Piers McCarthy reviews the eighth episode of The Walking Dead season 4....
![The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review]( "The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review")
I was *this* close on giving up on The Walking Dead. I had the same experience with Season 2 where I literally stopped watching it mid-way through. I came into work one day and my colleague was raving about the season’s finale. I told him I’d given up on it and he told me to stick with it and watch until the end. Thankfully I followed his advice, enjoyed the finale and was one of the many entertained by the third season. However, Season 3 was so good that the expectations for this year’s run were exceedingly high. Over the last few episodes I’d be watching with fading interest, only watching out of devotion to the show I’ve given so much time to until now. Thankfully, like with the second season, I was rewarded by sticking through the dull moments for a great, bloody spectacle. The mid-season finale of The Walking Dead’s fourth season is pivotal in shaking things up; paving the way for what will hopefully be a tense and exciting latter half.
Major spoilers follow
Frankly, the build-up for “Too Far Gone” was uninspiring. We knew from the end of episode 5 that the Governor was soon to strike the prison, but watching him turn into a smulchly father, boyfriend character it didn’t seem all-that-dramatic. It was the end of episode 7 – showing him pointing his gun at the unsuspecting Michonne – where I started to feel slightly unnerved (after all, this is a show where characters can be killed off in the blink of an eye, unceremoniously).
Fortunately, for fans of Michonne, it was the butt of the gun, rather than the barrel, used on her. Capturing Michonne and Hershel, the Governor (preferred to be called Brian nowadays) uses them as bait not only for the heroes in the prison, but as examples for his new group – showing them two of the merciless clan he claims live in the prison. Giving the first of the episode’s long speeches, Brian preaches on about the brutal inmates of the prison, not fit to be living safely in its walls. As the heroes go about their day in the prison a loud bang causes the walls to shake and crumble – it’s the war-cry of Brian’s new troop, with Michonne and Herschel hostages in amongst them. The Governor’s great ability to persuade and entice has never been shown off better; here with people who aren’t 100% on board with fighting, grasping guns and prepared for battle (plus, with a freaking tank!).
![The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review]( "The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review")
Rick rushes to the scene and gives us the episode’s second winded speech about survival and how they can try and live together. Herschel and Michonne, kneeling helplessly before both Rick and the Governor look on knowing Rick’s efforts are futile. The script in this scene is wonderful – it seems as though the Governor makes more sense than Rick, even if you aren’t siding with him. The battle of brains rather than brawn for this moment is played out masterfully through a rivalry that has built up massively in the last few years. All throughout, there is a sense that the Governor will kick into his normal self – vicious and uncompromising – as so far he’s been a little too peaceful.
To ramp up some of the tension, there are the parallel views of Daryl, Carl, Maggie and the others, watching from behind the fence. Armed themselves, there is little they can do lest all hell breaks loose and people start getting shot left right and centre. Also, back at Brian’s camp, his surrogate daughter and girlfriend wait for an outcome. The little girl plays in the mud, finding a sign that reads “Flash Flood Area”. As she looks at the bewildering sign, a hand reaches from under the sloppy mud and grabs hold of her. The mother tries to get to her in time but it’s too late – she’s bitten...dead.
Returning to the stand-off, Rick’s refusal to leave means the Governor turns nasty. Taking out Michonne’s sword, he raises it up and slashes it into Herschel’s neck (to the horror of Maggie and Beth, watching from the prison). Screams of “Noooo!” and instant gun-fire, and the fight begins.
Michonne rolls away, Rick sprints for cover firing round upon round at the hostiles (hitting the Governor with one shot). The Governor’s rage comes back and he lops of Herschel’s head. It’s a bitter end for the old man, but looking back it seemed like a heroic sacrifice – his death, by the end, means the destruction of the Governor and his crew.
![The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review]( "The Walking Dead Season 4 - Episode 8 Review")
I needn’t describe all the action; there is just one point that needs to be made. In all the chaos each of our heroes has their own private moment of nobility. Daryl tosses some grenades and fires some deadly arrows, Maggie in her furious grief organises an escape and kills some of the outsiders, Tyreese fires off some lethal rounds, Carol’s adolescent troupe save Tyreese, and Bob and Sasha hold many back. More than any other, Michonne stands out, saving Rick from the deadly clutches of the Governor just before he chokes our protagonist to death. Getting her revenge, she plunges the sword through his chest, leaving him to die in the tall grass (with the help of Lilly’s bullet, aimed at the head of the conniving monster). Second to get their shining moment is Carl, who emerges from the smoke and dust of the tank’s destruction to shoot two walkers and help save his injured father. Much like the end of Season 3’s fourth episode to see Rick losing someone again is incredibly sad. This time round it’s his baby Judith who has left us. Her carrier is empty, with only a bloody stain remaining. Of course, she could have been rescued and the carrier just lying dormant, having been stained by someone else’s blood. Still, whatever the case, it’s distressing to think of him losing his infant daughter. Carl, having lost his sister, is grieving unlike Lori’s death. There’s more sorrow here for some reason – perhaps because Judith was too small and young to have a fighting chance.
As Rick and Carl leave (following suit from the others), we look upon a burnt, smoking prison. If there is supposed to be sadness embossed on this image I missed it – I’m happy they’re all moving on. The Walking Dead has become so domesticated I’ve yearned for the nomadic aspects of it. Hopefully the latter half will satisfy that. Also, RIP Herschel, you stoic legend.
Piers McCarthy - Follow me on Twitter.
I was *this* close on giving up on The Walking Dead. I had the same experience with Season 2 where I literally stopped watching it mid-way through. I came into work one day and my colleague was raving about the season’s finale. I told him I’d given up on it and he told me to stick with it and watch until the end. Thankfully I followed his advice, enjoyed the finale and was one of the many entertained by the third season. However, Season 3 was so good that the expectations for this year’s run were exceedingly high. Over the last few episodes I’d be watching with fading interest, only watching out of devotion to the show I’ve given so much time to until now. Thankfully, like with the second season, I was rewarded by sticking through the dull moments for a great, bloody spectacle. The mid-season finale of The Walking Dead’s fourth season is pivotal in shaking things up; paving the way for what will hopefully be a tense and exciting latter half.Major spoilers follow
Frankly, the build-up for “Too Far Gone” was uninspiring. We knew from the end of episode 5 that the Governor was soon to strike the prison, but watching him turn into a smulchly father, boyfriend character it didn’t seem all-that-dramatic. It was the end of episode 7 – showing him pointing his gun at the unsuspecting Michonne – where I started to feel slightly unnerved (after all, this is a show where characters can be killed off in the blink of an eye, unceremoniously).
Fortunately, for fans of Michonne, it was the butt of the gun, rather than the barrel, used on her. Capturing Michonne and Hershel, the Governor (preferred to be called Brian nowadays) uses them as bait not only for the heroes in the prison, but as examples for his new group – showing them two of the merciless clan he claims live in the prison. Giving the first of the episode’s long speeches, Brian preaches on about the brutal inmates of the prison, not fit to be living safely in its walls. As the heroes go about their day in the prison a loud bang causes the walls to shake and crumble – it’s the war-cry of Brian’s new troop, with Michonne and Herschel hostages in amongst them. The Governor’s great ability to persuade and entice has never been shown off better; here with people who aren’t 100% on board with fighting, grasping guns and prepared for battle (plus, with a freaking tank!).
Rick rushes to the scene and gives us the episode’s second winded speech about survival and how they can try and live together. Herschel and Michonne, kneeling helplessly before both Rick and the Governor look on knowing Rick’s efforts are futile. The script in this scene is wonderful – it seems as though the Governor makes more sense than Rick, even if you aren’t siding with him. The battle of brains rather than brawn for this moment is played out masterfully through a rivalry that has built up massively in the last few years. All throughout, there is a sense that the Governor will kick into his normal self – vicious and uncompromising – as so far he’s been a little too peaceful.To ramp up some of the tension, there are the parallel views of Daryl, Carl, Maggie and the others, watching from behind the fence. Armed themselves, there is little they can do lest all hell breaks loose and people start getting shot left right and centre. Also, back at Brian’s camp, his surrogate daughter and girlfriend wait for an outcome. The little girl plays in the mud, finding a sign that reads “Flash Flood Area”. As she looks at the bewildering sign, a hand reaches from under the sloppy mud and grabs hold of her. The mother tries to get to her in time but it’s too late – she’s bitten...dead.
Returning to the stand-off, Rick’s refusal to leave means the Governor turns nasty. Taking out Michonne’s sword, he raises it up and slashes it into Herschel’s neck (to the horror of Maggie and Beth, watching from the prison). Screams of “Noooo!” and instant gun-fire, and the fight begins.
Michonne rolls away, Rick sprints for cover firing round upon round at the hostiles (hitting the Governor with one shot). The Governor’s rage comes back and he lops of Herschel’s head. It’s a bitter end for the old man, but looking back it seemed like a heroic sacrifice – his death, by the end, means the destruction of the Governor and his crew.
As Rick and Carl leave (following suit from the others), we look upon a burnt, smoking prison. If there is supposed to be sadness embossed on this image I missed it – I’m happy they’re all moving on. The Walking Dead has become so domesticated I’ve yearned for the nomadic aspects of it. Hopefully the latter half will satisfy that. Also, RIP Herschel, you stoic legend.
Piers McCarthy - Follow me on Twitter.