Air Date: Sunday, November 4, 2012, 9/8c on AMC
Rating:
“I’d rather take my chances out there than stay here.” – Michonne
“The Killer Within” is intense! I couldn’t help thinking something was going to go very wrong given the lovely shot of the entire gang—smiling, happy to see they’ve finally found peace. Of course, the previews alluded to this, but I was still riddled with tension watching a serene scene turn into mayhem in less than two seconds. I knew it wasn’t going to last, but you gotta hope for the best, right?
Observations and thoughts:
This moment killed me. You know it means the end but still hope for a miracle. Not T-Dog!
You never know who’s going to bite it—literally. Yet another major character sacrifices himself for the greater good. Was it worth it? Or was T-Dog’s (IronE Singleton) sacrifice made in vain? Yeah, my heart was racing like crazy as the Walkers swarmed their unwilling prey. I didn’t know what was going to happen, how it was going to happen or why, but I was riveted to my TV screen. There are so many shocking events in “The Killer Within” that I can’t wrap my head around them all. I just know there’s going to be more to come.
It’s good to see Hershel (Scott Wilson) back on his feet… er, foot again. He’s so positive, isn’t he? He knows he can’t outrun a Walker, yet he doesn’t hesitate to put his crutches to good use. I think losing his leg may put Hershel in ultimate survivor mode. He’ll want to work harder to show he’s not a burden to anyone.
Michonne (Danai Gurira) hasn’t let up on her suspicion of what’s going on in Woodbury. I’m worried Andrea (Laurie Holden) is going to try to undercut her plans, putting them in a dangerous position. But here’s the thing: why doesn’t Michonne just leave? Andrea can take care of herself (as we all well know) so why not just hit the bricks and be done with it? My guess? Andrea’s a friend Michonne doesn’t want to let go of. She’s been a loner for so long with only her zombie pets as companions; maybe she doesn’t want to be on her own again. I can only hope Michonne’s reluctance to leave Andrea doesn’t get her killed. As an aside, Michonne’s strut is so damn cool. She strolls around town, languidly, like she hasn’t a care in the world, although we know better. Is it part of a façade or just the way she rolls?
Carl cannot go back to being a little kid. I’m so impressed with him and Riggs for portraying this kid in a grownup world.
I’m just a little teensy bit weirded out by Lori (Sara Wayne Callies) giving birth in the prison’s boiler room. I’m such a germaphobe, all I kept thinking about was how dirty Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) hands were. Yup, that’s what I was thinking the entire time. Not only that, with so many zombies running rampant all over the place, why don’t any of them react to her screaming through her labor pains? They react to sound as well as fresh blood, but not a one managed to get to them? Slip up on the writers’ part, maybe?
Merle (Michael Rooker) actually brings a smile to my face. His need to find his brother Daryl (Norman Reedus) warms my heart. No matter how they parted ways, they are family and that means something. More likely, Merle may be putting up a front until he finds Daryl. It’s possible he’s seething with rage underneath his calm demeanor. We won’t know until the brothers come together again. Can you imagine what Daryl might say when he comes face to face with his long thought dead brother? Who do you think will throw the first punch?
The Governor (David Morrissey) is all about keeping control. I see that now. Not only doesn’t he want to let Merle go off in search of Daryl, he really doesn’t want Andrea to leave either. When he tells Merle, “I need you here,” it doesn’t ring true; I think it’s more because he wants to flex his power muscles by issuing a command to keep Merle there, and then expecting it to be followed. The Governor’s trying to calculate his authority over the man who might hold the most sway with him. If you watch the scene between the two carefully, you’ll see the Governor’s face twitch as he talks to Merle. Could it be his nerves? Merle is dangerous. It’s smart of the Governor to know that and never forget it.
What a heartbreaking moment. I knew it was coming but didn’t want to admit it. Way to make a person cry, writers.
You know what I just realized? Andrea shares a striking resemblance to the Governor’s deceased wife. Coincidence, I think not. I’m curious about what might happen here as it seems there’s some sort of mutual attraction going on. Andrea seems happy enough to stick around, too. Love is in the air, folks.
Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) reaction to seeing the baby and no Lori killed me. I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to cry, but dammit! Lincoln masterfully embodies a man in severe pain—not only emotional but physical. You could see the suffering in his face as well as his body when he falls to the ground, utterly hopeless. Very well done and yet another example of how great the acting is on this show. This is a fantastic cast and I look forward to seeing what more they are willing to give viewers for our entertainment.
Memorable lines:
Hershel, upon seeing the empty prison yard for the first time: “It’s starting to look like a place we can really live.”
**
Glenn (Steven Yeun), when he realizes the happy go lucky times are over: “Aww man, can’t we have just one good day?”
**
Merle: “How come we never got along?”
Andrea: “You called me a whore. And a rug muncher.”
Merle: “Got a way with words, huh?”
**
Lori to Carl (Chandler Riggs): “You gotta do right baby. Promise me. You always do what’s right.”
**
I’m not sure what to say about the emotional impact of “The Killer Within.” My heart breaks and I felt such turmoil watching the gang come to realize what they’ve lost in such a short time. The Walking Dead amazes me every week, even when I think it’ll be another episode of the same old thing. I’m completely enamored with the show and what the writers have done with the concept of surviving a zombiepocalypse.
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Photo credit: Gene Page/AMC © 2010-2012 American Movie Classics Company, LLC. All rights reserved.
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