Prison Crew vs. Woodbury Round 1: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 8 (Made to Suffer)

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Evan Crean

Michonne (Danai Gurira) on The Walking Dead

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: A new group of survivors stumble upon the prison and take shelter there. Back at Woodbury, Rick launches his rescue operation, Michonne finally faces off against The Governor, and Andrea uncovers some of her new boyfriend’s dark secrets.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 8 pulls a Lost with its opening. Remember that exciting moment right before stuff was supposed to down in the last episode? That spot where you were focused on all your favorite characters? We’re not going to pick up there. Instead we’re going to be in a completely different place with brand new characters, and we’ll get back to everyone else later. Normally I would be annoyed by that kind of tactic, except it’s hard to stay mad when an awesome new character from the Walking Dead comics is introduced right in the beginning.

We start out with Tyreese (Chad Coleman) and his daughter, his daughter’s boyfriend, and some other random couple fighting their way through walkers in the woods, until they come upon the broken backside of the prison. Unfortunately the woman is bitten and with zombies hot on their trail, they must make the quick decision to seek shelter there. Luckily for them, Carl hears their screams of terror and tracks them down to help. He escorts them back to safety and even offers to shoot their doomed friend. Already displaying excellent character, Tyreese waives off the assistance with the line “We take care of our own,” as he wields a ball pein hammer. Then his daughter flips out when Carl locks them up together (smart move Carl), but Tyreese continues to be a cool cat with the response “His house (his rules)…” Heck he’s just grateful for a place to sleep.

For those unfamiliar with the comics I’ll briefly explain why Tyreese’s appearance is so great. In the comics, Tyreese and Rick become total besties because they’re both strong, determined guys. They often disagree about how their group should be run and who should be the leader. Sometimes their arguments are so serious that they get physical. One of the most beautiful two-page pieces of art in the comics, involves fists flying between the two. I’m looking forward to fascinating drama and complex dilemmas Rick will have to face with Tyreese around.

Anyway, how could we forget about everyone else at Woodbury? First off, props to Glenn and Maggie for their escape attempt. Glenn’s plan to rip sharp bones out of a dead walker for weaponry is pretty genius. Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Oscar infiltrate Woodbury and not a moment too soon, considering they save Glenn and Maggie right before execution. The ensuing firefight left me on the edge of my seat constantly wondering who would get killed. I wasn’t surprised that Oscar goes, though I was a bit sad that he gets a throwaway Star Trek red-shirt style demise.

Michonne’s showdown with The Governor is fun, although a bit agitating because she leaves everyone else high and dry just to fight him. She kills The Governor’s walker daughter, smashes his zombie televisions with her head, and shoves a glass shard into his eye. Believe it or not, that’s Michonne being nicer to him than she is in the comics. She brutally mutilates The Governor there, but she has more reasons to.

I love (sarcasm) how Andrea stumbles onto the whole nasty scene and still manages to stay with The Governor, even after he dodges her inquiries about what happened. As a Daryl fan, I was so mad that he stayed behind to find Merle, and that he was taken prisoner. I was legitimately surprised that the scumbag Governor gave that big speech in which he sold out Merle, outing him falsely as a traitor. I’m extremely nervous for Daryl and Merle, since The Governor whipped the crowd into a murderous frenzy. Hopefully Andrea will intervene on their behalf.

Were you surprised that The Governor turned on Merle? Let me know in my poll.

What do you think is in store for the characters when the season resumes in February? Will Daryl and Merle survive? Will Rick and The Governor come directly to blows?

Glenn Goes Beast Mode: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 7 (When the Dead Come Knocking)

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Evan Crean

Michonne (Danai Gurira), Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Oscar (Vincent M. Ward), and Daryl (Norman Reedus) on The Walking Dead

Summary: Glenn and Maggie are brutally interrogated in Woodbury, while Andrea helps The Governor with a bizarre experiment. After rescuing Michonne from a pack of walkers, Rick and company learn of Glenn and Maggie’s misfortune. Michonne, Rick, Oscar, and Daryl then set out on a mission to rescue their friends from Woodbury, but hit some snags along the way.

I’m proud of Glenn for taking such a brutal beating in the opening of The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 7. I can’t believe that he manages to take all that abuse and still maintain his wits. It’s a little sad though when he tells Merle about T-Dog being dead, and rather silly when he lies and says Andrea is still with his group. Can’t wait to see the look on Glenn’s face when he finds out Andrea is in Woodbury.

Later on that sicko Merle leaves a tied up Glenn to fend for himself against a zombie. Thankfully Glenn busts out of his chair and goes beast mode on that thing. It is simultaneously awesome and hilarious when he screams like a madman after killing it.

Any ounce of sympathy I might have felt before for Merle or The Governor immediately evaporated once they started abusing Glenn and Maggie. I’m just glad that scumbag The Governor didn’t actually rape Maggie, since he did force himself on another woman in the comics. I was upset that Maggie is the one who finally cracks and reveals the prison considering the show already does such a poor job writing female characters. The writers seemingly throw every opportunity out the window to show women in a positive light. In the comics, Glenn is actually the one who can’t take the interrogation, so why not carry that over to the show? Give Maggie a chance to prove she’s tough.

Andrea does The Governor an interesting favor by helping out the nerdy guy with an idiotic experiment. Obviously The Governor wants to see if his daughter has any of her old memories left, so he has nerdo see if a dying man’s memory stays behind inside the zombie’s brain. No surprise that the experiment is a failure! Andrea has to stab it in the head. No idea why we needed to see this. I don’t remember it from the comics.

Back at the prison, Rick reluctantly rescues Michonne from a pack of walkers with sharpshooting assistance from young Carl. I can’t believe that Rick immediately tries to squeeze information out of her wounded leg. What a bastard! I thought his very tearful, emotional reunion with Carol was rather bizarre. Maybe Carl will get a new mom? That would be weird since Carol clearly has the hots for Daryl.

Rick and Carl decide on a name for the baby: Judith, the same name given to her in the comics. Being the great father that he is, Rick decides to leave Carl and the others at the prison while he gathers a rescue party for Glenn and Maggie. In a completely twisted scene, Rick’s party gets surrounded by walkers and Michonne kills some noisy kook who finds them (thank god she finally became useful). Wisely they feed his corpse to the zombies. Did you agree with that decision? Take my poll and let me know.

Rick’s crew is right outside entrance of Woodbury by the episode’s close which left me totally amped up for the next episode. Shit is clearly going to hit the fan and there will be some serious bloodshed in Woodbury.

Do you think Merle will remain loyal to The Governor? Or will he take Daryl’s side? Will Daryl remain loyal to his friends?

Dial ‘R’ for Rick: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6 (Hounded)

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Evan Crean

Steve Yeun as Glenn in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6

Summary: Merle and Michonne have a bloody face off in the wilderness, while Rick talks more to his mystery caller, and Andrea hopelessly swoons over The Governor. Also, members from Rick’s prison crew and citizens of Woodbury finally cross paths under unfortunate circumstances.

Did anyone actually think The Governor would let Michonne leave Woodbury without trying to kill her once she was out on her own? I know I wasn’t surprised to see Merle out in the wilderness with a couple of men stalking her in The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6 (Hounded). I got a chuckle out of her “Bitergram” as Merle put it, but mostly I was relieved that Michonne finally showed some creativity and personality in her arrangement of zombie body parts in the form of “Go Back.” At least she tried to warn them before unleashing the fury with her katana.

It was bloody and beautiful to see her slicing and dicing The Governor’s men just like she does in the comics. What caught me off guard was Merle’s attempts to help the younger guy keep it together. Although he threatened to kick the dude’s teeth in, Merle seemed to be genuinely trying to mentor to the up-and-coming henchman. I liked how Merle kept asking the kid about how to pronounce his last name. There was something comically tragic about Merle trying to say the youth’s name before putting a bullet in him. I get the distinct impression that Merle’s lies to The Governor about killing Michonne will come back to bite him as bad a hungry walker.

Back at the prison Rick talks more on the phone to the woman who contacted him at the end of episode 5. He even goes as far as to tell Hershel about the calls, which is pretty brave considering he turns out to be imagining them. This is just like the comics, where Rick loses his mind after Lori’s death, and invents the calls in his head. I was fairly certain the show would do the same thing, however I wasn’t expecting them to reveal that Rick was crazy so soon. In the comics, Rick talks on the phone for a while, maybe months before he even reveals his conversations to anyone. I’m glad that talking to Lori on the phone helped Rick get his head out of his ass, so that he would remember Carl and the baby.

Every time I think that I can’t love Daryl any more as a character, he does something new to score additional points like the conversation he has with Carl. As they’re clearing out a hall in the prison, I love how Daryl opens up about his own mother’s death and offers to condolences to Carl for his loss. At this point Daryl is a better parent than both Rick and Lori. They better not kill him off. If they do I will be pissed.

I should be annoyed with Andrea for falling for The Governor’s charms and sleeping with him, but she continues to prove that her judgement is terrible so I can’t be too upset with her. You know who got me really agitated though? Michonne! I couldn’t believe that she just sat idle while Merle kidnapped Glenn and Maggie. I understand that she was nervous, but it was obvious that Glenn and Maggie were kind people considering that they were shopping for a baby. Her appearance at the prison gates with baby items in hand was a fantastic way to end the episode and a great way for Rick to meet her however.

Did Michonne make you angry for hiding instead of helping? Take my poll and let me know your thoughts.

Were you surprised to see Carol alive at the end of the episode? Are you excited to see the impending showdown between Rick’s team and The Governor? Will Glenn crack under the pressure of torture? What do you think will happen in episode 7?

Mad Merle Beyond Thunderdome: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 5 (Say the Word)

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Evan Crean

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead

Summary: Following Lori’s death, Rick loses his mind and storms off in a violent rage, forcing the rest of his group to find food for the new baby. In Woodbury, The Governor’s dark secrets are revealed, and Michonne tries to convince Andrea that they need to leave immediately.

Literally as soon as The Governor mentioned his daughter in Episode 4, I knew that we would probably see him with a zombie girl in The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 5 (Say the Word). That’s because in the comics, The Governor cares for his zombified niece like she’s still alive, except feeding her flesh and her and keeping her chained up in his apartment. I like that the writers decided to make her his daughter instead though, since it gives the plot point greater emotional impact, especially during that creepy opening scene where he’s brushing her hair. As a loving father, he becomes sympathetic, and less outright evil.

What makes your skin crawl even more is the shot where The Governor is looking out the window with his daughter covered up, and sees Michonne staring at him outside. It’s almost as if she knows exactly what’s going on without actually seeing it all clearly. Feels very Hitchcockian.

Michonne continues snooping around Woodbury, reclaiming her sword, and making The Governor angry by killing his collection of zombie specimens that were locked up. Again, from the moment I saw those caged zombies, I knew we’d be seeing another element featured in the comics: The Governor’s zombie Thunderdome. I didn’t necessarily expect to see him put on the sadistic game in the same episode however. It’s completely unsurprising that a thug like Merle feels right at home in a ring like that.

I don’t care how insane things became after the zombie apocalypse; I would never find amusement in something that twisted. Although I do get where The Governor was coming from when he rationalized it to Andrea by saying it taught people not to be afraid.

Speaking of Andrea, I wanted to find out what Michonne said that almost convinced her to leave Woodbury. It was frustrating how they cut away just before Michonne could explain herself. But it’s more troubling that Andrea decided to stay despite those words. I’m glad Michonne is on her own again and curious to see what dastardly plans The Governor has for her.

Rick lost his mind just as bad as he did in the comic after Lori’s death. I was pretty annoyed with him for throwing a tantrum, leaving everyone else to care for the baby. At least we got some quality time with other characters in the episode. Oscar and Axel showed their sympathy for the dead, and that they’re reasonable guys who want to help. Glenn also opened up to Hershel, saying all the kind things we all were thinking about T-Dog. And my favorite part of the episode: when Daryl tenderly cradles the baby in his arms to feed her, as everyone huddles close to discuss names.

I’m really surprised how closely the show is following the comic this season, compared to the first two. It’s kind of refreshing to have some clue as to what might happen next, but I hope it’s not a permanent trend since I don’t want it to become too predictable.

What was your favorite baby name? Share your thoughts in this week’s poll.

Also, were you surprised about The Governor’s zombie daughter? Did you think his zombie Thunderdome was screwed up or did you understand it? Who do you think was on the phone when Rick answered it at the end?

What Happens When You Assume: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4 (Killer Within)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Evan Crean

Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori in The Walking Dead

Summary: At the prison, things go horribly wrong for Rick and company when a saboteur lets walkers in and sounds the alarms. Meanwhile, Andrea starts to have her doubts about leaving Woodbury as she grows more attached, Michonne suspects The Governor of foul play after does some snooping, and Merle talks about going out to find Daryl.

You know the annoying expression: When you assume, you make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me.’ During The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4, I felt pretty assy and I bet Rick did too for assuming that Andrew, the axe-toting prisoner from the season premiere, had become zombie chow. Not only was he alive, but he was really pissed, and understandably so, considering he was left for dead.

As they show the mysterious figure carrying a fuel jug, cutting open the prison gates, and using the deer carcass to attract zombies, you get casual hints that it’s Andrew, based on the clothes and his footwear. Later in the episode when he’s revealed to be the culprit who was sneaking around in the woods, it’s not terribly shocking or satisfying however. I was really hoping that someone more fascinating was spying and trying to mess with them.

It was badass though when one of the other prisoners shot Andrew. I’m glad that they were finally able to convince Rick that they’re worth trusting. I was getting really annoyed about how no one was willing to let the decent prisoners join their group. Literally Rick was at the point where he would rather turn the poor bastards loose on the road then take them in, and it was just wrong.

In the melee caused by Andrew’s sabotage, unfortunately we saw the untimely deaths of two main characters: Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and T-Dog (IronE Singleton). Both were sad, but personally I was more distraught over the loss of T-Dog. The moment he got bit, I literally yelled “Nooo!” out loud. He was just a consistently nice, honorable character even down to the end, when he bravely sacrificed himself to hungry walkers so that Carol could escape. And speaking of Carol, it sucks that everyone thinks she is dead.

Lori could be incredibly obnoxious, although it was still difficult to see a mother pass away at a time when her baby would need her care more than ever. At least her character redeemed herself a bit this season. I feel incredibly bad for Carl who not only had to be scarred for life by seeing his mom in labor, he had to ensure that she didn’t become a zombie after she died.

Should be interesting to see how they figure out how to take care of a baby without a mother around to feed it. I’m also curious if Rick will take Lori’s death as hard as he took it in the comic, almost losing a bit of his own sanity.

Nothing at Woodbury happened which was that eventful. Even The Governor was so bored he was just hitting golf balls. Andrea just further proved that she has terrible judgement when it comes to men (i.e. The Governor) and Michonne continues to earn points with me for her distrust of the falsely benevolent leader. Hopefully The Governor will let Merle go looking for Daryl soon. I’d like to see the Dixon brothers reunited.

Which character’s death hit you the hardest? – Take my poll and let me know your thoughts.

How long do you think it will take Rick’s group to find Carol? Do you think Michonne will actually convince Andrea to leave Woodbury? Will The Governor let Merle go looking for Daryl? What else do you want to see happen this season?

Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3 (Walk with Me) Recap

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Evan Crean

Andrea and Michonne in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3

Summary: Andrea and Michonne search for survivors to a mysterious helicopter crash, but in the process, they’re apprehended by Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) and a band of strangers. The pair is taken to a heavily guarded settlement ruled by a seemingly benevolent leader called The Governor (David Morrissey). Can he be trusted though?

If you’re like me, and you’ve been anxious for more focus on Andrea and Michonne, The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3 (Walk with Me) doesn’t disappoint. In fact, Walk with Me is all about Michonne and Andrea.

For a scene that should be full of intrigue, the helicopter crash during the opening, surprisingly lacks punch. That’s mostly because you don’t find out much about the military men in the chopper or where they’re coming from. However, there’s plenty of gripping tension in the moments when Andrea and Michonne are hiding outside the crash site, looking for survivors. Director Guy Ferland uses some wicked cool camera angles to build suspense, like an over the shoulder shot from behind Michonne where the samurai sword on her back diagonally crosses the frame.

Ferland also expertly emphasizes their fear when Michonne’s walkers start growing loud and ornery, nearly giving away their position. The finest part of that whole sequence though, is the reveal where we find out that Merle Dixon is not only alive, but he’s in league with the men searching the crash site. Best of all, he and Andrea instantly recognize one another when Merle delivers the famous line you’ve seen to death in Season 3 trailers.

I like that this Merle is very different from the one we encountered in the early episodes of Season 1. It’s obvious that he’s a changed man, less gruff and offensive, with enough humility to make him a more sympathetic character. There’s still something not quite on the level about him though, and Rooker does a fantastic job of disguising that fact to the other characters.

The Governor is an even greater master of deception, a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. He oozes charisma, Southern charm, and conviction. He acts benevolent, but he’s definitely got darker motives as witnessed by his massacre of the military men and his weird zombie-head fish tanks. I appreciate that the TV show doesn’t set him up as a cartoony villain. He’s a layered character who’s not purely evil and nihilistic like he is in the comics. I’m looking forward to learning more about him.

As a huge fan of Michonne from the Walking Dead comics, I’m thrilled to see her getting more attention in this episode. Just like in the comics, she is a woman of few words, although in the show her character gains much more depth because Dana Guirira, the actor portraying her, uses her face to say all kinds of things her mouth doesn’t. Michonne’s expressions at Andrea, reveal just how much she likes being cooped in Woodbury and how little she trusts The Governor. If she’s even a quarter as deadly as she is in the comics, I can’t wait to see her unleash rage on anyone/anything who crosses her.

And now, on to discussion questions:

Did you trust The Governor when he said that he wants to rebuild society? Did you believe him when he said Andrea and Michonne could come and go as they please? Merle is clearly not the same, but do you think he’s as bad as he used to be? Do you think the next episode will just be about Michonne and Andrea again? Or will the show return to the prison?

Walking Dead Season 3 Ep. 2 (Sick) Recap

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Evan Crean

Norman Reedus as Daryl in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 2

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?

Walking Dead Season 3, Ep. 1 (Seed) Recap

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Evan Crean

Summary: Months after the events of Season 2, an exhausted Rick and company discover a prison that they decide to use for shelter. The only problem is that it’s filled with zombies, so Rick pushes his troops to clear out all the undead inside. Meanwhile, Michonne, the samurai sword-wielding, hooded figure from the Season 2 finale takes care of a sick Andrea.

This episode’s opening shot is fantastic. It starts on the blank lifeless, eye of a zombie and pulls back to reveal the entire ghoul just before it’s assassinated by a shotgun toting Rick. Then, everyone in the group comes swarming in to clear this house. Not sure where they found or made silencers for some of their guns, but I’m surprised no one thought of the idea sooner.

The whole pre-credits sequence is really gritty and intense. Everyone looks ragged, even Carl. The lack of dialogue in this scene ups the anxiety. No one says a word after they come up empty handed in their search and must flee a group of approaching walkers. All it took was that opening to get me.

Daryl continues to be my favorite character on the show for his complexity and his humor. It’s silly enough that he has to kill an owl for food, but only he could get away with a line like “While the others wash their panties, we should do some hunting, because that owl did not hit the spot.”

I’m also pleased to see Rick has become a much stronger leader since he declared Ricktatorship. He’s firm, resolute, and fast-acting. He even gives a rousing motivational speech to his team like a coach before the big game. And although Lori has long been a source of annoyance for her vacillating loyalties and her emotional behavior, it was nice to see her actually show remorse for turning Rick and Shane against each other.

Very little story focuses on Michonne, my favorite character from the Walking Dead comics, which is sad but understandable because she’s new. I have a feeling the writers will get to her more in the coming episodes.

Speaking of the comics, I’m happy that the writers decided to carry over the plot about encountering survivors in the prison at the end and leg amputation, even though it’s with a different character than the comic. Those two elements should be the source of gripping drama this season.

Anyone disappointed with the low amount of zombie killing so far in the series will change their attitude after this episode. More zombies are probably taken down in this 45 minutes than all of Season 1 and 2 combined.

What do you think of the first episode of Season 3? Do you like the new Rick? Were you happy to see Lori pay for her mistakes? Do you think they’ll tell us what happened during the months between Season 2 and Season 3? Any predictions on what might happen next?

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