The rest of the gang has arrived.

While The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 9 was all about Rick and Carl bonding, Michonne finding her way to the father/son team and pudding, The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 10 gave viewers a glimpse at various other characters in the aftermath of the prison’s destruction.

There wasn’t much new here to explore, but it did allow for movement towards the next step in the characters’ lives. And, sure, whether there is hope amongst all the despair.

At this point, all of the “safe haven” locations have fallen (the farm, the prison, Woodbury) and with them a number of people. If those didn’t work out, what will?

Watch The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 10 Online

I did find that the structure of the episode was unique (although, I guess not everyone gets to have a full hour to themselves) in that the timeline wasn’t linear and often certain camera shots were replicated between groups to illustrate the crossing of paths at different times. And I like that the mix-up of character partnering wasn't who we might think would normally be together.

And clearly, The Walking Dead wants us to know that when it comes to kids, they can be pretty difficult to deal with.

It’s got to be a very different experience for someone like rough and manly Daryl to suddenly be watching over/teaming up with Beth. And the same could be said for Tyreese and the girls (who frankly, I could care less about).

Luckily, Carol arrived conveniently in time to help save Mika (who couldn’t move when walkers were bearing down) and Lizzie (who remains crazy in her antics from killing bunny rabbits and suffocating covering Judith’s mouth).

Oh, right. Turns out, Judith is alive, and the whole bloody baby seat in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 8 was a trick for the audience. A bit disappointing that the show just didn’t stick with what the audience was supposed to believe, especially after Rick and Carl’s heartbreaking reactions to her “death.”

It will be interesting to see how Tyreese handles being with Carol, no matter how contrived the reunion was, because he still has no idea she killed his love. What was her name again? But I'm pleased Carol is back.

It is good to see Bob and Sasha bonding, and Bob trying to convince the group to make intelligent decisions. Except those two got stuck babysitting emotional Maggie. So, how did everyone on the bus become walkers? Wait, and how did Glenn get off?

I was worried Glenn would get killed off, and sometimes I feel he’s been relegated to minor character that we haven’t gotten to know much more about him... but at least he was able to regroup and storm out of the prison like a badass. Even his pairing with Tara was a nice twist in that she was playing for the opposing side before.

But I am still curious how the heck he got off the bus and on top of the broken bridge? I guess we just have to believe like he and Hershel did.

A lot of characters, despite the separation, were holding on to the hope that the others were still alive. Which is good, especially after all they've been through.

But wow does it remain frustrating watching pretty much any non-main character on this show and their levels of incompetence. You know, like the randoms at the train tracks. Did you ever fear for Tyreese getting bit? Beth? Maggie? Probably not. For the people we have no clue who they are like that baseball swinging guy? That old man telling them about a safe place down the tracks? Sure, walkers, bite away on the easy obvious prey.

Even if a newbie doesn’t last long, I’d like to feel like they’re some semblance of a character and not just someone for the walkers to eat because you can’t kill off the main characters every episode.

The same could be said for all the “good people” on the bus that Bob mentioned. It just doesn’t hold the same impact when we have no clue who they are.

That said, I hope that these smaller groups allow for some character exploration as The Walking Dead Season 4 continues. Certainly, the prospect of a new place to head towards is a also good one.

There was something eerie and haunting watching Glenn move through the prison one last time, but I’m glad the show is moving on from there.

Of course, thanks to the introduction of new characters, including actor Michael Cudlitz from Southland fame, this prospect of a new phase for the series and characters keeps that appealing notion that things are just getting started and the best is yet to come.

Were you surprised baby Judith was alive?

Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.