‘The Walking Dead’ recap: Act of bravery leads to shocking result

Fledgling fighters Dr. Denise Cloyd (Merritt Wever) and Dr. Eugene Porter (Josh McDermitt) bravely venture outside the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Tragically, only one returns alive on “Twice as Far,” Episode 614 of AMC’s “The Walking Dead.”

Normally timid psychiatrist turned surgeon Denise insists on accompanying Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Rosita Espinosa (Christian Serratos) when they search for meds at an abandoned pharmacy.

“I’m ready,” Denise claims, pointing out that she’s seen zombies up close. “I’ll go alone if I have to.”

Despite their misgivings, Daryl and Rosita drive off with Denise in a battered pickup truck. Setting out on foot when the road is blocked by a fallen tree, Daryl either intuitively or superstitiously chooses a route to the pharmacy that’s twice as far.

“Go whichever way you like,” Daryl barks at Denise and Rosita. “I ain’t taking no tracks.”

Their mission is initially a success when they discover an untouched supply of antibiotics and other much-needed medicines. Then, on the way back to the truck, Daryl ignores his earlier misgivings and fatefully decides to follow those tracks.

That’s when Denise goes rogue by wrestling with a “walker” for a six-pack of soda — the kind her girlfriend, Tara Chambler (Alanna Masterson), likes. Daryl explodes in anger.

“You could’ve died right there,” Daryl yells. “You know that?”

“You wanna live, you take chances,” exclaims Denise, who regrets not confessing her love to Tara. Succumbing to fear is “what’s stupid,” Denise says, “not coming out here.”

But in the midst of her impassioned plea to “wake up” and embrace life, Denise is fatally shot in the back of her skull with an arrow.

The murderer? It’s Dwight (Austin Amelio), a former member of the Saviors who betrayed Daryl’s kindness in Episode 606 by stealing his beloved motorcycle and crossbow.

Dwight has also captured Eugene, Alexandria’s other neophyte warrior, who’s pale and shaking while held at gunpoint.

“You’re gonna let us into your little complex,” Dwight orders Daryl and Rosita. “It looks like it’s just beautiful in there. And then you’re gonna let us take whatever and whoever we want. Or we blow Eugene’s brains out!”

Now Eugene demonstrates his smarts by pretending that Abraham Ford (Michael Cudlitz) is crouching behind some oil barrels. (He’s actually hiding nearby with his machine gun locked and loaded.)

Then Eugene creates a distraction by ferociously biting Dwight’s genitals.

A firefight instantly erupts, forcing Dwight and his surviving thugs to eventually fall back into the woods. Eugene is grazed by a bullet, but he’ll live.

“Do you apologize for questioning my skills?” Eugene asks Abraham when they’re safely inside Alexandria’s metal walls.

Abraham indeed apologizes because he’s impressed with Eugene’s transformation from quivering coward to cunning survivalist. Abraham is also impressed with Eugene’s plan to convert a machine shop into a do-it-yourself ammunition factory.

Speaking of Abraham, he follows Denise’s final bit of advice and expresses his long-held romantic feelings for Sasha Williams (Sonequa Martin-Green).

“Could be 30 years for us here,” Abraham tells Sasha while she stands outside her house. “That’s still too short.”

“Come inside” is Sasha’s tearful response.

Finally, Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) breaks up with her newfound boyfriend, Tobin (Jason Douglas), in a heartfelt letter. Carol has turned into a pacifist, just like stick-wielding Morgan Jones (Lennie James). She strikes out on her own by quietly departing Alexandria.

“I can’t love anyone because I can’t kill for anyone,” Carol writes. “So I’m going, like I always should have. Don’t come after me, please.”

So Carol is gone, at least for now, leaving nothing behind except an ashtray full of cigarette butts and a lonely porch swing.