Tag Archives: Hershel

The Governor Strikes Back: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 10 (Home)

Posted on by
Merle Dixon in Season 3 of The Walking Dead

Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) in The Walking Dead Copyright 2013 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Rick leaves the prison to chase ghosts, while members of his group debate whether they should flee or stay. On the road, Daryl and Merle try to survive together, but quickly end up at odds with each other. And back at Woodbury, The Governor questions Andrea’s loyalty before slipping away to retaliate against Rick’s people.

Rick is obviously still living in Crazytown at the beginning of Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 10. The loon runs off to search for the ghost of his wife in the nearby thicket. After Rick finds her and kisses her, I was thinking how funny it would be if he snapped out of his hallucination and realized he was making out with a zombie. I’m still amused by how far off the deep end the writers are taking his character. But I’m going to stop laughing at Rick’s misfortune; I don’t want to be too mean.

Glenn continues to get on my nerves in each passing episode with all his alpha male posturing. I really hope he snaps out of it soon. With Rick out of his gourd and Daryl gone, Glenn feels like putting unnecessary pressure on himself to take charge. As Hershel astutely says later in the episode, Glenn’s heart is in the right place, but he just can’t fill Rick’s boots.

Glenn is blinded by the rage he feels about what happened to both him and Maggie back at Woodbury. Because of this he can’t make up his mind about what to do next. He toys with the idea of going straight back to Woodbury to fight The Governor, before quickly abandoning it to hold steady. The poor sap is so anxious to fortify their position that he runs off and misses all the action. I’d feel bad for him except he’s a total ass to Maggie, forcing her to reveal exactly what happened while she was in custody.

For the most part, Episode 10 is another character-heavy outing. While drama is going down at the prison, Daryl and Merle are traipsing around the woods. As always Merle is in rare form, spewing racial epithets, and engaging in selfish behavior. The scene where Daryl and Merle rescue a family from walkers up on a bridge is a real nail-biter. What I love about the incident is that it just reaffirms for Daryl the type of person that he’s become. He wants to help others even if he’s not necessarily getting something in return. His exchange soon after with Merle is fascinating because you find out new things about the characters, like the abuse Daryl suffered at the hands of their father, and the secret plan they both had to rob the camp blind back near Atlanta. I love the moment where Daryl tells his brother that he’s leaving to go where he feels at home even if it means going somewhere Merle can’t be. You just got served Merle!

Of course we finally get to know Axel (Lew Temple) just a little bit better, as does Carol, and he gets killed by The Governor’s attack. Speaking of Woodbury’s douchey leader, I didn’t buy his turn the other cheek malarkey he was telling Andrea, but I certainly didn’t think he’d strike back against Rick so soon. I was worried for our heroes when The Governor and his men started firing on the prison. That part where the van crashed through the fences had me on the edge of my seat because it sat there idling for so long. I had no clue who was in there, but I flipped when the door opened and out came a pack of zombies. Everything seemed hopeless, especially for Rick, who was pinned by several walkers. When Merle and Daryl arrived for the rescue, I’d never been so happy to see either of them. There was something slightly reassuring, yet also strangely disquieting about Merle’s giddy laughter while he helped Rick.

Which brings us to this week’s poll. Click here to tell me: Who was your favorite badass in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 10?

Were you surprised Tyreese and his people were gone all episode? Where do you think they went? Do you think Merle is turning over a new leaf? Or will he just cause more trouble for the prison crew?

Do or Dixon: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 9 (Suicide King)

Posted on by
Norman Reedus as Daryl in The Walking Dead

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) in The Walking Dead Copyright 2013 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Rick rescues Daryl and Merle from the Governor’s clutches, but he’s forced to decide whether to let Merle join the group or to cut both brothers loose. In Woodbury, citizens start panicking in the aftermath of Rick’s attack, so Andrea tries to take charge while The Governor sequesters himself. Meanwhile back at the prison, Tyreese and his friends struggle to find acceptance and trust from the survivors there.

Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 9 is much less action-packed than I expected, although that isn’t a bad thing. Suicide King is a very character-driven episode, which feels appropriate since we have been away from everyone for almost a couple of months. We really get reminder of who all of the people are and how the traumatic events from the previous half of the season changed them.

Picking up immediately where Episode 9 left off, we find ourselves back in Woodbury with an angry mob chanting for blood while they encircle Daryl and Merle. Just enough time elapses where your anticipation and nerves are on the edge before the pair starts fighting. Then Rick and Maggie come to the rescue before the situation gets out of hand.

Based on the trailers for the season, I already knew Daryl and Merle would make it out alive somehow, however I didn’t realize they’d bust out so quickly or that Maggie would be the sharpshooter picking off citizens of Woodbury. Since she annoyingly cracked under torture in episode 7, it was nice to see her redeem herself with a badass moment. Did anyone else chuckle when Daryl grabbed his crossbow back from the Woodbury guy who stole it as he was escaping? I thought that was hilarious.

Then I laughed my ass off again when Rick knocked the wise cracking Merle unconscious with the butt of his gun. I certainly didn’t envy Rick’s subsequent dilemma about what to do with Merle. Daryl wouldn’t go anywhere without his brother, and Rick couldn’t stand the idea of Merle coming back with them to the prison, so it made the most sense to let them go. I wouldn’t have wanted Merle in the group either, but it would have been incredibly tough for me to let a valuable team member like Daryl go.

The following scene where Glenn starts going off on Rick about allowing Maggie participate in the rescue and for letting Daryl go, is so agitating for me. I don’t like Glenn’s sudden alpha male protective b.s. and outrage with Maggie like it’s her fault what happened. I also dislike his whiny attitude. I’m getting the suspicion that this will continue for at least a few more episodes this season. Damn it, I like Glenn because he’s a nice guy and level-headed. I don’t want him to become a jerk.

Back at the prison there were some touching character moments between Carol and Carl, and a number between Hershel and the other characters. Hershel reaffirms his role as the caring, fatherly figure we all know and love. I give him a lot of credit for consoling Maggie AND Glenn. He takes the time to tell Glenn how important he is and how he’s like a son, which he totally doesn’t have to do. Hopefully he doesn’t become the Dale of Season 3.

When it comes to Tyreese and his friends, I’m amused that the show is cherry-picking characters from the comic to introduce like Alan, his deceased wife Donna who died in episode 8, and his son Ben. In the comic Alan, his wife Donna, and young twin sons were part of the original survivors living outside Atlanta. It seems strange to introduce them now and to only have him with one son who’s a teenager. I’m really glad those idiots didn’t convince Tyreese and his daughter to make a play for the weapons while Rick was gone. So far I’m enjoying Tyreese as a character. He’s cool, calm, and a decent guy. He had a great line to Rick toward the end about being willing to pitch in, “You’ve got a problem with other folks, we can help with that too.” What a nice fellow.

Okay, lastly why the heck is with Rick totally losing his marbles? He saw some bizarre spectre in white which we can only assume is Lori, but why are the writers making him way crazier than he gets in the comics? Is it to add a wildcard element to the conflict with Woodbury? I think it’s intense enough on its own. I’m a little nervous to see how they play this out.  

What did you think of Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 9? Are you annoyed with Glenn? Do you think the survivors will learn to trust Tyreese? Do you think Rick has become unfit to lead?

Also, click here to take this week’s poll: If you were Rick would you have let Merle join the group if it meant keeping Daryl?

Thoughts on AMC’s New Trailers for Walking Dead Season 3 Return

Posted on by

Last week, AMC release two new trailers teasing the return of The Walking Dead Season 3 on February 10. I waited as long as I could without watching them, but couldn’t help checking them out, so here are some quick thoughts on what’s in store for us.

The first video is a quick little 30 second piece promising a look at Rick and The Governor meeting face-to-face for the first time. Thankfully it indicates that Daryl survives his bout with Merle, because he’s seen telling someone that The Governor is on his way to the prison. The majority of the trailer just plays up the impending war between the prison group and Woodbury, with soundbites from the characters mentioning how the action is going to heat up. Nothing we didn’t already know was coming. Then finally at the very end we just see separate shots of Rick and The Governor supposedly talking about how they have things to discuss. It’s kind of a rip off, because it’s not even clear they’re in the same room or that the clips are from the same scene based on the way it’s cut. No need to waste your time on this video. If you’d like to see it though, it’s below.

The second trailer for The Walking Dead Season 3 part 2, is a minute-long piece that seems like a music video at first with its credit in the corner revealing the name of the artist and song that it uses. There are some revealing tidbits with Carl telling Rick he should stop being the leader, The Governor telling Andrea to leave for the prison, and a naked Andrea standing over The Governor while he’s asleep holding a knife. Maybe he catches her contemplating his murder and that’s why he sends her away? Glenn has gotten much more badass, talking about how if The Governor wants a war, then he’s got one. Hopefully that trend will continue in the second half of the season. What piqued my curiosity the most was Hershel at the end of the trailer, calling Rick out. He’s yelling at Rick about taking responsibility for his dictatorship. I wonder what prompts that moment. Again the trailer is below. This one is definitely worth checking out.

What are you most looking forward to about the return of The Walking Dead on February 10? Any predictions on what will happen with the second half of Season 3?

Walking Dead Season 3 Ep. 2 (Sick) Recap

Posted on by
Norman Reedus as Daryl in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 2

The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Rick’s team frantically attempts to save the Hershel’s life, while trying to work out a truce with the prison’s other newly discovered inhabitants.

Thankfully, Episode 2 (Sick) of The Walking Dead Season 3, picks up immediately where where Episode 1 left off, so you don’t miss a minute of action. After amputating Hershel’s leg and the encountering the prison’s survivors, Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and T-Dog desperately try to stop the bleeding. They manage to rush Hershel back to their cell block, where Carol, Lori, and his daughters provide care, but without medical supplies his fate is uncertain.

Next, Rick, Daryl, and T-Dog regroup and explain to the cooped up prisoners exactly what has been happening on the outside. I find the prisoners’ inability to digest the situation comical; one of them is so dumb, that he asks to borrow a cellphone. Once everything sinks in, everyone quickly realizes, that an agreement must be formed about sharing resources, since the convicts insist on staying.

Unlike the comic, which gradually builds up tension between these two factions, I dig that the show just drops you right into it. Rick and the long-haired leader of the cons are instantly at odds over their arrangement. Rick continues to be a commanding leader, telling the prisoners how it’s going to be rather than haggling. In exchange for half the food, Rick and his friends offer to help clear out a cell block for the other men.

Again, the prisoners’ stupidity hilariously abounds when they fail to comply with simple zombie killing instructions. Instead of going for the head and staying in formation like they’re supposed to, the idiots scatter and start shanking the undead in the guts. My favorite part of the episode is when the long-haired dude takes a swing at Rick. The punk gets a badass machete to the head in the most satisfying kill of the episode, maybe even of the season so far. Unfortunately another prisoner crosses Rick and ends up becoming zombie chow. I understand why Rick feeds the second prisoner to them, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I like that he lets the two gentle-seeming cons live, however I’m curious to see how they get along with everyone in the long run.

Faster than in the comic, Rick is becoming a darker character who makes hard decisions to ensure everyone’s survival. As the leader, he also appears to be emotionally distancing himself from the group, especially from Lori and Carl. It’s a joy to see Lori eating more humble pie in this episode, when she admits to being a lousy mom and wife on multiple occasions, though it’s kind of sad that Rick still wants nothing to do with her.

I still appreciate that this show keeps me guessing even though I’ve read the Walking Dead comics. Hershel’s situation literally kept me on the edge of my seat and when they showed a mysterious party spying on Carol from the woods, I legitimately had no idea who it was.

Who do you think it was spying on Carol? Are you happy Hershel appears to be okay for now? Do you agree with Rick’s decision to feed the second prisoner to zombies? Do you think Rick and Lori will patch things up at some point?