Why "Clear" Is the Best Bottle Episode of the Series

[@fireartifact1488]

Wendigoons analysis of the orange backpack is my favorite, where he points out that it's a sign of mercy towards others. Glenn is wearing it when he meets Tara, Abraham, Eugene, and Rosita, all of whom go on to join the group.

[@teanott5073]

I love you fellow wendigoon lover

[@demonkitty_toebeans]

YASSS a wendigoon watcher!!!!

[@baggedeyes5704]

We here

[@mnto5879]

That video is so amazing for Walking Dead nerds 10/10

[@tristinsky.]

Does he have a full analysis video on the back pack or is it just a short? I wanna see it

[@vincent_nix]

I didn't even know it was a bottle episode until now, it was that good, this is one of my favorite episodes of Season 3 because you feel the loneliness and creepiness of the apocalypse with only 5 characters, silence and unnerving Morgan's room. The whole episode is just such a nice break from all the intense fighting, prison problems and Woodbury.

[@SnoozeNLooze]

THIS ^^^

[@jordankellison7597]

I think Rick seeing someone he once knew as too far gone In the mental department ultimately snapped him out of his own issues. Like telling Morgan he can come back from this and Morgan rejecting it you can kinda tell it's Rick really saying it to himself. Then telling michonne he's not ok after she says he is. Morgan ultimately saved Rick again

[@Tyler_W]

Yeah, I think you're totally right about about that I terpretation. I don't think I had thought of that before.

[@Truthster772]

I loved all the little quirks they gave between Michonne and everyone. The cat, the protein bars, it was a nice touch and helped Michonne become the Michonne we all know and love. Next cover Morgan’s episode!! I can’t remember what it’s called but MAN, it was POWERFUL. Right up there with Carol and look at the flowers.

[@aleemizcool3654]

Also the "Mat said welcome" is genuinely one of the funniest jokes in the show

[@rhadpenguin]

I would argue that the OTHER Morgan bottle episode was better: "Here's not Here". Eastman was an incredible character and the affect he has on Morgan and the subsequent others later on is just beautiful

[@Jaxl8]

Oh definitely. That episode is so good. I understand people did not like it when the show was premiering weekly (it takes away from the story) but it is still such a great episode

[@kelsey2333]

YES. It was amazing how much Morgan's perspective changed after meeting the goat dude. Sad him and tabitha didnt make it though:(

[@charlessmith9753]

Thank you for saying this.

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

Fantastic episode and acting from them both

[@BoTheJo]

that was an amazing episode as well

[@mikaross4671]

3:12 Clear is such a good episode. It's one I never get sick of watching. I love Rick and Morgan's almost polar opposites. Rick was lucky enough to find his family, where as Morgan lost everything, including his mind. I also appreciate Michonne getting closer to Carl as a mother figure, especially when she gets with Rick later in the seasons.

[@helpmenaomi]

Looking back, I've wondered if the whole "I see people wearing dead people's faces" wasn't a hint that maybe that Morgan had come across the Whisperers and if learning about them had contributed to this spiral in addition to losing his son and this new-found philosophy that everyone was going to die / already dead.

[@jacobjackson881]

They’re in Georgia here. The whisperers are in Northern Virginia

[@p.p.burnell7294]

I usually grease my penis before I go to bed.

[@writerlairchannel2636]

Here's Not Here is a good episode too, season 4-5 did this type of standalone episodes but they weren't as good as this

[@jamescarr1265]

Still was really good too.

[@writerlairchannel2636]

​@@jamescarr1265 Yea Still was one of the best in season 4

[@kimberlywilmoth9184]

Isn't "Still" the Beth and Daryl episode? If so, that episode is horrible and one of the lowest ranked episodes of the whole series. I don't mean to sound so harsh, I mean hey, if you like it you like it, but I can't stand it myself, and it's widely recognized as a pretty bad one.

[@writerlairchannel2636]

​@@kimberlywilmoth9184 making facts up to support your own opinion is the most pathetic thing I ever seen😂

[@jamescarr1265]

@@kimberlywilmoth9184 widely recognised? i assumed it was fairly well liked.

[@estvescalders6597]

The hitchhiker guy and backpack stood out the most to me on my first watch. Funny I didn't notice the backpack kept making appearances as the series progressed until I rewatched it. I suppose the reason the hitchhiker stood out so much to me the first time was because Rick had multiple chances to lend a helping hand, and in him doing that taking a chance on welcoming a new family member/asset into the group and the UNKNOWN potential that could come from that, or Rick could just ignore the hitchhiker and leave him be with his future UNKNOWN. Obviously by the end of the episode we get closure on the hitchhiker and even though Rick's starting to go cold, I still feel like if I were in his shoes there'd be a part of me that'd be thinking "what if I'd just stopped and helped him". I guess to summarize my thought process, if you you tried to help, then you can rest knowing you attempted to do the right thing, and if you never saw the guy again then in a way you can think maybe the guys alive and doing well, but the fact that the guy's gone is just so final and kind of forces you to be more numb in Rick's case. Hopefully that made sense.

[@benwatson3427]

they do an episode where michonne is the hitchhiker guy in a flashback. somewhere in s10 i cant remember

[@missautumn764]

I just rewatched this yesterday. Love seeing Rick, Michonne and Carl's origin story as a family again.

[@anthonyt1t5]

I think Carl bonding with michonne was my favorite in this episode. Especially after the loss of his mother. He needed a sense of warmth and calm when his own relationship with his father is a bit rocky😅.

[@aleemizcool3654]

All the Carl+Michonne stuff is so well done.They have one of the best relationships in the show

[@Rknowles813]

Morgan is a severely underrated character. IMO, he's top 2 behind Rick. Lennie James absolutely killed it in this episode.

[@azoniarnl3362]

Nahh, He lost me at the 100th moral switch.. annoying ass character.

[@Rknowles813]

@@azoniarnl3362 It's almost like trauma affects people? There's so many annoying characters, I'm you like a lot of them, but Morgan is not one of them.

[@azoniarnl3362]

@@Rknowles813 he goes from a normal dude to an insane person, then a idiotic pacifist, then back to killing people, etc... dont explain bad writing away with "trauma"...

[@Rknowles813]

@@azoniarnl3362 again, it's almost like trauma, a lot of it, has an affect on people and their decisions. sucks for you tho. he ain't dying anytime soon.

[@TheBlackAztec3]

@@azoniarnl3362 You act like people in the real world cant go through massive changes throughout their life. Cant imagine what changes someone would go through after the world ends and they lost their whole family. Seems lime everyone excuse for something they can’t understand is “bad writing”.

[@whatlikeitshardd]

I just watched all of TWD for the first time over 2.5 weeks so maybe this is a bit of a blur for me, but this episode really made me love Michonne and the way she’s written. Before I started watching I just thought she was written as a “strong black woman” type character, but in this ep she’s playing around on the rail with Carl and taking the cat sculpture because she loves it so much. I think this ep helped to flesh out her character and show multiple sides of her, rather than just a stoic warrior type. Also, I just started FTWD and I can’t wait for Morgan to show up!

[@winstonpoplin]

This is not the episode when they walk on the railroad rails together. That episode is post prison as they head to Terminus.

[@Lifetime10154]

I wish I had as much time as you have to watch the walking dead that quickly

[@purplebanana6420]

I enjoy this episode so much especially because it really shows michonnes character toward carl and it shows that she already had a deep respect for rick and Carl

[@slim..reaper]

I still remember the epic moment of Rick taking off the helmet and realizing it’s his friend Morgan. After not seeing him at all in season 2, it was so cool

[@samanthanyongani4549]

Their reunions are insane..😅

[@LindseyStudios]

Still is one of my favorite bottle episodes from the show. I think the Beth and Daryl friendship is really interesting and I loved finding out more about Daryl’s compassion and the guilt he felt about Hershel

[@cemeterydollie]

One of my favorite episodes of the show! (Days Gone by is the ultimate favorite of course)

[@luciskies]

Here’s Not Here is def one of my favorite episodes. Eastman has so much compassion and I love seeing ppl like that in the ZA. I’m super excited for that video to drop. Keep up the awesome work! 💜

[@iamcasihart]

Aww, Thrifty, your channel and content has become such a joy and comfort to me. I love every single video you so lovingly craft. Thank you. This show means so much to so many of us, and it feels so comfy and fun to revisit each episode, with you. I appreciate you and your work. Also, I concur. This is an important episode. I love the humanity between Morgan and Rick. I love the acting. So good. Carl is precious, wanting a photo of Mom & Dad for baby Judith. This is the episode that made me start to really care for Michonne. I am excited to see your next video! Also, for fun, if you’re a fan of Lennie James, and if you want to see him star as a cool ass mother fuckin’ pimp, you’ve just got to watch the HBO show, “Hung.” He’s so good and so funny in it!

[@thethriftytypewriter]

Thank you for such a great and kind message! Love hearing that I can make people happy and excited for my videos and they feel comforting (despite the sometimes brutal subject matter 😂). I haven’t seen that one so I’ll be sure to check it out!

[@talkingonyoutube623]

I love this episode so much, having morgan back was great and jennie lames gave one of the best performances, also the trio rick, michonne and carl is excellent. But, I would say The grove is the best bottle episode

[@flickdaddy351]

Yes! Thank you for reminding me that episode! I like “Here’s Neagan” better but that episode is definitely also ranked high for the impact it had on the story.

[@BiancaProbably]

This has been one of my favorite episodes of television for a long time. While I may have strayed from The Walking Dead (your videos are very nostalgic and making me contemplating a rewatch/actual finish), this episode still sticks with me. “He DIDN’T CLEAR.” is a line that has stayed with me despite years away from this episode. Lennie James is, in my opinion, the best actor on The Walking Dead and among this cast that is saying something.

[@TaeorTai]

I love your analysis and i feel so bad for the guy in the orange backpack 😢

[@bellemane5839]

The acting in this episode from Andy and Lennie is phenomenal! 💛

[@hihiglug]

if I remember right, this episode has one of my favourite comedic moments. rick: "we are eating his food now?" (he asks as michonne eats the protein bar) michonne: "mat said welcome" idk why but it cracks me up

[@bradenr867]

9:05 Some people think that line was actually the inspiration for the whispers

[@enderchippy]

Love your content as always and wasn’t expecting this episode! Another classic. Still praying for a Nebraska breakdown!

[@writerlairchannel2636]

"We have too much videos, we are crowded I am sorry"

[@flickdaddy351]

Legit! That episode is a classic I watched that last night and was getting goose bumps noticing this is the moment when everything changed because Rick broke his #1 rule and was slowly turning into Shane.

[@enderchippy]

@@flickdaddy351 the tension in the bar scene is still one of the most tense scenes in the show

[@nashshaffer6235]

Andrew Lincoln said he shot this on his birthday. He said the best present he could get was acting with Lenny James on his birthday

[@ThePercussionRealm]

I've been waiting for this one. Great as usual! Definitely a good ep to do before Here's Not Here. If you wanted to do some more Morgan centric stories after Here's Not Here, Bury Me Here is an important one. Clear, Here's Not Here, and Bury Me Here tell the most essential stories in Morgan's character arc. Hopefully at some point you get to that one. I know you are still on the season 6 focus which is cool too. I think The Same Boat is another good bottle episode that focuses on Carol's struggle as well as Maggie being badass. Cheers to another good video!!

[@israelmendoza5262]

That scene with the guy with an orange backpack was called back in Michonne's exit episodes. It was one of her hallucinations.

[@DourFlower]

Fantastic episode, truly. And this episode makes the context of conquers ending even better too

[@MistahJay7]

I honestly almost don't even consider this a bottle episode. I mean technically it is but the importance this episode had in Michonne really becoming a part of the Grimes family and obviously Morgan was just to significant to be put off as a bottle episode which many will think might be unimportant to the plot and characters.

[@flickdaddy351]

Would of brought a tear to the audience eye if season 9 Judith got to see what her birth mom (Lori) looked like and her memory of rick with Carl getting and keeping that family photo for her. I hope she gets to see it in the spin offs of Rick and Michonne since that what Carl wanted for her 🫶🏽

[@keithhill8191]

This is actually my favorite episode of the series and I’m happy you reviewed it just as I subscribed the other day ❤❤

[@102-d7i]

I’d love to see u do a breakdown on “here’s not here” as it feels like a 2nd part to this episode at least for Morgan

[@deedvies]

My favourite episode of television of all time! Thank you for this!

[@Cosmic_Espeon]

I think out of all the episodes of the Walking Dead, this one is my favorite Lenny James and Andrew Lincoln killed it in this episode. You get to see someone you haven't seen in over a year and a half, the man who saved Rick in the beginning and he has absolutely lost his mind. When he screams "I DON'T KNOW ANYONE ANYMORE!" you know this is a man who hasn't seen another living person in a long time. But the saddest part of it all is his speech during the middle of it. "Your boy, is he dead?" "No." "No? He will be. See because people like you, the good people, they always die, and the bad people do too. But the weaker people, the people like me? We have inherited the earth." That is the cynicism of a broken man who's lost everything he had to live for, yet hasn't found it in himself to just 'opt out' like many others did. Because in his broken and addled mind, there might be a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel. Another key part is when he says "You said you would turn your radio on every day at dawn, AND YOU WERE NOT THERE!". Morgan had no idea that Rick was there, but circumstances pushed him away. He felt abandoned by someone who promised he'd be there, and that betrayal, or perceived betrayal, probably hurt him enough to stop trusting people. Then the "I see Red." part and the implications of him not only killing his reanimated wife but having to put down his bitten son. God, this man has gone through so much shit and we get to see him beyond his breaking point. And this of course sets up the speech Rick gives the Governor in Season 4. "You get to come back." God, I think this is one of the few episodes of the walking dead I can talk at length about. The acting was amazing, the set, though confined, conveyed enough, the little adventure Carl and Michonne had was cute, but seeing what this world has done to a kindhearted person and how it has broken him, it's a fantastic exploration of what a person would go through in this scenario. Not everyone can come back and no everyone can survive, but the ones that do, that have faced the worst things the world can throw at them, those are the ones that deserve to live.

[@flickdaddy351]

💯

[@almonds_tf2193]

i love these the walking dead videos they always brighten my day thank you for the effort you put in

[@MikeLewis1964]

Thanks for keeping up with the TWD videos. These are my favorite as well as your very few GOT one’s.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Late Season 9 of the Walking Dead... and through the whole Season they did something Incredible. Zombies were Scary again.... The Wisperers are awesome too.

[@fireartifact1488]

Morgan's protein bar is a character at this point

[@joshuacampbell289]

That episode made Morgan and Ricks eventual reunion at Alexandria even better

[@cooperbourke7717]

Amazing Episode!!! My mind was blown when Morgan was revealed as the shooter on the roof. Lennie James is such a phenomenal Actor!!!

[@jakestan1185]

I really loved this episode because we see Morgan for the first time in forever and we see how he has changed into a crazy person that is bloodlust and we see more of that in season 6 episode 4 I think

[@Upsidedowndog27]

I always loved this episode. Seeing Rick and Morgan reunite was awesome and sad at the same time. I felt bad for Morgan but Ricks radio broke or something so he did what he could. Also Morgan’s son dying sucks and Rick felt that deep. Then the Carl Mishone dynamic is awesome. Carl being skeptical and then finally accepting her was an awesome mini arc for young Carl. I love Carl and mishone together and another one of my favorite scenes is when they share the candy bar. Shows their bond and how far they’ve come

[@flickdaddy351]

I love your breakdown videos. So excited for the X-man video and your thoughts of the Here’s not here episode keep up the great content man!

[@forever_isthesweetestcon]

I am loving these breakdown videos and hope you never stop making them! However, I am only on season 6 of the walking dead and would appreciate if you put spoiler warnings when you are talking about storylines that come later in the show. Then I can simply skip over those parts or know that I should come back and watch these later when I have seen the rest of the show.

[@theshooterflynn]

Morgan's monologue in this episode is burned into my mind moreso than any other speech or quote from the entire show and all the spinoffs. Genuinely an incredible performance.

[@dandremcdonald3245]

Great job on this one but in the video you said your little reviews but I don't see them as little your perfect at gettin into detail about the show and it's good moments and can't wait for more TWD videos

[@Uhtred-the-bold]

This has always been my favorite. Going back home, after everything, with Morgan, it’s so good

[@sunnyshinet]

Clear, After and The Grove are my favourites

[@reythelastdragonpearl9470]

I love that Morgan calls Rick out on not answering his radio when he promised to. Like fuck yeah, call him out on his bullshit

[@THEDOYLER]

dude you make the best analysis videos

[@matristeus]

I can't wait to Here's Not Here video, It's one of my favorite episodes from all time and perfectly shows how Morgan could have been one of the main characters in final seasons if he didn't leave de main series.

[@alex-xx2uw]

this analysis is so great. i thought morgan was just really mad that rick stopped reaching him on the walkie lmao

[@sylvanbowyer341]

Your TWD content is so rad. Gimme more forever lol

[@clownworld4655]

4:18 The human heart is not in the left side of the chest contrary to popular belief. It’s in the middle of your chest behind the sternum and between the lungs, but very slightly offset to the left since the heart isn’t symmetrical and the liver takes up a ton of space on the right side of the torso. But yea that should be a stab to the lung

[@austinland2274]

I interpreted the people wearing dead people's faces, as he thinks he's imagining the faces of people he cared about on the walkers and living people he encounters

[@bridgersaxton4212]

*dead of the night round change music plays* 1:22

[@TheDrunkLawyer]

I was a big walking dead fan for the first few seasons and there was some great stuff there but this is the episode that for some reason always stick with me the most

[@jongodsey8472]

this was the first episode I saw on TV. They were showing all of the S3 episodes before the S3 finale. Didn't know what was going on half the time but I knew I needed to catch up lol

[@PzVox]

That song you have in the background from here’s not here is too powerful.

[@dylankennedy6020]

I love bottle episodes when there are typically large ensemble casts like TWD. Brings the character drama element back over just having pawns reach plot points at any costs to logic

[@the0peratoR]

This is one of my favorite episodes and I couldn't explain why until now.

[@TiffahoTheDeadBeatMom]

This is also where they get the “J gun” from that rick hides in the blender before they enter Alexandria in season 5. The J on the sign in the beginning of clear is the same on the gun rick hides.

[@grepenoop]

Morgan is definetly one of my favorite characters. He's the person from the series that i recall most lines from even though he doesn't have a ton of screen time.

[@MyNameIsKayser]

The moment with the orange backpack guy is not just funny and also a little sad, but it's a solid demonstration of how much the main group, and by proxy other survivors in this world, are merciless with others, not even looking back or demonstrating some regret. But ironically, after all the Morgan stuff in the episode, they stopped mid-way to take the guy's backpack - which at first seems darkly comedic, but it also may be a gesture of some-what compassion. "Because he's already dead, at least let's use his stuff for something useful." I think Rick was thinking of Morgan when he glanced at the guy's remains on the street.

[@Oneiriel]

I went back and restarted the series again. I'm back at the Greene Farm in Season 2. Andrew Lincoln's acting truly carried the show in the beginning.

[@jakestan1185]

Season 2 was amazing one of the best seasons I have seen in all tv shows

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

I'd say Andrew and Jon's acting carried season 2. But after that it was definitely Andrew Lincoln's show

[@billross9132]

im just glad to see morgan back and that michonne actally has a personality

[@dzan___]

Nice vids bro, keep up the great content😊

[@LonewolfWRX]

Crazy timing of this because I just watched this episode last night.

[@regent2125]

When Morgan is passed out Rick says I’m sorry “this happened to you”. The same words he said to a walker he killed in the first episode.

[@oscartrujillo5881]

“No one was there when the backpack was”

[@shaynew4607]

Nice analysis, didn't know what a bottle episode was until now. I think you should do an episode on "A Certain Doom" the season 10 finale and Season 10 Ep. 19 "One More".

[@jmaster2552]

Self help is my personal favourite bottle episode, I would love an analysis of it

[@bahej100]

I love your breakdowns commenting so ur Channel blow up

[@AkamoriArt]

One of my favorite episodes in the entire show.

[@RiverTheRichards]

🎉Congrats on 100 Videos!!🎉

[@cemeterydollie]

“Still”, “The Grove” and “Alone” are my favorite bottle episodes TWD.

[@gaylestegall7239]

This is one of my favorite episodes.

[@sebastianlang5745]

keep the videos coming! new subscriber, love the walking dead content

[@gurpy2134]

This is one of my favorite episodes

[@thisisseven7]

Well they were in ga at first. During this they were still in ga, kings county. The whisperers were in Virginia around DC area.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

Man the Whisperer ARC IS so much FUN!

[@in_vino_veritas7938]

I thought it wasn't really a whisperer's thing mentioned by Morgan, it was how far gone he was seeing living people as dead already pretty much. And he had probably figured out people turn even if they're not bit. Dunno, just seemed more psychological

[@_Fever]

Cant stop binging the walking dead breakdowns/studies hope you do the episode where Rick and Hershel have to save the guys that got stuck on a fence post while Lori is out doing woman things believe its s2 ep.9 "Triggerfinger"

[@Tyler_W]

Good bottle episodes make up for what they lack in plot development with important character development (and sometimes worldbuilding) that otherwise might not have had the time to flesh out in a more plot-heavy episode, and Clear had character development in spades for every character involved.

[@Gamewar5OOO]

What's funny about the orange backpack is that it's use as a symbolic item is very similar to the oranges 🍊 in The Godfather. Every time they show oranges it usually means that great misfortune is about to befall a character. I wonder if the writers borrowed this or if it's a common symbolism.

[@alyssavance9838]

God, I love and agree with 99% of your takes.

[@oJaymey]

I’m glad you did a video on this episode I think I’m somehow skipped over it when watching through the show

[@davidcook680]

One of my favorite episodes is when. Morgan was with the cheese maker. Alot of people didn't like it. I loved it. Also love this episode. Rick trying to bring Morgan back. From the depths of insanity and darkness.

[@ThoughtsfromtheWestCountry]

I just watched season 1-3. and in season one Rick clearly says to Shane I cleared out the cage at the station. But is sorta shocked when he gets to the station in season 3 and it’s empty surely he would remember doing that even after all the Lori stuff, I think it’s just not a good reason for them to go back to king country. It’s for the Morgan reunion, obviously they get the guns from Morgan, but I think it’s something that’s overlooked why go back to something you know is empty,

[@jeremiah6945]

Rick's house wasn't burned down. It says "Burnt Out." Meaning supplies. Not "Burned down" 🤦‍♂️

[@owenmcguire525]

Am I the only person who likes the daryl and Beth episodes thats one of my favorite bottle episodes it really reminds you about how they are still human and not just killing machines

[@oskarhelenius9919]

This episode was my introduction to the walking dead series.

[@mcdabb7226]

“How Evolution became the shows creepiest mid season finale” should come soon!

[@mouthy_maestrod2992]

I know you're on a season 6 kick but ive been watching season 11 for the first time and it has some of the best episodes of the show, tonally, cinematically, and story wise. Id love to see some videos on the post-time skip era of the show!

[@neen2660]

And yes pls Here’s not Here. I was hoping you’d say that since you covered this lol

[@madsterkitty8541]

this episode also feels like the section in Last of Us where you enter Bill's town

[@jimmyallgood781]

I need me a Rick and Morgan reunion just as much as Rick and Daryl!

[@nathankilton8203]

now that you reviewed clear i’d love it if you reviewed “here’s not here” cause that’s fosho my favorite season 6 episode and i’d love to hear your thoughts!

[@bloodyraptor6251]

I'd love an analysis on "What's happening and what's going on" aka Tyrese's last episode. It's one of my top 5 episodes