Out Of The Grave: This Week on The Walking Dead (Episode 9 / February 10, 2013)

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

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EPISODE 9: The Suicide King

THE HOOK: With Hershel’s farm overrun, Rick and company are on the move again. They come across a prison which Rick feels would be perfect…once it’s purged of walkers. But the dead aren’t the only danger lurking in the shadows.

THE LOWDOWN: (The following column contains MAJOR SPOILERS, so I don’t recommend reading this if you haven’t watched this episode). Well I don’t know about you guys, but that sure felt like a long break to me. Tonight picks up exactly where things left off, with Merle and Daryl up Woodbury creek. I have to say, their situation didn’t play out the way I figured it would (yet). I thought they’d get out, rejoin Rick’s crew–albeit a bumpy reunion–and all the while Merle would be the mole sent to infiltrate by the Governor who was playing along with this clever ruse at the compound. Not quite. I knew Daryl wouldn’t leave his brother though, I just hoped it wouldn’t end at the group’s expense. Of course, in the realm of the dead, anything’s possible, so I’m sure they’ll all meet up again here soon.

I really love Hershel’s attitude tonight, for a dude who got his leg chopped off he’s acting like a champ. I think now that he realizes how dire the world’s become his eyes have opened and he’s been able to step back and properly assess the situation, which is good, because Rick certainly needs all hands on deck. Carl’s becoming the man he needs to be, while still hanging on to his humanity. His aside with Carol about heavy feelings toward his mother was heartfelt and as genuine as he’s been in awhile. Again, Rick’s lucky this is happening. Now before I get into Rick’s erratic behavior at the end of the episode, let’s explore Rick’s dumbass ability to push away key team assets. I mean, I get it, the world’s become a shit hole where you don’t trust nobody but yo mama and still cut the deck, but dude, the Governor’s out for blood so recruitment might be a good thing at this point.

Tyreese is running a two man crew as far as I’m concerned, it’s him and Sasha, the other two are walker food and just don’t know it yet. I laughed when the one guy starts talking about taking the prison over like it’s just that easy. Carl would’ve had that fool crying like a bitch in a puddle of his own piss and blood. But these two are nothing compared to Michonne. I get that she’s moody, emotional and excessively dangerous, but she’s a zombie killing, sword wielding Greek goddess of the apocalypse! If you look up “THE chick you absolutely WANT on your team when shit goes down”, it would be a picture of her hacking off a string of zombie heads atop a tamed undead dragon. She’s just that awesome. Now I’ll admit the show (unlike the comic) isn’t doing a great job at making her approachable or empathetic, but instinct alone should tell you she’s the real deal and a definite keeper.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3’s ninth episode opens up enough doors to keep the season interesting as well as keep us guessing. I’m not a fan of everyone suddenly breaking up into solo groups though. Merle and Daryl are forced into exile, Michonne’s being pushed away, Tyreese and his crew are shooed out and Andrea’s a sub-captain of Woodbury. I’m sure circumstances will reunite the groups, but I’m not liking this angle. The two odd moments? Well, the Governor almost feels like he’s being elevated to badassness as he’s calmly walking through the chaos at the beginning, but then he shacks up in his apartment like a spoiled bitch while the town he’s tried so hard to protect and mold goes to shit. You know it’s bad when Andrea steps up and becomes a better leader than you. And Rick, poor Rick. I’m not sure I’m all for this “is Sara a ghost”, “did the fat zombie really eat her” and “is Rick losing it” end of things either. Sure, in the comics he goes a bit off with the phone thing, but guys, he’s the leader, he’s earned the respect of the group and shouldn’t go out like psychopath. I hope they don’t push him too far. Other than that, it’s great to be back and things are looking good.

ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: Glenn hate stomped the shizzle outta that boy’s face!

BLOOD AND GORE: Gun shots, face stomps, flesh eating. Walkers, we’ve missed you.

WHOSE HEAD BELONGS IN THE GOV’S FISHTANK: Tonight I feel the Governor himself belongs in the tank, I mean seriously, your place is going to shit and you just say “F this, I’m going to pout in my room”, what a dick move. A big part of me has given up on his TV counterpart living up the villain in the comics.

COOLEST SCENE: There’s no arguing that a lot was going on tonight, but one scene caught my eye above all others. There’s a moment at the beginning when Daryl and Merle are about to fight one another that Daryl’s eyes relay a monumental amount of mixed emotion, fear among them. I don’t think I’ve seen fear in Daryl’s eyes before tonight and that humanising moment hit home for me.

FINAL VERDICT:

 

 

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