Last week The Walking Dead fans got what they have been waiting for (or what they cared very little about) with a "what really happened to Beth?" episode. Clearly we're going to find out the aftermath of Noah's escape, Beth's failed escape, and Carol's arrival at the hospital, right? Nah. We're shifting gears in "Self-Help." Here's how the episode played out...
Nice Ride
Abraham drives the school bus as Smokin' Hot Rosita caresses his hair. He offers to let her shave him down "dolphin smooth." Well, there's something you don't hear everyday. Stupid Tara makes a joke about Eugene's hair, asking him if it's his source of strength. Eugene looks pretty stressed out though. I guess there is a lot of pressure on him with saving the world and stuff. Maggie asks how long it will take for Eugene to do what he has to do...and Eugene talks about the density of the infected, target sites worldwide, as some other "factors" that will determine the timeline. Glenn asks a few more science-y questions, then finishes with "Why the hair?" Eugene replies "Cuz I like it." Done and done.
Unfortunately the bus blows a tire, hits a broken down truck, and then flips on its side after a few seconds of being airborne. To make matters worse - a horde of Walkers is right there to check for survivors. Everyone is injured but there's no time to worry about that. They have to get out of there pretty damn quick and take out those Walkers, which they do with no problems. They just need to get the first aid kit and other supplies from the bus and then they can move on....except the bus is now engulfed in flames. Damn. Eugene suggests they make their way back to the church but Abraham says the mission hasn't changed. "We're at war. If we retreat, we lose."
Peeping Tom
The group finds shelter in a book store and Abraham finds some "alone time" with Smokin' Hot Rosita. Apparently Eugene likes to watch and Smokin' Hot Rosita sees Eugene peeking through the self-help section. Ha! Abraham says Eugene is harmless and keeps doing what he's doing. Stupid Tara catches Eugene (who is not doing a great job at hiding by the way) and he tells her that he enjoys the female form and thinks this is a harmless crime that allows both comfort and distraction. I do love this man...well I do right up until he tells Stupid Tara that he sabotaged the bus. What!? Whyyyy? Eugene apparently knows that he can't survive on his own, and if he's not meant to save the world, then why would anyone keep him around? Dude has serious confidence issues.
The next morning Smokin' Hot Rosita tends to Abraham's wounds and suggests they stay in the bookstore one more day. Everyone is injured and she thinks they should regroup before pressing forward on foot. It seems they've lost several members of their group along the way from Houston, and she believes they should be at 100% (or close to it) before continuing on. No dice. Abraham is all about the mission and getting Eugene to Washington as quickly as possible because people are dying, blah, blah, blah. Maggie and Stupid Tara enter the room to say the town and store appear to be in good shape. They suggest scavenging for one more day, but Smokin' Hot Rosita backs Abraham and says they'll sweep as they go. Interesting.
Never Trust A Mullet
Abraham spots a fire truck and voila! The group has a new set of wheels to get them back on their journey. Just kidding. The truck won't start and the firehouse is overrun by Walkers. Our heroes themselves are running on empty at this point, so Eugene's move of turning the fire hose on all of the zombies was brilliant. Abraham temporarily fixes the fire truck but it doesn't get them far. The group ends up back on foot again and they smell something awful. Just ahead lies two farms on either side of the road. Both are infested with Walkers....and I do mean infested. You'd need to drop a bomb on that land to make it passable. Abraham maintains that they need to press on but everyone is calling bullshit at this point, including Smokin' Hot Rosita. Emotions run high, fights break out, and Eugene screams "I'm not a scientist! I lied. I don't know how to stop this."
Silence and lots of it. I have to wonder exactly how the wheels are turning in everyone's minds at this point. Who will really react first? Smokin' Hot Rosita says that she's seen Eugene do things that only a scientist would know how to do. Eugene explains that he is smarter than most and that he "knows things." He believes that Washington really is their best shot at survival. Abraham beats the shit out of Eugene and his hands are covered in Eugene's blood. Smokin' Hot Rosita puts her hand on her gun and tells him to get away. Abraham walks a few paces, drops to his knees, and sobs.
We flash back to Abraham's days just after the zombie apocalypse began. Abraham had a wife and two kids and we see them scavenging at a grocery store. Abraham's hands and clothes are bloody and it looks like he's been doing whatever is necessary to protect his family. He's been taking out Walkers...as well as the living competition. Abraham is violent to a point where his wife and children are terrified of him. The next flashback we see is Abraham waking up to a note that says "don't try to find us." Apparently his family thought they were safer without him. Ouch. Crazy or not, I know damn well I would be better off with Abraham. That dude could protect me far better than I could ever protect myself.
Abraham of course goes on a search for his wife and kids...but he only finds their bodies. He decides to kill himself and is seconds away from putting a bullet in his brain when he hears screaming. Eugene is running away from three Walkers and Abraham saves him. Eugene explains that he is on a very important mission, and suddenly Abraham has something to live for.
The episode ends there and I feel terrible for Abraham. Now we know why he was so adamant about completing the mission and not wasting any more time. He's not just an asshole - he's a man who had one reason to continue on, and that one reason was a total lie. As much as Eugene makes me smile, I'm pretty pissed at him. I'm interested though to see what Team Eugene will do now that Eugene is a fraud. Common sense says to go back to the church, but will they all stay together?
I'm also not sure what to expect next week now that we have the severed story lines. Will we see more of this group? Will we get back to the hospital in Atlanta? Will we check in on Rick and the church? As much as I hate the group divided, I'm loving this season and can't wait to see what happens next.
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