Tavern Cellar

The Walking Dead: Some Guy – Ezekiel’s Fall, Shiva’s Sacrifice, and Carol’s Comeback (Season 8, Episode 4)

Originally aired: November 12, 2017. 8.69 million viewers tuned in for this emotionally charged episode. Written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and directed by Dan Liu.

The Kingdom: From Optimism to Despair:

“Some Guy” picks up right where “Monsters” left off, with the Kingdom’s forces decimated after a brutal ambush by the Saviors.¹ Ezekiel, the once charismatic and confident leader, is now a broken man, struggling to cope with the loss of his people and his own sense of purpose.

Key Plot Points:

• Ezekiel’s Nightmare: The King’s Fall from Grace: The episode opens with a scene of utter devastation. The Kingdom’s soldiers lie dead or dying, and Ezekiel is injured and surrounded by walkers. His optimism and his theatrical bravado have vanished, replaced by despair and the crushing weight of responsibility. Ezekiel: the king who lost his kingdom.
• A Desperate Escape: Every Man for Himself: Ezekiel, with the help of his loyal bodyguard, Jerry, tries to escape the carnage. But their journey is fraught with danger, and they face one setback after another. Alvaro, one of the few remaining Kingdom soldiers, sacrifices himself to save Ezekiel, only to be killed by a Savior who captures Ezekiel. The apocalypse: where even the most heroic acts can end in tragedy.
• Jerry to the Rescue: The Loyal Knight: Jerry, bless his loyal heart, refuses to give up on Ezekiel. He tracks down the Savior who captured Ezekiel and kills him, freeing his king and reaffirming his unwavering devotion. Jerry: the true MVP of the Kingdom.
• Carol’s One-Woman Army: The Warrior Queen Returns: Carol, who’s been MIA for a while, is back in action. She single-handedly infiltrates a Savior outpost, taking out multiple enemies with her signature blend of stealth and badassery. She’s trying to prevent the Saviors from escaping with a weapons shipment, and she’s not afraid to get her hands dirty (or bloody) to do it. Carol Peltier: the woman who can make a casserole and kill a Savior with the same smile.
• Shiva’s Sacrifice: The Tiger Who Gave Her All: Just when it seems like Ezekiel and Jerry might escape the walker horde, they’re cornered. But then, Shiva, Ezekiel’s beloved tiger, comes to the rescue. She attacks the walkers, giving Ezekiel and Jerry a chance to escape, but she’s ultimately overwhelmed and killed. Ezekiel is devastated by the loss of his loyal companion, and his grief is palpable. Shiva: the tiger who was more than just a pet.
• Ezekiel’s Return: The Broken King: Ezekiel, having lost his people, his tiger, and his confidence, returns to the Kingdom a shell of his former self. He isolates himself, unable to face the survivors who still look to him for hope and guidance. Ezekiel: the king who needs to find his way back from the darkness.

Themes and Meanings:

• Leadership: The Crushing Weight of Responsibility: Ezekiel’s journey in this episode is a powerful exploration of the burdens of leadership.² He’s always presented himself as a strong and confident figure, but the losses he suffers in this episode strip away his facade and reveal his vulnerability. It’s a reminder that even the most inspiring leaders are human, and they can be broken by the weight of their responsibilities. Leadership: it’s not just about wearing a crown; it’s about carrying the weight of that crown.
• Sacrifice: The Ultimate Act of Love: Shiva’s sacrifice to save Ezekiel and Jerry is a heartbreaking moment that underscores the theme of selflessness. She was more than just a pet; she was a loyal companion and a symbol of hope for Ezekiel.³ Her death is a reminder that even in the apocalypse, love and loyalty can exist, and sometimes, the greatest sacrifices are made for those we care about most. Shiva: the tiger who taught us the meaning of true loyalty.
• Resilience: The Will to Rise Again: Despite the devastating losses and the emotional turmoil, there’s still a glimmer of hope in “Some Guy.” Ezekiel’s survival, Carol’s determination, and Jerry’s unwavering loyalty suggest that even in the face of overwhelming odds, the human spirit can endure and find the strength to rebuild. Resilience: it’s the quality that separates the survivors from the victims.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Ezekiel’s earlier motto, “And yet I smile,” is now a painful reminder of his shattered optimism. The contrast between his former confidence and his current despair highlights the emotional toll of the war and the challenges of maintaining hope in the face of tragedy. Ezekiel: the king who’s lost his smile.
• Shiva’s death symbolizes the end of Ezekiel’s mythic persona. The tiger was a part of his identity, a symbol of his strength and his leadership. Losing her represents a loss of innocence and a confrontation with the harsh realities of the apocalypse. Shiva: the symbol of hope that’s been extinguished.
• Jerry’s use of the axe to save Ezekiel and defend the group underscores his unwavering loyalty and his determination to protect his king. He’s a true friend and a valuable ally, and his presence offers a glimmer of hope in a dark time. Jerry: the knight in shining armor (with an axe instead of a sword).!

Stats and Stuff:

• Walker Kills: 10+ (Carol’s still got it).
• Human Deaths: Numerous Kingdom soldiers and Shiva (the losses are mounting).
• Survivor Count: The Kingdom is hurting, but they’re not giving up.

My Final Verdict:

“Some Guy” is a heart-wrenching and emotionally charged episode that explores the themes of leadership, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of overwhelming loss.⁴ Ezekiel’s journey from confident king to broken man is a powerful reminder that even the strongest leaders can be vulnerable, and that the apocalypse can take away everything you hold dear. But the episode also offers glimmers of hope, as Carol’s bravery, Jerry’s loyalty, and the survivors’ determination to rebuild suggest that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can endure. What did you think of the episode? Were you as devastated by Shiva’s death as I was? Let’s discuss in the comments!