The Walking Dead episode 410 ‘Inmates’: The prison outside

The Walking Dead season 4 episode ‘Inmates’ looks at other survivors of The Governor’s assault on the prison, and much drama ensues.

After the prison fell, The Walking Dead universe instantly became more fractured. Previously, most characters at least entertained the notion of togetherness, even if not utopia. However, as we see Daryl and Beth on the run, it becomes readily apparent that truly nothing lasts forever. It’s only a matter of time before what we know is gone. Though Beth and Daryl seek the comfort and aid of others, uncertainty itself seems to pursue them, along with the standard, random groups of vicious walkers. The woods and fields near the prison become bleak landscapes, and one recalls a previous episode where a man was randomly found hanging from a tree.

Lizzie, Mika and Tyreese

Some of the biggest scares in “Inmates” come from Lizzie, Mika and Tyreese’s journey, as they are not alone. In addition to walkers roaming the woods, they are carrying baby Judith, whose cries could definitely alert the undead to their presence. The biggest cringe probably comes from Tyreese leaving Lizzie and Mika alone to help other travelers fend off walkers. This of course left them vulnerable to attacks themselves. However, the most disturbing moment is when Lizzie attempts to silence Judith’s cries by beginning to cover her face. Smothering babies isn’t too cool, Lizzie!

This is yet another sign that Lizzie has a warped view on life and death. Previously she argued that walkers were merely different, downplaying the danger they pose. By now it seems she has a tenuous grasp of why we value life over death. She is a memorable Walking Dead character, no doubt about it. Of course, there’s more potential drama when Tyreese returns to find Carol with the girls. We all know that Carol had been banished for killing Tyreese’s love interest, Karen. However, he doesn’t know that by this point, and neither do Lizzie or Mika. Another question emerges: Does following a sign promising them “sanctuary” really a good idea? After all, Woodbury (and, of course, their prison) proposed such a thing and feel short. Why would this be any different? Still, one sometimes must take a chance in this world, and escape to any place that lacks re-animated corpses.

Maggie and Glenn

The prison attack split a bunch of Walking Dead characters up. Maggie and Glenn are another example. Although Maggie has company in Bob and Sasha, Glenn wakes up at the prison seemingly all alone. Sure, he has some walkers to keep him company, but they’re not exactly the most welcoming presence. After he deals with some of them, he finds Tara Chambler. Feeling guilty for being part of The Governor’s group, Glenn nevertheless looks past it, insisting he needs her help to find Maggie (and ostensibly other survivors). Both of their survival skill-sets are put to the test, although Glenn wisely takes along some riot gear. At the very end of the episode, they are greeted by people in a military truck — later known to viewers as Sgt. Abraham Ford, Dr. Eugene Porter and Rosita Espinosa.

So, what about Maggie? In a mushy sequence, Maggie is dead set on finding her husband — even if it means clearing all walkers from a prison bus. She simply has to know what happened to Glenn! It’s understandable. Of course, the process of weeding out bus walkers isn’t only mushy in a romantic sense. A lot of rotten carcasses are killed again, only to find that Glenn likely wasn’t on the bus! It may be disappointing to Maggie to lose Glenn, but for those wanting to see more walkers get offed, it was pretty sweet (awww!).

That’s sort of what this episode accomplishes. It’s a nice blend of drama, walkers killin’, WTF moments and new character introductions. It seems a bit like a mid-flow episode, functioning to get us caught up in the character’s lives. However, not every episode can have a sens of finality for its main characters. The closest to that is when Glenn finds out about Hershel’s death, which he oddly almost shrugs off. Still, The Walking Dead always has people dying, so the real survivors are probably used to that by now.

What are your thoughts on this Walking Dead episode? Let us know in the comments!