The Walking Dead: Season 3, Episode 16 (Welcome to the Tombs)

Warning: this is as much of a recap as it is a review, so here there be SPOILERS.

The third season of The Walking Dead is a wrap.  In recent weeks, the show had been on fire, and the momentum and hype this strong run generated served to create lofty expectations for the last episode.  Yes, the big finale sought to place an exclamation point on the season, and in many ways it succeeded.  Yet it must be noted that in many ways it was also very disappointing.  Now, I felt that "Welcome to the Tombs" was a solid episode, and were this week 14 or 15, I think I would be more lenient.  However, I think most everyone was expecting much more from the season finale, and despite several important deaths and some extremely intense material, this one failed to close out Season 3 with a bang.  It didn't really come close, truth be told.

Now, the beginning was great.  In fact, I thought this might have been one of The Walking Dead's strongest opening reels.  The Governor worked Milton over and gave him an ultimatum: kill Andrea or die.  I knew Milton was a goner back in Week 14--and, as I recall, in addition to noting that I didn't see him making it to Season 4, I also noted that I couldn't decide if I liked his odds of seeing Season 4 more than those of that sucker who was traveling with Tyreese--but I didn't expect to see Woodbury's resident scientist/idiot make such a ballsy exit.  Anyway, instead of offing Andrea, Milt made a lunge at The Governor and got stabbed for his efforts.  To make matters worse, The Governor coolly advised Milton that he was going to turn and kill Andrea in spite of his heroics.  This was also some of the best stuff we've seen yet courtesy of David Morrissey as The Governor, and the "Kill or die . . . or . . . die and kill" line was sweet. 

Yes, we were off and running, and I was thinking that we were in for quite a show.  Now, so far as Andrea, Milton, and The Governor were concerned, I was right.  Most everything else seemed to be a bit lacking, especially when you consider that this was the end of the road for what has thus far proven to be a damn good season of a terrific program.  Unfortunately, while a killer episode may have established this as the finest season thus far, the end result was a decisive third-place finish for Season 3.  No doubt about it.

Back at the prison, our merry band of survivors were getting ready to bolt.  Carl was ticked off, Glenn was concerned, and Rick and Michonne had a bizarre "I almost handed you to The Governor on a silver platter, but you're one of us" talk that was more than a little odd.  To their credit, Andrew Lincoln and Danai Guriri somehow managed to get the job done, but it was just a strange little chat that I didn't really dig.

In Woodbury, The Governor rallied his troops and led the charge toward the prison, minus Tyreese.  The big dude who can't shoot for shit spoke up during The Governor's Patton impersonation and declared that he wasn't there to fight other people.  After stating that he was going to sit this one out, he offered to stay behind to protect the women and children.    I liked this development, but I thought this scene was also a bit clumsy.  Much of the finale seemed rushed to me, as though AMC was hastily advancing the plot.  At this point, the episode was clearly losing steam, but a worthy finale was still within reach.  After all, the inevitable confrontation we've been waiting for was on the horizon.  Or was it?

Let's talk about what happened at the prison.  Why?  I guess I have to, that's why.  This review/recap wouldn't be complete without it.  Basically, The Governor's troops (I should probably put an asterisk beside troops, but more on that later) hit the scene and blasted the shit out of the prison and all the walkers gathered around the entrance.  In truth, this assault was fairly badass, aside from the fact that Rick and his people were nowhere to be seen.  Growing more and more agitated with every second that passed, The Governor led his troops deeper and deeper into the prison, chasing shadows and rushing toward the distant moans of the undead.  This is probably the point where most of his troops started to realize that The Governor didn't really know what the fuck he was doing.

This fool's army came across a trap, setting off a couple of flash-bombs and attracting walkers.  They escaped the prison and came under fire from Glenn and Maggie, who were clad in body armor.  They sprayed a hell of a lot of lead, but I'm not sure that they hit anyone.  Regardless, The Governor's troops took off, running toward their vehicles.  It was as if the commanding arsenal that they had attacked the prison with mere moments ago was utterly forgotten, and it was patently obvious that The Governor's attempt to play general was bound to end in failure.  Yes, AMC butchered the big confrontation, totally marring both the finale and the season itself in the process.  The bad guys blew a bunch of walkers up, two of Rick's people took a few shots at them, and the bad guys jumped in their vehicles and drove off.  It was a lesson in how NOT to present a thrilling conclusion to a story.

Rick and the rest of the gang emerged and celebrated.  Yay for them.  Oh, and Carl iced some kid who was trying to surrender, much to Hershel's dismay, and then told his dad he killed a soldier who "drew" on him.  Hershel told Rick otherwise and now we have some drama to carry over into Season 4.  Meanwhile, The Governor made his people stop in the middle of the road.  They tell him it's over, they're not soldiers, and he loses it.  This was a very effective scene, and both the music and Morrissey were excellent here.  He gunned all of the troops down aside from Martinez and that one guy that some people thought was Tyreese back at the beginning of the season.  Oh, and the victims here included that sucker who was traveling with Tyreese.  Milton, we'll miss.  That sucker?  Well, we didn't really give a damn about him, now did we?

The Governor and his remaining troops, both of whom were doing an admirable job of playing it cool, got in a truck and drove off.  I bet no one was telling jokes during that ride.  Where did they go?  Well, I thought they were going back to Woodbury, but either I was wrong or they got lost.  What's next for The Governor?  Who knows?  I don't.  Nor does anyone who was relying on the big season finale for information.  That was the last we would see of David Morrissey in Season 3.

Finally, we made our way back to Andrea and Milton.  He had dropped a pair of pliers behind her when The Governor made him gather up all the instruments of torture just lying around earlier in the show.  Milton told Andrea about the pliers, and told her to hurry.  She told him she was going to get out of the chair and save them both, and he told her she was going to get out of the chair and finish him off.  He knew he wasn't going to make it, and he kept telling Andrea to hurry.  She didn't do a great job of listening to him, and by the time she was finally making some progress, Milton was dead.  Soon he turned and began to make his way toward her.  The camera cut away and we heard Andrea scream.

Rick, Michonne, and Daryl decided to go to Woodbury.  I don't know what they were thinking.  I think the writers of the show were thinking for them at that point, and they had loose ends to tie off and the clock was ticking.  Anyway, they picked up this one chick who survived The Governor's massacre so she could join the crew and tell them what happened.   Later, they reached Woodbury and found Andrea.  We thought she was in the clear, because we weren't going to be fooled by that scream after the cutaway, right?  But we were wrong.  She had freed herself and finished Milton off, but not before he took a little bite out of her chest.  Next, we got some emotional stuff that felt rushed on Rick's behalf, but genuine coming from Michonne.  Andrea shot herself and our trio wound up taking Tyreese and all of Woodbury's remaining residents, namely the women and children, back to the prison.

How do I feel about Andrea's exit?  I'm pretty sure I hate it.  This season now stands as a complete and total waste of one of the better performers on the show and one of the comic's most beloved characters.  Andrea was a solid component of AMC's The Walking Dead in the first two seasons, but Season 3 served as a tremendous disappointment in regards to her character.  Maybe the show will find a way to make this up to me, but that's a tall order.

I guess that just about sums it up.  In truth, this episode probably wasn't as bad as it sounds, and I do believe that it would have been perfectly acceptable if it wasn't the season finale.  Yet there was so much to accomplish and the audience's hopes were so high that it's really hard to give this show a good grade in light of the circumstances.  This season warranted a gripping finale with a big showdown, and in truth it needed such an outcome to warrant all the hype and drama that brought us here.  Yet it was a letdown and it cheapened much of what transpired in Season 3.  As bizarre as it sounds, I would have to close this blog out by saying that I enjoyed the episode, particularly the stuff with Andrea, Milton, and The Governor, but I was very disappointed at the same time.  This was a solid episode, but it wasn't a worthy season finale.  Not by a long shot.

Am I being too hard on "Welcome to the Tombs"?

Am I being too hard on Season 3?

When will Rick and The Governor finally come to blows?

Is Carl fucked up?
I'll answer that one for you: Yes, but it's to be expected.

If I'm right, can AMC's The Walking Dead redeem itself in Season 4?

The Walking Dead: Season 3, Episode 7 (When the Dead Come Knocking)

Last night was another solid outing for The Walking Dead, and as we head toward this week's mid-season finale, the tension is incredibly high.  This show always leaves me wanting more, and there have been several fine cliff-hangers to close out episodes, but I'm particularly anxious for next week's show.  This season has featured an abundance of action, but the plot has been gaining steam slowly, setting up a looming conflict between Rick and the band of survivors he has led to the prison and The Governor and his people in Woodbury.  Next week these communities will finally clash, and the stakes are incredibly high.

I continue to marvel at Andrew Lincoln and his masterful portrayal of Rick, which has certainly proven to be an incredibly demanding role.  He is the heart and soul of this show, and he excels at giving the audience a compelling character to cement this epic program.  Having said that, the rest of the cast is incredibly gifted as well, and with every episode fan-favorites like Daryl and Michonne become even more important to The Walking Dead's success.  As with many of my favorite shows, this is a true ensemble piece, and if one were to ask me to name my favorite character, I'm not entirely sure that I could.  Even if I did, if you asked me the same question a week later it's entirely possible that my answer would change.

Steven Yeun

One standout had been under-utilized this season until last night's offering, but Glenn (Steven Yeun) definitely had a full plate in Episode 7.  "When the Dead Come Knocking" found he and Maggie (the gorgeous Lauren Cohan) imprisoned in Woodbury.  Merle (Michael Rooker) wants to know where his brother is, and The Governor wants the scoop on the other group's location, so Merle spent much of this episode working Glenn over.  Glenn's a tough nut, and he didn't crack, but The Governor managed to get Maggie to spill the beans. 

Meanwhile, Michonne found her way to the prison and met up with Rick and the gang, and they formed an uneasy alliance that should become stronger as time passes.  Michonne was struggling with a gunshot wound, but that didn't stop Danai Guriri from kicking a lot of ass.  Aside from Andrew Lincoln, I thought Jon Bernthal was the show's big find in the first two seasons, and now Guriri and David Morrissey (The Governor) are proving to be just as critical to the show's success in Season 3.  I think that there can be no doubt that Guriri is a stellar representation of the character fans of the comic just can't get enough of, and last night's episode only added to her appeal.  Morrissey is also doing a terrific job, but I'm still a bit on the fence in regards to the way AMC has chosen to depict the character.

Now, anyone who has read the comic series knows that the show has made a lot of changes.  Many of them have been relatively minor, slight alterations that serve to keep those who read the comic on their toes without really disrupting the plot.  Some have been major alterations, to include shocking deaths for characters who survived far longer in the comics, or the addition of stellar characters like Daryl and Merle.  The people behind the show are using the comic series as the basis for their efforts, but they aren't painting by the numbers.  Yet in spite of the liberties they have taken, some of the choices they have made with The Governor's character are particularly intriguing. 

Robert Kirkman, the mastermind behind The Walking Dead, has gone on record as saying that the show intends to show a more seductive side of the character and that they wanted to make him more political.  Yet in many ways, some feel that in giving us a more nuanced version of this character, The Governor has essentially been defanged.  Now, we're not even halfway through the season yet, and The Governor is proving to be a solid villain, but I do think that there is some merit to those claims.   

In the comics, Rick and Michonne (not Glenn and Maggie) wind up in The Governor's clutches, and since there is no Merle, it's The Governor who works them both over.  He promptly cuts Rick's hand off, and Michonne is beaten and raped repeatedly by this despicable menace.  He is utterly deplorable and his actions set him up as the finest villain the comic series has yet to produce.  The show is giving us a sound villain, that much is true, but I do believe The Governor that comic fans know and despise would eat the television version of his character alive.  To a certain extent I'm okay with that; television is a different medium with different requirements.  However, as much as I like this show, last night's scene with The Governor and Maggie hit me the wrong way.

Maybe I'm thinking about this too much, but I didn't like the way they arranged that scene.  I think I would have preferred if they had gone all the way with the material and allowed The Governor to beat and rape Maggie, though I think they should have found a way to do it off-screen.  Simply allowing The Governor to force Maggie to disrobe was a bizarre choice.  Was it an attempt to hint at the way the scene unfolded in the comic or was it a shameless attempt to titillate the audience?  Seriously, why have her disrobe to begin with given the way things played out?  Anyone who has read my work knows that (much like Kirkman) I don't believe in pulling punches, so I think they should have taken things to the limit, but in lieu of that, I would have abandoned the disrobing aspect altogether.  It was totally unnecessary given the direction they took, and that moment did serve as a compelling example of how the show's version of The Governor isn't nearly as demented or ruthless as his comic counterpart. 

The comic book version of The Governor

Now, this was still a terrific episode, and it really set the stage for the mid-season finale.  The Walking Dead remains the best thing going on television (at least until Justified starts up again) and the show is only getting better.  In truth, I firmly believe that whether you prefer the show or the comic, The Walking Dead is the best thing happening in horror in 2012, to include television, motion pictures, comics, and novels.  That's lofty praise, but Robert Kirkman and his bloodthirsty creation deserve it.  Next week's episode should be explosive.

Will Rick and The Governor square off?

Will Daryl and Merle have a reunion?   

Will Glen and Maggie be rescued? 

Will the show find a way to set their version of The Governor up as a figure who is just as terrifying and monstrous as the comic book's superior villain? 

Will there be another shocking death before the second half of the season gets underway? 

I don't know, but I do know this: I'll be watching. 

The Walking Dead: Season 3, Episode 6 (Hounded)

Season 3 continues to pack a wealth of excitement and terror into every episode, and last night's entry, entitled "Hounded", was no different.  We spent a lot of time with Rick and the gang at the prison, and we also spent a lot of time with The Governor and his underlings in their community.  There was action, there was gore, there was even a little sex, and there were some major developments that will eventually (I'm thinking sooner rather than later) bring our two bands of survivors into direct conflict.  This was a very effective episode and it spotlighted some of the newest additions to the The Walking Dead while also paying close attention to the regulars we've been following from the very start.

Michonne continues to impress, and with every episode she becomes more valuable to the show.  Should her character continue to progress, we may reach a point where (as in the comics) she is just as valuable to the story as Rick.  She is a strong presence who is equally adept at sniffing out a rat (The Governor has charmed Andrea into his bed, but he couldn't get Michonne to believe anything he said) and dismembering anyone living or dead who dares to threaten her.  I think that Danai Guriri has done a terrific job thus far, and I hope the show makes the best use of both her ability and the character's appeal as the series continues to evolve.

The Governor himself (or "Phillip" if he's looking to get into your underpants) continues to evolve, and I am more impressed with David Morrisey's nuanced performance with every week that passes.  I think the day is coming when he will be just as despicable as he was in the comics, but he's still walking a fine line between survivor and villain.  We know he isn't trustworthy, we know he can be heartless, and we know he's up to some really bad shit, but he's so charming and perhaps even fatherly that Andrea's willingness to stand by him doesn't feel contrived.  Perhaps the slow burn Morrissey has treated us to thus far will become positively incendiary now that Maggie and Glenn are in town.

Michael Rooker is always a joy to watch, and "Hounded" gave Merle plenty to do as well.  I think that bringing this character back was a fantastic idea, and like most of you, I can't wait to see what happens when the Dixon brothers are finally reunited. 

In the prison, Rick continued to struggle with his sanity, which is completely understandable given what he has been through.  After receiving some phantom phone calls (I thought this was handled well, but I also hope that he isn't finished with the phone just yet--I don't know why, but the telephone was one of my favorite subplots in the comics) it appeared that he was starting to find his way back, and the warmest moment of the show was easily the scene where he held his baby.  Andrew Lincoln did a great job with that bit, and he remains a stellar performer.  I don't know what's next for this guy after The Walking Dead, but I have to believe that the dude is going places.

While there wasn't a lot of time reserved for the rest of the gang at the prison, they continued to shine.  I'm as big a fan of Daryl Dixon as anyone, and while I prefer badass Daryl, the depth the last two weeks have added to his character is certainly appreciated.  Dude proved to be a natural with the babe last week, and this week he found time to be there for Carl while Rick was doing his best to get a grip.  Additionally, I really enjoyed seeing Daryl find Carol toward the end of the episode.  This season has been hard on our regulars, and I think that Carol and Daryl have some interesting chemistry.  Norman Reedus is on everyone's radar, but I think Melissa McBride has been a nice asset to this show from the very beginning as well. 

In my opinion, this has to be one of the best ensembles in the history of television.  I can't think of another show where there were so many people I enjoyed rooting for or against, and the talent involved here is truly exceptional.  Any of these players is capable of doing bigger and better things, and the way they play off one another is a huge part of what makes The Walking Dead so successful.  This is a big show, and it continues to impress both the members of the audience it is geared toward and those who may not typically line up for genre fare alike.  I thought this was another strong episode in what remains the strongest season thus far.

Can AMC sustain this momentum?  They have done a great job so far, and I can't help but think that the cast and crew are determined to continue to raise the bar.  I'm certainly quite eager to see what they come up with next week.

The Walking Dead: Season 3, Episode 5 (Say the Word)

The Governor

 So, here are a few things we learned during last night's episode of the walking dead:
Darryl has a way with babies.
Rick has gone insane.
Michonne is the badass she should be.
Oh, and surprise, surprise, The Governor is one sick dude. 
Though it may have seemed somewhat tame given the ferocity of Episode 4, this was a huge entry in terms of plot, and there was still plenty of action and gore to enjoy.  A lot went down and several key moments from "Say the Word" will undoubtedly shape the season as we move forward.
In a show this big, it's hard to give everyone their due, and I wanted more Glenn in last night's episode, and I would have preferred it if they had devoted a little more time to Carl as he reacts to last week's grim outcome.  Yet we got to spend  far more time with Michonne, and I'm really starting to like the direction they're taking her in.  She is different from her comic book counterpart in some ways, but she's still the fearless survivor fans know and love.  She had a couple of big scenes last night, and despite her impressive disposal of several walkers in one of them, I thought the strongest part of the episode was her tense standoff with The Governor. 

 Speaking of The Governor, let me be the first to acknowledge that I wasn't all that thrilled about the casting of David Morrissey in the role.  It wasn't that I thought it was a bad call, it just didn't grab me right off because I wasn't familiar with Morrissey and he doesn't resemble the comic version at all.  When they started releasing stills and I saw just how different the show's depiction would be, the jury was still out.  I mean, I figured they would at least give the dude long hair or a goatee or something.  Nope.  Now, the jury is still out, as this character is slowly being revealed to us, but David is really starting to pull me in.  He is doing a nice job of melding a lot of different elements together.  He seems likable at times, and strong, trustworthy even--and yet we see beyond that.  There is also a dark soul behind his rugged charm.  There's a mean streak lurking beneath the surface, and despite his effective facade, we know that he is a madman who cannot be trusted.

Right now, I think the cast and crew are on pace to deliver the most entertaining season of The Walking Dead yet, though I did see some chinks in the armor last night.  Generally, one of the most impressive aspects of this show is the presentation; I'm fond of saying that it's the best thing that's happened to zombies in quite a while, and it has been superior to anything existing within this sub-genre to hit the big screen in recent memory.  Having said that, there were some big moments in Episode 5, and whereas the program is typically on par with a feature, it definitely looked like a TV Show at times.  I thought I saw glimpses of the budget in both Rick's gruesome descent into despair and The Governor's party.  Now, don't get me wrong, everything is top-notch when it comes to The Walking Dead, and it is as great example of what the format is capable of, but I think there were a few moments that didn't shine as brightly as they should have during last night's show.
Still, it was a wicked ride, and I can't wait for next week's episode.  There are so many burning questions to contemplate right now.

Danai Guriri as Michonne

 What's next for Michonne?  I know there's more to come so far as she and The Governor are concerned, and that could wind up being the strongest aspect of this season. 

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes

How's Rick?  It's okay to lose your shit every once in a while so long as you come back. 
Come back, dude.

Laurie Holden as Andrea

 What will Andrea do next?  I absolutely loved the way Laurie Holden played her character's reaction to the big party.  We've all ignored good advice and made dumb decisions, and we've all had those moments where we realized it and made that face Andrea was making when we saw her last.

 What's next for our precious babe?  I am very curious to see how they'll handle this aspect of the program.  Comic readers have to be wondering how closely they will adhere to the source material for this particular subplot, though it as already quite clear that the writers of the show are mixing it up.  If handled well, this could be a tremendous asset to The Walking Dead.  If handled poorly, it could be a show-killer. 

That's all I've got; I'm eager for next week's episode and I'll share my thoughts again next Monday. Until then, stay scared, peeps, and beware gated communities and one-armed men!