Season 3, Episode 16
Air Date: Sunday, March 31, 2013, at 9/8c on AMC
Rating: 5
“In this life now, you kill or you die. Or you die and you kill.” – The Governor
Where will they go? What will they do? These are the thoughts that plague my mind when thinking about the prison group. They have the opportunity to leave their fortress for the great unknown to get away from a madman. But will they choose to run from the living when they are so used to running from the dead? The new day and age they’re living in necessitates sacrifices be made. Leaving safety for obscurity is a huge sacrifice to make, though.
Observations and thoughts:
I love the opening scene to “Welcome to the Tombs.” The close up of the Governor’s (David Morrissey) eye, the fading in and out of the screen to help the viewer experience what Milton (Dallas Roberts) is feeling—all work together to pull you into the episode. I felt like I was watching the show from inside the show. How very cool. Speaking of the Gov’s close up, could you see into his soul? How dark was the view of his eye now that you know what’s really going on in that head of his? He’s beyond off his rocker and we don’t know where he is. How scary is that?
Seriously, could she not have gotten those pliers faster than that?
It would seem no one is safe anymore. You never know which characters will survive from week to week. The only people I’m sure will be around are Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). (And how about that flirty moment between the two? Bow chicka wow wow!) But hey, who knows what the writers have in mind for any my favorite characters.
In fact, I wouldn’t mind if Carl (Chandler Riggs) caught another bullet at this point. He’s getting too big for his britches. “I did what I had to do.” I hate to admit this, but the kid kind of has a point. Not about killing Jody (Tanner Holland), but about hesitation and indecision. Viewers have blamed Carl for Dale’s (Jeffrey Demunn) death since it happened. So can you call Carl’s act one of ‘I won’t let the same thing happen twice’? The speech he delivers to his father is so on point. If those words had come from someone older, I think Rick would have heeded them more carefully. Kudos to Riggs for effortlessly playing the young teen forced to become a man well before his time. You can see the change in Carl from his picture. He now looks so much older than how he appeared only a few years back. I guess fighting for your life will do that to a person.
The music adds to the suspense of the Woodburians entering the prison. My heart was pounding at every turn. I almost caught myself holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen next. That’s the mark of a fantastic director, Mr. Dickerson.
I’m beginning to think the Governor is unstoppable.
Here’s some food for thought: Would you consider Carl’s actions to be on par with the Governor’s? He shoots at someone running away from a fight. Granted the motivation behind the killings is different, but aren’t they still the same? But, shooting someone in cold blood because you’re afraid doesn’t make it right. So the question begs to be answered: is Carl becoming a smaller version of the Governor?
Didn’t someone give Andrea (Laurie Holden) the memo that the nail salons aren’t open during the zombie apocalypse? She had a damn pedicure at least a couple days ago. Not buying it, Andrea. I get she wanted her toes to look good for that scene, but you’re supposed to be selling us on the hardships of living life during zombiepocalypse. Make me believe you’re suffering without a nail salon, for crying out loud. I guess I can cut her some slack considering she probably would have picked up those pliers faster if she wasn’t looking out for her nail polish. Looking cute must mean more than getting bit.
I’m glad to see Daryl (Norman Reedus) is doing just fine. I didn’t think he’d fall apart after having to end Merle (Michael Rooker), but I thought he’d be a little more… something. I don’t know—pensive, reflective, angry even. He’s just Daryl though. Maybe that’s a good thing. Maybe that’s all I should expect from such a solid character.
Poor kid just wants to be included. He’s taking matters into his own hands.
Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) redeems himself in my eyes. I didn’t know what side of the fence to put him on before but I’m glad to see he is finally viewing things clearly. He knows the Gov isn’t who he says he is. I was worried he’d be a problem for Rick and the gang. Now, I can see him becoming an important ally. Someone has to replace the irreplaceable T-Dog (IronE Singleton), right?
Memorable lines:
The Governor to Andrea and Milton: “I had to stretch the truth a little more, but just a little. Now, they’re foaming at the mouths.”
**
Rick about Carl: “He’s still a kid. It’s easy to forget.”
**
Daryl revealing what I hoped he would figure out about his brother: “Merle never did nothing like that in his whole life.”
Carol: “He gave us a chance.”
**
Tyreese to the Gov: “We’ll fight against the biters, not other people.”
**
Hershel (Scott Wilson) to Rick about Carl going all Quick Draw McGraw on a mofo: “Rick! I’m telling you, he gunned that kid down.”
**
Carl to Rick: “I couldn’t take the chance. I didn’t kill the Walker that killed Dale; look what happened. You didn’t kill Andrew and he came back and killed mom. You were in a room with the Governor, and you let him go. And then he killed Merle. I did what I had to do. Now go, so he doesn’t kill anymore of us.”
**
Andrea: “No one can be good alone now.”
**
You are not going to make me cry, The Walking Dead! You are not! Every single actor does a fantastic job in this finale. Roberts pulls you along with him as he changes from human to zombie; Holden puts you in her place as she has to make the decision to end the hell that is coming for her; Gurira continues with her silent yet always plotting Michonne. Next season will only bring more greatness.
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Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2013 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
And if you want a heads up to aid your survival of the zombiepocalypse, check out this infographic.
Creating a zombie apocolypse first aid kit
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