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The Walking Dead: Splinter – Princess’s Breakdown, Ezekiel’s Hallucinations, and the Commonwealth’s Mind Games (Season 10, Episode 20)

Originally aired: March 21, 2021. Viewership was a bit lower at 2.2 million, but this character-focused episode still packed an emotional punch! Written by Julia Ruchman and directed by Laura Belsey.

The Commonwealth: Where the Welcome Wagon is a Train Car (and the Therapy is Questionable):

“Splinter” picks up right where “A Certain Doom” left off, with Princess, Ezekiel, Yumiko, and Eugene captured by the mysterious Commonwealth soldiers. But instead of focusing on the group’s predicament as a whole, this episode zooms in on Princess’s experience, giving us a glimpse into her troubled mind and her unique perspective on the apocalypse.

Key Plot Points:

• Captivity: “Get Me Outta This Box!”: Princess, who’s never been a fan of enclosed spaces (or authority figures), finds herself trapped in a dark and cramped train car. Her claustrophobia and anxiety kick into high gear, and she starts to unravel. Princess: the woman who’s not afraid of walkers, but terrified of small spaces.
• Trauma Time: Princess’s Past Comes Back to Haunt Her: As Princess sits alone in the train car, she reflects on her past traumas, including childhood abuse and neglect. Her memories are fragmented and distorted, and it’s clear that she’s still carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Her hallucinations and her unreliable narration make it difficult to distinguish between what’s real and what’s not, adding to the episode’s unsettling atmosphere. Princess: the survivor who’s fighting a battle within.
• Ezekiel’s Ghost: “It’s Me, Your Friendly Neighborhood Hallucination!”: Princess starts seeing and hearing Ezekiel, who seems to be right there with her in the train car. He tries to comfort her, encourage her, and even help her plan an escape. But it’s all in her head. Ezekiel’s not really there; he’s a figment of her imagination, a manifestation of her own internal struggles and her desire for connection. Ezekiel: the king who’s become a figment of Princess’s imagination.
• Trust Issues: “Can I Trust Anyone?”: Princess is torn between her desire to escape and her fear of abandoning her new friends. She’s been betrayed and abandoned in the past, and she’s hesitant to trust anyone, even those who seem to be on her side. Her internal struggle is represented by her hallucinations of Ezekiel, who argues with her and challenges her decisions. Princess: the woman who’s learning that trust is a risky business in the apocalypse.
• The Commonwealth’s Mind Games: “We’ll Break You (Without Laying a Finger on You)”: The Commonwealth soldiers, unlike the Saviors or the Whisperers, don’t use brute force to control their captives. They use isolation, manipulation, and psychological tactics to break them down and make them more compliant. Princess’s paranoia and her hallucinations are a direct result of their methods, and it’s clear that the Commonwealth is a force to be reckoned with. The Commonwealth: they’re not just soldiers; they’re psychologists.

Themes and Symbolism:

• Mental Health: The Invisible Scars: “Splinter” is a powerful exploration of mental health in the apocalypse, particularly the effects of trauma and PTSD. Princess’s struggles with anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations highlight the challenges of surviving in a world that’s constantly trying to break you. The Walking Dead: where the biggest battles are often fought within.
• Reality: The Blurred Lines: The episode’s use of unreliable narration and hallucinatory sequences blurs the lines between reality and imagination, creating a sense of disorientation and unease. It’s a reflection of Princess’s own fractured psyche and her struggle to make sense of the world around her. The Walking Dead: where reality is a matter of perspective.
• Isolation vs. Connection: The Human Need for Belonging: Princess’s journey in this episode is about overcoming her fear of connection and learning to trust others. She’s been alone for so long that she’s forgotten how to be part of a community, but her experiences with Ezekiel, Yumiko, and Eugene show her the value of friendship and the strength that comes from belonging. The Walking Dead: where even the loneliest wolves can find their pack.

Little Details You Might Have Missed:

• Princess’s claustrophobia and her discomfort with being confined in the train car are linked to her past abuse, where her stepfather would lock her in a closet as punishment. It’s a subtle detail that adds depth to her character and her struggles. Princess: the survivor who’s carrying the weight of her past.
• The way Ezekiel interacts with objects in Princess’s hallucinations is a clever way of showing that he’s not really there. He only touches things that Princess has already touched, suggesting that he’s a projection of her own mind. Ezekiel: the figment of Princess’s imagination.
• The Commonwealth’s psychological tactics are a chilling reminder that there are different ways to control and manipulate people. Unlike the Saviors, who relied on brute force and intimidation, the Commonwealth uses isolation and mind games to break their captives’ spirits and make them more compliant. The Commonwealth: they’re not just soldiers; they’re puppeteers.

Stats and Stuff:

• Character Focus: Princess (Paola Lázaro) (she’s the star of the show!).
• Screen Time Dominance: 95% of the episode follows Princess’s perspective (it’s all about her!).
• Number of Hallucinations: 3 major ones (Ezekiel, the interrogation, and the soldier attack) (Princess’s mind is a wild place).
• Commonwealth Soldiers Seen: 3 (they’re not messing around).
• Lines of Dialogue from Other Main Characters: Less than 10 (Princess is carrying this episode on her shoulders).

My Final Verdict:

“Splinter” is a unique and emotionally powerful episode that delves deep into the psyche of one of “The Walking Dead’s” most intriguing characters. Princess’s struggles with trauma, isolation, and trust are both heartbreaking and relatable, and her journey towards healing and connection is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit can find a way to endure. This episode is a testament to the power of character-driven storytelling and the importance of exploring the psychological impact of the apocalypse. What did you think of the episode? Were you moved by Princess’s vulnerability? Let’s discuss in the comments!