The Walking Dead‘s history with flashbacks has been inconsistent, to say the least. So, when the first few shots of Abraham’s initial post-apocalyptic days appeared, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of trepidation. Flashbacks can be challenging to execute effectively in any show without feeling manipulative or like an afterthought to fill in character details. However, “Self Help” proved to be another pleasant surprise in The Walking Dead‘s fifth season, providing emotional context to one of the show’s most crucial yet unexplored relationships and offering a deeper understanding of the characters involved.
From Laughable to Layered: Eugene and Abraham’s Evolution
Up until this point, Eugene and Abraham were almost comical characters, defined by their shared mission and physical attributes. They were the most comic book-like duo since Rick donned his sheriff badge and cowboy hat in the show’s pilot. Although they weren’t terrible characters, they were thinly defined by their quest to reach D.C. “Self Help” focuses on Eugene but explores his character through the lens of Abraham, cleverly connecting their desperation through a fateful post-apocalyptic encounter.
As the episode unfolds, we see the dramatic ironies of Eugene and Abraham’s relationship. Eugene, too cowardly to face the zombie apocalypse alone, assumes another identity, much like other characters have done throughout the show’s five seasons. In a way, he was like Rick the Farmer: a man convincing the world of a lie he wanted to believe himself. Their lies inspired other characters, such as Glen, Carol, and Maggie, to become more independent when Rick stepped down. In Eugene’s case, he gave Abraham a reason to live, allowing him to distance himself from the terrible truths he faced at home.
A Greek Tragedy in the Zombie Apocalypse
What truly amazes me about “Self Help” is how it delivers this story. Although Eugene’s dialogue can be a bit pointed at times, the episode effectively utilizes Abraham’s flashbacks to reveal the wound that he can never close. It’s a microscopic Greek tragedy, complete with a philosophical ending. As Eugene lies on the ground, possibly dying, Abraham drops to his knees, and the episode closes with the moment they first met. Do the two men need each other now more than they did then, or was their union just the catalyst for unnecessary death and destruction?
This balance between nihilism and hope is what fans have been craving since the early seasons of The Walking Dead. The show has managed to find small rays of light scattered across the bleak landscape of towns overrun with zombies. Community and togetherness have become significant themes, as evidenced by Father Gabriel’s story and the “Sick – Let Them Die” sign outside the shuttered-down building Abraham and his group pass. The idea of community being a good thing has been explored in previous iterations of the show, but the new TWD has distilled these ideas down to their very essence, giving us stories like Gabriel’s and Abraham/Eugene’s to show the stark differences between an individual’s selfishness and the sacrifices a community will make when united.
Eugene remembers the names of every person who has died for his lie, a powerful reminder of what people are capable of when they come together. At the same time, both he and Abraham exist as examples of the fragile balance between maintaining our humanity through unity and wallowing in the broken nature of who we are alone. It’s this powerful message, delivered through a flashback, that drives home the core elements of tonight’s episode, another stellar entry in what’s quickly become the show’s best season.
Photo via AMC
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