The Walking Dead “When The Dead Come Knocking” 

Holy zombie apocalypse!  I had said in an earlier article on The Walking Dead that every, single episode leaves you in complete awe at the end, and this episode was definitely no exception.  I literally just sat on the couch staring in shock before I realized that I needed to get my ass up and write this review!

Last week’s episode ended with Michonne (Danai Purira) showing up at the prison with the much-needed supplies that Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Glenn (Steven Yeun) were sent to get and surrounded by a dozen or more walkers.  The big question was would Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) group help her.  We all had the feeling they would, but we didn’t know who would make the first move.  Well, to our surprise it was Carl! (Chandler Riggs)  That little booger pissed me off to no end for getting Dale (Jeffrey Demunn) killed in season two, but he scored major points in my book tonight for firing the shots that saved Michonne’s life.  This kid really has grown up, and I have to say that the writers have done a fantastic job developing his character.  Cheers to you, Carl! You are now my friend again.

Back at Woodbury, Merle (Michael Rooker) thinks he is some CIA-trained interrogator, but he doesn’t impress me.  Merle must have really thought he was something when he cut loose that walker in the room with Glenn strapped to the chair.  This, by far, was the best scene of the episode. Maggie may have called Glenn “walker bait” in season two, but I think we can all safely say that he is one of the toughest SOBs on the show now.  After all, how many characters do you think could defeat a walker while strapped to a chair?  What a freaking badass! Steven Yeun did an excellent job in that scene, and if we have to name a MVP in this episode, it definitely goes to Glenn.

Unfortunately, the suspicions that I raised in my last review about Maggie taking on the role of Michonne in Woodbury as in the comics were somewhat confirmed.  While The Governor (David Morrissey) didn’t rape Maggie (yet), we can see where this is going.  Maggie reveals that their camp is at a prison, which now tells the Governor that she is the weak link.  I have always said that I love how the writers switch things around from what is in the comics, but putting sweet Maggie in this position kind of sucks.  I cringe to think about the things The Governor will end up doing to her.  The only consolation we may have is that hopefully The Governor will have a similar fate as in the comics (which I won’t reveal here for those who aren’t familiar with the comic series). If he does, we can all rejoice and say, “Karma’s a bitch!”

All in all, this was an absolutely fantastic episode, but unlike the past few, I do have a couple of complaints – or perhaps they are better called questions.  First, when Rick’s group is attacked by a group of walkers on their way to Woodbury and they run into that house in the middle of nowhere, who in the hell was that guy?  He appeared to be a naturalist who lives on the land, but he seemed to have no clue about the zombie apocalypse.  When he said, “You get out of my house, or I’m calling the cops”, I laughed out loud and nearly crapped my pants!  This made absolute no sense to me.  Yes, sure, there are people out there who live on the land and don’t have TV or radio.  But, if you remember back to season two, Rick’s group encountered another naturalist living in a tent who “opted-out” because he was fully aware of what was going on.  By now, the numbers of walkers definitely out-number the humans, and the odds of finding someone who is clueless is highly unlikely.

Second, with Milton (Dallas Roberts) running these experiments on what parts of the brain remain active after a dead person “turns”, why in the hell hasn’t Andrea (Laurie Holden) mentioned what she learned at the CDC?  Remember Jenner’s (Noah Emmerich) findings that he clearly demonstrated and documented in the season one finale?  The CDC had the most brilliant minds working on this problem, and they clearly concluded that only the brain stem is re-activated in the resurrection, which gives the walker only the very basic instincts.  The rest of the brain is completed dead, and so, who the person was is long gone.  So, again, why hasn’t Andrea spoken up?

But, even with these complaints, this still was a strong “A” episode.  The showdown has officially begun folks.  With the previews for next week’s mid-season finale, Rick’s group will finally face off with the Woodbury militia.  And, what about Merle and Daryl (Norman Reedus)?  Where will their loyalties lie?  The Governor asked Merle the question, “Blood is blood. Makes me wonder where your loyalties lie”.  Merle said his loyalty is to The Governor.  But, when it comes down to the wire, will blood loyalty prevail?  What do I personally believe?  I believe Merle lied to The Governor, straight-faced, in that scene.  What was Merle going to say, “Well, Gov, he’s my brother, you know.”  Daryl is Merle’s baby brother for Christ’s sake.  I seriously doubt he’s going to try and kill him, even with orders from The Governor.

God almighty, next week’s episode should be a damn good one, and I cannot freaking believe we have to wait an entire week.  Sunday get here already!

Most memorable quotes and tidbits

•  “Well, I hope he went slow” – Merle commenting on T-Dog’s (Iron E. Singleton) death
• “He’s charming, Jim Jones type” – Michonne on The Governor
• “Do whatever you’re going to do.  And, go to hell!” – Maggie to The Governor
• “Remember the Alamo?”  — Daryl
• How did Merle know that Maggie was a farmer’s daughter?  Did I miss something?  I don’t remember that being mentioned.  If it wasn’t, was that a screw-up on the writers’ part?
• For those who are wondering about the name Judith given to the baby, that is the name the baby was given in the comic series.

The mid-season finale of The Walking Dead airs next Sunday night at 9/8c on AMC.