Season two of The Walking Dead is packed with tension, episode 12, “Better Angels,” takes things to an entirely new level. Coming right off the heels of Dale’s death, the group is struggling with what’s morally right when it comes to having Randall on the farm. Though Rick was previously convinced that Randall had to die, Dale’s death forces him to reconsider. The moral struggle the group is facing becomes a backdrop for this episode that ultimately changes the series forever.
What starts as a power struggle boils into one of the most pivotal confrontations in the series. Shane’s anger, frustration, and jealousy have been simmering the entire season, “Better Angels” is when it comes to being too much. Up to this point, the threats the group was most concerned about were the dead and other survivors. Shane betraying Rick forces the group to realize that the living might be just as dangerous as the dead.
Some memorable moments of the episode:
- Right after Dale’s death, the group questions their humanity.
- Hershel moves the group inside, a sign of how they are realizing how dangerous things are becoming.
- Rick and Carl share a meaningful talk about life, death, and the world they live in now.
- When T-Dog checks on Randall he finds the barn empty. Shane had already taken him into the woods and his plan was set in motion.
- Shane’s jealousy hits a breaking point when Lori reaffirms her commitment to Rick.
- And, of course… Rick v. Shane.
As Daryl and Glenn follow the tracks and piece together what really happened to Randall, the truth dawns on Rick. He tries one last time to talk his best friend down, but Shane is too far gone. Shane delivers a haunting monologue, staring into Rick’s eyes and claiming he’s a better man and father, truly believing every word that comes out of his own mouth. It’s at this point that Rick realizes he has no other choice. He has to defend himself. He has to protect his family. He has to kill him.
Just when it seems the most painful moment is over, Carl arrives with a petrified look on his face. His gun is raised, and for a split second, Rick believes his own son is about to murder him for what he’s done. Carl fires a shot, taking down Shane, who had just reanimated behind Rick.
This very moment was defining for Carl – it was his first “big” kill and almost a redemption for the walker he did not kill that ultimately became the cause of Dale’s death. Ironically enough, Carl showed Shane the same pistol he had been carrying earlier in the episode, and Shane instructed him to keep it. What makes this moment even more chilling is the revelation that Shane had turned without ever being bitten – proving what we later learn to be true: the virus is in everyone.
Rewatch "Better Angels" now, streaming on Netflix.
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