As someone who is somewhat obsessed with this show, I’m still processing my feelings over the season finale this past Sunday. Coming off of Merle’s untimely death in Episode 3×15, we were left with this feeling of, “Okay, zombie guts are definitely going to hit the fan in the season finale.” Or, ehm, not. For the last 5 or 6 episodes, we’ve been plagued with rising tension and teased with the inevitable show down between the prison and the town of Woodbury. But, for what? A flat tire on a truck? (Beside a few stray biters it seemed to be the only casualty in the fight.) I have to say, I was really let down by the fight and the episode itself, BUT at the same time there is no way that this season could have been wrapped up in one episode.
After the fight, a few interesting things took place outside of the prison. We find Carl and Hershel having a run in with a (young) citizen of Woodbury. Once Carl asked the kid to put the gun down and he didn’t, Carl shot him dead. I’m really not sure what to think about this one. Out of anyone this season, hand’s down, he’s been put through the grinder the most.
A.) He had to kill his mother.
B) His father was a raging lunatic for most of the season.
C) Has anyone noticed that Carl killed Shane and Lori? (aka baby momma and semi-possible-daddy) How’s he going to explain that one over a bed time story with little sis?
Put all of this aside I think Carl has handled himself and the situation in a grown up, post-apocalyptic manner. He has protected the prison and held his own in the group. He’s no longer the child we greeted in Season 1 who was always getting into some kind of trouble. As a viewer, I find the most interesting part about this show is how it throws the human condition in your face in almost every scene. Yes, it is about zombies, but in a post-apacolyptic world, trust no one. So, is it safe to say Carl killed to keep the team safe? Or, do we have a young governor on our hands?
Amp it up a notch and we have the Governor down the road throwing a tantrum and killing most of the town of Woodbury. (Minus some women and children.) Leaving few survivors, he drove off into the distance never to be seen again for the rest of the episode.
All the while, on lock-down, we have Andrea, still handcuffed to a chair and Milton, barely conscious post Governor Stab Fest 2013. If there is one thing Andrea is really good at, its talking and never focusing on the task at hand. I can’t really explain my frustration that mounted during this entire scene while it played out. Clearly, she knew Milton was going to die and turn, but she took her sweet time figuring out a way to pick up the pliers Milton dropped below her (perfectly manicured) feet. COME ON ANDREA, SHUT UP AND PICK UP THE PLIERS WITH YOUR FEET. ITS. NOT. THAT. HARD.
Outside the lockdown, Rick and team were let into Woodbury with the only survivor (Potential love interest for Rick?) of the Governor shooting spree. After they found Andrea and discovered her situation, Michonne began to cry. And yes, I sort of teared up. Just a little bit. After all is said and done, its clear that Andrea’s big mouth got the best of her and so did Milton…in the jugular sense.
In the end, we are left with whats left of Woodbury being relocated to the prison, a missing Governor and what we hope is Rick having his last vision of Lori and gaining his sanity back.
I don’t really know how this will set us up for Season 4, but reports are we are in for a betrayal AND ZOMBIES, lots and lots of Zombies.
Tune into AMC for Season 4 of The Walking Dead in October.
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