“First Time Again,” the season 6 premiere of The Walking Dead, explodes onto the screen with a bifurcated narrative: one in stark black and white, showing the immediate aftermath of the events leading to the discovery of a massive walker horde contained within a quarry, and the other in vivid color, depicting the arduous and ultimately disastrous plan to divert that horde away from Alexandria. The episode is fundamentally about Rick Grimes’s increasingly authoritarian leadership and the tensions that arise as he struggles to unite a community of traumatized Alexandrians with his more hardened group of survivors in the face of an overwhelming external threat.
The Quarry Unleashed: A Horde on the Horizon
The premiere wastes no time in establishing the stakes. The quarry, containing a seemingly endless mass of walkers, represents an existential threat to Alexandria. This threat isn’t merely hypothetical; the noise of construction in Alexandria has already begun to stir the walkers, pushing them towards the weakest points in the town’s defenses. Rick, having wrested control from Deanna Monroe, recognizes the gravity of the situation and immediately takes charge. He understands that the Alexandrians, still clinging to a semblance of their pre-apocalyptic lives, are utterly unprepared for the sheer scale of the danger.
Diverting the Threat: A Risky Plan
Rick proposes a bold, albeit risky, plan: to lure the walkers away from Alexandria using noise and a series of strategically placed barricades. This plan requires the Alexandrians to trust in Rick’s judgment and, more importantly, to actively participate in their own survival. However, many Alexandrians, including Carter, challenge Rick’s leadership and question the feasibility of his methods. This internal conflict becomes a central theme of the episode, highlighting the divide between Rick’s pragmatic ruthlessness and the Alexandrians’ lingering naivete. The plan itself is complex and fraught with potential for failure, reliant on perfect timing and execution from a group that is, at best, inexperienced.
Black and White Foreshadowing: The Aftermath Unveiled
The use of black and white cinematography during flashbacks serves to heighten the sense of urgency and dread. It hints at the eventual failure of the plan, demonstrating the immediate consequences of a critical misstep. These flashbacks offer crucial context, showing the growing distrust of Rick, the anxieties of the Alexandrians, and the meticulous planning that went into the walker diversion. We see the cracks forming in the facade of unity, foreshadowing the events that will ultimately lead to chaos. These scenes also emphasize the moral complexities of Rick’s leadership, forcing viewers to question whether his methods, while effective, are truly justified.
Key Characters and Their Arcs
Several characters experience significant development in this episode, setting the stage for their arcs throughout the season.
Rick Grimes: The Reluctant Leader
Rick, now firmly in control, grapples with the burden of leadership. He is no longer just a survivor; he is responsible for the lives of an entire community. He tries to integrate the Alexandrians, but his patience wears thin with their reluctance to embrace the harsh realities of their world. His interactions with Morgan reveal a continuing struggle with his past actions and a yearning for a more peaceful future, even as he recognizes the impossibility of achieving it.
Morgan Jones: A New Philosophical Challenge
Morgan’s return presents a philosophical counterpoint to Rick’s hardened pragmatism. He struggles to reconcile his newfound pacifism with the brutal violence that seems necessary for survival. His presence forces Rick to confront the moral implications of his actions and question whether there is a better way. Their contrasting ideologies represent a central conflict within the show’s overall narrative, exploring the tension between preserving humanity and succumbing to the savagery of the apocalypse.
The Alexandrians: Forced to Adapt
The Alexandrians, initially resistant to Rick’s methods, are slowly forced to adapt. They witness the sheer scale of the walker horde and begin to understand the gravity of their situation. Some, like Heath, show promise, demonstrating a willingness to learn from Rick’s experience. Others, like Carter, remain skeptical and resistant, creating internal friction that threatens to undermine the entire plan. This episode serves as a crucible, forging the Alexandrians into a more resilient and resourceful community, albeit through painful and terrifying experiences.
The Cliffhanger: A Shattered Plan
The episode ends with a jarring disruption of the plan. A loud horn, originating from an unknown source within Alexandria, unexpectedly draws a significant portion of the walker horde back towards the town. The plan, painstakingly crafted and meticulously executed, begins to unravel in an instant. This cliffhanger leaves viewers in suspense, wondering about the source of the horn and the fate of Alexandria. It emphasizes the unpredictable nature of the apocalypse and the constant threat that lurks around every corner.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions surrounding The Walking Dead season 6 episode 1:
H3 Why is the episode called “First Time Again”?
The title “First Time Again” refers to the resetting of Alexandria and the necessity for the survivors, both from Rick’s group and the Alexandrians, to learn how to live in this new, even more dangerous reality. It highlights the idea that survival is not a one-time achievement but a continuous process of adaptation and reevaluation.
H3 What is the significance of the black and white scenes?
The black and white scenes serve as flashforwards, showing the immediate aftermath of the events unfolding in color. They create a sense of dramatic irony, as the audience knows that something has gone wrong even as the characters are still attempting to execute their plan. They also add a layer of suspense and mystery to the narrative.
H3 Who is Carter and why is he so opposed to Rick?
Carter represents the resistance to change within Alexandria. He embodies the fear and naivete of the Alexandrians who are unwilling to embrace the harsh realities of their new world. He opposes Rick because he sees him as a threat to their established way of life, a figure who demands they abandon their pre-apocalyptic ideals.
H3 What is Morgan’s new philosophy and how does it impact his relationship with Rick?
Morgan has adopted a pacifistic philosophy, believing that all life is precious and that violence should be avoided whenever possible. This clashes directly with Rick’s pragmatic ruthlessness, creating tension and forcing both characters to confront their own beliefs. It also acts as an important philosophical debate within the series.
H3 What is the walker horde’s estimated size in the quarry?
While the exact number is never stated, the horde is estimated to be in the thousands, possibly tens of thousands. This vast number underscores the overwhelming threat they pose to Alexandria and the sheer scale of the challenge facing Rick and his group.
H3 Why does Rick trust Daryl and Abraham with the walker diversion?
Rick trusts Daryl and Abraham because they have proven themselves to be capable and reliable survivors. They understand the dangers of the walker apocalypse and are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their group. Their loyalty and experience make them essential to the success of the plan.
H3 What role does Deanna Monroe play in this episode?
Deanna, while no longer in direct control, still holds a position of respect within Alexandria. She observes Rick’s leadership and begins to understand the necessity of his methods. She recognizes the need for Alexandria to adapt and is willing to support Rick, even if she doesn’t always agree with his decisions.
H3 What is the significance of the construction noise in Alexandria?
The construction noise is a catalyst for the events of the episode. It alerts the walkers in the quarry, causing them to stir and move closer to Alexandria. This highlights the unintended consequences of their attempts to rebuild and underscores the constant threat that lurks just outside their walls.
H3 Who blew the horn and why?
The source of the horn is revealed later in the season to be the Wolves, a savage group of survivors who are attacking Alexandria. The horn is part of their plan to draw the walkers towards the town and overwhelm its defenses.
H3 What is the impact of this episode on Alexandria’s defenses?
The episode reveals the vulnerabilities in Alexandria’s defenses. The quarry, while initially containing the walkers, proves to be a ticking time bomb. The noise and the weaknesses in the surrounding areas highlight the need for constant vigilance and adaptation. The compromised defenses pave the way for future attacks.
H3 What are the main themes explored in “First Time Again”?
The main themes include leadership, trust, adaptation, and the morality of survival. The episode explores the complexities of leading a group in a post-apocalyptic world, the importance of trust and cooperation, the necessity of adapting to ever-changing circumstances, and the difficult moral choices that must be made to ensure survival.
H3 How does this episode set the stage for the rest of season 6?
“First Time Again” establishes the major conflicts and challenges that will drive the narrative throughout the season. It introduces the threat of the walker horde, the internal divisions within Alexandria, the philosophical clashes between Rick and Morgan, and the impending attack by the Wolves. The episode sets the stage for a season filled with tension, action, and moral ambiguity.