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EPISODE 13: Arrow on the Doorpost
THE HOOK: With Hershel’s farm overrun, Rick and company are on the move again. They come across a prison which Rick feels would be perfect…once it’s purged of walkers. But the dead aren’t the only danger lurking in the shadows.
THE LOWDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t watched this episode). So Rick and the Governor walk into a barn…sounds like a great start to a joke, but there was absolutely no funny business between these guys as they sized one another up under the guise of “discussing peace”. Yeah, like that was going to happen. Odd that they were quick to show that gun strapped to the table on the Governor’s side, yet nothing became of it (I think he left it there). The dialogue and tension between these two was all kinds of awesome. It was obvious that Rick wanted to shoot this fool in the face (and vice versa), but they still managed to sit and even drink a bit of whiskey while they chatted. It’s a shame the terms couldn’t be agreeable, but then again, we knew they wouldn’t be.
As much as I loved the mano a mano brewing inside, the outside was fairly interesting as well. The masculinity contest between Daryl and Martinez was fun, and we even got a bit of character insight into the governor’s man who, until now, was simply a cookie cutter henchman. He still is mind you, but it was cool to see him open up about his wife and kids as well as both he and Daryl calmly agree that it doesn’t matter what gets said, they’re still going to war. It was a mutual respect between gladiators, but here’s hoping they don’t meet on the field of battle to put this to the test. At the same time it was nice to see Hershel and Milton break bread and lighten the mood (the joke about not showing his leg until he buys him a drink first was priceless). Milton is a good hearted individual who knows grim tidings are coming. I’m sure he’s always known and just chose to ignore it, but now, in light of these new events unfolding, I’m wondering if he’ll change sides in the not so distant future.
Speaking of changing sides, what the hell’s up with Andrea? This nonsense has gone on long enough. The guy’s a terrorist, torturer, manipulator and far more bloodthirsty than any walker, a fact Andrea’s been made aware of several times, yet she still decides to stay with him. On a good note, Maggie and Glenn finally make up and have prison makeup sex (yay). She must’ve been turned on by Glenn and Merle’s throw down. I’m amazed Merle wasn’t allowed to go with Daryl in the first place, it would make sense to have at least seen him make a fuss over it. Clearly being a loose cannon that nobody can anticipate, I see why they’d say no, but why not make an issue of it before everyone leaves rather than after? I liked Michonne’s approach to Merle’s plan as well, she really is shaping up to be one of the group.
THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3’s thirteenth episode gave us the confrontational meeting we all demanded and it was damn good too, but trading Michonne for peace? Get the f*ck out of here with that foolishness. I know Rick’s still a noble man at heart, it became even more clear last episode when he tried his damndest to save Morgan, and I know he’d have to consider this in his head–and of course bounce it off someone like Hershel–but there’s no way he’ll do it. Rick’s no fool, like he said to the Governor’s face, he sees the devil beside him and there’s no reasoning with the devil. He knows damn well the Governor won’t keep his word, so he doesn’t need Hershel to talk him out of anything. I have faith that he’ll make the right decision, I’m more curious about all the other players in the game, where their allegiances lye and how it’s all going to play out.
ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: Martinez goes bat crazy and nails one walker’s face to the wall with a grand slam swing.
BLOOD AND GORE: A few walkers get a beat down and we have to look at the Governor’s bad eye.
WHOSE HEAD BELONGS IN THE GOV’S FISHTANK: Andrea. If Andrea was a useless member of the group (ie: Carol. Sorry Carol), I wouldn’t be so angry, but she’s a crack shot and pretty good at motivating people which makes her valuable. She needs to get her shit together, and telling the Governor about Shane and Lori (which he shamelessly throws in Rick’s face) was low.
COOLEST SCENE: Maybe it’s due to the buildup or maybe I’m just one for confrontations, but my favorite scene was Rick walking into that barn and cocking his gun just before the Governor walks out of the shadows. A lot of eye fury follows, which was equally cool in its own right.
FINAL VERDICT:
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