The Walking Dead: 15 Best Episodes

8. Beside The Dying Fire - S2 E13

Walking Dead finales shuffle the pack, as the producers cull characters, scatter others, and bring new partnerships to the fore. Beside The Dying Fire takes place immediately after Shane's death, as the group scrambles away from Hershel's farm, engulfed by walkers and flames. It went to prove that no land, regardless of how safe it seems, is truly impenetrable, and there's also a thought of wherever people are, trouble will follow, another subtle hint that humans are the real disease. But despite the action, the episode handles the emotional issues flowing through the fragile camp, with Rick admitting to killing Shane, explaining his reasoning, and also ending the group as a democracy. Rick was always in contention at the top of the hierarchy, but following the death of Shane, his claim for command became unrivalled, starting his true reign of the group.