Rick and Jadis come to an arrangement. Eugene and Dwight do the same. It’s a dead heat as to which is the least happy about it.

There’s a lot to enjoy here, not the least of which is Rick using a tethered Walker as an unusually bitey mace. It’s a nice demonstration of his mind set too; use the tools at hand, get the job done. One which Daryl and Tara also use, to much less success.

And Eugene too.

Eugene gets a lot of screen time this episode and for some people that’s a deal breaker. But it’s fascinating, gripping stuff as he wrestles with the fact he is far less craven an individual than he’s decided he is. Josh McDermitt has one of the toughest jobs in this cast; simultaneously being comic relief and an emotional core and this episode sees him turn in some of his best work. You won’t be a fan of Eugene by the time it ends. But you will understand him far more.

There’s great work from Austin Amelio as Dwight too. But what really works here is the way none of these characters have read the script. Rick doesn’t know about Daryl’s truck. Daryl doesn’t know Rick’s been captured. Eugene doesn’t know what’s coming. All they’re doing is acting to the best of their abilities and it doesn’t end well for any of them.

Or, as we see next week, for anyone else.

Verdict: Not a massive impact episode then but an impressive, event heavy one with lots to do for some of the cast’s best members. Nicely done all round. 8/10

Alasdair Stuart