Cherokee Rose

This episode has alaways been the weakest for me in season two! After 3 good well paced episodes, everything suddenly hits a dead end and the story barely goes anywhere!

What we get feels like a break from everything, to spend time on building relations between our characters!

To me this episode has a couple of stand out moments that I remember! Suchs as "the well scene", the scenes with Maggie and Glen, as well as Daryl talking about the significance of the Cherokee rose!

Overall a slow episode that serves as a break between the previous and following episodes rather than progressing the plot and story!

A fitting title for this week's episode of The Walking Dead but sadly the "Cherokee Rose" wilted more than it blossomed. After what was the best episode since the pilot last week the show slowed down it's pace but that's not to say it didn't have some good moments – especially for Glenn. The episode started off well with the burial of Otis putting a lot of pressure on Shane as he tried his best to re-invent the truth of what happened at the school. This then took a swan dive, almost literally for Glenn, into the pretty pointless zombie fishing experiment.

We heard from Maggie, no less than 10 minutes before, that there are 5 wells on the farm. OK, so when Dale and the much more active T-Dog discover the zombie tribute to Sadako trapped down well number 2 they decide that they've gotta bring it out alive to prevent water contamination.

Obviously this was going to spell trouble and chaos ensued when the rusted pump collapsed, but after getting Glenn out they figured they'd use the horse to drag out the deep Z diver instead. So why not use the horse in the first place? or even more logically – use another well? And who would want to drink water that a zombie had been bathing in? Seeing the guts spill out back into the well was pretty gruesome and T-Dog putting what was left out of it's misery was fun to watch, but ultimately it felt like this scene was only there to give us our weekly fix of the undead.

Maggie's reaction to this was interesting and there have been a few disapproving glances between her and Hershel when the others have killed walkers. This looks like it could cause some conflict later on.

The best part of the episode for me was without a doubt seeing Glenn get a reward for all of his well wading and supply missions. Or maybe this was a bit of karma for saving Rick's ass way back in the second episode. Fans of the comics would have known this was coming and so probably weren't surprise when the pair decide to get it on right there in the store. What would have been nice would have been if the pair had an unexpected guest – remember two's company, three's necrophilia.

As most of the stronger male characters were recovering from one thing or another the only real action would have come from Daryl in his search for the missing girl. Although he didn't find much other than a 'Cherokee Rose' and a used can of tuna it was insightful to see another side to his character when he spoke with Susanne. He seems to have really developed since we first met him and as he's not in the comics it will be good to see what the writers decide to do with him and his brother, should he reappear.

The tempo of this episode was in many ways a let down compared to the magnitude of "Save the last one", but there were some key moments to keep the story flowing and the development of Lori's pregnancy is going to add more depth to the storyline in the coming weeks.

6/10 Scene of the episode – GLENN GETTING SOME

"Cherokee Rose" offers a momentary respite from the relentless tension and despair that characterizes much of "The Walking Dead." Set against the backdrop of the serene but eerie Greene farm, the episode focuses on the group's attempts to find some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos. The title itself, referencing a story told by Daryl about the origins of the Cherokee Rose, symbolizes hope and the human capacity for endurance and resilience.

This episode is notable for its character development, particularly that of Daryl, who emerges as a complex and deeply empathetic figure. His dedication to finding Sophia and his sharing of the Cherokee Rose legend with Carol are poignant moments that reveal his inner strength and kindness. These moments are significant, as they not only provide emotional depth to Daryl's character but also serve to strengthen the bond between the survivors, highlighting the theme of found family that is central to the series.

"Cherokee Rose" also advances the narrative arc concerning the mysterious barn on the Greene property. The tension over Glenn and Maggie's discovery of walkers in the barn sets the stage for future conflicts, both within Rick's group and between the group and the Greene family. This subplot is masterfully woven into the episode, providing a sense of foreboding that contrasts with the episode's overall theme of hope.

Additionally, the episode explores the budding relationship between Glenn and Maggie, adding a layer of human connection and romance to the series. Their relationship serves as a reminder of the importance of personal connections and moments of joy, even in the darkest times.

In summary, "Cherokee Rose" stands out for its exploration of themes of hope, resilience, and the importance of human connection. It balances moments of tenderness and bonding with the underlying tension of the group's precarious situation, making it a vital episode in the series' narrative arc. The episode's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from hope to apprehension, showcases the series' storytelling prowess and its exploration of the human condition in the face of apocalypse.

With Carl saved, the group tries to organize the search effort for Sophia. Dale and T-Dawg find a walking in the well, and the group dispatches to try and solve the issue. Rick attempts to convince Hershel to let them stay permanently on the farm. The group decides to try and get the walker out of the well with a rope in the hopes that the well water is not already contaminated. Daryl goes back into the forest alone to search for Sophia, as the rest of the group is too injured or untrained to go. Glenn and Maggie set off into town for more medical supplies and the start of their relationship. Lori has a revaluation.

Cherokee Rose is the first truly uninteresting episode of the show. Nothing monumental happens. It's a building episode that fails to keep the viewer engaged and as a stand alone episode is pretty mediocre. The writing stays sharp as usual but no level of acting or directing can help such an uninteresting plot to be interesting. This episode starts as a sting of episodes that fail the capture the action packed nature of the seasons beginnings.

Carl recovers from his injury as the search for Sophia continues.

This is a welcome step down in drama from the previous episodes and has some comparatively quiet but decent character time.

The plot is mostly character driven as it focuses on Carl's interaction with his parents. These scenes are strong, especially the one between Carl and Rick. Shane's reflective moments about Otis provide intrigue about what is to come with his character. At the same time the search and worry for Sophia is ongoing. Daryl is heavily involved in this and his sensitive side is nicely developed by the writers. There was a great few interactions between Glenn and Maggie that give some badly needed pleasure and positivity to the overall narrative.

All being said, the episode is not without violent incident as there is a darkly comical scene involving a trapped zombie that is quite grizzly. This is the only real visual horror of the episode and is done fantastically well as a shock moment and to generate humour.

It also ends on a very intriguing note that will no doubt sew the seeds for much character drama in episodes to come.

Overall I think it provides decent respite from the emotional intensity of the series so far. It also continues the religious themes that run strongly in series 2, particularly questions about personal faith and the existence of a higher power.

All actors are great as always, particularly Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Scott Wilson.

It is a 7.5/10 for me but I round upwards.