TWD World Beyond: Shadow Puppets (Episode 1.06)

This Sunday's episode connects to its title almost instantaneously, as a rather cryptic introduction features Iris narrating the world's descension into chaos, juxtaposed with a cheerful shadow puppet show. (Don't worry, it makes sense by the episode's conclusion.)

But first, let's rewind to the moment in which the group first meets Percy, a potentially untrustworthy "Madman Across the Water".

Initially, Percy informs our gang that he's alone, though his story seems to possess countless variations.

Courtesy of Hope's blatant mistrust, however, viewers learn that Percy's truck was hijacked by a pair of men named Mike and Tony -- Percy confesses that he wished to hide the truth as his truck carries many barrels of refined fuel, its possession the comparative equivalent of "winning the jackpot".

Following a heated negotiation, Felix and the four teenagers agree to depart with Percy to recover his truck, holding him to the promise of taking their gang to New York in search of Leo Bennett.

Thus, Elton spray paints a message for Huck in regards to their whereabouts, and the newly-constructed group of six makes its way through the woods in pursuit of Mike and Tony.

Meanwhile, Hope's guilt about killing Elton's mother continues to overpower her, as she searches for ways to bond with her young friend -- in this episode alone, Hope shows almost excessive enthusiasm upon learning that Elton was named after Elton John, nearly confesses after Elton tells her that Leo Bennett convinced him to finish his mom's manuscript, and ultimately ensures Elton that she'd love to read it at some point.

As Hope navigates her tenuous relationship with Elton, it becomes increasingly clear that Percy and Iris are bonding, much to the chagrin of Silas (whose bond with Iris seemingly intensified when the pair were trapped in an abandoned high school).

After the gang comes across Percy's abandoned truck, however, all romantic connections are immediately forced to the backburner.

Felix and Percy make for the truck first, finding an ugly sight within -- Tony has apparently been shot in the head and killed.

Unfortunately, there is a bolted plate over the ignition wires, preventing Percy from working any hot-wiring magic -- instead, he decides to hunt down Mike and recover his keys.

Despite Felix providing clear instructions to the four teenagers, Iris pursues Percy into a seemingly abandoned building -- though Percy manages to locate his keys, he isn't content, attempting to recover the remainder of his possessions (and rob Mike in the process).

As Iris proceeds down a flight of stairs with the keys in hand, she hears a gunshot and is forced to make a difficult decision -- rather than abandoning Percy, she sets off in search of him.

Sadly, Hope's initial impression of Percy proves to be spot-on, as the entire situation is an elaborate ruse.

Though Tony was presumed dead, he suddenly stumbles to his feet, steals the gang's equipment, and drives away in pursuit of Percy, his nephew.

As Iris chases after Percy, she falls into a large dumpster, where she is nearly killed by a plethora of empties.

Feeling suddenly guilty, Percy convinces his uncle to help rescue Iris, and a newly-formed group of seven set off together in mind-boggling fashion.

Our original gang quickly learns that Tony's career pursuits were that of an illusionist -- as Percy's mother bailed on him at a young age, Tony chose to raise the boy as his own.

Despite learning that Percy isn't a proper "villain", Iris no longer trusts him -- she laments that her instincts weren't as good as she'd imagined, though Percy refutes her claim.

Percy tells Iris that in running the same ruse a dozen times, everyone always took the keys and ran -- as Iris was the first to see him as someone worth saving, he's decided to prove her right.

Elsewhere, Tony questions Felix about the three-ringed emblem on his jacket, recognizing that it is also found on motor vehicles and helicopters in the area -- Felix "bends the truth" in this encounter, assuring Tony that the patch can get them out of any unforeseen binds, which certainly suggests a level of foreshadowing.

Finally, the episode comes full circle when Tony and Percy put on a shadow puppet show for the remainder of the gang, providing perhaps the most touching moment of this series to date.

And then... it's a return of the post-credits scene.

Ever since Lieutenant Colonel Elizabeth Kublek "banished" Sergeant Major Barca, episodes of The Walking Dead: World Beyond have seemingly been characterized by their unnerving conclusions.

This week, a woman is seen analyzing Dr. Leo Bennett's file, looking directly at a drawing of his two daughters when the phone rings -- it seems the Lieutenant Colonel is calling with concerns.

Nonetheless, the pictured woman assures Elizabeth Kublek that Dr. Bennett and his security detail won't be a problem, as the camera zooms out and audiences are greeted by the snarling of numerous empties. (An eerie way to end one's night, to say the least.)

Regardless of the widespread criticism this series has faced over the past six weeks, it has finally outgrown apocalyptic bowling in my eyes.

What are your thoughts as we draw nearer to the season finale?

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