The Walking Dead: 6 Things "Crossed" Got Right (And 4 It Didn't)

The Bad

4. SYMBOLISM!

There are some things the makers of The Walking Dead are very good at, and others they should stay away from at all costs. They're certainly getting better when it comes to dialogue, pacing, and characterisation, but they've still got a ways to go when it comes to the things like symbolism. The weakest part of Crossed was the D story back at the church, where Carl and Michonne are literally left holding the baby, and priest Gabriel has a crisis of faith. The man of God realising that his beliefs might not be all that in the face of overwhelming horror is a trope that's been done to death, and done much better than it is here. Especially because almost every beat of his story is shouldered not by his performance, but through heavy-handed symbolism. Arguably the use of symbols and signifiers for a subplot hinging on religious faith is entirely apposite, especially when their meanings are so obvious and devoid of any subtext: the chopping up of the pews to better barricade the church whilst he looks on, saddened, wondering if it's really necessary was one thing, having him struggle to kill a walker because she's wearing a crucifix pendant is another. He's literally wrestling with his faith, see? Do you get it? A faith transformed by extraordinary circumstances?