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The Walking Dead: Spend – Supply Runs Gone Wrong, Noah’s Nightmare, and Eugene’s Unexpected Heroics (Season 5, Episode 14)

Originally aired: March 15, 2015. 13.78 million viewers tuned in for this intense and emotional episode. Written by Matthew Negrete and directed by Jennifer Lynch.

Alexandria: Paradise Lost?:

“Spend” takes us deeper into the world of Alexandria, where things are not as picture-perfect as they seem. The survivors are starting to realize that this community might not be the safe haven they were hoping for, and the cracks in its foundation are starting to show.

Key Plot Points:

• The Supply Run from Hell: Aiden, You Had One Job!: Glenn, Noah, Eugene, Aiden, and Nicholas head out on a supply run to get parts for Alexandria’s solar grid. But Aiden, bless his incompetent heart, manages to screw things up royally. He causes an explosion that attracts a horde of walkers, and the mission quickly turns into a fight for survival. Aiden gets impaled and left to die by Nicholas (what a jerk!), despite Glenn and Noah’s attempts to save him. Aiden, honey, you might want to stick to playing video games instead of playing with explosives.
• Noah’s Demise: The Revolving Door of Doom: Glenn, Noah, and Nicholas find themselves trapped in a revolving door with walkers closing in on both sides. It’s a claustrophobic and terrifying scene, and Nicholas, proving once again that he’s the king of cowards, panics and abandons Noah. Glenn watches helplessly as Noah is ripped apart by the walkers. Noah! Noooooo! Someone give Glenn a hug (and a baseball bat to beat Nicholas with).!
• Eugene’s Unexpected Heroics: The Mullet Saves the Day: Eugene, who’s often been the butt of jokes and the resident coward, finally steps up. When Tara is injured during the chaos, Eugene shows surprising bravery and resourcefulness. He uses his wits (and a tape recorder) to distract the walkers and carries Tara to safety. Eugene, you magnificent mullet-man! You’ve finally found your inner hero!
• Father Gabriel: The Betrayer: Father Gabriel, who’s been struggling with his guilt and his faith, makes a shocking decision. He goes to Deanna and warns her about Rick’s group, claiming that they’re dangerous and will destroy Alexandria from within. Gabriel, you backstabbing Bible-thumper! What’s wrong with you?!
• Carol’s Investigation: The Domestic Abuse Detective: Carol, ever the observant one, discovers that Jessie, the woman Rick has been crushing on, is being abused by her husband, Pete. She urges Rick to take action and protect Jessie and her kids. Carol Peletier: the mama bear who’s not afraid to take down an abuser (or bake a mean casserole).!
• Abraham: The Leader Alexandria Needs: Abraham, who’s been proving his worth as a member of the construction crew, steps up as a leader during a walker attack. He’s calm, decisive, and fearless, and he manages to protect the workers and secure the site. His actions earn him the respect of the Alexandrians, but they also highlight the community’s lack of preparedness for the dangers of the outside world. Abraham Ford: the soldier who’s found a new mission (and maybe a new home).!

Themes and Meanings:

• Sacrifice vs. Cowardice: The True Test of Character: “Spend” contrasts the bravery and selflessness of characters like Glenn, Noah, and Eugene with the cowardice and incompetence of Aiden and Nicholas. It’s a reminder that in the apocalypse, true character is revealed in moments of crisis. The apocalypse: it separates the sheep from the wolves (and the heroes from the zeroes).!
• Leadership: The Responsibility to Protect: Abraham and Glenn’s actions in this episode highlight the qualities of true leadership. They’re not afraid to take charge, make tough decisions, and put themselves in harm’s way to protect others. Leadership: it’s not about power; it’s about responsibility.
• Justice: The Gray Areas of Morality: Carol’s discovery of Pete’s abuse and Rick’s growing anger towards him raise questions about justice and morality in the apocalypse. Is it their place to intervene in the affairs of another community? What are the consequences of taking action? These are questions that Rick and the group will have to grapple with. The apocalypse: it’s a world where the lines between right and wrong can get blurry.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Eugene’s use of the tape recorder to distract the walkers shows his resourcefulness and his ability to think outside the box. He might not be a scientist, but he’s not completely useless. Eugene Porter: the nerd who’s learning to survive (and maybe even thrive).!
• Gabriel’s torn Bible pages symbolize his internal conflict and his crisis of faith. He’s lost his way, and he’s making choices that betray his own beliefs. Father Gabriel: the man who’s lost his faith (and maybe his soul).!
• Rick’s silence after Carol tells him about Pete’s abuse is ominous. It suggests that he’s planning something, and it’s not going to be pretty. Rick Grimes: the man who’s always one step ahead (and one punch away from a meltdown).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 30+ (the survivors are still racking up those kills).
• Human Deaths: 2 (Aiden and Noah, the victims of incompetence and cowardice).
• Survivor Count: Dwindling, and the tension in Alexandria is rising.

My Final Verdict:

“Spend” is a tense and heartbreaking episode that exposes the cracks in Alexandria’s facade and highlights the dangers of complacency and misplaced trust. The deaths of Aiden and Noah are shocking and devastating, and the character moments are both powerful and poignant. This episode is a reminder that even in the safest of havens, the apocalypse can still find you, and the survivors have to be constantly vigilant and prepared for the worst. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by Eugene’s bravery? Let’s discuss in the comments!