Each week, we comb through the guts of The Walking Dead, much like a horde of hungry walkers, to bring you the episode’s best moments, surprises, and other post-apocalyptic curiosities. This week: a seminar on sexual harassment in the workplace, excessive symbolism, and, wait, what just happened on the show?
Season 5, Episode 4: “Slabtown”
Best hidden history lesson: The episode’s title, “Slabtown,” actually refers to a neighborhood of wood shanties built near Decatur Street (near Grady Memorial Hospital’s current location) back in the 1840s.
Most inappropriate workplace moment: When Gorman tried to share Beth’s lollipop. First of all, this kind of creepiness is never appropriate. Second, you work in a hospital! I’m sure the smoking crater that is the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre the CDC would have something to say about that spreading disease. And third, she’s like half your age. What a sleaze.
Worst post-apocalyptic security: The High Museum of Art. If someone can just snag Caravaggio’s The Denial of St. Peter (a painting which, by the way, actually lives at the Met), then let’s grab one of those Mi Casa Your Casa hammocks.
Least familiar with Atlanta: Dr. Steven Edwards. Even though he works at Grady, he didn’t realize his painting wasn’t from the High, that the hospital was evacuated only a half-mile away to the Old Fourth Ward (because when Atlanta is going to be firebombed, let’s go to the place that burned down twice), and that there is no St. Ignatius hospital anywhere nearby. But hey, St. Ignatius was the founder of the Society of Jesus, which is founded on the principle of doing things for the greater good, so symbolism!
Biggest twist: Carol appearing on a gurney at the episode’s close. We only hope that when she’s done with Grady, Terminus looks like a firecracker. But wait, who’s with Daryl?
Number of times we hit “rewind” on the DVR: 7. The plot points in this week’s episode were incredibly subtle. We second-guessed ourselves on the misspoken medicine, the green lollipop’s origins, and even missed Carol being rolled in. But maybe we were just distracted by all of the Atlanta-ness.
Atlanta landmark we wished we had seen: With all of its shuffling zombies, senseless killing, and blood, Murder Kroger is practically already set up for filming! It’s the perfect addition to The Walking Dead.
Biggest question: Where is that supply of fresh guinea pig coming from?
Best kill (assist): Sure, Walker Joan was the one who scored the actual, much-needed kill of creepy Gorman, but Beth’s death-by-lollipop attack set it in motion.
Best line: “If you feel safe enough to be bored, you’re lucky” —Beth
Most disturbing image: When Dr. Edwards sawed off Joan’s arm. We’re pretty sure most modern amputations don’t involve using a giant cheese wire-like device, and if they do, leave us for the walkers.
Episode MVP: Grady Memorial Hospital, for still sort of being a functioning hospital years after the start of a zombie apocalypse. In Atlanta. Except that the staff is crazy.
And sadly, Rick was absent from this episode, so we can’t pinpoint him on the Rick calm/crazy scale. However, if this the-group-is-split-up plot continues much longer, you might see us ranked high on a crazy scale.
