The Walking Dead “No Way Out” Summary and Review

Written by: Mike Middleton
02/14/2016

*CAUTION SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

HFS. What does that stand for? Holy fucking shit.

That is the only way I can really describe The Walking Dead’s mid-season premier called “No Way Out.” This was, in my opinion, not only the best episode this season, but the best episode in the entire series. It was jaw-dropping action and emotion from the start of the episode. Loose ends were tied up, a lot of blood was spilled and a lot of fire was ignited.

During several parts of this episode, I know millions of people around the world could only yell multiple vulgar words at their television. There was a small part where I worried it would slow down again, but I was very wrong. Now, do I wish I could do a review of this episode with no spoilers? Yes, but with so much that happened and so many plot points being brought into focus, it seems almost impossible. So, as much as this is a review of the episode I would also like to consider it a first-ever Slickster Reacts! So let’s get into it, and be warned again, SPOILERS AHEAD!

We start the episode immediately where the season finale left off, with Daryl, Sasha, and Abraham being confronted by Neegan’s gang. After a decent amount of threats going by, the gang says that they will take the group back to where they “hang their hats.” After Abraham asks a mildly stupid question, which we all want to know, the leader of the gang is about the shoot Sasha and Abraham, after a little tease of course, prompting Daryl to blow them all the hell with a rocket launcher acquired from the back. The first fire-filled moment by Daryl. It was by far a huge surprise nobody saw coming, and it really seemed to set a course for a pissed-off Daryl in the future.

Another thing that shocked me was what happened with Father Gabrielle. Now, I won’t lie, I fucking hate the Father with everything and would find him dead to be great, but it seems like some trust or disparity is getting thrown to him, as he is entrusted with taking Judith through the horde to the church to keep her safe.

Now, one of things that kind of got to me was an ignored issue that had to be noticed by many. In the finale, we see the child Sam and some members of the group walking through the horde and we see and hear Sam talking loudly, asking for his mom. A scene which was left teased that we expected to see wrapped up, but sadly that moment was never revisited or explained.

However, this did not matter when one of the most shocking and disturbing scenes happened in this moment. Remember what Carol told Sam in the first part of the season? In case you didn’t, it replays through Sam’s head as he really focuses on the walkers around him, which causes him to go into a panic. Sam breaks into a hysterical moment which causes his end. Now here comes the domino effect. After Sam’s death, his mother, Jessie, breaks down which causes her demise and end of the show.

Now here is the HFS moment. Remember that little shit who kept trying to kill Carl? Well the writers did an awesome job at making us believe he was changing, and he and Carl were letting bygones be bygones. Well, a big slap in the face to the audience was unleashed when we watch that same little shit pull a gun on Rick, causing Michonne to put a blade through his back. When this happens, an accidental shot goes off. Well let’s just say Carl should be sporting a new piece of headwear other than that ridiculous hat. Check the picture and you’ll get the idea of what happened.

Now for the thing we all sort of hate to hear but it has to be said. He was almost right about some stuff. The whole time, he was saying bad people can change, we all thought it was a line of crap but the wolf leader actually made him right. Yeah the wolf was still kind of a dick, given he kidnapped Denise and forced her to run through the horde. But there was a moment where she was in danger and he was not, and as we all thought he would run and save himself, but he showed some compassion and turned back for her causing himself to get bitten. We were all happy to see him care, but I was a bit happier to watch Carol unload a clip full of bullets into his torso.

Enid also flipped her script a bit, too. The little girl who wanted to run from it all actually stepped up to plate. As she and Glenn make it to a nearby church, Glenn tells her to stay there and stay safe because he knew she didn’t want to go back and help. Glenn does give her a small morality pep talk, though, making her realize what she is worth and has to do. She fights Glenn verbally to go back with him and help. I believe we all had a little “good for you” feel for her.

Throughout most of the episode we see Morgan, Carol, and Eugene’s story pretty uneventful as their parts are mostly contained of sitting in a house and talking.

Rick makes it to the infirmary with Carl in hand and Denise ready and waiting and the horde moving in fast. Our hearts started to sink at this point, as nobody knew if Carl was alive, and we see Rick’s face getting that mentally unstable look again. Time for fatherhood to prove itself.

Rick walks out into the approaching horde sporting a hatchet in hand and going absolutely bat shit crazy on these walkers. As he is hacking and slashing away other see him and decide to join the resistance. Eventually the whole group joins in on the action and it is a true blood spurting, brain smashing orgasm of television.

Time for another kick in the nuts from the writers, Glenn makes it back! The walkers are bombarding the tower stand and rocking it back and forth, as we see a distraught Maggie standing on top. Glenn starts firing wildly to draw all the attention toward him and Enid climbs the tower to get Maggie. Glenn slowly starts getting backed into a wall and over run by walkers, and for about 3 seconds I truly thought, “This is how he dies?!” But to the rescue come Sasha and Abraham, as they make it back and unleash hell into Glenn’s mini horde, saving his life. But seriously, how did not a single bullet hit Glenn?

Do you love fire? Daryl does. It is here that he concocts a plan to dump gas from his tanker truck into the lake and light the whole thing ablaze. The fire draws most of the horde into the lake, lighting them on fire and, due the water, the walkers can’t escape. The group takes out the remaining walkers. As morning comes, dead walker bodies fill the streets.

Big spoiler now, so if you do not want to know then do not read ahead. What happened to Carl?

Well, Carl is lying in bed, bandaged up with Rick by his side. Rick is giving a semi-long speech about how they are strong and can overcome and start the new world, but he needs Carl to be alive to see it and live it. With the last shot of the episode we see Carl’s hand close and grab Rick’s.

Through all the heart-pounding action, I can’t wait to see what they have in store for us next week on The Walking Dead.

So, there it is. Our summary/review. For more on The Walking Dead and upcoming episode reviews keep coming back to Slickster.com and check us out on Twitter @Slickster_Mag

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