The Walking Dead Season 5 Finale Review: 'Conquer' Brings Rick Grimes to Turning Point

AMC's The Walking Dead aired its Season 5 finale, "Conquer," on Sunday night with a super-sized 90-minute episode. It wasn't the most explosive finale, but it did set the table for Season 6 and cause some serious problems inside the walls of Alexandria.

After Rick's outburst last week, things were tense in the community. The Ricktatorship was ready to roll through and threaten to slaughter the Alexandrians if they tried to boot Mr. Grimes outside the walls. But that turned out not to be necessary thanks to some boneheaded actions by Deanna's son and Father Gabriel, who left the front gate wide open for zombies to walk right on in.

Rick dramatically dumped the walker corpse into the center of the meeting to decide his fate and not-so-calmly informed the residents of Alexandria that they are all a bunch of weak people who probably shouldn't even be alive right now. The Ricktatorship was once again in full force, with a bloodied and almost sociopathic Rick telling the Alexandrians that it's his way or the highway.

Enter Pete, who accidentally slits the throat of Deanna's husband, Reg, with Michonne's sword. Deanna, angry and in tears, simply tells Rick to do it, and he blows Pete away without a moment's hesitation. At that moment, Daryl and Aaron show up with Morgan, Rick's old friend who had been searching for him for months.

This was not the most exciting cliffhanger in terms of plot, but for characterization, it really hit the mark. At the beginning of the series, Rick fought to hold onto his humanity, while Morgan showed him what the world had become and how to survive in it. Now, Rick is the brutal pragmatist who will do whatever it takes to survive, while Morgan believes in an "all life is precious" philosophy.

So imagine the thoughts running through the head of Morgan, who finally finds Rick Grimes, only to see him put a bullet in a man's head while covered in blood. The staredown between the two at the end of the episode served as a crystalizing moment for Rick, who laid eyes on his old friend and likely realized just what he has become after the events with the Governor and Terminus and the Alexandrians. Could this be a turning point that makes Rick more human and less beast in Season 6?

The conflicts scattered throughout the rest of the episode happened with varying degrees of success. Sasha and Father Gabriel deserve each other, as one does nothing but struggle with being alive, while the other is a sniveling coward who doesn't deserve to be inside Alexandria's walls.

Daryl and Aaron had a strong subplot together, as Daryl was ready to sacrifice himself for Aaron to get to safety. The two happened upon Morgan, whom they ultimately brought into Alexandria.

Nicholas, another waste of space, tried to kill Glenn, who might actually be immortal. He fought off three zombies with a bullet wound after he had just been in a fist fight. The kid is unstoppable. He also probably should have killed Nicholas, who does nothing but consume natural resources that would be better spent on other people.

"Conquer" was a solid ending for Season 5 of The Walking Dead, and hopefully Season 6 kicks off with a hot start to keep things moving.

Notes:

- "Come at me." Carol is terrifying. I am now scared every time I see Melissa McBride, who by all accounts is the sweetest woman.

- "Because these people are children, and children like stories." Carol is also awesome.

- Pete wasted a perfectly good casserole.

- Is Rick now more or less likely to get with Jessie after killing her husband right in front of her?

- Abraham's speech was eloquent.

What did you think of The Walking Dead Season 5 finale? Let us know in the comments section.