The last thing Rick seems to need right now is another member of the group doubting his ability to lead. For Carl to be that voice this week is startling and sad. There’s a gulf growing between father and son. Rick retreats into himself, as the sweet little kid from two seasons ago is growing into a cold, troubled and potentially vicious adolescent.
Andrea is against the plan to militarize all abled bodied citizens of Woodbury, and announces her attention to go to the prison. The Governor warns Andrea: “If you go there, stay there.” Andrea is told she can’t have it, so of course she makes a beeline straight toward it. Sporting a new eye patch, the Governor orders Milton to help Andrea, perhaps to keep the suspicion off his pawn. Either that, or he’s just bat-shit crazy.
Merle and Hershel bond over the Bible and the fact that they are both amputees. The elder Dixon brother surprises Hershel (and all of us watching at home) with his knowledge of scripture. Merle says the only thing he liked about Woodbury was the library, and we must all try to accept that this guy likes to read.
Before departing for the prison, Andrea finds a random walker, cuts its arms off, and defangs it by feeding it a rock. “I’m good,” Andrea says, as she walks into the woods with her new pet zombie. When she reaches her destination, she’s ready to go around hugging everybody, but the prison group–especially Michonne–doesn’t seem too thrilled about her being there.
After hearing Andrea’s tale about the prison, and the hard conditions in which Rick’s group survives, the Governor tells Andrea she’s come back “because you belong here.” Andrea, knowing now that he called for Michonne’s head, now feels the appropriate amount of horror when near this man.
There was a lot about “I Ain’t a Judas” that I liked. Hershel’s confrontation with Rick shows that the old man didn’t lose his ass kicking foot. Michonne’s dropping some knowledge on Andrea about the Governor’s treatment of those he considers enemies is also well done.
The meeting of Tyreese’s group with the Governor was another high point, though the creepy smile on the boss’s face should have made someone a little suspicious. Instead, the refugees accept the rule of Woodbury in exchange for respite from the wilderness. Let it be noted that even though The Governor plays the part of ruthless power grabber, he seems to be doing a pretty bad job of it. When we first met him, he was mostly in control of Woodbury and himself, though his methods were no less brutal and savage as they are now.
The two camps still represent a clear and present danger to one another, and in arguing for their co-existence, Andrea proves to be the voice of reason, for all her flaws. She considers taking drastic measures against an unswayable Governor, while Beth sings “Hold On” at the prison. The Tom Waits hit holds a fair amount of wisdom, and the characters in this messed up world would do well to heed it.
Latest posts by Tom Gibbons (see all)
- Review: Star Trek – Into Darkness – Hip and Trippy - June 9, 2013
- The Walking Dead Third Season, Episode Sixteen “Welcome to the Tombs” - April 14, 2013
- The Walking Dead Third Season Episode Fifteen, “This Sorrowful Life” - March 30, 2013
