18 Miles Out

I love the relationship between Shane and Rick. This episode shows such an in depth view of it. Felt like the beginning of the entire show lead to this episode. Looking back on this episode, Shane was ahead of the curve. Ahead knowing how people needed to act in this new world. Within the next few seasons, Rick turned into what Shane describes. Shane was my favourite character so I definitely have a soft spot for this episode!

This is the tenth episode of the second season of Walking Dead and it seems like each episode keeps on getting better and better as the season progresses and nears the end. This episode features the confrontation between Rick and Shane that we have all come to be expecting. There is also a good amount of walker action here all due to their fight.

In this episode, "18 Miles Out," Rick and Shane head out to find supplies for the upcoming winter and the decide to leave their captive 18 miles away from the farm. But they find out he may know where the farm is, and Shane tries to kill him, but Rick stops him from doing so. As a result, Shane and Rick fight with each other which alerts all the walkers to their presence. Meanwhile, Lori, Andrea, and Maggie all deal with a suicidal Beth.

Overall, this is a fantastic episode and it's going to be interesting to see what happens next. This episode is where we get to see Rick as a leader and one that may be worth keeping an eye on. I rate this episode 10/10.

Rick and Shane clash on the road, whilst thoughts of suicide are contemplated back at the farm.

This is a dramatic and fairly thrilling episode with good character moments.

The story focuses on two threads of plot that are equally good in very different ways. The power struggles in both situations are interesting, with Lori, Andrea, Rick, and Shane clashing over their fundamental differences in attitude towards life and survival.

The zombie horror scenes are strong and quite inventive. We see some desperate survival situations for Rick and Shane that include some clever visual ideas. Generally the cinematography and editing are as strong as ever.

All performances are great.

Plot In A Paragraph: Rick and Shane drive eighteen miles away from the farm (The eighteen miles of the episode title) so then can drop Randall far enough away from the farm. Whilst there, they have a violent confrontation which results in them getting swarmed with Walkers. Whilst back at the farm Lori and Maggie try and cope with a suicidal Beth.

The episode starts with a great scene between Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Shane (Jon Bernthall) as Rick lays down the law to him about his family. Their fight scene later in the episode is very well choreographed and is well acted.

This is really the first time Emily Kinney has anything to do as Beth. And she proves to be a very talented young actress.

Once again Andrea is very annoying as is Lori played by Sarah Wayne Callies. When the had a scene together I was in agony and was itching to run it forward. I was dying to slap Andrea. What an idiot. Lori and Andrea can both be Walker fodder for me!! I dislike them both immensely.

What I loved most about this episode was when Rick is driving to and from the spot 18 miles out. Shane keeps seeing the walker in a suit strolling through a field. To me that is powerful symbolism or possible foreshadowing and that through Shane's expression as he watches the walker, I feel he believes now that somehow that walker is soon to be his fate as well, and that is the moment he realizes it. I attribute this to both him being put in his place by Rick about Laurie and the baby being Rick's but I can see Shane's pain of knowing he's losing a good friend in life-that being Rick, and he's maybe sad it's come down to this point. Also the closing song, "Civilian" by Wye Oak really sets that reflective mood and adds emotion and depth to this episode.