Ep 11. Claimed

After the shocking events of the previous episode, which saw various deaths and the group splitting up, "Claimed" further delves into the survival scenarios surrounding each individual character. The group continues to face new challenges as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world filled with both the undead and living threats.

This time around, the episode focuses on Rick, Michonne, and Carl. They find themselves in a house inhabited by some unknown men and have to manage to get past them. The situation gets tense as the men seem to have hostile intentions. Meanwhile, in their search for supplies, Glenn and Tara come across a new group of survivors, which leads to a number of surprises.

As the episode progresses, the tension only continues to rise. It becomes apparent that one of the main themes of this episode is the idea of claiming and holding territory. The group finds themselves in different situations where they have to fight to hold onto what they have claimed or make a new claim altogether.

The pacing of the episode is tight, with a number of intense action sequences and quieter character moments that offer further insight into the emotional and psychological toll that this world has taken on each of the characters. As is typical of the show, there are some moments of gore, but they are never gratuitous and always serve the story.

One of the standouts of this episode is the development between Rick and Michonne. After some initial tension between the two in prior episodes, this episode gives them the opportunity to bond. The characters have some quiet, poignant moments together where they share their fears and hopes. These moments help strengthen their friendship and make them even stronger allies in their fight for survival.

The episode also manages to introduce some new characters while still maintaining the core of the show's ensemble cast. These new characters add some intrigue to the episode, and it's unclear as to how they will factor into the overall story going forward.

Overall, "Claimed" is an excellent episode that showcases the strengths of the show. It balances intense action sequences with quieter character moments, all while pushing forward the larger narrative of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. The episode sets up some exciting possibilities for the future of the show, making it a must-watch for fans of The Walking Dead.