The Walking Dead Review: Ep. 614 Twice As Far
Twice As Far reminded me of a line from an old Clint Eastwood movie. “A man’s got to know his limitations”. The message behind those words was the driving force behind Eugene and Denise’s motivations and actions during an episode that gave Daryl his own twisted version of a Peter Parker moment and featured the return of an old adversary to complicate matters.
Things have returned to normal somewhat in Alexandria after the siege on Negan’s compound last week. It appears to be business as usual although Carol is still struggling with what happened while being held captive. As Daryl looks over his stolen bike, Carol comes by for a chat. Their short conversation regarding how he lost the bike in the first place ends with Daryl expressing some regret at how he handled the situation. It’s a telling moment that catches Carol off guard a little and sets the tone for the rest of the episode.
Twice As Far focuses on the escapades of two groups that set forth on separate missions to gather supplies for the community. Denise wants to check out a drug store to replenish the supply of meds for the community and she enlists Rosie and Daryl to go with her. Denise, who reveals that she is adept with a stick shift, calls Daryl’s skill with a manual transmission into question as they take a truck and leave Alexandria. Daryl ignores her, continues to grind the gears and they go on their merry way until they meet a roadblock. Leaving the truck behind the three of them set out on foot towards their destination, but not without some conflict between them.
Meanwhile Eugene and Abe stroll through town and carry on a conversation that anyone not familiar with their dialogue would need subtitles to understand. Eugene and Abe arrive at an abandoned building in an attempt to find supplies that would help them manufacture bullets. A slightly humorous encounter with a walker gets the better of Eugene’s ego and drives a wedge into his partnership with Abe.
Tonight’s episode provided some backstory to some of the secondary characters while bringing to mind Eastwood’s famous line that I mentioned earlier. While most of the season has centered on the often super-human exploits of Rick, Michonne, Glen and Daryl, characters like Denise and Eugene have been there to provide support. They’re not counted on to do the heavy lifting and dirty work that the others do and have to prove their worth in other ways.
Denise’s role as town doctor has increased her confidence, but even that isn’t enough for others to take her opinions outside of how they see her seriously. Daryl’s refusal to take her advice with the truck is an example. He’d gladly defer to her on medical issues, but not in matters where he feels he has more experience than she does. Eugene is in the same boat, so to speak, as Denise is in the eyes of his peers. In the past his mouth has gotten him into trouble that his body hasn’t been able to get him out of. It happens again in Twice As Far and both he and Denise find themselves in scenarios that are outside of their comfort zones.
The final few moments of the episode are both sad and haunting. Change is coming to Alexandria and it’s just on the horizon. Like a heard of animals that realize predators are coming for them, there are some in the community that are readying themselves for what will come next. The battle lines are being drawn but who’ll be left standing in the end remains to be seen.
