“You did this to us.” – Rick
It’s quite a feat for a show to pull off a scene that the audience (or at least a portion of the audience) knows is coming, but is nonetheless full of tension. The Walking Dead does just that with “Better Angels.”
In short, The Walking Dead killed off Shane. And despite the fact that Shane is by far my favorite character on the show, I’m glad they did. Casting and business considerations aside, I think it’s important for the show’s credibility to maintain an extreme level of tension. Nothing builds tension like killing off a main character.
While I will certainly miss Shane, I truly believe the death of his character is a necessary evil. With last week’s death of Dale (Jeffery DeMunn) and this week’s offing of Shane, The Walking Dead has upped the ante considerably. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the show would benefit from more character deaths. My vote goes for Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) biting the bullet next. Hell, throw Andrea (Laurie Holden) and that suicide hick from a couple of weeks ago to the wolves while you’re at it.
Lingering thoughts on “Better Angels”:
- A few episodes back, it was hinted that people can become zombified without having been bitten by a Walker. We got concrete proof of that tonight. Any guesses on how that actual zombification process works, if the “disease” necessarily spread by the Walkers themselves?
- I usually avoid talking about the previews for next week’s episode, but, man, does the series finale look bad ass. The whole gang holding down the farmhouse from a gigantic horde of Walkers? Count me in.
Editor’s note: here’s some additional Jon Bernthal television roles that are well worth checking out!
- Frank Castle / The Punisher – The Punisher: Bernthal’s portrayal of the vigilante anti-hero Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher, in the Netflix series received widespread acclaim. His intense and emotionally charged performance brought depth and complexity to the character, earning him praise from both fans and critics alike.
- Sgt. Brad ‘Iceman’ Colbert – Generation Kill: Bernthal delivered a standout performance as Marine Sergeant Brad Colbert in this HBO miniseries based on the book by Evan Wright. His portrayal of the tough yet compassionate leader resonated with audiences, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
- Daniel James ‘Dink’ Healy – The Pacific: Bernthal portrayed Marine Sergeant Daniel James ‘Dink’ Healy in this HBO miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. His performance captured the camaraderie and sacrifices of soldiers fighting in the Pacific theater during World War II, earning him praise for his authenticity and emotional depth.
- Joe Teague – Mob City: Bernthal starred as Joe Teague, a Los Angeles police officer with a mysterious past, in this neo-noir crime drama series created by Frank Darabont. Set in the 1940s, the show explores the intersection of law enforcement and organized crime in post-World War II Los Angeles.
- Edgar – The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Bernthal made a memorable guest appearance as Edgar, a military veteran with a penchant for conspiracy theories, in the popular comedy series created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. His character provides comedic relief and adds an eccentric dynamic to the show’s quirky ensemble.
- Ben – Show Me a Hero: Bernthal had a supporting role as Ben, a construction worker and friend of the main character, in this HBO miniseries based on the nonfiction book by Lisa Belkin. Set in the 1980s, the series depicts the real-life struggle for public housing desegregation in Yonkers, New York, and explores themes of race, politics, and social justice. Bernthal’s performance adds depth to the ensemble cast and contributes to the series’ compelling narrative.
- And finally, don’t sleep on Bernthal’s couple of appearances on The Bear!
Some stats and info about The Walking Dead, “Better Angels”
TV SHOW – The Walking Dead
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 2, Episode 12
AIRED ON – March 18th, 2012
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – AMC
GENRE – Horror, Drama, Zombies, Thriller
CREATED BY – Frank Darabont
CAST – Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Christian Serratos, Josh McDermitt, Danai Guria, Seth Gilliam, Andrew Lincoln, Ross Marquand, Chandler Riggs
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.