I’ll say from the start that I’m not one of those fans with a problem with Beth; I actually like her character.  Nor am I particularly upset when the writers defy my expectations, as they certainly did with this episode.  I was expecting Beth’s abduction to be a lead-in for what became the next major arc in the source material.  Unless I’m missing something obvious, that’s not what this was, and more to the point, it’s hard to imagine how this fits into the overall scheme of where the show is going.

 

My interpretation is that this episode was meant to be a break for the regular cast, and also an episode that could be filmed independently for production considerations.  Until the very end, which seems to establish this as a flashback episode, Beth was the only familiar face.  The entire episode is spent in a situation that is so disconnected to the rest of the narrative, and so vague in its details, that all the appreciation of Beth and countered expectations in the world couldn’t overcome the tedium.

 

Considering that Dawn lied through her teeth about the circumstances of Beth’s arrival in Atlanta, and therefore the reason why she was “saved”, I have to wonder if we are going to be seeing another episode where Carol and Beth take down Dawn’s operation and learn Dawn’s true intentions in the process.  Or will they simply leave it as is, having implied that Carol’s arrival led to the hospital’s downfall and Beth’s return to Team Grimes?  I’d prefer the second option, but since this feels like the in-universe means of giving the main cast a break (as happened with the Governor arc in the third season), I’m guessing it will be the former.

 

As great as it was to see the familiar sight of the Marriot (and get mention of the Hyatt), the episode needed more than oblique callouts to DragonCon.  For example, the whole “pay off your debt” concept was irritating for its lack of details, and not once did Beth do the logical thing and demand to know precisely what the rate of exchange entailed.  The script hinted at terrible things happening to keep the peace and order within the hospital, but that’s about it.  Not to mention that Beth ought to have realized, sooner or later, that if Dawn’s people could get out and about to rescue people, there was obviously a way to escape the hospital, regardless of what Dr. Stevens said!

 

I’m sure part of my disappointment with the episode is the realization that the next big story arc from the source material is, in fact, going to be delayed until the second half of the season, at least.  It’s not necessary, and more to the point, it keeps the characters in a precariously unsettled state that feels less like a plan and more like rudderless writing.  Logically, the threat to the overall impression of the series is minimal; everyone knows that the writers can take their time, since there are plenty of seasons to come.  But that all said, this season has been slipping slowly but surely since the premiere, and arriving at a solid narrative point could give them the grounding they need to return to form.