Ep 12. Remember

Alexandria, the relatively safe haven, is the backdrop for this episode. So far, the group of survivors consisting of Rick and his friends have experienced nothing but loss, betrayal and a series of challenges in a world dominated by flesh-eating walkers. However, their luck seems to turn around once they enter Alexandria, a community of well-armed and educated people.

In the beginning of the episode, our group is unsure of what to make of their new surroundings. They are shown in contrast to Alexandria's resident community, which seems ignorant of the situation that Rick's group has been facing in the world outside their gates. They take long, hot showers, wear clean clothes, and eat luxurious meals. The community leaders Deanna and her spouse, Reg introduce them to what Alexandria can offer them — a safe and secure environment, fresh vegetables, a brand new house, and the chance to live like they did before the outbreak.

Carol, the group's matriarch starts poking around in her new kitchen with her keen sense of awareness, and soon the true nature of these seemingly safe people starts to unravel. She notices the other women of the community are only tasked with cooking and cleaning, while the men are given jobs that require mechanical skills. Additionally, she observes a young boy who seems quite out of place, and his mother, Jessie, seems to be living in fear of her husband.

Throughout the episode, Deanna and her family try to assess Rick and his group's skillset in order to make a decision about whether or not to let them stay in Alexandria. We also see how each member of the group is coping differently, with some sinking into the comfort of the community, and others questioning their new neighbors' motives. Meanwhile, Michonne and Carl discover some unique hidden areas of Alexandria that nobody else knows about, which leads them to come across some valuable resources.

Towards the end of the episode, Rick's experience with survival leads him to believe that Alexandria is not as safe as it may seem, and that the residents of the community have grown too complacent. As Rick leads the group on a scouting mission to investigate the extent of the community's security measures, including their fence and watchtower, Carol and Daryl continue gathering intel by snooping through the town's houses. As a result, they find that Alexandria has flaws and that their commitment to self-preservation is weaker than the group anticipated.

Overall, "Remember" is an episode of The Walking Dead that explores the weary, cautious attitude of survivors who have experienced near death countless times. In contrast to the recent episodes where death and zombies have regularly bombarded the group, this episode provides a needed break with a lull in action and tension. Nevertheless, it is still suspenseful as viewers are left to ponder what the future holds for Rick's group, who find themselves in this supposedly safe community.