A Tale of Two Cities

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair." — Charles Dickens, "A Tale of Two Cities."

One of my favorite books from high school was "A Tale of Two Cities." I loved the story and found it fascinating, but I especially love the opening line. I couldn't help but think of that description as I watched the latest installment of "The Walking Dead" Sunday.

The show is racing toward its mid-season finale (next Sunday), and the anticipated clash of the two survivor groups. On the one hand there's Woodbury, run by The Governor (pictured above), which seems like an idyllic safe haven in a world gone mad. From the outside it looks like a little piece of paradise carved out of the ruin of society. At least it does to most the find refuge there, including Andrea.

But in reality, that facade is just the cover that protects the vicious Governor and his band of ruffians. Beneath the facade is something sinister, which Glenn and Maggie are learning all about. It's not what it appears to be, but rather is an elaborate fantasy that allows the cruel remaining in the world to exert power, control, and influence.

Then there's the prison. What better metaphor for the destruction of civilization than the idea that one of the only places of refuge left in the world is a prison. There we have Rick and his road-weary group. They appear to be in a dark, desolate place. But that facade can obscure the truth of their group — which is a loving bond that helps fuel them toward survival.

The group in the prison may have no illusions about the state of their surroundings, but they're bonded to each other on the journey. What they have is real, powerful, and a rare commodity in a world as warped and ruined as the one in "The Walking Dead."

What will be fascinating — as these worlds finally collide — is to see if any of that lightness can survive in a world as dark as this. Given my theories on the show, my guess is no.