by The mid-season finale of The Walking Dead, Season 3 is next week, and this week’s episode, “When the Dead Come Knocking,” lined up all the ducks in a row. Needless to say, a lot went down this week.
Among all the important stuff that happened, like Glenn showing us how badass he really is, what was the point of Milton’s experiment on the dying old man, Mr. Coleman?
I can’t deny that I loved seeing his trembling hands as he set the restraints and then his adrenaline-charged ignorance when he released one of the restraints. Last week we saw a bloodlust in Andrea, and this week her cool head and unflinching action to kill Mr. Coleman juxtaposed with the pissing-himself “scientist” was dramatic. It was especially satisfying when Andrea asked Milton the question (paraphrased), “You’ve never seen this happen before, have you?” speaking of the transformation to walker. So determined to prove his science, that he couldn’t see her practical reasoning — or just take her word for it.
However, as gratifying as it was to see Milton proved wrong, the real reason for this sequence was to show us how isolated, how inexperienced, and how ill-prepared the people of Woodbury are for the coming storm. Oh, Merle, we have to love you for the little shitstorm you’ve caused.
After interrogating Maggie and Glenn, the Governor is scrambling and all he can do is prepare for the worst. On the one hand, the Governor could assume that Maggie lied about how many people are in her group, in which case he’ll be expecting many more. This could go both ways for him: if you expect a massive force, you likely won’t be caught with your dick in your hand. Then again, you might pool all your resources to one objective (such as fortifying your perimeter) while neglecting something else and creating a weak point.
And on the other hand, if the Governor believes that the tribe is only 10 strong, and knows that they managed to take an overrun prison when his sizable force couldn’t, then he’s up against one badass opponent.
Currently, our badass tribe has the jump on Woodbury, but the Governor has his army of paramilitary wannabes (Michonne’s words, not mine), so it won’t take long for the playing field to level out. Then again, Rick’s tribe does have Michonne now. I’m glad the writers didn’t drag out her joining our regulars; an abrasive welcome showing strength, medical attention, and witness to a warm reception to a returning member while new life brings tears of joy was all Michonne needed to see through prison bars to judge the worthiness of her new group.
Did anyone else find it humorous when Rick, Michonne, Daryl, and Oscar left for Woodbury in a Hyundai with some guns and tear gas? Sure, it’s just a recon mission, but still, there’s paramilitary over there. Also, before leaving, Rick’s little talk with Carl, as a possible final goodbye, was lukewarm at best. As was Rick’s thank you to Daryl for taking care of shit while he was sorting things out. Daryl don’t need no stinkin’ thank yous.
As far as recon missions go, why the hell are four people going on this one? All that’s required is Michonne and Daryl. I hate the idea that our regulars are splitting up, but I get why a one-legged old man, a prepubescent boy, a newborn, and a dehydrated Carol can’t go. And, save for the security of the prison, they’ve been left completely vulnerable. Imagine what would happen to them if everyone on the recon party dies.
I love that we got to see the “Red Zone.” And I love that this is the DZ (demilitarized zone or dead zone, take your pick) that each group has to cross to do recon or attack. Imagine the heaps of walkers that’ll pile up. We know that Rick and co. can handle it, but I’m not sure about Woodbury. I think the Red Zone will make a short order of the Woodburians. It’s certainly the handicap.
While Glenn has personal reasons to justifiably terminate both Merle and the Governor, I predict that Daryl will off Merle. I also predict that as Rick is about to execute the Governor, Andrea is going to stop him. I’d like to say that Andrea would rejoin the tribe, but I think that after a few weeks in Stepford she’s going to see her old running mates as savages. Additionally, the Woodbury recon team, while most of them will perish in the Red Zone, will capture the prison and the Governor will have his leverage. I don’t think all of this will happen during the mid-season finale next week, but some of it will certainly be a part of the cliffhanger.
Rock Hard \m/
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