Strangers (The Walking Dead)

"Strangers" is the second episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on October 19, 2014. It was written by Robert Kirkman and directed by David Boyd.

The episode primarily focuses on the core group of survivors as they continue their journey after escaping Terminus. Rick Grimes, still wary after their experience, debates whether to trust new faces they encounter. They are met by Father Gabriel Stokes, a priest who seems harmless but harbors a dark secret.

The group debates the trustworthiness of Gabriel and eventually decides to stay with him at his seemingly safe, but ultimately vulnerable, church. Meanwhile, tensions rise as they try to determine their next move and cope with the lingering trauma from Terminus.

A significant portion of the episode involves searching for food and supplies. This leads to an encounter with walkers in a grocery store, during which Bob Stookey is bitten. While the bite itself initially seems contained, the episode concludes with Bob being abducted by Gareth and the remaining Terminus survivors, who reveal they have been eating his leg after amputating it. This cliffhanger sets the stage for the conflict to escalate significantly in subsequent episodes.

Themes explored in "Strangers" include trust, redemption, and the lengths people will go to survive in a world ravaged by the undead. It delves into the moral complexities of the characters, forcing them to question their own values and the decisions they make to protect themselves and their group. The episode highlights the constant threat of both the undead and other survivors, blurring the lines between friend and foe.