"The Distance" is the eleventh episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 22, 2015.

The episode was written by Seth Hoffman, in his fifth writing credit for the series, and directed by Larysa Kondracki.

This episode marks the first appearance of the Alexandria Safe-Zone, a prominent location in the comic book series of the same name.

The group take a different route than expected for safety precautions, which in turn causes multiple dangerous threats along their journey.

Rick, Michonne, Glenn, and Aaron take the lead in the car, while the rest of the group follow a short distance behind in the RV.

At that point Rick then finds a parabolic microphone in the car and expresses concern that Aaron's people might have heard their plans.

The four of them head for the flare and reunite with the RV group who have rescued Aaron's partner and boyfriend, Eric (Jordan Woods-Robinson).

Believing that Aaron is telling the truth and the community is safe, the group leave the vehicles and heads to the gates.

Although Aaron and Eric are boyfriends in the comic series, many viewers were still surprised due to the same-sex kiss the two shared in the episode.