Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Nebraska – Booze, Brawls, and a Whole Lotta Bad News (Season 2, Episode 8 – Midseason Premiere)

Originally aired: February 12, 2012. A whopping 8.10 million viewers tuned in – everyone was dying to know what would happen after that barn massacre. Written by Evan Reilly and directed by Clark Johnson.

Picking Up the Pieces:

“Nebraska” picks up right where we left off – with a whole lot of emotional baggage and a barn full of dead walkers. The group is reeling from Sophia’s death and Shane’s actions, and Hershel is nowhere to be found.

Key Plot Points:

• Hershel: Drowning His Sorrows (Literally): Hershel, bless his broken heart, has gone missing. Turns out, he’s at a local bar, doing what any rational person would do in the zombie apocalypse – drinking his sorrows away. Rick and Glenn, being the responsible guys they are, track him down and try to convince him to come back to the farm. Because, you know, someone needs to milk the cows.
• Rick and Glenn: The Dynamic Duo: While Rick and Glenn are trying to reason with Hershel, two strangers, Dave and Tony, show up at the bar. They’re not exactly friendly, and it quickly becomes clear that they’re a threat to the group. Rick, in a moment of pure badassery, kills them both. Talk about a turning point. Rick Grimes is not messing around anymore.
• Shane: Still Stirring the Pot: Back at the farm, Shane is still pushing his “survival of the fittest” philosophy. He’s clashing with Dale, who’s starting to see Shane for the loose cannon he is. Lori, meanwhile, is worried sick about Rick and decides to go look for him. Unfortunately, she gets into a car accident. Because, you know, things can’t ever be easy in the zombie apocalypse.

Themes and Meanings:

• Survival: The Price You Pay: Rick’s actions at the bar show that survival often comes at a cost. He’s willing to kill to protect the group, even if it means crossing a moral line.
• Humanity: The Real Threat: Dave and Tony remind us that walkers aren’t the only danger in the apocalypse. Other humans can be just as ruthless and unpredictable.
• Grief: The Long Road: The episode explores how different characters cope with loss. Hershel turns to alcohol, Carol withdraws, and Rick throws himself into leadership. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve, but it’s clear that everyone is struggling.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Rick’s quick draw at the bar shows his growing confidence and decisiveness as a leader.
• Hershel’s reliance on alcohol mirrors his internal conflict and his struggle to cope with the loss of his family.
• Dave’s overly friendly demeanor is a subtle red flag that hints at his manipulative intentions.

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 2 (just a light snack for the group).
• Human Kills (Rick’s Tally): 2 (he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty).
• Survivor Count: No change (yet), but Lori’s accident leaves her fate uncertain.

My Final Verdict:

“Nebraska” is a tense and dramatic episode that marks a turning point for Rick Grimes. He’s embracing his role as a leader, and he’s not afraid to make tough decisions, even if it means killing other humans. The bar scene is a standout moment, and the introduction of new human adversaries adds a new layer of complexity to the story. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by Rick’s actions? Let’s discuss in the comments!