Forget (The Walking Dead)

Last updated
"Forget"
The Walking Dead episode
SashaForget.png
Sasha leaves the walls of Alexandria to practice shooting with photo frames of dead family members.
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 13
Directed by David Boyd
Written byCorey Reed
Featured music"Spicks and Specks" by the Bee-Gees
Original air dateMarch 8, 2015 (2015-03-08)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Remember"		Next →
"Spend"
The Walking Dead season 5
List of episodes

"Forget" is the thirteenth episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead , which aired on AMC on March 8, 2015. The episode was written by Corey Reed and directed by David Boyd. The events of the episode adapt material from "Volume 12", "Issue #72" of the comic book series. In the episode, Rick and the others try to settle in with the community of Alexandria at Deanna Monroe's party. However, some of the characters are unable to adjust to new life after their struggles on the road such as Sasha Williams, who has PTSD over her losses. Meanwhile, Carol Peletier devises a plan to steal back the group's weapons undercover.

Contents

This episode marks the first appearance of Spencer Monroe, portrayed by Austin Nichols, a prominent character from the graphic novels. It also features the introductions of Tobin, a member of the construction crew from the graphic novels. "Forget" also marks the final appearance of Beth Greene (Emily Kinney) and Tyreese Williams (Chad L. Coleman), who appear briefly in a flashback to Sasha.

The episode received positive acclaim, with many praising the continuing Alexandria Safe-Zone story arc.

Plot

Sasha wakes up and glances at several family portraits left behind in her new house. Later that day, she takes them outside the walls to use as target practice. Finally she sits down on a tree stump, quietly saying to the walkers, "Come and get me."

In the woods, Rick, Daryl, and Carol start scheming to steal back their weapons. A walker creeps up on them, which Carol shoots multiple times before finally killing it, to make it seem like they were practicing. The trio notices the letter "W" carved in the walker's forehead. Back at Rick's house, he and Michonne discuss the reasons why they have been made town constables and wonder if it's part of a larger plan.

Elsewhere in the woods, Daryl catches Aaron following him, and together they go hunting when they come across a black horse Aaron calls Buttons which he has been trying to catch for months. The horse is spooked away by some walkers, and later others corner and attack it. Aaron and Daryl kill the walkers, and Aaron regretfully puts down the mortally wounded horse.

Meanwhile, Deanna explains a bit more about Rick and Michonne's job securing the community. She explains that Maggie will be helping her with politics and her vision is that one day the community will have a government. Outside, Deanna tells Rick she cannot have everyone walking around with guns. Sasha approaches them, saying she wants to man the clock tower with her rifle and displays her eagerness to have as "many shifts as possible" in the tower; Rick endorses Sasha as his group's sniper but Deanna insists on Sasha attending a welcoming party before considering her further.

Deanna invites the entire community to the welcoming party. Rick meets Jessie's husband, Peter Anderson (Corey Brill), and their son, Sam, and later gives Jessie a kiss on the cheek. Daryl skips the party, so Aaron invites him to dinner along with Eric, and shows Daryl their garage full of old motorcycle parts. Aaron tells Daryl that he will need to construct a bike because Aaron wants him to replace Eric as a recruiter for Alexandria. Meanwhile, members of the group that attend the party have trouble adjusting to their new surroundings: Abraham and Michonne discuss the difficulty of leaving behind the road and its dangers, and Sasha has flashbacks of her recent traumas and storms out after an outburst.

While the party is underway, Carol, having already unlatched a window, sneaks into the storeroom where the guns are being held and takes three pistols from a bin as well as a small chocolate ration. Jessie's son Sam catches her and says he will tell his mother what he saw. Carol persuades him to remain silent with the promise of cookies, and a threat of tying him to a tree for walkers to eat if he breaks his silence.

At their meeting spot in the woods, Carol hands both Rick and Daryl a revolver, but Daryl refuses. Rick goes for a walk in Alexandria, where he sees Jessie and Pete, and briefly reaches toward his revolver. He hears a noise from outside the wall and runs in its direction, where a lone walker is banging on it from the other side. Rick puts his hand on the wall and appears to take some satisfaction in reconnecting with the animalistic life outside the walls.

Production

Chad L. Coleman by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Emily Kinney by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Lawrencegilliardjr.jpg
Chad L. Coleman (Tyreese Williams) (left), Emily Kinney (Beth Greene) (center), and Lawrence Gilliard Jr. (Bob Stookey) (right) they made their last appearances in the episode during Sasha's flashbacks.

The episode was written by Corey Reed and directed by David Boyd. It marks the final overall appearances of Emily Kinney as Beth Greene and Chad L. Coleman as Tyreese Williams in a flashback sequence. Lawrence Gilliard Jr. briefly appears as Bob Stookey but he remains uncredited. Guest appearances include Tovah Feldshuh as Deanna Monroe, Tyler James Williams as Noah, Alexandra Breckenridge as Jessie Anderson.

"Forget" adapts material from "Volume 13: Too Far Gone" in Robert Kirkman's source material. Differences within the episode include Carol Peletier substituting Glenn Rhee in stealing the guns back, Sasha Williams' outburst substituting Michonne's and Daryl Dixon refusing the stolen guns instead of Andrea. Jessie cutting Rick's hair instead of Olivia. Sasha also obtains Andrea's marksmanship role within the safe-zone on the look-out tower. [1]

Reception

Ratings

Upon airing, the episode was watched by 14.534 million American viewers with an 18-49 rating of 7.3, [2] an increase in viewership from the previous episode which had 14.43 million viewers, and a slight decrease in 18-49 ratings from the previous episode's 7.5. [3]

The Australian broadcast was watched by 86,000 viewers, making it the seventh most-watched broadcast on pay television that day. [4] In New Zealand, it was the fifth highest-rated timeshifted broadcast, with 33,330 viewers. [5]

Critical reception

Austin Nichols made his first appearance as Spencer Monroe in this episode. Austin Nichols at the 2012 Comic-Con.jpg
Austin Nichols made his first appearance as Spencer Monroe in this episode.
MelissaMcBride.jpg
SonequaMartinGreen2015 (cropped).jpg
Melissa McBride (left) and Sonequa Martin-Green (right)'s performances were praised, with many highlighting Carol and Sasha's scenes as memorable.

The episode received positive reviews, with most attention going to the storylines involving Carol and Sasha. Matt Fowler of IGN gave "Forget" an 8.6 out of 10, and wrote positively about Carol's intimidation of the young boy, Daryl's storyline with Aaron, and Sasha's actions in the episode. He concluded, "So even though there's no imminent threat at the moment, things within Alexandria are still really intriguing." [6]

Sean McKenna for TV Fanatic spoke positively about the episode, saying he "didn't disagree with Sasha's feelings [towards Alexandria]" and noted Carol's scene with Sam as the highlight of the episode saying: "But man, did Carol take the cake when she went super dark on that kid threatening to feed him to the walkers if he told his mom that she was grabbing the guns. What an intense scene that perhaps, if I hadn’t been watching The Walking Dead up until now, might have thought she was one of the bad guys on the show." [7]

Shane Ryan for Paste Magazine positively reviewed the episode. He compared Sasha to Charles Whitman and felt that she should be kept away from the tower completely and said the scene involving Carol and Sam was "disturbing." In further detail he said: "That scene was so strange and memorable that it’s almost like I’ve been watching a fake Carol all these years, and we just saw her bona fide psychopath interior seep to the surface. Somehow, even killing those sick people at the prison didn’t seem quite so bad—at least there was a twisted logic there." [8]

Tim Surette for TV.com said "Carol, you continue to amaze me and I am really close to asking you to prom." [8]

Writing for The Wall Street Journal , Paul Vigna praised the episode and said it had "wonderful, subtle touches, things to savor, and understated but confident storytelling, from watching the Grimes clan try to fit into a cocktail party to Daryl and Aaron’s bonding through a walker-hunting spree." He also praised Melissa McBride as Carol saying: "What Melissa McBride is doing with Mrs. Peletier, with Carol fooling everybody with this den-mom Junior League act, is simply delicious. The whole thing was a fantastic change of pace." He praised Daryl and Aaron's bond and was sympathetic towards Sasha, calling her situation a "sad story". [9]

Patrick Kevan Day for the Los Angeles Times was complimentary of the episode, and felt that Rick set the table for "screwing the entire place up". He compared the show to the ABC television series, Lost saying: "seeing our band of survivors cleaned up and wearing Saturday-afternoon suburban duds in a halfway civilized setting brought back intense Lost and The Others flashbacks. Perhaps intentional, perhaps coincidental, but it does seem that The Walking Dead writers are enjoying playing with our expectations of the residents of Alexandria." He also considered Sasha's problem to be fixable, and called Rick the "real problem". [10]

Ron Hogan for Den of Geek! felt that Sasha's breakdown at the party of Alexandria served as the episode's highlight. He said: "A few days ago, she was eating beans out of a can; now she's at a dinner party with people eating potato puffs off little plastic swords and drinking beer like there's nothing happening just beyond those corrugated steel walls. But there is. Sasha knows this, and Sonequa Martin-Green plays this perfectly." He went further to say, "I understand what she's going through completely, and her lashing out makes perfect sense, both in ferocity and in timing." He also felt that the direction complimented Martin-Green's performance. [11]

Alan Sepinwall for HitFix was positive towards the episode. He said: "This is some ugly stuff — the Carol/Sam scene was one of the show's most uncomfortable scenes ever that didn't involve a zombie makeup effect — and has breathed a ton of life into the show after that bumpy start to this half-season. Where Hershel's farm and even the prison felt like places where the series overstayed their welcome for budgetary reasons, this new/old world feels rich and complicated enough that I could see a very long and creatively healthy stretch here, as the arrogance of Rick, the paranoia of Carol, the PTSD of Sasha, etc., slowly causes this paradise to crumble around them." [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daryl Dixon</span> Character from the television series The Walking Dead

Daryl Dixon is a fictional character from AMC's horror drama series The Walking Dead, and the protagonist of its last three seasons, replacing Rick Grimes. The character was created for the television series by writers Frank Darabont, Charles H. Eglee and Jack LoGiudice specifically for Norman Reedus, and does not have a counterpart in the comics on which the series is based. The character was introduced in the first season as a southerner, expert tracker, living in the shadow of his older brother, Merle. Despite his bad temper and volatility, he is tolerated by the core group of survivors due to his skills in hunting animals and fearless efficiency in killing walkers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carol Peletier</span> Fictional character

Carol is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead, and the television series of the same name, where she is portrayed by Melissa McBride. Carol is introduced in the third issue of the comic's first volume, "Days Gone Bye", and the third episode of the first season of the television series, as a meek housewife and mother of Sophia at the survival camp in Atlanta, Georgia. Her arc in the television series was described as a "hero's journey" by executive producer Scott M. Gimple, having made many difficult decisions in order to survive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maggie Greene</span> Fictional character

Maggie Rhee is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead, portrayed by Lauren Cohan in the television adaptation of the same name.

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

Michonne Grimes is a fictional character from The Walking Dead. The character also appears in media adaptations of the series, most notably the television series of the same name, in which she is portrayed by Danai Gurira. Armed with a katana and harboring a mysterious past, Michonne is introduced clothed under a hood and pulling the shackles of two reanimated corpses for protection and camouflage. The two walkers are subsequently revealed to be her zombified boyfriend and his best friend. In both the comic and TV series, she has a prominent role in the conflict between the town of Woodbury led by The Governor, and the Prison group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham Ford</span> Fictional character

Sgt. Abraham Ford is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Michael Cudlitz in the American television series of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyreese</span> The Walking Dead character

Tyreese is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Chad Coleman in the American television series of the same name. He is a prominent character in both mediums, acting as group leader Rick Grimes' right hand man in the comic book series, up until the end of "Made to Suffer".

Sasha Williams (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) The Walking Dead character

Sasha Williams is a fictional character from The Walking Dead, an AMC television horror drama series. The character was created by Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead comic book series which the show is based on and in which Sasha has no counterpart.

<i>The Walking Dead</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 12, 2014, and concluded on March 29, 2015, consisting of 16 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. The executive producers were Kirkman, David Alpert, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Gimple as showrunner for the second consecutive season. The fifth season received widespread critical acclaim. It was nominated for multiple awards and won three, including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series for the third consecutive year, at the 41st Saturn Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosita Espinosa</span> Fictional character

Rosita Espinosa is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and is portrayed by Christian Serratos in the American television series of the same name. She accompanies Eugene Porter and Abraham Ford on a mission to Washington, D.C. In the comic book series, she joins Rick Grimes' group after they leave the prison and go to DC. Eventually Eugene is revealed to have lied but they continue on to Washington anyway, since he was still convinced the city would offer greater chance of survival, and they eventually find the Alexandria Safe-Zone.

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

Aaron is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead and television series of the same name. He is portrayed by Ross Marquand in the television series.

Remember (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 12th episode of the 5th season of The Walking Dead

"Remember" is the twelfth episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 1, 2015. It was written by Channing Powell and directed by Greg Nicotero. In the episode, the group enters the Alexandria Safe-Zone and struggles to adapt to the community's normality and lifestyle, as well as distrusts their environment. Several group members are interviewed by the shrewd former congresswoman, Alexandria leader, Deanna Monroe, as they are given houses to live in.

Try (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 15th episode of the 5th season of The Walking Dead

"Try" is the fifteenth and penultimate episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 22, 2015. It was written by Angela Kang and directed by Michael E. Satrazemis.

Conquer (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 16th episode of the 5th season of The Walking Dead

"Conquer" is the sixteenth and final episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 29, 2015. It was written by showrunner Scott M. Gimple and Seth Hoffman, and directed by Greg Nicotero.

Jessie Anderson (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) Fictional character

Jessie Anderson is a fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead and was portrayed by Alexandra Breckenridge in the television series of the same name. She is a resident in the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Charlie Adlard, the character made her debut in The Walking Dead #72 in 2010.

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

"First Time Again" is the sixth season premiere of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on October 11, 2015. The episode was written by Scott M. Gimple and Matthew Negrete, and directed by Greg Nicotero. The episode aired in an expanded 90-minute time slot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Start to Finish</span> 8th episode of the 6th season of The Walking Dead

"Start to Finish" is the eighth episode and mid-season finale of the sixth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on November 29, 2015. The episode was written by Matthew Negrete and directed by Michael E. Satrazemis.

No Way Out (<i>The Walking Dead</i>) 9th episode of the 6th season of The Walking Dead

"No Way Out" is the ninth episode and mid-season premiere of the sixth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 14, 2016. The episode was written by Seth Hoffman and directed by Greg Nicotero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Next World</span> 10th episode of the 6th season of The Walking Dead

"The Next World" is the tenth episode of the sixth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 21, 2016. The episode was written by Angela Kang and Corey Reed, and directed by Kari Skogland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Not Tomorrow Yet</span> 12th episode of the 6th season of The Walking Dead

"Not Tomorrow Yet" is the twelfth episode of the sixth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on March 6, 2016. The episode was written by Seth Hoffman and directed by Greg Nicotero.

References

  1. ↑ Huntington, Brian (2015-03-09). "Season 5 Episode 13: Panel to Screen Comparison". The Walking Dead. Archived from the original on 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  2. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 10, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  3. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 3, 2015). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', Sister Wives', 'Shameless', 'Bar Rescue' & More". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on March 5, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  4. ↑ Knox, David (March 10, 2015). "Monday 9 March 2015". TV Tonight . Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ Regan (March 17, 2015). "Time Shifted TV Ratings: 9 March 2015". Throng. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  6. ↑ Fowler, Matt (March 8, 2015). "The Walking Dead: "Forget" Review". IGN . Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 13 Review: Is This Real?". TV Fanatic. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  8. 1 2 "The Walking Dead Review: "Forget" :: TV :: Reviews :: the walking dead :: Paste". Paste . Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  9. ↑ Vigna, Paul (2015-03-08). "'The Walking Dead' Recap: Season 5, Episode 13, 'Forget' - Speakeasy - WSJ". The Wall Street Journal . Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  10. ↑ "'The Walking Dead' recap: Rick wears the scarlet letter". Los Angeles Times . 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  11. ↑ Hogan, Ron (March 10, 2015). "The Walking Dead season 5 episode 13 review: Forget". Den of Geek! . Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Review: 'The Walking Dead' – 'Forget': Z is for cookie". HitFix . Retrieved 2017-03-20.
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.