Well here we are at the end of another season of “The Walking Dead” on AMC. SPOILER ALERT- Needless to say, if you haven’t seen this episode, now is the time to click away because I’m giving away all the goodies.
First off, the opening visual of the Governor’s eye was simply eerie. I got a chill as the camera pulled back to reveal his whole face because I felt this shot alone was setting the tone for the rest of the episode. The Governor, in this scene, proceeded to bludgeon Milton with his fists for defying him by burning the walkers in the pit. The next scene brought Andrea, who was missing from the previous episode, back into the picture. Andrea had been captured two weeks before and locked up in the torture room by the Governor himself. Milton is ordered to kill Andrea, and he’s told by the Governor that he (Milton) won’t leave that room until he complies. Milton, in turn, makes a fruitless attempt to 86 the Governor instead. Word of advice, Milton. Next time, attack the Governor from the right…his eye is gone, remember? Oh, wait, I forgot, Milton can’t take this advice because the Governor countered Milton’s attack and stabbed him repeatedly. Then, he locks the dying scientist in the torture room with Andrea. Since Milton had dropped a pair of pliers behind Andrea’s chair, she still had a shred of hope of making it out of there alive before Milton died and made her his first Zombie meal. Unfortunately, Andrea seemed to be more concerned with keeping Milton talking than actually securing the pliers and freeing herself. It took her almost the entire hour before she snapped the first handcuff link. Too bad her urgency was fueled (finally) by the fact that Milton had not only died, but had turned and was creeping slowly across the room for a quick bite. Is it just me, or did anyone else think Andrea needed a priority check since she arrived in Woodbury? More on that later.
Meanwhile, back at the prison, Rick and the gang were packing up to leave (or so it seemed). When the Governor’s hit squad arrived with guns blazing, there was no one to be found. They searched the cell block before moving deeper in the prison. That’s when it got exciting. The prison crew had set off flares which drew the attention of the walkers. As they fled from the prison, they were greeted by gunfire provided by Glen and Maggie (where was Rick, Michonne, Daryl, and Carol? Did I miss something?). The Governor’s posse was driven off. During their escape, a young Woodbury resident ran into the woods and came across Carl, Hershel and Beth. Despite the fact that the young man was surrendering his weapon, Carl put a bullet in his head (his face actually) and killed him in cold blood. Later, Hershel told Rick what happened. When Rick confronted Carl about it, Carl showed not an ounce of regret. In fact, he told Rick, in so many words, that he needs to step up his game so no one else gets killed. Rick, Michonne and Daryl decide to pursue the Governor’s posse in order to end this feud once and for all. Little did they know that the residents-turned-assault team of Woodbury decided that raiding prisons and killing humans was a lifestyle they wanted no part of. The Governor, not pleased with their change of heart, executed them, leaving only three of them alive; two of his henchmen, and a woman, Karen, that he overlooks as she hides under the dead body of another resident. Later, when Rick, Michonne and Daryl come along, they dispatch all of the ‘turned’ residents and find the lone woman hiding in the truck. And where’s the Governor? That’s a question that will have to wait until season 4 to be answered.
When Rick and company finally make it to Woodbury, night has fallen. Karen tells Tyreese that Rick’s crew saved her. After learning of the Governor’s psychotic, homicidal massacre, Tyreese grants them access to Woodbury wherein they find the torture room. Andrea managed to kill Zombie Milton, but not before he nibbled on her neck. And you know what that means. Rick, Daryl and Tyreese step outside, leaving Michonne to sit with Andrea as she ends herself with Rick’s gun. Michonne’s emotional reaction sold the heavy weight of the scene (although, I swear, for one brief second, I thought she and Andrea were going to kiss…maybe it’s good that I didn’t write this scene).
By morning, Rick and the crew show up at the prison with a bus load of the remaining Woodbury residents; an outcome about which Carl is clearly not thrilled. The episode ends with Rick staring up at the landing where “Vision Lori” usually makes her appearance. Alas, she’s nowhere to be seen.
Overall, there were several moments during this episode, namely the scenes with Andrea and Milton, where I was on the edge of my seat. However, I expected more from the assault on the prison (no one died during the actual assault). As for the ending sequence, I was a little sour at the fact that we were left without a major cliffhanger or some big question over which I would be ripping my hair out until the show returns in October. Yeah, there is the mystery of the Governor’s whereabouts, but honestly, I care more about whether Daryl and Carol are going to eventually hook up. Out of 5 stars, this episode gets a solid 3.5. Hey, if I have to ask “Is that it?” at the end of a show, it’s safe to assume that I didn’t get everything for which I bargained. Still, the episode had enough high points to make me wait anxiously for the show’s return in the fall.
Side note: During the commercial breaks, we were treated to new trailers for “Iron Man 3”, and “Star Trek Into Darkness”. Both previews were action packed and exciting. Expect a review of each of them. As always, feel free to comment. Until Next time…
-Daniels