Can't wander alone

"The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” — Genesis 2:18

Since the beginning, it's been clear that mankind wasn't meant to walk alone. Whether it's trying to make it through a hectic week, or trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, life's better when you have someone in your life.

I love the movie "Up In The Air," which is essentially an argument for single life and going it alone. But near the end, even George Clooney's character comes to realize that is a tiring, futile, and ultimately lonely existence. He tells is future brother-in-law, "Life's better with company."

Last night "The Walking Dead" returned from a two-month hiatus. At the outset of the fourth season, Rick, Carl and the rest of the gang had settled into a comfortable life at the prison. There was disease and danger around every corner, but they had each other. They had the life they'd fought to build. And that was enough. But as the eighth episode closed, that world came crashing down. In a hail of mis-placed loyalty and bullets, the Governor crashed the gates and left the group scattered to the wind.

As this episode picked up, Michone seemed to return to her old ways, using walkers as protection to navigate the world alone. She didn't have connection before, and sought to return to that life. But a funny thing happened. She was haunted by memories of the life she'd lost and realized she didn't want to be alone. When, at the end of the episode, she spotted Carl and Rick, the tears she let fly were of pure joy. She no longer had to walk the world alone, and she realized she no longer wanted to.

At the same time, young Carl spent much of the episode feeling his oats. His father was badly injured and mostly unable to respond. Carl explored, fended for himself, unleashed is rage on his comatose father, and declared that he didn't need anyone. Only that wasn't true. In the moment he thought he'd lost his father, his tears were that of a scared child. He realized he couldn't do it on his own either.

Some might quibble with the episode. It was a bit esoteric and dry at times. It was light on big action, but the dovetailing of the story lines was beautiful. The world might be coming to an end, but our needs remain the same. We need each other to survive for so many reasons.

As they said in "Up In The Air," "Life's better with company."