We finally learn who took Beth, as we encounter yet another post-apocalyptic society run by crazy people.

Title: “Slabtown”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Michael Satrazemis
Written by Matthew Negrete

Emily Kinney as Beth Greene
Melissa Suzanne McBride as Carol Peletier
Christine Woods as Officer Dawn Lerner
Keisha Castle-Hughes as Joan (for some reason, the imdb currently identifies her as “Amber.”)
Tyler James Williams as Noah
Erik Jensen as Dr. Steven Edwards
Cullen Moss as Michael Alexander
Ricky Wayne as Officer Gorman
Teri Wyble as Offficer Shepherd
Amber Dawn Fox as Officer Bello

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

Beth wakes up in a hospital where another society has developed that may not be what it seems— or, it may be entirely what it seems.

High Points

Beth has experienced difficulty finding her place in this apocalyptic setting, and few viewers were surprised when she disappeared entirely. Here, she must carry an entire episode, and Emily Kinney proves equal to the task.

I find Slabtown an interesting society. It offers some commentary on first world / third world perceptions of the world—consider Dr. Edwards’ view of circumstances. It also examines how, in politics and other aspects of life, we plead necessity when we engage in acts of tyranny….

Low Point

But I’m not entirely certain how it functions, without it being a kind of “Second Order Idiot Crazy Person Society.” That is, if a Second Order Idiot Society functions because everyone in it is necessarily an idiot, this one functions because everyone is necessarily crazy (which is not entirely impossible, I suppose). I’d be very interested in seeing what role the technical people have in the balance of power, given that someone has been keeping a fleet of cars and the hospital generators functional for some time.

The Scores

Originality: 2/6 Do you think we might have one Walking Dead society that sort of functions weaving our worst impulses into its constituent fabric?

Effects: 5/6 They do zombies right. Check out Z Nation if you’re not convinced.

Story: 4/6

Acting: 5/6 Emily Kinney gets another turn to shine.

Emotional Response: 5/6 While it’s not the strongest episode, it did create a strong sense of suspense without relying excessively on zombie threats.

Production: 5/6

Overall: 5/6

In total, “Slabtown” receives 31/42

Final Comments

It looks as though we have to wait a couple of weeks before we find out who was walking behind Daryl. Even with the uncertainty regarding the two stories’ timelines, it seems unlikely it could be Beth or Carol.

Noah is unlikely, but not entirely out of the question.