The Walking Dead Review: Squeeze (Season 10 Episode 9)
The walls feel like they’re closing in on The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 9, “Squeeze,” as our heroes find themselves on uncertain footing.
The episode takes advantage of its tight, claustrophobic setting to really constrict the characters and drive up tension, but there is a character problem at its center that really needs some addressing.
Carol’s characterization is growing more and more frustrating. Her defiance and multiple instances of putting everyone in danger are certainly backed up by the pain she feels over Henry, but at the same time, there’s a clear point where she promises Daryl in the caves that she’s done with running off and causing problems.
For her to then, on the same episode, run off with dynamite is a strand too far. Her immense guilt at the end of the episode comes as the realization point for her, but it should have been when Daryl warned her before. Their relationship is key for her, and the front half of the season holds a lot of progress to bring Carol back around from her grief, but this episode negates a ton of that progress.
More potential loss of life at the expense of her revenge should be the wake-up call she needs, but at this point, Carol’s need for revenge may leave her on a dark path. The very first moment of the episode is Carol roaring in rage at Alpha, after all, a direct sign of her headspace to start off the back half of the season.
It’s just that this doesn’t feel like the sorts of things Carol would do. She has been cunning and clever, having developed into a more-than-capable character over the years. Now, though, it feels as though all of that work is coming undone.
We don’t get to see the damage Carol’s dynamite causes, but given how the entire cave looks to be collapsing, perhaps it’s enough to put a major dent in the walker horde.
The episode does wonders with the claustrophobic setting. There are hints of the film The Descent with how constricting the tunnels are, using effective tight shots to draw attention to the performances and the score. The toughest moment to sit through is Jerry’s near-death experience when stuck, which is such an effective nerve-wracking experience.
Jerry has too many close calls on the episode, with not fitting well through the tunnels, through the walkers nearly getting his feet, and holding up the trunk and nearly getting swallowed up. It’s too much tension thrown his way. He’s too cool and kind a character to put through such unnerving ordeals. There’s a little bit of blood around the bite marks of his shoes, but hopefully that’s walker blood and not a hint.
Losing Magna and Connie to the cave-in puts a lot of pressure on Daryl, Kelly, and potentially Yumiko, especially with Magna feeling the need to make things right after their argument. It’s not clear yet if Yumiko will join the recovery team, but Daryl’s immediate jump to action may be enough to find them, especially if there are separate exits that the Whisperers used.
Both Magna and Connie have a lot of character potential, so losing them to a cave-in would be a loss of two exciting performers that bring new perspectives to the show.
Alpha’s mating rituals with Negan is one of the strangest moments The Walking Dead has gone for in recent memory. Her “reward” to Negan puts a different perspective on the latrine conversation, as her immediate threat is to his manhood; it’s hard to tell so far if Alpha is attracted to him, or if her use of the word “reward” is another one of her animal-like views.
Gamma’s unveiling as a spy comes rather fast and suddenly, given that the ink is barely dry on that being the case. Maybe Gamma will join up with Lydia, who is still out there somewhere. Now that Aaron is free, he may be the one to try and bring Gamma in and turn her fully.
The show is creating a smart canvas of knives all being out for Alpha, at this point. Every major character, apart from Beta, has a reason to take her down, and it will come down to who’s in the best position. Most bets are on Negan, now that he’s growing closer, but Carol and Lydia are definitely top contenders, too.
The Walking Dead Season 10 Episode 9, “Squeeze,” places major roadblocks on our heroes, but it’s struggling with its interpretation of Carol. It’s doing a good job to make her unreliable and emotionally devastated, but given all she’s been through and grown over the ten seasons, it feels as though she’s been through this sort of thing already, especially with Sophia back during season two.
This isn’t a problem of bad writing or the show messing up, to be fair. It’s where Carol’s character doesn’t quite feel the same anymore. Henry’s death is a solid catalyst for taking her character in a new direction, but for now, Carol doesn’t appear too interested in growing past her grief and anger. But hopefully, the show can bring Carol back around and redeem her.
While the episode may struggle with Carol, the great work of the production team makes the caves a horrific locale that leaves dread and terror only a few feet away in the dark. The episode is setting up where the rest of the season is heading, and for that, it’s a successful addition.
Some stray thoughts on the episode:
- Aaron gets to use his mace accessory more on the episode, which is always welcome. It comes in handy as a useful way to pick away at rock, too, making it a contender for best weapon on the show.
- The shot of Daryl on the rock with all of the walkers surrounding him may be one of the coolest images the show has gone for in a while.
What did you think of this episode of The Walking Dead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.