Like millions of others, I couldn't wait for "The Walking Dead" to return from hiatus.
Sadly, Sunday's episode didn't live up to the winter finale, lacking the "oh s--t" moment we've come to expect from the show. Still, it tied up a few loose ends and started some new plotlines to carry us through the remainder of Season 3. Warning, spoilers below.
When we left our intrepid gang of zombie survivors, Rick's (Andrew Lincoln) group raided Woodbury to rescue Glenn (Steve Yeun) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) from The Governor (David Morrissey).
During their assault, Daryl (Norman Reedus) was captured and pitted against his brother Merle (Michael Rooker) in a duel to the death. They ended up staging their fight, and with the help of Rick and Maggie, escaped Woodbury, letting some zombies in during the process. They eventually met up with an injured Glenn and Michonne (Dania Gurira), who were less than happy to see their former torturer, Merle. Glenn, in particular, wants vengeance against his captors.
Daryl decided to side with Merle and leave Rick's group. They weren't the only group facing unrest; the residents of Woodbury, on edge after the raid and zombie invasion, wanted to leave. Andrea (Laurie Holden) learned that it was Rick's group that raided Woodbury, but decided to stay at the town (and by The Governor's side) for now.
Meanwhile, back at the prison, the remainder of Rick's group had to deal with their new cohabitants, including Tyreese's (Chad Coleman) band of survivors. Two members of Tyreese's group suggested taking over the jail while Rick was away, but he talked them out of it ... for now.
55 minutes passed without an "oh s--t" moment before this week's surprise. Rick returned to the jail and pondered letting Tyreese's group join, but he started seeing his dead wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) standing in her wedding gown. What?! We already know she's dead and Rick previously hallucinated hearing her. But now he's seeing her, too.
Rick's instability comes at an inopportune time; The Governor will surely exact his revenge. Will Tyreese's group end up helping or hurting? And what will become of Daryl and Merle?
In a season full of shocking moments, this episode was a bit of a letdown. Do you agree?
-- Lawrence Yee
