TWD World Beyond: Madman Across the Water (Episode 1.05)

This Sunday's episode of The Walking Dead: World Beyond features the collision of many opposing forces, including differing opinions on whether our gang should return to the Campus Colony, their ongoing struggle to cross a river during a storm (with a horde of empties on the horizon), and Elton's relentless mental confrontation with his past.

While Felix is convinced that the group should turn around (as he intends to keep his promise to Leo Bennett and protect his "sisters"), his so-called deceptive plans are foiled when Hope overhears him talking to Huck about swaying Elton to join their miniature mutiny.

Eventually, Hope blows up on Felix, blaming him for allowing their father to leave with the CRM, accusing him of never acting like her (adopted) brother, and realizing that the time has come for her to grow up and care for herself. Yikes.

Later, Felix tells Iris that Leo and Will have to be safe with the CRM -- evidently, Felix feels guilty, as he was supposed to accompany Leo before being convinced to stay behind and watch over Hope and Iris at the Campus Colony. (For those who recall last week's episode, however, the current safety of Leo Bennett certainly seems to be in jeopardy.)

Meanwhile, our gang raids a warehouse for supplies to repair a makeshift boat that promises to lead them across the river -- a task that quickly becomes imperative when lightning strikes, knocking over a pole and clearing a path for a horde of empties to attack.

As tensions continue to escalate, Elton is repeatedly greeted by flashbacks, similar to the ones experienced by Silas in "The Tyger and the Lamb".

Elton clearly recalls the events of "The Night the Sky Fell" -- his father telling him to clutch a horn to guarantee his safety, and leaving a poor, claustrophobic young boy alone in a box.

When present-day Elton is forced to crawl into a tight space to repair the drive belt on their boat, he comes face-to-face with this defining moment from his past, realizing that fear propelled his father to do what needed to be done in the moment -- "He was brave because [of his fear], not in spite of it."

After the gang collectively finishes their boat and manages to escape imminent danger, Elton sits down to finish his mother's book, her words about the nature of nature (see what I did there?) still echoing in his head.

Following her reconciliation with Felix, Hope approaches Elton and the two share yet another intimate moment together -- Elton tells Hope that he sometimes has this "crazy" feeling that his mother and sister are still out there somewhere, to which she replies, "That's not so crazy to me."

Unfortunately, Hope then looks down at a picture, directly into the eyes of the woman she killed as a child, and connects the dots that she is responsible for the loss of Elton's mother and sister. Ouch.

Two final things to consider as the second half of Season 1 approaches:

    1. Huck has now departed from the group, aiming to scout the road ahead due to "lacking intel".            Should viewers be skeptical about her trustworthiness?

    2. This episode concludes with the group stumbling across a fellow survivor. Friend or foe? The            promise of an imminent "madman" doesn't make the encounter seem very encouraging.

Regardless, this extensive "Should we turn around?" narrative is officially behind us, and the wheels of the series seem to finally be turning with episode six on the horizon. 

That, my friends, deserves a "Big Mo!"

What are your thoughts on Season 1 thus far?

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