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EPISODE 6: Hounded
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). Poor Rick. Sure, many of the survivors have lost people, but the stress and responsibility on the shoulders of a leader–especially a former cop with a conscience–makes for a greater snap when things go wrong. Not that Rick’s a stranger to pressure, I mean hell, waking up from a coma RESIDENT EVIL style would be enough to break most people and that was just the first episode. I was confused when I heard the voice on the other end of the phone and she started talking about this “safe place” her and her group were all at. It wasn’t Lori, and then it was a dude, but before I let myself believe it actually was another group I considered the irony of the situation. The last place a group of survivors would call–for any reason–would be a prison. “Hello? Yes, could I please speak with someone who isn’t a murderer, rapist or pedophile? Oh, you’re none of those? Good, would you like to join our group?”
I couldn’t help but laugh when I saw Merle and his ragtag group of four hunting Michonne. It felt like an old episode of STAR TREK with Merle as Captain Kirk beaming down to a strange planet with three nameless officers. It didn’t take much to figure out what was going to happen there. I loved that they decided to revisit the theory behind the “GUTS” episode with Michonne as she of all people could make perfect use of this tactic. One of you brought up last week that Merle seems like he’s been toned down and I agree. He was very racist and backyard hillbillyish before, but somehow feels more reserved these days. Alone with his ragtag group would’ve been a great opportunity to see the old Merle, but he didn’t revert back out of the Governor’s sight so I’m assuming AMC just decided to tone him down simply because of the all the use they’re getting out of the character. I’m cool with that, just so long as the endgame storyline is worth it. PS: Rooker seems to be having a blast.
There were two things that annoyed the bejesus out of me tonight. One, I’m not feeling this whole subplot with Andrea and the Governor hooking up. Seriously, it’s pointless, especially if you follow the comics and see where Andrea’s journey takes her. Yes, they may change that, but if they don’t, this just feels ridiculous and a bit like a slap in the face. I did however enjoy Andrea’s dive off the wall to jack a walker after the chick with the bow (yeah, you were ready for the Olympics alright) makes a damn fool of herself. If that’s the kind of people he’s got manning the wall I’m amazed they haven’t been overrun. The second thing was the whole Carol situation. Three words: Waste of time. I’ll admit that I’m not particularly fond of Carol to begin with, but come on people, her disappearance just felt like filler and there’s more than enough cool shit happening right now to need filler.
THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3’s sixth episode is still dragging ass on the Governor front, but that’s all about to change now that they’ve nabbed Glen and Maggie. I’m a little worried for Maggie at this point because this storyline feels awfully similar to Michonne’s storyline in the comics. If that’s the case, Mags could be in for some rough times. I’m thinking they’ll shy away from that as it involves the Governor and would hurt the image they have of him thus far. That said, I’m not too happy with this image. Everyone at AMC was boasting about how they didn’t tone the Governor down at all, but trust me, they have. There sure as hell isn’t a love triangle of any kind in the comics with the Gov. Now I love that they’ve given him more humanity here, but damn if I’m not one who thoroughly enjoys an over the top villain. My fingers are crossed that his inner evil is yet to be revealed.
ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: Michonne takes out walkers and bad guys, but the spilling of entrails that eventually lead to camouflage wins the day.
BLOOD AND GORE: Not as much as we’ve been seeing, but there’s still limbs and heads a flying.
MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER: Carol. Why? Because she didn’t die dammit.
COOLEST SCENE: Daryl and Carl share a moment in the prison as they’re clearing out walkers. Daryl explains his mother’s tragic death and Carl tell him that he’s the one who put a bullet in Lori’s head. I found this moving and cool.
FINAL VERDICT:
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