'The Walking Dead' Season 5 Spoilers: Episode 11 'The Distance' Recap - Finally a True Haven?
Rick Grimes has trust issues – that is common knowledge for fans of the epic AMC TV series "The Walking Dead," now on its fifth season. After everything he and his group of survivors have gone through, giving his trust is not the easiest thing in the world for him to do.
This was put to the test once again during last Sunday's episode titled "The Distance" when a new character, Aaron, arrived promising them a safe place.
It should be remembered that things never really worked out well for Rick and company whenever they go to a supposed "safe place," with the exception of Herschel's farm and, for a time, the prison. But all throughout the series, from Woodbury and the Governor, to Terminus, where they were welcomed by cannibals, havens or sanctuaries have never been what they were cut out to be – safe.
In the ending of the previous episode titled "Them," Aaron approached Sasha and Maggie and asked for Rick by name.
In last Sunday's episode, it was revealed that Aaron had been on the streets, risking attacks from walkers (or roamers as he called them) to be able to recruit more people whom he wanted to bring back to his home, Alexandria. He saw Rick's group as being an asset to his self-imposed mission of starting life once again, mainly because they were tough, fearless and had stuck together under dire situations. He had been watching them and listening to them, assessing their suitability for staying in his hometown.
Rick's initial response was not all that positive. In fact, he hit Aaron and at one point threatened to kill him, saying, "Just because we're good people doesn't mean we won't kill you."
As Rick struggled to believe in Aaron's claims, Michonne stepped up to the plate and took on a more dominant stance without overstepping her boundaries. The group thankfully voted to try out Alexandria. Rick reluctantly agreed but remained unreasonable and seemed to do everything to not make it easy for everyone. At one point, he even endangered the lives of his fellow survivors.
It was during this point when Rick and his gang were able to save the life of Eric, Aaron's lover.
As the episode neared the end, there was a sense of hope. Rick mentioned that what struck him in Terminus and Woodbury before he entered them was the silence from the outside. As they stood on the ground just outside Alexandria, with Rick holding Judith, they heard the sound of children's laughter. The episode ended at that point.
Everyone will just need to stay tuned for the next episode of this season to see whether Alexandria will be a true haven for the group and whatever else will happen.