The Walking Dead: Plot and Fury

[dropcap1]W[/dropcap1]hen this episode started I was excited: we know that the steeple has fallen and broken through the wall. We know that the people we’ve come to care about are once again in imminent mortal danger. But we don’t start there. We start with Sam, still upstairs in his room, still afraid of the monsters. And I’m excited that the panic and chaos are held off by highly polished hardwood floors and an old song creaking through the air. This is the tension I’ve wanted all season. Then we get hit with that visual metaphor: The line of ants filing into the room through Sam’s window – one after one after one – to swarm and eat leftover cookie. And the music distorts. And then credits. And I’m thinking: why you been holding out on me, AMC? All season you had this waiting for me and you made me suffer through that bullshit? But. But then the commercial break ended and, with it, my hope for a satisfying mid-season finale. Yep. Still here. [divider type=”space_thin”] Glenn is still outside the walls. He’s still trying to convince Enid that people™ are worth fighting for. Enid is still emo and angsty. Deanna is still trying to save everyone. Rick is still trying to single-handedly fight a herd of zombies using only a single clip of ammo, his 5 o’clock shadow, and the sheer force of his super-manly pheromones. Sam is still hiding in his room. Maggie is still fumbling for her gun like seasons 2, 3, and 4 didn’t happen. Morgan is still on his #WolvesLivesMatter bullshit. Caro…