Better Angels (The Walking Dead)

Last updated
"Better Angels"
The Walking Dead episode
TWD, Episode 212, Last Stand of Shane.jpg
Carl aims his gun at a reanimated Shane, who slowly walks towards Rick.
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 12
Directed by Guy Ferland
Written by Evan Reilly
Glen Mazzara
Original air dateMarch 11, 2012 (2012-03-11)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Judge, Jury, Executioner"		Next →
"Beside the Dying Fire"
The Walking Dead season 2
List of episodes

"Better Angels" is the twelfth and penultimate episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead , which aired on AMC in the United States and Canada on March 11, 2012.

Contents

Following the death of Dale Horvath in the previous episode, this episode presents a shift in attitudes amongst the group members. This episode features the death of Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal). This episode explores the depths of Shane's antagonistic behavior culminating in his murder of Randall (Michael Zegen) and ultimately a fatal confrontation with Rick where he meets his own untimely demise, as Rick smirked lustfully into Shane's eyes, and proceeded to beat his head in this a rock.

Dale's death also influences the character development of Carl Grimes who has shown increased maturity in confronting the reality of the death of people close to him and the consequences of his actions. This mental growth is displayed when he properly uses his gun to dispatch a zombified Shane and save his father's life.

As creator Robert Kirkman describes: "That scene right there, Carl would never have had the strength to pull the trigger and save his father from Shane zombie if he hadn't had that ordeal with Dale and felt responsible for killing Dale because he wasn't able to shoot that zombie". [1]

Plot

Dale Horvath's death has profoundly impacted the group cohesion. Rick Grimes, reflecting back on Dale's last words that the group is "broken," abandons Randall's execution and plans to release the boy. Hershel Greene allows the group to stay as winter approaches, and they help to gather supplies and secure the property from walkers. A guilt-ridden Carl Grimes discloses his role in the events surrounding Dale's death, and Rick helps to console him.

Shane Walsh is left speechless after Lori Grimes expresses all of her feelings to him, including uncertainty, regret, and appreciation toward her former lover in an attempt to keep him stationed with the group. Shane sneaks into the barn, and takes Randall at gunpoint out into the woods, supposedly looking to join Randall's group. There, he breaks Randall's neck, killing him, and then smashes his own face against a tree and hides his gun.

Shane returns just as Randall's absence is discovered. Shane lies that Randall had escaped and overpowered him before running into the woods. Rick, Shane, Daryl, and Glenn set off to find Randall. They split up, with Shane leading Rick in one direction. Daryl and Glenn discover Randall, now reanimated as a walker, which they dispatch before investigating the body and finding he died from the broken neck, but had not suffered any bite marks from a walker. They question how Randall had become a walker.

Meanwhile, Shane continues to lead Rick back towards the farm, but Rick has grown suspicious that Shane wants to assassinate him and blame his death on Randall. Shane draws his gun on Rick, but Rick refuses to engage, challenging Shane to kill an unarmed man. Rick continues to talk to Shane, allowing him to get close enough to stab Shane in the chest. Shane collapses and dies, as Rick grieves for his lost friend. As he is mourning, Carl walks up, and then aims his gun toward Rick. Rick thinks Carl is upset that he killed Shane and tries to plead with him. Rick is surprised when Carl fires at the reanimated body of Shane that was advancing on Rick from behind, killing him.

Unbeknownst to them, Carl's gunshot has attracted the attention of a horde of walkers in the nearby woods that start to advance on their location.

Production

Jon Bernthal made his final regular appearance in this episode after his character is killed by Rick and Carl. Jon Bernthal by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Jon Bernthal made his final regular appearance in this episode after his character is killed by Rick and Carl.

"Better Angels" was directed by Guy Ferland and written by Evan Reilly and showrunner Glen Mazzara. The episode features the death of Shane Walsh, who was stabbed in the chest by Rick Grimes. Subsequently, Shane reanimates into a zombie and is later shot in the head by Carl Grimes. Initial talks of killing off the character commenced before the auditioning process of the series. Because of the short length of the first season of The Walking Dead, producers decided to retain the idea until the following season. [2] Writer Robert Kirkman remarked: "We knew from Day 1 when we sat down in the writers' room to pull out the second season that this was going to be the season that Shane died. It was always about working toward that and building up that character and setting up this confrontation between Rick and Shane." [2] Jon Bernthal admitted that he had no coaching prior to the scene, and said that many of the writers and cast members were divided on how to execute the sequence. [3] "There was a lot of discussion going back and forth, a lot of arguing going back and forth on what that last scene actually should be — between myself and Andy and the writers. And everybody kind of got their own little say in what that last scene actually was." [3] In his interview with Entertainment Weekly , Bernthal recalled the production of the scene:

We shot that scene all night long. And the entire cast came out and spent the entire night out on that field to be there for the last scene, and Jeff DeMunn [...] actually had been gone. He lives on a farm in upstate New York, and he had flown down and surprised me to be there for my last scene, which just touched me. And like I said, there was a lot of feeling about the last scene. The writers wanted it to be one way, the actors wanted it one way, the producers wanted it to be another way, I think everybody just sort of had their idea of what that scene should be, and it was just Andy and I in the woods walking out together, and Andy and I turned to each other and said, "You know what, man, this is you and me. Let's do this for you and me.” [3]

Speculation related to Bernthal's release first surfaced in January 2012, when it was announced that he was negotiating with Frank Darabont to be a part of his upcoming television project L.A. Noir, which later became known as Mob City . [4]

Reception

Critical response

Zack Handlen writing for The A.V. Club rated the episode A− on an A to F scale. [5] Eric Goldman at IGN gave the episode 8.5 out of 10. [6]

Ratings

Upon its initial broadcast on March 11, 2012, "Better Angels" was watched by estimated 6.89 million viewers, [7] up slightly from the previous episode. [8]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Grimes</span> Main protagonist in The Walking Dead

Rick Grimes is a fictional character and the protagonist in the post-apocalyptic comic book series The Walking Dead and the first nine seasons of the television series of the same name, in which he is portrayed by Andrew Lincoln. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, the character made his debut in The Walking Dead #1 in 2003. Rick is a small town sheriff's deputy and is married to Lori. They have a son, Carl, and a daughter, Judith. He awakens from a coma after a life-threatening gunshot wound to find the world overrun by reanimated humans dubbed "walkers".

<i>The Walking Dead</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 16, 2011, and concluded on March 18, 2012, consisting of 13 episodes. Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. It was executive produced by Darabont, Kirkman, Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Mazzara assuming the role of showrunner after Darabont's departure from the series.

Wildfire (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 5th episode of the 1st season of The Walking Dead

"Wildfire" is the fifth and penultimate episode of the first season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 28, 2010. The episode was written by Glen Mazzara and directed by Ernest Dickerson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TS-19</span> 6th episode of the 1st season of The Walking Dead

"TS-19" is the sixth and final episode of the first season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on December 5, 2010. The episode was written by Adam Fierro and series creator Frank Darabont and directed by Guy Ferland. In the episode, the group finally finds safe haven in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters, although the only scientist there, Dr. Edwin Jenner hides many secrets that leads the group to demand answers about the zombie apocalypse.

Bloodletting (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 2nd episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Bloodletting" is the second episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, and the 8th overall episode of the series. It initially aired on AMC in the United States on October 23, 2011. The episode was written by Glen Mazzara and directed by Ernest Dickerson. In this episode, Rick Grimes and Shane Walsh rush to save the life of Rick's son, Carl, and discover a possible safe haven in the process.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save the Last One</span> 3rd episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Save the Last One" is the third episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, and the 9th episode overall of the series. It first aired on AMC in the United States on October 30, 2011. The episode was written by Scott M. Gimple and directed by Phil Abraham. In the episode, Shane Walsh and Otis desperately attempt to flee the walker-infested high school in order to deliver supplies to a dying Carl Grimes. Meanwhile, Daryl Dixon and Andrea continue to search for Sophia Peletier.

Secrets (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 6th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Secrets" is the sixth episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 20, 2011. In this episode, Glenn tells Dale Horvath that Lori Grimes is pregnant and there are numerous walkers in the Greene barn. Dale confronts Hershel Greene about hoarding walkers in his barn. Meanwhile, Shane Walsh attempts to teach Andrea how to use weapons and Lori agonizes over the decision to terminate her pregnancy or keep the baby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pretty Much Dead Already</span> 7th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Pretty Much Dead Already" is the seventh episode and mid-season finale of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 27, 2011. In the episode, Glenn reveals to the group that there are walkers in the Greenes' barn, dividing the group on what to do. Hershel Greene sets a deadline for the group to leave, unless Rick Grimes does a difficult task. Meanwhile, Shane Walsh slowly loses his sanity after many secrets around him are revealed and Carol Peletier begins to question whether her daughter, Sophia will be found.

Nebraska (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 8th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Nebraska" is the eighth episode and mid-season premiere of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on February 12, 2012. In the episode, the survivors deal with the aftermath of the barn shooting, which causes Hershel Greene to order Rick's group to leave and then start drinking and disappear from the group, leading Rick Grimes and Glenn to try to find him. Meanwhile, Dale Horvath becomes more suspicious of Shane Walsh's actions.

Shane Walsh (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) Fictional character in The Walking Dead franchise

Shane is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Jon Bernthal in the American television series of the same name.

Triggerfinger (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 9th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Triggerfinger" is the ninth episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on February 19, 2012. The episode was written by David Leslie Johnson and was directed by Billy Gierhart. In the episode, Rick Grimes 's actions initiate a standoff between his group, Dave and Tony's men, and the walkers nearby. Meanwhile, Shane Walsh decides to save Lori Grimes, who has been injured in a car crash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18 Miles Out</span> 10th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"18 Miles Out" is the tenth episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on February 26, 2012. The episode was written by Scott M. Gimple and series showrunner Glen Mazzara and directed by Ernest Dickerson. In the episode, Rick Grimes and Shane Walsh debate Randall 's fate, leading to a physical battle between the two. Meanwhile, the survivors at the Greene farm deal with Beth Greene 's suicidal behavior. In addition, this episode foreshadows the revelation that people do not need to be bitten to turn into walkers when Rick and Shane find two walkers without any sign of bite marks on them, although Rick dismisses the importance of this discovery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judge, Jury, Executioner</span> 11th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Judge, Jury, Executioner" is the eleventh episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on March 4, 2012. In this episode, Rick Grimes and his group opt to execute Randall, much to the frustration of Dale Horvath. Dale fears that the group is losing their humanity, which prompts him to persuade some of the group members to protest against the consensus. Meanwhile, Carl Grimes behaves recklessly and carelessly, going as far as to steal Daryl Dixon 's gun and harass a walker, which will ultimately initiate grave consequences for the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beside the Dying Fire</span> 13th episode of the 2nd season of The Walking Dead

"Beside the Dying Fire" is the 13th and final episode of the second season of the postapocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 18, 2012. The episode was written by creator Robert Kirkman and showrunner Glen Mazzara, and directed by series regular Ernest Dickerson. In the episode, a huge horde of walkers invades the Greene farm, chasing Rick Grimes and Hershel's groups off the premises. Meanwhile, Andrea is separated from the group, leaving her to fight off the same walkers that attacked Hershel's farm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lori Grimes</span> Fictional character

Lori Grimes is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Sarah Wayne Callies in the American television series of the same name. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, the character made her debut in The Walking Dead #2 in 2003. In both forms of media, she is married to Rick Grimes. They have two children Carl and Judith. The character escapes the zombie apocalypse with Carl, and Rick's partner Shane Walsh. Believing her husband to be dead, she starts a relationship with Shane. But then she finds her husband is alive and breaks it off with Shane.

Andrea (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) Fictional character

Andrea is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Laurie Holden in the American television series of the same name. The character was created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, and debuted in The Walking Dead #2 in 2003. In both mediums, she and her sister Amy are among a group of survivors near Atlanta, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carl Grimes</span> Fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead

Carl Grimes is a fictional character and is one of the main protagonists in the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Chandler Riggs in the American television series of the same name. The character was created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, and debuted in The Walking Dead #2 in 2003. In both forms of media, Carl is the son of Rick and Lori Grimes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hershel Greene</span> Fictional character from The Walking Dead

Hershel Greene is a fictional character in The Walking Dead whose role is depicted in the comic book, television series as portrayed by Scott Wilson and the game series. He is the widowed owner of a farm in Georgia and has previous experience in the veterinary fields. A devout Christian, with uncompromising morals and a stubborn attitude, Hershel remains fiercely protective of his large family, despite his many losses. In both the comics and television series, he is initially introduced saving the life of Carl Grimes, the son of Rick Grimes, after Carl is shot by one of Hershel's neighbors, Otis, and becomes the moral center of the group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dale Horvath</span> Fictional character

Dale is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Jeffrey DeMunn in the American television series of the same name. The character's death in the latter half of the second season of the show marks a significant departure from the comics, where Dale survived much longer. In both media, he is shown to be the group's primary moral center.

What Comes After (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 5th episode of the 9th season of The Walking Dead

"What Comes After" is the fifth episode of the ninth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on November 4, 2018. The episode's teleplay was written by Matthew Negrete, from a story by Scott M. Gimple and Negrete, and it was directed by Greg Nicotero. In the episode, a heavily wounded Rick Grimes struggles to divert a zombie herd while he questions his legacy in maintaining his vision of the united communities.

References

  1. ↑ Sacks, Ethan. "'The Walking Dead' creator Robert Kirkman explains deaths of major characters serves purpose -- and leads to more dying". NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  2. 1 2 Goldberg, Lesley (March 11, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Dissection: Robert Kirkman Dishes on 'Monumental Event'". The Hollywood Reporter . Prometheus Global Media . Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Ross, Dalton (March 11, 2012). "Jon Bernthal (a.k.a. Shane) talks about the latest 'Walking Dead' shocker -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly . Time, Inc. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  4. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (January 22, 2012). "TNT eyes Jon Bernthal for 'Noir' pilot". Variety . Reed Business Information . Retrieved March 12, 2012.
  5. ↑ Handlen, Zack (March 11, 2012). "Better Angels". The A.V. Club. Onion Inc. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  6. ↑ Goldman, Eric (March 11, 2012). "The Walking Dead: "Better Angels" Review". IGN. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  7. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 13, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Dominates, 'Oprah's Next Chapter' Sees Series High". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2012.
  8. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 6, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Storage Wars,' 'Army Wives,' 'Real Housewives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.