TV Review: The Walking Dead (Season 4, Episode 3, October 27, 2013)

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

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EPISODE 3: Isolation

THE HOOK: In the wake of war with Woodbury, Rick and his group have turned the prison into a working community, but danger continues to stir on the outside as well as from within.

The following contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t watched this episode

THE LOWDOWN: With open cold and hot, with Glen digging graves followed by Tyreese unleashing his rage on Rick and Daryl. He physically trades blows with Rick, which leads to an all-out beat down for Tyreese. Rick’s the last guy you want to throw down with at this point. All the untapped rage that dude’s carrying around could level a damn skyscraper. You don’t want to wake that dragon. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Hershel, the voice of reason in everyone’s ear tonight. I loved his ‘falling off the wagon’ talk with Rick, but even better was Rick’s response about the danger being ‘always there’. The wheels are turning in Rick’s head whether he likes it or not, and it’s all pointed to him reclaiming his spot at the head of the table. And in light of tonight’s events, I think it’s time for another Ricktatorship. All in favor—(raising my hand).

The flu is spreading like wildfire and damn is it brutal. I hope to god they get those meds, because if they don’t, there’s not going to be anyone left. Maybe that’s not a bad thing though, reverting back to a small, tight knit group like before, but that said, they need to get the hell out of that grimy ass prison. That place is one big incubation chamber, and if they stick around much longer, it’s gonna cook the whole lot of them. I don’t like seeing Glen get sick, but seeing as how he’s one of our elite, it leads me to believe that someone will come back with the right medical supplies in time. Hershel’s miracle tea feels like it was written in there to buy our group some time, but even then, it’s looking grim for the most part—shit, there was a damn walker in one of the cells for Christ sake and it didn’t look like anyone killed it. Tyreese’s sister should have been all over that. I’m thinking she’s not going to make it either.

Hershel makes his rounds with nearly everyone tonight, but his deciding to go into D and help everyone was powerful. I sincerely hope that all these speeches and extra screen time isn’t because he’s about to die (dude did cough blood in his face), and of course—SPOILER—Hershel does die at the prison in the comics, which of course doesn’t exactly mean shit at this point, but it’s something to think about. Many things going on this season mimic the comics to a point, but it’s all different at the same time. Now as for the trip out of the prison, Tyreese is the last guy I’d want with me, dude’s clearly a loose cannon. It’s bad enough Daryl’s playing with the radio while driving (c’mon brother, really? Let Michonne do it), but once everything goes sideways, Tyreese almost doesn’t get out of the damn car. And when he does, he loses it and barely makes it out alive. On a different note, it sounded like someone was trying to communicate over the airwaves. That’s interesting.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 4’s third episode is pure adrenaline and elevates the tension to a disastrous level. I love seeing Rick go detective on the burn scene (I could almost see the BATMAN ARKHAM ASYLUM spectrum mode), putting everything together in his head. Carol’s behaviour was all over the place tonight—while she was herding the sick into D, talking with the kid, Tyreese and then freaking out on the water barrels. I had no idea it was her, but as the story progressed and starting pointing fingers in her direction, it was cool to see Rick ahead of the game like the champion he truly is. Carol’s come a long way. She’s a true survivor now. For her to so nonchalantly admit to burning those bodies when Rick asks is pure brilliance. She feels justified, and I understand why, she’s the den mother now, and she’s looking out for her flock. Rick probably isn’t going to see it that way, but I’m sure deep down he knows it was the right call. And that’s just it, it’s the call nobody wanted to make. Carol stepped up, and I like that she did. Where will Rick take this newfound discovery? I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out.

ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: The zombie pile up underneath the back wheels of the car was nuts.

BLOOD AND GORE: The med gang encounter the biggest group of walkers seen yet on the show. Heads fly. Arrows fly. And Tyreese gives new meaning to the term “hammer time”. All he needed to say was ‘can’t touch this’ to make it complete.

WTF CHARACTER MOMENT: Carol. Like I said, she feels responsible for the group now. She’s willing to do whatever it takes, be it hard truths or tough calls. God knows someone’s got to, but it’s obviously eating her up a little inside.

COOLEST SCENE: Hershel’s speech about doing the right thing to Rick and Maggie. He’s not only the man, but the moral thread holding these guys together. Please don’t die Hershel, we need you.

FINAL VERDICT:

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