In flashback, we see how John met Naomi, what happened and why she left.

My favourite episode of both Walking Dead shows is ‘Here’s Not Here’. It’s the fourth episode of Season 6 and explores what happened to Morgan between his appearance in Season 3 and his return in Season 5. It’s an extended episode, features an excellent guest turn from John Carroll Lynch and is, hands down, one of the best explorations of grief, anger and hope any genre TV show has ever done.

This is almost its equal.

Anna Fishko’s script is essentially a two hander, focussing on two of the most impressive members of either cast. Jenna Elfman, who let’s not forget was best known as Dharma in Dharma and Greg, is phenomenal as Naomi. She’s endlessly, justifiably cautious and is slowly brought out of herself by John without ever being ‘saved’ by him. There’s no nasty My Fair Lady narrative here. Rather, this is a story about two people horribly isolated by unimaginable tragedy, trying to decide if they want to face the future together rather than apart. One of them makes one call. The other makes a different one. Neither is in the wrong.

While the next episode provides some deep background for Naomi, this is functionally a John Dorie showcase and anyone who’s seen Garrett Dillahunt work before will know what good news that is. One of the finest actors of his generation, Dillahunt is handed a near impossible task here and achieves it completely. John is a cowboy in the most romantic, and yet grounded sense of the word. He’s hung up his guns because of a tragedy he has no blame whatsoever for, and his slow, reluctant call to arms mirrors Morgan’s in the earlier episode, albeit more overtly mythical in nature. The moment John picks his weapons up is a fantastic action beat but also has real emotional heft to it. This man’s life costs him, and the fact he does what he does anyway only emphasises his heroism.

It’s also worth noting that what could have been a profoundly creepy ‘romance’ is anything but. John and Naomi are together a short time in the most extreme circumstances and learn how to be people again because of each other. Like the friendship between Morgan and his teacher, there’s a time limit on that. Unlike that friendship, it doesn’t end in tragedy. At least not yet. Rather, the idea of a relationship is too big to deal with. And, as we find out next episode, Naomi has somewhere she needs to be.

The episode closes with John finishing his story to Morgan. It’s especially appropriate that the two men should be friends given how similar their pasts are, and it’s especially moving that it’s Morgan who gets the world’s most genial cowboy back on his feet. The world’s not done with either of these brave, compassionate men yet. And they aren’t done with it.

Verdict: Subtle, complex and beautifully acted this is a standout episode in a standout season. Excellent however you slice it. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart