The Walking Dead Mid Season Finale.
Rick is thinking twice about the “Hugging It Out” option for therapy.
Chris Hardwick was right. We’re all going to need group counselling after the mid season finale of The Walking Dead.
Warning, spoilers contained within.
From the opening scene to the closing chaos, The Walking Dead gave fans something they haven’t seen in a while, closure. It came at a high cost and it came with a great amount of trauma, but we can now say the story of the jail is now done.
There were many hooks in the zombie infested pond when this episode happened. Who would take control of the group? What will the Governor do? How can the group at the jail survive? Is the Governor reforming his ways? Those questions were answered.
The Governor got back into full swing, convincing his group that they needed that jail. When David Morrissey uses the Clinton-esque southern drawl, there are few things people wouldn’t do for him. This is the point of no return for the Governor. Like the title of the episode, he is “Too Far Gone.” This is a running theme that sticks with both groups.
We learn that Herschel and Michonne were kidnapped by the Governor. He is back in his Woodbury mentality. He offers little comfort to Herschel, who is trying to talk the Governor back from a full assault, he is trying to convince the Governor that there is a way back. This is what Herschel has been to Rick and the others, he’s been hope. He’s been a foundation of optimism and realism. He is one of the main reasons people still smile on The Walking Dead.
As the group moves to prepare for the assault, Lilly and Meghan get accustomed to their new camp by the side of a river. The river is fast moving and provides a natural defense against walkers. Lilly asks, “Why not just make this the new camp?” It’s too personal for the Governor and tells Lilly to watch over Meghan. The next few moments are like pulling teeth. We, the audience, see Lilly keeping an eye on a walker trying to cross the river. Veterans of the show know that’s not where the threat lies. In an uncomfortable few minutes, Meghan is seen digging something out of the mud.
Always, always check the area you’re playing in before making mud pies.
It’s flat and square. The sign reads: “Warning Flash Flood Area.” This is the perfect distraction for the hand that comes reaching out of the goop. A walker reaches up, grabs Meghan and bites her. This is the first shock in the show, and it sets the tone for what’s to come.
The Governor arrives with an assault force outside the jail. Armed with automatic weapons, trained army reserves and a tank. Rick holsters his revolver and walks out, like the town sheriff, to meet the threat. This is the tipping point for The Walking Dead. The acting in this scene is what carries it. Andrew Lincoln and David Morrissey are perfect partners; as is their characters, they are two sides of the same coin coming into conflict for the last time.
Herschel and Michonne are brought out before Rick. The Governor says that if the group leaves the prison, no one will get hurt. Rick says no, he offers another solution of living together in the prison. Herschel smiles like an approving dad. He sees that there’s still hope inside Rick, that everything will be okay with him in charge. The Governor disagrees and with one word, “Liar,” as he drives Michonne’s katana into the neck of Herschel.
Chaos erupts from here. The prison survivors open fire on the assault group and the assault group move forward, pushing over the fences of the jail with the tank. The theme of “Too Far Gone” comes to life in this fight scene. The Governor finishes his journey and beheads Herschel as he tries to crawl away. Lizzie throws away any chance of innocence when she shoots Alisha between the eyes. Lilly arrives on scene with the corpse of Meghan. The Governor pulls out his pistol and shoots Meghan in the head, while the fire fight rages on behind him. As most of the prison survivors make for a bus and drive for safety, the Governor’s soldiers are trapped between a firing line and walkers from behind. Rick and the Governor get caught in a brutal fist fight. Daryl, Tyreese, Maggie and Beth clean up what’s left of the assault group before leaving as well. That is one of the few positive moments.
Rick’s fight is not going well. His face is getting turned into hamburger. Right as Rick is having the life choked out of him, closure happens. Michonne drives her sword through the chest the Governor. The symphony is almost at a close. As everyone makes for the prison, Lilly is seen pointing a gun at the head of the Governor. His wounds are mortal and he is too far gone to be helped. The story of the Governor is done.
Rick and Carl get separated from the others and limp out of the jail. Judith’s baby carrier is empty, and they assume the worst. The last scene is straight out of the comics, with Carl and Rick heading into the forest. Rick tells Carl, “Don’t looks back,” it’s too far gone.
This is what The Walking Dead needed. It’s what the fans needed. Some story arcs came to a close with force and trauma. It may have been the half way point, but with shows like Game of Thrones and Hannibal coming back in the new year, the cast and crew have shown that they can carry a story forward. They had a perfect mix of answering enough questions and leaving a crucial few questions open. The mid season finale pulled in 12.1 million viewers, which means there will be a lot of group counselling afterwards.
After the final credits rolled, there was a collective exhale as we all tried to absorb what happened. We better catch our breaths, because if the season finale is anything like the halfway point, we are going to be all turning blue.
We will miss you Herschel.
