Undead Walking
Fansided

Melissa McBride’s award worthy moments

By Neva Cunningham

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Melissa McBride attends The Walking Dead Panel at Comic Con 2019 on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AMC)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 19: Melissa McBride attends The Walking Dead Panel at Comic Con 2019 on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AMC) /
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Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride) – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 14 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC
Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride) – The Walking Dead _ Season 4, Episode 14 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC /

Episode 414: The Grove

While Melissa had scenes in earlier seasons that were spectacular, particularly in season 2 and the aftermath of the loss of Sophia,  it was the oft mentioned The Grove in season 4 that created the earliest Emmy buzz for her.

A tribute to Of Mice and Men, “The Grove” written by Scott Gimple and directed by Greg Nicatero gave each of the 4 cast members a chance to shine.

There were scenes in other season 4 episodes that showcased the way she uses her body language, timing and how expressive her eyes are in delivering her lines, Indifference for example, it was the Grove gave her the best material to work.

We saw her confusion over Lizzie’s belief that the walkers were “just different” and her worry over the gentleness within Mika.

It’s the subtle things she does that really pull you into the story, a twist of her lip, the way she holds her body in each scene. The build up to the climatic “look at the flowers” scene feels earned and all the more devastating once you reach it.

Her confession to Tyreese was beautifully acted by both Melissa and Chad Coleman, but once again it was the subtle things that left the viewer agreeing with Tyreese, She “feels” it and regrets her choice but would still make the same decision. Watching it, you know she is haunted by her choice and killed Karen and David not out of malice or selfish reasons, but because it was what she thought was the best alternative at the time. Easing their suffering while trying to stop the spread of the virus (we’ll just ignore the WTF nature of Carol taking these steps but then dragging the bodies out leaving blood trails).

As Carol and Tyreese leave the Grove for the last time, you can tell something has broken in her and that pain carries on into later seasons.

The Grove was an emotional journey that leaves a viewer a better understanding of the toll of survival in a z-poc.

Much of the success of this episode rests on Melissa’s shoulders and she delivers.