The Walking Dead 'Try' Review: Rick Grimes Loses His Mind

AMC's The Walking Dead aired its penultimate Season 5 episode on Sunday, and "Try" brought the situation in Alexandria between Rick's group and the native residents to a head.

We've been saying for weeks, ever since the Ricktatorship rolled into the walls of Alexandria, that these survivors outside the walls would be the ones to cause any problems that might occur inside those walls. Sure, the Alexandrians are weak, sheltered, and pathetic in a lot of ways. But they're also peaceful and generally stable. Rick and his crew came in like a group of soldiers with PTSD ready to strike at a moment's notice.

But here's the thing. Rick is actually right. Life inside Alexandria is just the same as life outside those walls. Alexandria just has better amenities and a nice shiny coat of paint. When Rick told Deanna that something needed to be done about Pete beating his wife and kids and even suggested executing him, he was correct. The problem is that he came off like a raving lunatic, and Deanna was appalled by the suggestion. Keep in mind also that, in the show's time, Deanna just heard Father Gabriel warn her that Rick and his group were dangerous psychopaths.

The other component to Rick's actions throughout the episode are his feelings for Jessie. The two have not had any really memorable moments as far as chemistry, aside from their few flirtations here and there. But it's clear Rick sees in her what he lost in Lori several seasons ago, and he wants it again. The Ricktatorship has no concern that she's married.

Many fans have noted how Rick is essentially turning into Shane way back in Season 2. He's become ruthless and willing to do whatever is necessary to survive and advance. Let's add "wants another man's wife" to the list of character traits they now share. Don't be surprised if Rick starts rubbing the back of his head next week.

All of this led to the final scene in which Rick and Pete got into a brawl inside the latter's house. The fight spilled into the street with both men bloodied and everyone standing around them. Rick shoved away his own son when he tried to break up the fight, and Pete knocked Jessie down for her troubles, too. Deanna finally intervened and seems poised to exile Rick (and possibly the rest of the group) from the community.

Andrew Lincoln absolutely nailed this scene, and it was some of his strongest work to date on the series. He looked like a damn lunatic in that scene covered in blood and threatening the people of Alexandria with his gun. He was practically Patrick Bateman.

This was the tipping point we had been waiting for since Rick's group arrived at Alexandria. Deanna's son had been killed under Glenn's watch. Rick is beating ciizens to a pulp. Gabriel told Deanna to keep an eye on Rick's crew. Everything is coming to a head.

And then Michonne knocked Rick out cold as if to say "Don't screw this up for us." We'll see if the damage he did is irreparable next week in the Season 5 finale.

Notes:

- Rick is the luckiest fighter in the world. He's like an average UFC fighter who somehow has an undefeated record.

- Carol was all kinds of okay with Rick beating Pete to a pulp.

- Nicholas is totally going to shoot Glenn with Rick's hidden gun from the woods.

- Carl and Enid sittin' in a tree, K-I-S...you know the rest.

- Who did Daryl and Aaron see in the woods? Morgan? The Wolves?

What did you think of "Try"? Let us know in the comments section.