"This Sorrowful Life" comes to an end on The Walking Dead

Article first published as THE WALKING DEAD Recap Season 3 Episode 15 This Sorrowful Life on Seat42F.

Grade: 96%

AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD pays tribute to “This Sorrowful Life” of Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) in the penultimate episode of the third season. Rick (Andrew Lincoln) tells Merle about his plan to hand over Michonne (Danai Gurira) to the Governor (David Morrissey), after which the Governor has promised to leave the rest of the group alone. Knowing Rick won’t have the stomach to go through with it, sending Michonne to be tortured and brutalized, Merle captures Michonne himself and sets out to the meeting.

Along the way, though, Merle has time for self-reflection. Some of this is surely caused by Michonne’s words in their wonderful scenes together, but some of it is spurred by Merle’s own doing. He knows that he has made mistakes, and he realizes he has become something bad. He regrets some of those actions, even if he doesn’t stop at the time to consider the consequences, both to others and to his own soul. Michonne tells Merle that the truly evil don’t feel guilty, and Merle’s remorse proves he is, or at least can be, a good guy.

Whether or not Merle is redeemable has long been debated by fans of THE WALKING DEAD. We know that, in the beginning, he and his brother, Daryl (Norman Reedus), intend to steal from the group. But seeing how Daryl has become not only a team player, but a valued friend and compatriot over three seasons offers hope that, given time, Merle can also play nice. Carol (Melissa McBride) certainly thinks this is a possibility, extending a second chance to him early in the episode.

The sad thing is, “This Sorrowful Life” proves that Merle not only has a heart, but is willing to sacrifice for others, and then doesn’t give him time to expound upon it. He lets Michonne go and tries to single-handedly remove as many of the Governor’s men from the game as he can. I don’t think Merle intends his mission to be a suicide one, but he is willing to take the chance and in the end, the Governor leaves Merle to become a Walker, which means we’ll never see the others forgive and welcome him as one of their own.

Rooker does a fantastic job in this installment, delivering what will be one of THE WALKING DEAD’s most unforgettable performances. At the start of the hour, Merle is still loathsome. But we see so much in his eyes, those soulful orbs that show us that he wants to do right by his brother and be cared for by others. We see that, under the right circumstances, he can be heroic. And we watch him go down with quite a fight, even if he doesn’t end up succeeding.

Rooker’s performance is matched by Reedus, whose character arrives at the battle site too late, and finds a Walker Merle that he must put down. Rooker’s eyes are, again, pivotal, and the scene between the two brothers is amazing. They can’t ever say what they want to say to one another, even if they ever could find the words, but dialogue isn’t necessary to convey the message. Merle’s deaths are tragedies, both of them.

I don’t think Merle does much damage to the Governor’s team. He takes a few men out, but by dying himself, Merle removes a valuable tool from the prison group, so it probably about evens out. Merle is worth several other man.

What might be missed in Merle’s last stand is that one of those he kills is Ben (Tyler Chase), a member of Tyreese’s (Chad L. Coleman) contingent. Ben isn’t a huge character, nor is he one fans will particularly care about seeing die. However, because of Ben’s connection to several other, slightly more significant, characters, his demise could most definitely play a role in motivation and manipulation in the finale.

Back at the prison, it’s nice to finally see Rick be the leader he needs to be. This entire season has been about him figuring out what kind of person the group needs to follow. He begins, with his speech at the end of season two, trying out dictatorship. But in “This Sorrowful Life,” he chooses democracy. He can’t sacrifice Michonne because she’s one of the people he serves. He gets a chance to tell everyone else that in a very moving moment.

Rick has needed to step up for a long time. He’s tried, sure, but with all of the emotional turmoil he has suffered, he hasn’t achieved the status. This has now changed, and should he survive the coming battle (an almost certainty), he will be a different man yet again in season four, one finally prepared to make his group into what they need to be, and what they should be.

I hope that Michonne can forgive Rick and know that he cares about her and couldn’t go through with handing her over. She has every reason to feel betrayed, after Merle kidnaps her and she learns that Rick has been considering handing her over. However, she is also an understanding and compassionate woman, and surely knows that while Rick struggles with the decision, he isn’t the type to sentence her to a fate worse than death. And if he did consider the act, it was only to protect his people.

Lastly, Glenn (Steven Yeun) secures Hershel’s (Scott Wilson) blessing to marry Maggie (Lauren Cohan), and finds his bride-to-be a ring, on the hand of a Walker, no less. I wish we would have gotten a little speech from Hershel, which would be totally in keeping with his character, but the proud papa’s smile is enough.

It’s not clear if Glenn officially proposes, just sticking the ring in her palm, or if they already consider themselves spouses without a proposal. Maggie is wearing the ring shortly after this scene, signifying their commitment to one another. Glenn says they may not have a wedding, given the circumstances, and I doubt there will be time for one in what little is left of this season. But do they actually need to say “I do” in this post-apocalyptic world? Isn’t it enough that they are together and intend to stay that way?

We unfortunately didn’t get any of Woodbury this week, and rather than being part one of a two part showdown, this is a sort-of stand-alone episode. “This Sorrowful Life” is a brilliant piece of television, and an excellent installment of the series. However, I don’t see how everything else can possibly be resolved in forty-two minutes. Are we heading for the mother of all cliffhangers?

THE WALKING DEAD will complete its third season next Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

Coincidentally, next Sunday is Easter Sunday, a celebration of Jesus’s rising from the dead, which some have begun to say makes him a zombie. Will we see a long-haired, sandal-clad Walker in the finale? One can only hope so.

Showdown for The Walking Dead

Article first published as THE WALKING DEAD Review Season 3 Episode 13 Arrow on the Doorpost on Seat42F.

Grade: 98%

AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD builds tension this week in “Arrow on the Doorpost” not with armed conflict, but with a peace treaty negotiation. Andrea (Laurie Holden) arranges a meeting in a barn between Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the Governor (David Morrissey). They quickly kick her out of the negotiations and, rather than calm fears, their time together only heightens the drama.

I did not think about it until “Arrow on the Doorpost,” but Rick and the Governor have not spent a lot of time face to face. It’s one thing to know about the crazy, dangerous man that lives next door, but it’s quite another to look them in the eye, especially when he only has one. In order to better understand the danger they face, and to decide how to deal with it, Rick needs this time with the Governor, and it builds a relationship between them that the fans want to see. It’s a satisfying and necessary episode.

This also gives a brilliant showcase for Morrissey and Lincoln, both terrific performers. The way Lincoln keeps it together, acting tough, even though he is faced by such a great threat, is wonderful. Morrissey flits around, his character trying on many faces, attempting to find a tact that will get through to the other man. So much is left unsaid, played out in facial expressions and movements, and it’s a triumph for the actors as much as the roles they play.

In the end, the Governor tells Rick he’ll leave the group alone if they hand over Michonne (Danai Gurira), whom took the Governor’s eye. It’s a lie, of course, but how can Rick be sure? If there’s even a small chance that giving him Michonne, which will mean certain death for the woman, will protect everyone else, it’s something Rick has to seriously consider. He has children to think about, as well as people he has known much longer than she’s been around.

Hershel (Scott Wilson) tells Rick that Michonne has saved their lives and has earned her place in the group, and Rick admits that Hershel is right, but still considers sacrificing her. This is where things get tough. Before last week’s episode, Rick probably would have been fine with the deal, not caring about Michonne. Now, though, he likes and values her. Plus, there are her practical skills and the protection she offers the group to consider. She would be sorely missed.

Giving Michonne to the Governor to die will cost Rick a piece of his soul. He is willing to do things that in a non-post-apocalyptic world, some would consider cruel. But leaving a hitchhiker on the side of the road and actively giving a woman to her enemy are two entirely different things. Rick would be making a conscious, preventable decision to let someone he knows be murdered. Her death would be on his hands.

The bottom line, though, is the Governor is not trustworthy. Rick needs to realize this, and also understand that giving up Michonne makes him weaker in the inevitable battle. If the Governor is going to attack them no matter what, and everything Rick knows about the man points to this, there is no sense giving into his demands, especially when said demands hurt Rick’s group as a whole. It’s a no-brainer, and whether Hershel succeeds in talking Rick out of it or it’s a decision the leader comes to on his own, Michonne must not be given to the Governor.

Andrea, for her part, has almost as tough a decision to make. Speaking with Hershel outside of the meeting, Andrea knows she is welcome back with the prison group and must choose sides. The issue is, Andrea hasn’t seen the Governor’s cruelty firsthand, and admitting he’s a monster also admits a failing on her part, as she has put her trust in him, even telling him about Rick’s baby and Shane. She still hopes things are just a misunderstanding between the two groups and can be peacefully resolved, as any other option is a failure, but it’s time for her to accept responsibility for her failure. Her decision to return to Woodbury at the end of the episode is as much about faith in own judgment as it is about faith in the Governor, and it’s the wrong choice to make. I just hope it’s a decision that doesn’t get her killed.

The end of “Arrow on the Doorpost” does give us some hope that the Governor can be stopped. Milton (Dallas Roberts) overhears the Governor tell Martinez (Jose Pablo Cantillo) to kill anyone in Rick’s group he can when they return to hand over Michonne or discuss tactics, and Milton clearly doesn’t approve. After all, he has a nice conversation with Hershel, and I can’t imagine Milton wants to see him, at least, die. Knowing Andrea’s connection to Rick and the others, Milton should definitely grow a spine and confide in her. It’s the only way to stop a slaughter.

It’s true that Andrea and Milton alone don’t stand a chance of accomplishing anything in Woodbury, especially since Milton is not a fighter. However, if Andrea can rally others to her side, perhaps Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), then maybe something can be done.

Back at the prison, Merle (Michael Rooker) is not happy sitting by while Daryl (Norman Reedus) risks his life protecting Rick at the meet and wants to go after him. No one will help Merle, feeling that Merle will put the others in danger. This is not only a summation of Merle’s standing in the group, realized by the character himself when he can’t get even “outsider” Michonne to join him, but also the beginning of a new threat. Merle isn’t one to be put in his place easily, and if he senses that he has no power or respect here, he could react badly.

The unknown quantity is Merle’s affection for his brother, Daryl. Merle definitely cares about his kin, and Daryl is the reason Merle is at the prison in the first place. Will Daryl be able to keep Merle in line, or might Merle switch back to the Governor’s side at a crucial moment, hoping that a betrayal might be enough to earn him the Governor’s forgiveness, even though viewers at home are pretty sure by now that it won’t.

A touching scene in “Arrow on the Doorpost” is when Glenn (Steven Yeun) reconnects with Maggie (Lauren Cohan). They finally talk about their relationship and their feelings, since things have been strained between them ever since their captivity in Woodbury. It not only lets them work through the issues, but also reaffirms their love for one another. It’s a little unsettling that they leave the watch post to have sex, as that leaves the group in danger, but I guess in this wasteland of a world, you have to take it where you can get it, no? And it’s very nice to see them work things out.

“Arrow on the Doorpost” is an excellent installment, ripe with heavy drama and wonderful character development. There are some serious questions raised, and it puts everyone in an interesting holding pattern as we near the end of the season. How it will all shake out, and who will be among the bodies left on the floor, as there will surely be more major deaths by the finale, is anyone’s guess at this point.

THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

The Walking Dead suffers no Judas

Article first published as THE WALKING DEAD Review Season 3 Episode 11 I Ain't A Judas on Seat42F.

Grade: 97%

AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD is heavy on great character moments and one-on-one scenes in the latest episode, “I Ain’t a Judas.” The series works best when delving into the tough choices these people have to make in their current hellscape of a world, and we get plenty of that, as there are tough decisions to be made this week. Tensions are high, and they will soon break, one way or the other.

Andrea (Laurie Holden) pushes the Governor (David Morrissey) for more information about her friends staying at the prison, mad at him for lying to her about going to talk with them, and disturbed to learn that there has been a shootout between the two groups. The Governor tries to deflect and push blame off, but Andrea insists on talking to her comrades herself, assuming there has been a simple misunderstanding, and that peace can be brokered.

There is no misunderstanding, as she soon learns, told by the others the horrible things the Governor has done. She isn’t sure if she can believe them, being under the Governor’s spell, and treated hostilely by the people she considers friends, who have good reason to be suspicious of her, especially since she waits several days after learning about them to visit. But a day at the prison seems to convince her, even if it’s not enough to get her to execute the Governor in his sleep.

I feel bad for Andrea in “I Ain’t a Judas,” caught in a tough place. She hasn’t witnessed the Governor’s brutality first hand, and based on what he tells her, she’s getting two conflicting stories. As much as she cares for those she left Atlanta with, she has been absent from them for a long time, and the Governor offers her a chance at a real life, in a community of others.

Andrea sure knows how to pick bad men in THE WALKING DEAD, first Shane, then the Governor. As discussed on the after show, Talking Dead, it takes a certain amount of crazy to be a leader in this new way of life, as even Rick (Andrew Lincoln), the hero of the show, demonstrates. Andrea is attracted to that power, and somehow thinks that wisdom comes with it, blinding her to obvious flaws. It does make me wonder if the series will go the way of the comics, eventually landing Andrea in Rick’s bed, even if that almost makes her a cliché or a floozy, which she is neither.

I’m not entirely sure our protagonists have convinced Andrea that he’s evil, even if she seems to be in good standing with her again, convinced she isn’t siding against them. She pulls the knife on the Governor, but can’t bring herself to kill him. Does she doubt the truth of what her friends say? Does she just not have it in her to murder a (at the time) defenseless man? Is she wondering how the Governor’s death might effect Woodbury, and her standing in it? So many questions playing across her face that are not answered for us.

How about Carol (Melissa McBride) laying out the plan to screw and then assassinate the Governor? We don’t expect this from her, as hardened as she might be, and hopefully that helps Andrea see how serious the situation is.

Michonne (Danai Gurira) is the most hurt by Andrea’s behavior, and she has every reason to be. The two are alone together even longer than Andrea is with the others, and for Andrea to not believe Michonne, to turn her back on her companion, is rough. I do think Michonne’s words about the Governor are the ones that finally make Andrea see that something is up. But yet, she still hesitates. Doesn’t Andrea realize that taking out the Governor would repair this fragile relationship?

The one thing that is positive from this is that the Governor seems to trust Andrea. For her to return to him and sleep with him after talking to her friends convinces him that she hasn’t been swayed away. This could make a betrayal by her unexpected when she does finally muster up the gumption to act, as long as she can keep her behavior and face in check.

Unfortunately, Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) and his gang end up in Woodbury at the end of “I Ain’t a Judas.” They see a little bit of crazy Rick at the prison, through not enough for Tyreese to want to fight him; too bad the same can’t be said for others in his group. However, the Governor is gearing up for a fight, and they need a way to earn their keep so that they can settle in a semi-safe place. It doesn’t reflect poorly on them, given their limited view of the situation, that they side with the Governor now. It’s just a shame. I hope this ends with Tyreese, a good guy, providing the inside man turning against the cruel dictator at a key moment.

I can’t decide if Milton (Dallas Roberts) has a chance at surviving this season of THE WALKING DEAD or not, or if I want him to. I really hoped that he’d go with Andrea to the prison and stay there, desperate to get out from under the Governor’s thumb. Milton is terrified of his boss, after all. But it seems that fear is so powerful, and his faith that the Governor will prevail so absolute, that he hesitates to switch sides. Maybe he can survive the coming confrontation, and Andrea can vouch he’s not bad, even if he is a coward?

Back at the prison, Hershel (Scott Wilson) yells at Rick, and Carl (Chandler Riggs) asks him to step down as leader. I think this one-two punch is enough to snap Rick out of his crazy, as he glimpses what could be a Lori slightly after Hershel’s words, but not again after Carl’s. For the rest of the episode, we see him stepping up, being the leader he is supposed to be, doing what he needs to for the group, including planning a scouting mission with Michonne.

Hopefully, the faith that the others have in Rick has not been shaken too badly. We know he’s a good man, and so do they, or they wouldn’t have put their trust in him in the first place. They see when he’s off the rails, and when he’s who he needs to be, and hopefully they also see the difference. Hershel and Daryl (Norman Reedus) seem to, content to take orders from Rick again in “I Ain’t a Judas.”

I do think Rick will get at least a brief chance to step away from being the leader, likely next season at some point. But he’s born to be in charge, and has qualities that few others possess. For the rest of the group, he must be strong.

It’s great that Rick sees Carl as a man. The Governor is right that adolescence is a twentieth century invention, and without the luxuries of the old way of life, there isn’t time for a teenager to act like a kid. Carl is conducting himself like a grown up, and Rick deciding to take him on the mission proves that his father, as protective as he might want to be with his son, realizes that Carl deserves to be included fully in the group.

I do wonder if Daryl really has a handle on Merle (Michael Rooker). Merle is playing nice for now, knowing he can’t go back to the Governor at this point, and this being the safest place for him, as well as where his brother is. But if Merle sees a chance to get back in the Governor’s good graces by doing harm to one of the group, especially Rick, I think he’ll jump at the chance. As I’ve said before, I just hope Daryl doesn’t have to be the one to personally put Merle down. Because Carol, the woman Daryl trusts most, warns him about Merle, I think Daryl is steeling himself for the possibility.

I am sure I missed some wonderful moment in the episode between two characters, there being so many to touch on. “I Ain’t a Judas” is a fine installment, giving us some words to ponder, some decisions to question, some cliffhangers to speculate on, and a few zombies bashed in the face to keep the action level up, even in a very personal episode. Fantastic job this week.

THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

The Walking Dead not safe at "Home"

Article first published as THE WALKING DEAD Recap Season 3 Episode 10 Home at Seat42F.

Grade: 96%

Things are tense at the prison in this week’s episode of AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD, “Home.” Rick (Andrew Lincoln) is out beyond the prison walls, chasing the ghost of his dead wife, Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies). Glenn (Steven Yeun) tries to keep it together, seeing himself as the substitute leader, but with Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) moping unresolved, he isn’t doing much good.

I like the idea of Glenn as a leader because it gives the character something important to do. Yet, he is not cut out to make the tough decisions, at least not yet. He does OK, with a heaping portion of advice from Hershel (Scott Wilson). But he lacks the quality that leaders must have. I’m very glad that his promotion is temporary, as I don’t want to see him become something he’s not.

Hershel seems to be doing plenty of mentoring in “Home.” He helps Glenn, and he hobbles down to talk to Rick. While before he is an antagonist, whom Rick has to find an understanding with to even get them to stay together, now he has become the wizened advisor, more than proving his worth to the group, even without a leg.

I am not so crazy about Axel (Lew Temple) cozying up to Carol (Melissa McBride). She is spoken for. I know Daryl (Norman Reedus) has left the group, but that will be corrected. He’s too much a part of the rest, cares too much about the others, to stay away for long, even for a brother. For most of the hour, I’m expecting a little conflict between Daryl and Axel when Daryl returns.

I also begin to suspect that Axel may not be as good as he claims to be. The way his story keeps changing as he talks to Carol, adding new bits to his story as he goes that don’t quite match up with what he says previously, makes him seem shifty. I know that the group must trust outsiders periodically to make up for those that are lost, but I’m wondering if they’ve made a bad choice with Axel. Which is why I’m not too upset when he dies, though we’ll get to that scene in a minute.

Wandering the woods, Daryl quickly grows tired of Merle (Michael Rooker). They are clearly kin who did not fully grow up together, and while it’s hard to tell how long they may have been reunited before becoming separated in season one, it seems like it wasn’t for very long. They are two drastically different people.

When the series starts, Merle is a bad influence on Daryl. Now, Daryl has gotten enough good influences to take away the temptation of the evil whisper. Daryl knows another way now, how things can be better with people who look out for each other. It’s why he goes to the rescue of a family being attacked by zombies without expecting anything in return. When Merle tries to take advantage of the situation, it seems like it’s the last straw for Daryl, who isn’t willing to bend to Merle’s will anymore.

I am a little disappointed that Merle follows Daryl back to the prison, but not too much so. I worry about where Merle’s allegiance might lay in a big battle with The Governor (David Morrissey) if he senses that The Governor is going to win. But he also brings a level of conflict to the group, which is always interesting, and I’m curious to see how it all plays out, though I do not expect Merle to live past this season. I just hope Daryl doesn’t have to be the one to kill him.

In Woodbury, Andrea (Laurie Holden) is calmed by The Governor’s contrition. He vows no retribution against the prison group, and, for awhile, it seems like Andrea might be a good influence on him. It also makes it look like the war between The Governor and the prison won’t come until the end of the season, as expected, building up slowly to a large assault.

However, then The Governor goes and talks to Milton Mamet (Dallas Roberts), and mentions asking others about their loyalty. This is a sign that he’s just playing Andrea, the same way he so often plays a part in front of his people. I still don’t see the attack coming, though, until it happens.

For most of “Home,” the pacing is slow, and not a lot is happening. It’s a good episode, but not overly exciting. However, this seems to be THE WALKING DEAD’s new pattern, as it did just before Lori’s death, lulling us into a false sense of peace, especially those who’ve read the comics and think they know what’s coming, and then striking in an unexpected and sudden way.

The attack that The Governor launches on the prison is fantastic television. From Carol using Axel’s body as a shield, to the van releasing zombies into the prison yard, to Hershel’s last minute rescue, and the way that everyone bands together, proving their strength, it’s full of amazing moments. Yes, they are unprepared and scattered this time. But as The Governor rides away, there is little doubt that they’ll be ready when he returns, and once they are, they might just stand a chance.

Why doesn’t The Governor just finish them off now, when he has a prime opportunity to do so? Is it because he needs people to lord over, and scaring, not killing, the group gives him a sense of power? Does he think that Andrea might forgive him for an attack, but not for a slaughter? It’s unclear exactly what his plan is, but this is definitely only the first stage of the showdown.

I do think this will snap Rick out of his delirium. He seems to be doing better after his talk with Hershel, but the urgency of protecting his people against The Governor should be enough to fully right his path again. He needs to fortify their defenses and prepare to take on their greatest foe.

It’s sad that Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) and his people don’t make an appearance in “Home.” Rick and the group desperately need the help. Will Tyreese come back? He’s important in the comics, but the reasons for his importance don’t seem very present in the series. After being threatened by crazy Rick, he has good reason to want to get as far away as he can, and why should he risk his neck fighting The Governor? Or maybe his absence for the fight in “Home” will keep him in the dark about the true threat Rick’s people face, meaning he can join back up without knowing the danger, which makes more sense for the story.

I admit, I felt a little disappointed for the first almost-two hours of this mid-season, when not a lot of adrenaline-pumping stuff happened. The end of “Home” more than makes up for it, and is a message to fans that they won’t have to wait until the end of the season for more action.

THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

The Walking Dead "King" of cable television

Article first published as The Walking Dead "King" of cable television on TheTVKing.

AMC's The Walking Dead resumes its third season with "The Suicide King." The episode picks up right where last fall's mid-season finale left off, with the Governor (David Morrissey) forcing Merle (Michael Rooker) to fight his brother, Daryl (Norman Reedus), to the death to prove his loyalty to Woodbury.

As the tussle begins, Merle knocks Daryl to the ground and begins kicking him. At first, I thought this meant that Merle intends to carry about the Governor's wishes. Then, he whispers words of reassurance to Daryl, before fighting back to back with him. If Merle is going to so quickly ditch any charade and defend his sibling, why kick him first? It seems cruel, and I think that Merle takes the opportunity to punish Daryl a little for abandoning him, as Merle sees it, in Atlanta.

Which makes it all the more disappointing when Daryl chooses to leave the group with Merle, after Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the others break up the fight and rescue them. There is something noble about sticking with your blood, even when they don't deserve it, and I do think it makes Daryl come across as a better person to not abandon Merle. But if anyone ever didn't deserve a thirty-eighth chance, it's sadistic, selfish, evil Merle. Were their positions reversed, Merle wouldn't hesitate to leave Daryl.

Given this, Rick needs to act the hero and allow Merle to come back to the cell block. That doesn't mean Rick and the others should let down their guard around Merle, but they owe Daryl this, after everything that Daryl has done for the group. You stick by your people, and Daryl is one of their people. If he feels the obligation to protect his brother, then you accommodate that.

I thought it was interesting that Carol (Melissa McBride) compares Merle to her departed abusive husband Ed. There is a slightly different dynamic, in that Merle is Daryl's blood, while Carol chose to be with Ed. However, I appreciate the sentiment, with her coming to Daryl's defense about his decision.

It might be easier for Daryl to leave because there is no direct threat to the group at this time. They all realize that the Governor will likely make some play against them in the future, but they don't know enough about him to decide what that offense may look like or when it will come. There is definitely a vague feeling of needing to be prepared for it, but without knowing what that may entail, Daryl is walking away at a time where there isn't an urgency for him to stay.

Before the Governor comes for the prison group, though, amends will have to be made with Daryl, with or without Merle. The others desperately need him. The barbed wire defenses aren't enough to keep out the Governor, and Daryl is one of their best combatants. Not having him puts everyone else at risk.

In this circumstance, one would think that Rick would be glad to accept help from Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) and his friends. Rick may not have spent much time around them, but others have, and they've observed what a good man Tyreese is. The same cannot be said for everyone in his party, and that will have to be dealt with, probably sooner rather than later. But Tyreese looks like a big, strong, capable man, and they could really use some of that right now.

Ditto for Michonne (Danai Gurira). She may be a little unstable, too, when going for the Governor, and not sharing all her information with Rick, but she is tough and good with her swords. Rick cannot kick her out. They will need her when the fight comes. Thank goodness she's exhausted and sleeping, buying Rick some time to get his head on straight.

Both of these major mistakes are Rick's alone, with his friends disagreeing with him. I think we can chalk some of this up to the fact that Rick is not in a good mental state. During his conversation with Tyreese, he hallucinates Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), and begins to yell at her. Rick is breaking, and he needs to step back and heal himself, letting someone else make the leadership decisions until such time as he is capable of doing so himself.

It's time for Glenn (Steven Yeun) to step up. It is sort of unexpected, but he has established himself as a person who wants a say in what the group does. He is no longer a sidekick, and with Daryl gone and Hershel (Scott Wilson) no longer displaying the backbone he once possessed, though still being a valuable adviser, Glenn is the only chance the group has of righting their course. He argues with Rick a little in "The Suicide King," but I think there could be a bigger confrontation coming.

One other thing I worry about in regards to the prison group is Beth's (Emily Kinney) feelings towards Rick. She mentions wanting to have a baby, and seems pretty attached to Rick's infant. She also kisses Rick on the cheek in a sort of awkward way, which could mean that she is planning on staking claim to Lori's former position. It will never work, but the kind of emotional devastation such a let down could bring to the young girl could cause larger trouble for the small community.

Back in Woodbury, the town is reeling from the invasion, several of their own dead. There is unrest already, and a few walkers get in and stir up more. The Governor retreats to his apartment, unwilling to come out and set everyone straight, emerging only to kill one of their own who has been bitten, then stalks back off with no explanation.

This isn't going to work for long. The Governor has his armed guards, and they will stay with him, but the rest of the folks aren't going to follow a man anymore who acts like this. If the Governor wants to maintain order, he has to say something inspiring. He may not feel very much like caring for the community right now, but that's exactly what he needs to do.

Eventually, he will. And he will probably do so by gearing them up for a revenge attack against Rick's group. This isn't what should happen, and will definitely ruin Woodbury once and for all, but it's the only way I see the Governor emerging as a leader again. He's done being soft or allowing people to believe life can be the same within his walls as it used to be, and he tells Andrea (Laurie Holden) as much.

Andrea is the wild card. For those who read the comic books, Woodbury was a brutal place. But it did not have Andrea there to try to save the souls of the citizens. Many of them want a person with a positive and compassionate attitude in charge of them. If it won't be the Governor, it could be Andrea. At least until the Governer decides to wrest power back from her.

"The Suicide King" is not a particularly eventful episode. Instead, it begins setting up the end-of-the-season arcs, adjusting the dynamics, and rearranging the groups. There are a few things that must be overcome before a final showdown between Rick and the Governor, and this episode begins going down that road.

The Walking Dead airs at 9 p.m. ET on AMC. Also, Talking Dead, a post-episode talk show from The Nerdist, has expanded to a full hour, and now airs immediately after, beginning at 10 p.m.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter. 

The Walking Dead fans are "Made to Suffer" a long hiatus

Wow.

So much happens in The Walking Dead episode "Made to Suffer" this week that is important. People die, a true villain is born, allegiances are tested and shift, a new major character makes his introduction... The list goes on and on. The hard part is knowing where to start. I'll just jump in.

The opening of "Made to Suffer" unveils a new group of survivors. There isn't a clear leader among them, but one name will jump out to fans of The Walking Dead comic book: Tyreese (Chad Coleman, The Wire). In the books, Tyreese joins the group very early on, before they even get to Hershel's (Scott Wilson) farm. On the page, Tyreese serves as the muscle and pretty loyal best friend to Rick (Andrew Lincoln). Given the decision to keep Shane (Jon Bernthal) alive on TV longer, and the inclusion of non-comic character Daryl (Norman Reedus), Tyreese seemed unnecessary. But, with how things play out in this episode, now seems the perfect time to bring him in.

I'm not saying that Tyreese will be instantly part of the core crew. He's off to a good start, though. He respects Carl (Chandler Riggs), and calls him "the man." He holds back those in his group who would like to threaten the balance of power in the jail. He is kind, and seems to sense kindness in the main characters. If you watched the spoiler scene presented in Talking Dead this week, it looks pretty clear that Tyreese will have an in early on.

This is fortuitous because Rick needs a friend. Hershel is the voice of reason, but he's just not from the same generation as Rick, and no one else in the group connects with Rick that well, as he stands apart as a leader to them. And Rick is starting to lose his marbles a bit, talking to his deceased wife on the phone, and even hallucinating Shane in Woodbury! (Awesome surprise cameo, by the way!) Tyreese could serve as that balance to Rick, allowing him to blow off steam with a buddy, rather than bottling it up in front of everyone to appear in charge.

This occurs as Rick and company attack Woodbury to rescue Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan). Their mission is not easy, many bullets are fired, and Oscar (Vincent M. Ward), who is not a very important character, but seems to be the only "good" former prisoner, bites the dust. The main contingent of the group gets away, thankfully.

The tragic leave behind is Daryl. Hanging back to cover the rear (and probably hoping to get a glimpse of his brother, Merle (Michael Rooker)), Daryl is captured by the Governor's (David Morrissey) men and held responsible for the attack as a "terrorist."

We know that Rick and the others are not terrorists. They would never attack people just for the sake of attacking people. They know their friends are being held hostage, and so they go in, guns blazing, and get them out. If anything, the mistake here is treating the whole town like the enemy. Rick doesn't know it, of course, but most of the residents are blind to the Governor's true activities and brutality. Given this, it is only too easy for the Governor to spin the rescue attempt as something more sinister.

What might be Daryl's salvation is that Merle is also paraded out as a criminal, even though he has nothing to do with what happened. Daryl isn't alone, and the brothers are tough. Complain all you want about Merle, because he's not really a very nice guy. He threw a zombie at Glenn! But he does love his brother. They can try to fight their way out together, and they might stand a slim chance.

Things will go even better for them if Andrea (Laurie Holden) takes their side. She now sees some of what the Governor is up to, and what he keeps in his own house. Desperate to find that safe, stable place, it will be hard for her to let go of the Governor, who has given her a home and a bed. But she is smart, and I think that, in the end. she will make the right decision.

This exposure occurs because Michonne (Danai Gurira) attacks the Governor. She goes to his apartment to settle the score for him sending men to kill her. While there, she slays the Governor's zombie daughter, Penny, breaks some of his fish tanks full of Walker heads, and takes out one of the Governor's eyes. Visuals speak louder than words, and seeing all this, Andrea is starting to have doubts about the man she is sleeping with.

Quick note about this sequence, it illustrates just how damaged Michonne is. We've seen her tortured soul in pieces. She is definitely scarred badly by something. The tenderness she shows towards Penny, and the sheer determination in taking sharp glass in her hand to stab the Governor, are different sides of a complicated woman. Seeing her look pleadingly at Rick when she tells him that he needs her is the final piece of the puzzle. Michonne needs him more. She has been through a lot, and it's time for her to become part of a bigger group, contributing and loving, not just being a lone wolf.

Because of Michonne's attack, the Governor is turning into the huge nemesis that comic fans love to hate. Soon he will be sporting an eye patch, and he is definitely out to destroy the prison group. While the television version of the character has been more layered, which is nice, giving us a better understanding of him, it would be folly to assume that this incarnation will be less dangerous. Look for the back eight episodes this winter to feature a full on war between the Governor and Rick. Rick may win, being the lead of the show, but when the Governor comes at them, there will be severe casualties.

First, though, there may already be a danger in the prison. The way that Axel (Lew Temple) acts towards Carol (Melissa McBride) and Beth (Emily Kinney) while the tough members of the group are away is creepy. I'm a little surprised he didn't rape and / or murder either girl in "Made to Suffer." I do worry that it's coming, though, and we may soon lose another member of our little group, long before the Governor arrives at the gate.

Part of the price of great television is long breaks where the creative minds behind such projects can wind down, or recharge, or just think of more great ideas. AMC seems to make this doubly difficult in the case of The Walking Dead because we just get two short waves of new episodes every year. Given just how big "Made to Suffer" ended, and that the series is breaking all kinds of viewing records, I know I am not alone in being anxious for February to arrive, when the series will return.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

The Walking Dead Ends Season One

    Mad Men fits perfectly with how I see AMC, with its old movie tone and style. Breaking Bad was somewhat of a departure, but nothing compares to The Walking Dead. If I had listed 100 channels in the order of which one I found likely to air a zombie series, AMC would have been near the bottom. Surely the network knew the huge gamble it was taking, hence the decision to order only six episodes of the first season, as opposed to the thirteen their other shows got.

     But boy did that gamble pay off! Besides giving AMC their best ratings ever, it's such a strong, enticing story with wonderful characters and deep moral questions. Last night marked the sixth and final episode of the freshman season, "TS-19", and it will be nearly a year before season two (which will be a full thirteen episodes, by the way) makes it on screen. It's far too long a wait before we get new episodes after such a great finale.

     Does the title The Walking Dead refer to the infection-laden zombies, or the surviving characters walking among them? Surely, the argument can be made for either, especially after a finale with barely a zombie (or geek, as the show calls them) in sight. I suspect the answer is both.

     In my first review for the series, after watching the pilot, I raved about the direction and excellent craftmanship that went into the show, so I won't waste your time repeating all of that, though I will say that the elements introduced in the pilot were retained superbly throughout all six episodes. The acting quickly became even more impressive than it started. The issues the characters in Walking Dead deal with are so much more high stakes than the average television show. Yet, the series manages it without going over the top or too melodramatic.

     I also talked about deaths in the first review, and how they would have to be frequent, but not too frequent. Season one accomplished that, with a handful of characters biting the dust, and expanding the profile of the survivors left. At this point, everyone left alive in the now-on-the-move camp has had some development; there are no anonymous extras. This will probably slow down the body county as we move into season two, but that won't be unwelcome. Already, we've lost valuable players, and I'm not anxious to lose too many more.

     As far as mysteries go, plenty were left unanswered, providing so much story set up that season two will surely not lack for twists. Last week, we met Jenner (Noah Emmerich, White Collar), who did a fine job explaining just enough to keep viewers hooked. Last night, Jenner showed what happens medically in the brain as the infection runs its course, though he couldn't explain why it was happening. My only regret about Jenner is his death, as I would have loved for him to stick around a few more episodes.

     Similarly, Morgan (Lennie James) was introduced as someone incredibly interesting in the pilot, and then was never seen again. Yet. Though imdb lists James as appearing in the finale, so I wonder if there are some cut scenes that might make the DVD, and why they were not included. Additionally, we have not seen Merle (Michael Rooker) since the rooftop where he cut off his hand, but I expect both Merle and Morgan will pop up sometime in season two.

     For me, the most intriguing hanging plot, though, was the trivia that France came closest to a cure for whatever the infection is. Does that mean the show will become a globe-trotting epic? Because that would be pretty cool. I'd imagine the group would take a boat to Europe rather than a plane, but with the setting so open-ended, the possibilities for different segments, populations, and survivor types are infinite. I think the characters could easily spend a whole season just trying to get to the coast, let alone exploring outside of the United States.

     The Walking Dead is based on a graphic novel series, but one major departure frequently mentioned has been the survival of Shane (Jon Bernthal), who apparently was killed fairly early in the print version. I guess this is still TV, and a love triangle is necessary to keep up the drama, so I will excuse it. Not only excuse it, but praise them, if his violent, almost-rape of Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) is any indication of future arcs. In the same episode, we see just how much Shane cares for Rick (Andrew Lincoln) in an emotional flashback. When Rick finds out what Shane did with Lori, mixed feelings are going to fly. Can you fully hate the man who took care of your family during an apocalypse? Shane's fault has come after that, as it was perfectly reasonable for him to think Rick was dead and take up with Lori in the first place. His continued darkness now will likely be his downfall. Unless he earns redemption first.

     The three in the aforementioned paragraph are the hands down stars of the show. But the series works so well because of all of the supporting ones. The best scene last night did not come from Shane, Rick, or Lori, but between Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) and Andrea (Laurie Holden). Andrea made the choice to stay and die with Jenner, having lost all hope after the death of her sister. Dale was willing to die with her if she wouldn't leave, and only her guilt for his imminent demise saved Andrea's life. I was on pins and needles as their sweet game of chicken played out, and was grief stricken with the idea of loosing either, let alone both, so early in the show. I predict that these are the two who will be the break out favorites. Besides Glenn (Steven Yeun), of course, who is the easiest to identify with.

     Reruns will definitely be shown before season two comes around, and a DVD is already available for pre-order. I, for one, plan on watching every episode at least once more before next fall. I urge that if you have missed this phenomenon, or even if you haven't, you do the same. The Walking Dead airs on AMC.

For frequent mini-reviews and occasional tv news, follow Jerome on Twitter.


Article first published as TV Review: The Walking Dead Ends Season One on Blogcritics.