“Here’s Not Here” really feels like it could be the title of the entire sixth season thus far. Each episode has been better than the last with “Here’s Not Here” being one of the best episodes in the show’s entire run. It’s funny how Morgan-centric episodes end up being among the best of the series -- “Clear,” in which this episode takes place directly soon after, was the last Morgan-centric. “Here’s Not Here” was a shrewd episode that caught the audience up on part of Morgan’s journey to Alexandria and where his new non-killing philosophy came from in an emotionally powerful episode.
Morgan is a broken, half-crazed man at the beginning of “Here’s Not Here.” He is more far gone than in the foregone “Clear,” as he purposefully burns his stronghold down while yelling nonsense to himself about his code and way of life. It seems his purpose is to clear everything -- zombies, humans, whatever -- from the world to secure his safety. And so he does. Setting up traps, smashing skulls, killing two not evil wanderers in the woods in an attempt to clear the area of threats. With some clever effects where the edges of the frame were blurred to show an intense and enraged Morgan, the audience knew exactly who this crazed Morgan was.
And in a world in which you can never depend on the kindness of strangers, it was that very kindness that brought Morgan back from the brink of insanity. Morgan meets Eastman, a lone survivor with a bit of a dark past. Despite Morgan’s repeated efforts to attack Eastman, he defeats him in fights and tries to bring Morgan back from the precipice of insanity. Eastman’s character was very well drawn and a very refreshing change from the typical TWD character. His is powerful but also kind and has a code that is much more complex than survival at any cost. He took revenge on a prisoner who broke out of jail specifically to kill his family because Eastman was able to recognize the prisoner as being a true psychopath (Eastman was a forensic psychologist), so he has come to the realization that all life is sacred. Luckily zombies are not alive to him, though he does give them a proper burial after he dispenses them with the art of Aikido.
It seems any episode in which Morgan is the focus ends up being great, which is a combination of very good writing for the “special” episode and the range of Lennie James. He can play quiet intensity and insane range all within a single scene. He can be serene when fighting and fierce when contemplating. The interplay between James and John Carroll Lynch (a face you immediately recognize that always plays supporting or bit roles) allowed both actors to freely maneuver across the emotional spectrum. They had some subtle chemistry that worked very well between their dynamic of Eastman as the master and Morgan as the student.
The fact that this episode had a longer run time, “Here’s Not Here” ran an hour and a half as opposed to the typical hour, allowed for Morgan’s story/evolution to be unrushed. There was more than enough time seeing Morgan’s crazed clearing persona weathered down until he is able to possibly accept Eastman’s teachings. Once Morgan had accepted Eastman’s teachings there was also enough time for him to turn back into that former persona just long enough to realize that is not who he was nor wanted to be. Eastman saving his life and ultimately meeting his demise from a zombie who Morgan had killed in the beginning of the episode, who caused Morgan to freeze, was a nice touch as well.
There is a lot that can be said for “Here’s Not Here” but it truly is an excellent episode that should be watched first instead of read about. It’s strategic placement directly after Glenn’s possible death, Morgan’s backstory getting the audience away from the events of “Thank You”, was also very shrewd as now Glenn’s death seems farther in the past. Even if Glenn were to be brought back in the next episode it would feel like less of a gotcha moment because of “Here’s Not Here”.
The Walking Dead is trying new things in Season 6. It is playing with story structure, with effects and shot construction, and split up everyone very well so nothing seems too bogged down. While I still can’t trust that The Walking Dead will continue to be as interesting and engaging as this season has been so far, every episode distances The Walking Dead from the previous season’s formulaic groan-worthiness. And in the best first episodes of a season since its first season, The Walking Dead has breathed some new life and energy into a show that felt much like its titular characters.