March 19th, 2012
09:37 AM ET
No safe haven on 'The Walking Dead'Sunday night's "The Walking Dead" delivered everything we could expect from a season finale. The opening scene, I'll admit, was a little odd. It seemed like there could be more significance than appeared at first glance to the horde of walkers descending on Hershel's farm, because they included some of the walkers that Rick encountered in Atlanta. As interesting as it was, I don't know if it was entirely relevant. The good news is that we got right to where we left off at the end of the last episode, as soon as the opening titles were over. Daryl and Glenn announced to Lori, Andrea and the rest waiting in Hershel's barn that they found Randall but that he had become a walker, despite the lack of bite marks.
In the meantime, no sooner did Rick stop to console a traumatized Carl after he put down the walker Shane that he realized just how many hundreds of walkers were headed their way. What followed was one of the most extraordinary 10-minute sequences of the series so far, where the group was forced to split into different groups, fighting off walkers and escaping the farm (at one point, Hershel seemed done for, until Rick blasted a walker right behind him). Otis' wife and Beth's boyfriend, however, didn't survive, and Andrea was left to fend for herself as the barn burned down in the mayhem. The various groups came together where the season began just as Rick, Hershel and Carl started to lose hope: on the highway among a traffic jam frozen in time. As the group realized that Andrea had been abandoned, we were reminded of a haunting message left for Sophia on one of the cars. It wasn't long before Rick explained what he knew, and the rest of them didn't: as we saw (but didn't hear) at the end of the first season, Dr. Jenner whispered to Rick that everyone was infected with the walker virus. Kudos to Carol, for asking the most obvious question: Why didn't he tell all of them that in the first place? Rick had reasoned that Dr. Jenner wasn't exactly playing with a full deck. (20/20 hindsight and all, but Rick was in the wrong no matter how you look at it here.) He didn't know for sure that he was telling the truth until Shane turned, and he would later tell Lori – which also required him to tell her that he killed Shane. So now both Lori and Carl were keeping their distance from Rick, who offered anyone in the group to leave if they thought they could survive out there. He made it clear that from here on in, he was in charge, and the time for democracy was over. In the meantime, where was Andrea? Out of ammo after running from walkers all night, and tripped up by one, she was saved by a sword-wielding hooded stranger. That would be Michonne, one of the most popular characters in the comic books, to be played next season by Danai Gurira, best known for "Treme." And speaking of new characters next season, we got a glimpse of the prison – which means we'll soon meet the Governor, soon to be played by David Morrissey – off in the distance, not far from Rick's group. It was as strong a finish as I've seen to a season, and the next seven months are going to be an excruciating wait. And I would be remiss not to mention Bear McCreary's amazing work with the score this week. What did you think of the season ender? Post your video reaction or comment below. See you in October!
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I wished that damn bratty kid would take me off and wash me...jeez...after being on Rick's head for awhile, and now this brat...ugghhhhh....WASH ME, PLEASE!!
I have to start off with the fact that the opening soundtrack music each week is fantastic! What a great feeling of dread. With that said, I think everyone is in agreement that the group keeps screwing up on the car situation. Get better cars. Also, why all hop into just a few vehicles when there could always be a mechanical problem with a car? This way they could hop into another. Writers take note. I think the walkers that were behind the mystery character where there to help disguise her. Cut off the arms, cover the mouths, and use their smell to mask heres. Great! And who cares if you have a disease where you turn into a walker once you're dead. You're already dead! The actress who plays Lori is good. Otherwise, why do so many fans hate her. She's doing a good job acting the part. With that said, time for her to go!!!!
Best show on TV. The finale was superb!!!!!!
Lorie as two lines she repeats in some form over and over and over:
Which of you guys is going to win me over?
Where is my son? he's lost again, somebody look for him.
Rick and andrea will become better acquainted during season 3. Since dale is gone, Andrea will eventually move in on rick. Lori will be slaughtered towards middle of season 3. What we have to see is will Rick lose his hand like in the comics. Guys This show rocks.
Rick and Andrea should be miles aprt by now, she was running, they were driving. Andrea has found a new BFF and will learn to wield a sword soon..
I LOVE THE ZOMBIE show idea.
Having said that, I think the WRITING IS TERRIBLE. ALL of the characters need to be DEVELOPED.
All of the FEMALE characters are SCHIZOPHRENIC.
RICK is soooo WEAK as a leader. Seriously, why don't you just put LORI in charge. I was expecting that SHANE would develop a COMPETING SPLINTER GROUP with ANDREA and T-DOG.
It's a ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE PEOPLE- STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS! Do some surviving. Make some fortifications. Find some guns. Protect your food sources and water sources. Carry EXTRA GAS! Seriously. Steal some better CARS! I couldn't agree more- and Yea, what about taking a troop transport or even a tank or some nice military weapons.
I am very hopeful that the new season will MAKE MORE SENSE. Again, I LOVE THE WHOLE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE THING. I SO WANT to LOVE THIS SHOW.
HIRE SOME DECENT WRITERS.
The writers said on Sunday that the Ricktatorship has started.
(P.S. I agree with all you complaints and would add that they need to start looking behind them once in awhile to catch the zombies coming up before they are close)
There was a point early on when I was ready to tunr the show off if one more person said "I/we've got to go back and save (fill in the blank)" And I agree now with many of the women who are tired of Rick's wife, does she ever keep an eye on that kid? Spends more of her time yelling about the need to find him. Also after living with the zombies all this time, how come they walk around so much and never check to see what is behind them, whether it's a mob of zombies or a single one clearly sneaking up behind them? Too many "look behind you" moments in the last 2 episodes. Time for them to learn the Ulster two step and do the turn about spin while they walk to see if anyone is behind them.
At best they were one tank full of gas away from the farm. How did Herschel, a vet who would have had t o travel all over the area, not know that they were near the prison when Rick kept saying there had to be someplace secure nearby? (I don't want to know what the answer was in the comics, I want to know how this happened in the tv script?)
To so-sigh-ety and learn2read-
The original blog stated it was Hershel's wife and son who were killed. The author changed it to Otis's wife and Beth's boyfriend AFTER the mistakes were pointed out by other posters.
I did not read the comic on this show,but I cannot wait until Oct.,so now I will.I wish they would kill Lori..I was hoping Shane would do it.And it's about time Rick grew a pair with those people
Did anyone who posted a comment actually read the article? Nowhere does it say herschel's wife died. It mentions herschel looked like a goner until Rick saved him. New sentence, Otis' wife was not so lucky...read before making a complaint that punctuation explains for you
The series makes me think that if this really happened, I would commandeer a tractor trailer with a 53 foot low-boy and a front end loader, break into an army armory to steal a minigun + shipping containerful of ammo and rig that and a rock cage to the loader with some steel fabrication, which is what I used to do for a living. Then I would contract myself out to mow walkers down with the gun and to demolish the buildings that they use as covens with them inside. Diesel engines can be rigged to run on anything from jet fuel mixed with motor oil to used cooking grease, especially if they're supercharged. Ammo, gore-tex duds and dust/gas masks can be found anywhere in the U.S. there's an armory. At least that beats the hell out of roaming and moaning around in old cars with handguns and waiting to be eaten like a chump.
Simply amazing, really dont know why we have to wait till October to continue watching this great series. Also is it me or did Lori look at Rick with a sort of look that validated what Shane told Rick? that he was just in the way. What a tramp, hope she's shredded in the next season.
That show bores the heck out of me, and I try to like it. The women are useless; no one you love to hate, the main character talks like he is whispering his lines, and the kid..., please stop wearing that big hat.
I will give the show a few more episodes next year, but unless the zombies take out the skinny lady and the bald headed lady, I am done.
Response for Daryl on the motorcycle: keeping it is an homage to Dawn of the Dead, when Tom Savini and his crew wrecked the shopping mall. They did it with zombies then, so they continue with it in the Walking Dead. The same goes for the helicopter at the beginning of the episode (homage to Night of the Living Dead) as well as the blue pick up truck that was also seen in the movie.
BTW, motorcycles consume less gasoline than vehicles. And if you haven't read the Zombie Survival guide, it recommends using a motorcycle as the best form of transportation in a Zombie apocalypse.
Just freaking crazy!! Loved it!
I love this show, but Lori has got to go and are all Zombie movies and shows in some alternate universe where there are no Zombie movies, comics or TV shows?
I think you should all be watching your kids rather than watching zombie shows.
I feed my kids to the Zombies...
I think you should worry about your own kids and not stress yourself with other people's children. The kids are probably asleep when this show comes on.
Um I look at it as training for when the tea baggers realize theirs is a dying species and start acting up. Anyway, being a troll isnt cool, if you do not like the show or watch it then leave it alone.
This was among the best of the season finales of all time. A+ to the cast and crew!!!
I just hope the series isn't split in two next year, as it was this year.
Daryl Dixon ROCKS!!!
It wasn't a pointless opening. It was showing the chain of events to cause the hoard to arrive at the farm. Rick wasn't wrong to keep it from them. He didn't know if it was th e truth and felt it would panic the group. What good would it do for the group to know? It also showed there really was a helicopter.
exactly – without the opening scenes showing the walker herd assembling, viewers would be left to wonder where all the walkers came from and why there were so many. it also reinforces the idea that the group is not safe, no matter where they go because the walkers are relentless in their search for human flesh. i for one think rick should have told the group what jenner told him, but keeping the secret made for more group tension which i guess is a good thing. on another note, did anyone else catch the llok t-dogg threw rick when rick went into his rant about the group no longer being a democracy. that look said more than anything t-dogg has ever said during this season.
Not going to lie, I started watching in December and caught up during the mid-season break, but I am hooked! I live in Newnan, GA near where they film also! I am going to buy the comics today because I cannot wait until October!!!
I think Lori wanted Shane, as she felt he could better take care of them. Otherwise, why did she tell him the baby might be his and how thankful and sorry she was. This directly lead to Shane trying to take Rick out again.
@Kaltron..lol. No such luck. With all the craziness that was going on, that hat stayed on..lol. I hope in season 3 they would spare us. Maybe the person in the hood would use the sword on it..lmao.
IThe helicopter could be from the Umbrella Corporation and everyone is infected with a minor version of the T-Virus....
the last two episodes were great but the finale was awesome!
one thing i want to know is why didnt they take better/bigger vehicles on the hiway? if the suburban was breaking down there was a sweet white caddy sitting right there waiting to be driven away! and thank god nobody has to work on the damn RV anymore.
why wouldnt anyone go scouting to search out better guns, ammo, food. when they were at the CDC there were tanks, hummers, and troop transports sitting around.
how long can two arrows last daryl and his cross bow? i agree with Destiny, its stupid daryl is riding that loud motorcycle since loud noise attracts the walkers.
i love this show but more common sense needs to be thrown in cause if i had to kill zombies to stay alive i would be driving around in a heavy armored vehicle and scrounging for automatic weapons and ammo.
Totally agree with you. I love the show but the common sense stuff drives me crazy. One of the most frustrating parts was when they stopped because the truck was low on fuel and they said that they'd have to find gas because the whole group couldn't ft in one car. It's a Zombie Apocalypse! Seat belts don't matter! Sit on each other's laps! They could've easily fit in that one SUV if they tried. I understand that stopping the troop helps the plot (Rick's speech to them all, the prison in the background) but come on! Don't use such a stupid excuse! And for goodness sake, steal some better cars!
Agree- don't they keep a siphon in each vehicle? When they were on the highway why not fill the tanks? Don't they carry fuel? Why not siphon some from the one SUV to fill the other?
Still, kind of funny that we accept the concept of the zombie but get annoyed with the stupid common sense stuff!
I'm so tired of the entire Grimes family and I'm waiting for Daryl and T-Dog to get rid of Rick and take on leadership roles.
Lori is a total d0uche. I can't wait for her to get killed off.
I literally yelled "Michone!!!!" when she appeared with her camouflage zombies in tow. I thought Laurie Holden did a really good job playing an utterly desperate and depleted Andrea being chased to her death by something that will never, ever stop hunting.
I wasn't aware they had already named the actor who would play The Governor next season.
I was pleased to see you give props to Bear McCreary's work. The score for the episode was fantastic.
Who's the brown guy in the back with the humongous bulge in his sweats?! :O
If CNN is going to post blogger's articles about anything, shouldn't they at least know what they're talking about??! This guy has no idea who the characters are (Hershel's wife is long dead, Jimmy was his daughter's boyfriend, HELLO?) and the opening scene "not entirely necessary" was to explain that the large and unusual group descending on the farm were there because they were migrating from Atlanta, which is also mentioned aloud by Glenn on the road, later. Please find someone worthy of publishing their "Dead" blog? LAME.
((((Otis' wife and Beth's boyfriend)))), however, didn't survive, and Andrea was left to fend for herself as the barn burned down in the mayhem.....learn to read the post, retard...
last night episode was great! I am glad Rick finally broek down and told everyone about what Jenner has said to him at the CDC and about Shane which I think really shocked Lori. I did feel sorry for Herschel. I know he wanted to stay and fight at the Farm but it would have been a futile attempt. Glen finally told Maggie he loved her which was good. As for Andrea, she got lucky with Michonne showing up with 2 walkers in tow. I look forward to the new season now...
Helllloooo from Canada! Does any body know the significance of the helicopter flying over. I haven't read the comics so could that a sign of hope? or like the movie Zombie Apocalypse and they just ignorning you? LOL
not really sure but I do know from reading some things it will crash eventually. So I guess we'll find out soon unless someone here knows.
Meh. I'll stick with watching Game of Thrones.....much better writing.
Haha! I kept thinking that through every episode...first when Rick insisted on wearing it through season 1, and now since Carl wears it all the time.
You should probably check your references or at least remind yourself of who characters are. The Governor isn't in the prison unless it's changed for the TV show and Patricia was Otis's wife while Jimmy was Hershel's youngest daughter's boyfriend.
Can someone tell me why (although it's cool) was Daryl riding that loud motorcycle? It would seem like he wouldn't ride it seeing that gunshots attract walkers and even the helicopter as we saw last night. I just always thought that was incredibly stupid.
To all the crybabys out there complaining that the show doesn't follow the comic book to a T....stfu, it would be boring as hell and drag on even longer if they did it exactly like the comic book...why do you want to see a comic book on tv? READ THE COMIC!!! look how Watchmen flopped for being exactly like the comic...I'm glad they had the genius to change up the story, i've read the comics and they are good but translating that to tv would be impossible. Yeah...nuff said...u mad brah?
AGREED!!! If people are mad that it doesnt follow the comic book exactly, then stop watching the show, and stay with the comic Books!!
I loved the show! Only thing I hate is having to wait til November to watch it again but, I'll def be glued to my TV!! Great ending!! Good cliff hanger
If memory serves, they have mentioned that the show will differ from the comics to provide something different for those already familiar with them (comics). Maybe they are moving the Gov to the prison? Either way Great Show! 🙂
The action in this one didnt make up for an overall boring season. We'll see how they do with season 3. Question... why do zombies need to eat? Do they poop?
Yes...they poop as well as fart...I think zombie farts contribute to global warming....
No one's talking about the best reason to watch season 3, the introduction of Michonne.
Yes she will be a great reason to watch, but I am also excited about the prison and the Governor's part. I have to be honest I have not read the comic books, but I am hooked on this show. I was so excited after watching last night I dreamt about it. I have a love/hate relationship with zombies. I would love to run from one and see if I can survive, but I am scared as hell too LOL!
Thomas
March 19th, 2012
9:47 am
I thought the sequence where the walkers in downtown Atlanta looking up at the helicopter , moving after it… joining others much as as a stream joins a brooks joins a creek , joins a river etc. The growth of the herd was amazing. Also very effective when they moved and made a 90 degree turn in the woods when the blast of Rick’s son Carls’ gun shooting in the darkness putting an end to the walker Shane ..
be sure to enter the AMCDead. com contest the Code FEAR The HERD Says it all !!!!
Great ending the looming castle / building very mysterioous!!
How can you write a blog for CNN and have such glaring mistakes? Do you even know your subject matter? A) Not Herschel's wife and B) The Prison is not the Governor's.
Fail.
Great Episode! Yay to Michonne. Check out my thoughts on the finale and what I want to see in Season Three! http://www.notsodaily.com/2012/03/walking-dead-review-finale-beside-dying.html
The prison is not the home of the Governor, but his town is nearby.
Actually Patricia who was bitten by walkers was Otis's wife not Herchel's, also Jimmy wasn't Herchel's son, but the boyfriend of his daughter Beth. Get your facts right before you post!
take a chill pill............its just a tv show.........
Ok I like posting here but it wasnt hershals wife that bit the dust it was otis's girlfriend/wife/friend they never really established it and the Prison is not where the govener was from its where they go to fortify and meet inmates and characters like Tyrome the Hammer weilding badass. Also the prison was origionally where Dale and Andrea "Got together" But we wont see that now will we..... The govener will be a vital part to next season but if you read the comix and were not a band wagon jumper you would know that he has his town allite further away where he has his own secrets........cough read the book cough.
Book? Thought they were comics... hmm guess I'm just silly and don't know ANYTHING!
Actually, Hershel's wife was already dead. Patricia was the wife of Otis. Jimmy was the boyfriend of Beth. So technically, it was not Hershel's wife or son that died.
I wonder if Zombies can lick their balls? And if they did would they fall off?