Things are starting to heat up in The Walking Dead Season 2. While Episode 1: All That Remains had its moments, it primarily served as a bridge between the two seasons, emphasizing character development. With a new cast of characters introduced and Clementine established as a hardened survivor capable of fending for herself, Episode 2: A House Divided is able to jump-start the plot of Season 2.
A House Divided picks up where All That Remains left off. It’s a nice continuation, giving you the chance to get to know the new cast of characters with who were originally hard to care about. The extra time spent getting to know them is much appreciated.
But Season 2 quickly finds a new direction with the introduction of Carver, a villain who quite closely resembles The Governor in The Walking Dead comics. Carver’s history isn’t fully disclosed immediately, but through the awkward 10-15 minutes you spend with him, alone, you quickly get the sense that there’s history between him and your new group. The back and forth chess match that takes place between Clementine and Carver is easily one of the best moments in the episode.
Carver’s addition is more important than simply kick-starting an otherwise stagnant plot. Sure, his arrival forces the group to leave its safe home and head north, but more importantly he serves as a reminder that walkers aren’t your only threat — that humans will always be the greater evil.
All That Remains does a great job — maybe even the best yet — at combining action and conversation. There’s very little downtime in the episode, resulting in plenty of pivotal moments. For as entertaining as the episode is, the real action doesn’t begin until the last 30 minutes or so. It’s here where you’re reunited with a certain friend and the decision-making becomes potentially even more heartwrenching.
Telltale has always said that your decisions matter in The Walking Dead, but the majority of scenes in A House Divided feel definitive. For the first time I actually felt like my decisions would affect how the entire story unfolds and because of that, I actually found myself using the rewind button just to see how else it could play out. Whether it’s through conversation or through action, A House Divided will make you feel.
