barn becomes a topic for heated debate between Dale and Hershel. When Dale brings it up, Hershel is quick to tell him that keeping his mouth shut is the best option. For a character like Dale (easily the most observant and wise in the group), it is hard to be shut out. This speaks words of the power that Hershel has over people. If he can get Dale to not only keep his mouth shut, but begin doubting his own group than what else is he capable of?

I loved seeing the two oldest and most veteran actors of the cast share a great scene together. These two men have many film and television roles under their belts, and the quiet intensity of this scene showcases their talents.

Baby on Board

When Carl and Lori interact at the beginning of the episode, Carl says something that changes Lori. He says “maybe she got eaten” in reference to the absent hen. Lori hears something beyond those words, realizing that Carl is losing the little joy and humanity he experienced before the world went to hell.

Dale does his best "Dr. Phil".

Glenn later confronts Lori, proving just how great of a guy he is by offering to secretly take care of her. He obviously feels for her situation and wants to do what is right, even if he sometimes comes off the wrong way.

After Glenn and Maggie take their second (less enjoyable) trip to the pharmacy, Maggie reiterates these qualities about Glenn. He is a leader, and deserves more than the group has given him so far. I have a feeling there won’t be as much reckless behavior from Glenn anymore. He knows his worth, and he has something to lose.

Later on, Dale comes to Lori and explains that he not only knows about the pregnancy, but about her affair with Shane as well. Dale is a true observer and one hell of a secret keeper. We’ve seen him keep secrets before, after fixing the hose on the RV and neglecting to tell anyone.

Dale serves as a peacekeeper for the group. He only uses his information when he knows it can help. He chooses to confront Hershel in a calm, relatively collective way, and does the same for Lori. Dale might just be the master of secrets.

Lori decides to take morning after pills, but quickly throws them up. She knows the dangers of raising a baby in this world, and more than that she knows that this child will never have lived to see what the world was like before. In her position, it is hard to argue which option is the best.

One Hell of a First Date

The gang goes out for a little target practice session, with the best shot receiving an invitation to join Shane on the hunt for Sophia. Andrea winds up being the winner, showing her skill behind the barrel.

Shane takes her into the woods to try her hand at a moving target, badgering her and even bringing up Amy. Though she seemed beyond pissed off at him, this is the kind of tough love that Andrea will need to move on with her life. Dale’s kindness hasn’t helped her so far, so perhaps Shane’s hard edge is finally a catalyst for her rebirth of sorts.

If Dale is the master of keeping secrets, than perhaps Shane is the master of creating them. Not only is he hiding his infidelity with Lori, but also the truth about the death of Otis during their fateful trip to the medical station.

After some zombies crash their party, Andrea becomes calm and collected, killing a few walkers with ease and proving to herself and Shane that she has a place in this world. This newfound purpose (and shooting a gun) makes her get a little hot and bothered.

Andrea and Shane have some fun in the car, paying off on the relationship these two characters have been establishing. It remains to be seen whether this romp in the front seat will lead to something more, but I have to say that Shane’s reaction to her “advances” was pretty hilarious. He’s a ladies man till’ the end.

Shane and Andrea are perhaps the strongest and weakest characters on the show, respectively. By pairing the two, the writers have managed to strengthen and begin repairing Andrea for viewers. They have also added another element to the shows most potentially dangerous subplot: the love triangle. I have to applaud them for doing a greats job here.

Shane: "I'd hit it".

When the pair returns from their outing with no Sophia in tow, Carol once again seems to be losing her faith. Dale once again proves how easily he can read people, and realizes what happened between Andrea and Shane.

When Dale approaches Shane, he loses his usually calm and collected demeanor. He knows about the affair, he knows something more happened to Otis and he is filled with distrust for Shane because of his conversation with Hershel.

Whether or not he has feelings for Andrea or he’s just being protective, Dale is not about to let Shane hurt her. The intensity between these two men almost hits a boiling point, with Shane returning to that dark place he was as he shaved his head in episode three.

Pulling Back the Curtain

Rick discovers the morning after pills and leaves to find Lori. They have a heated debate about the fate of the unborn child, and Lori reveals the secret of her affair. Surprisingly, Rick reveals he knew all along.

Rick may not have been 100% sure of the affair, but he certainly had a hunch. Upon Lori telling him the truth, he reacts calmly and seems understanding of the situation she was in. When he sees Shane we might see a different reaction, but for now he remains stoic. I have to wonder however, if the thought of the baby being Shane’s has crossed his mind yet.

What Rick doesn’t know is the extent to which Shane has fallen for Lori. To Rick, this affair was purely a reaction to the events they were facing: his apparent death and the end of the world as they knew it. However, there is much more behind these actions for Shane, and that could prove devastating if he believes the baby could be his.

Secrets

This episode opens the door for the mid-season finale and nicely ties up some aspects of the subplots while keeping them critical to the show. Many of the characters proverbial cats are out of their bags, and I can’t wait to see how that changes the game.

“Secrets” is an incredible episode that shows what makes The Walking Dead great. Drama, interesting characters and zombie action all rolled into one great hour of television.

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