For those viewers unfamiliar with the comics and who are having the pleasure of enjoying this story for the first time, the revelation that Alexandria (by all appearances) actually is a safe place may have been a bit surprising, especially when considering the survivors' track record. Earlier in the episode, during a tender moment between Michonne and Rick, the former police officer asks his trusted friend what she heard the first time she approached the prison and Terminus, to which she replies "nothing". This moment is revisited when Rick pulls up to the gate at Alexandria, paranoid and on high alert for any signs of attack, and upon lowering his window he hears a noise that hasn't been heard in a long time - the sounds of happy children. Rick's fiercely erected wall of protection is lowered, in hopes that he can replace it with the physical walls of Alexandria. This was a very good instalment in the latter half of season five, and the first time there's been any real progression since the end of Coda, so hopefully we're back on track. What did you think of The Distance? Let us know in the comments below.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
