The Walking Dead's new episode has The Governor and Rick deciding that whole “sanity” thing is for losers. Constantly harping on both opposing leaders' mental state mired this show in the past, but “Home” succeeds by not exclusively focusing on melodramatic craziness. Instead, it plays to the series' strength deploying a TV trope anyone who's watched The Sopranos will recognize: getting shot at instantly cures depression.
I've made a huge mistake.
Rick's still seeing Lori because he just can't let old relationship's die. He's grown rather fond of the hallucination, venturing outside prison walls to cuddle up with her on a bridge (most likely over troubled water). Michonne witnesses this ghostly bonding session, provoking her best “bitch please!” expression yet.
Uh... Rick? Seriously?
Also jumping on the crisis of leadership bandwagon is The Governor. Watching his daughter die all over again leaves him broken by grief. Unable to properly shepherd Woodbury's populace, he requests Andrea temporarily take over gubernatorial duties while he recovers. She's got the qualities of a great dictator, like giving rousing speeches and … and … I'm blanking here.
Realizing El Governator's grieving process probably includes putting multiple decapitated heads in aquariums, Glenn considers courses of action. He waffles between fortifying defenses against an inevitable retaliation, or preemptively assassinating Woodbury's leader. Herschel suggests they cut their losses and run, but Glenn promptly reminds him running requires. It's situations like this where characters are forced into making their best bad decision that The Walking Dead is at its peak.
The attack worrying Herschel will come soon, as The Governor has left Woodbury. Andrea questions Milton for his whereabouts, who ineffectually replies “a run.” More like “a run from his problems,” amIright?
Thankfully we get our weekly dose of Daryl, who galumphs about the woods accompanied by brother Merle. Cries of a babe lost in the wilderness lead them to a group battling Walkers. Merle suggests letting nature take its course as said group is composed of non – English speakers, but Daryl charges to their rescue because babies.
After begrudgingly help save them, Merle starts rewarding himself their supplies while tossing about offensive slurs. Daryl provides him a racial sensitivity lesson at crossbow point. In case you missed it, we're supposed to like Daryl and dislike Merle. The two commence arguing over their broken childhoods, conflicted past and whether to rejoin Rick. Here, The Walking Dead actually succeeds in mixing emotions and brain splattering action effectively. Daryl is by far the show's most compelling character, and that's used here with great results.
In stark contrast to Daryl's fully fleshed out persona, we have Axel. Remember how right before T-Dog died, he finally got a speaking part of more than one line per episode? Well suddenly Axel starts running his mouth, flirting up a storm with Carol. He's mid-conversation with her when a bullet becomes acquainted with his face, as The Governor and company begin shooting up the prison.
Having seen this coming, Carol remains nonplussed.
One of The Walking Dead's biggest struggles is making character deaths have impact. Unless their demise results from a central story arc such as Shane's betrayal or Lori's pregnancy, the killing of minor characters like Oscar and now Axel feel somewhat arbitrary. Once we hear about background on bit players, it broadcasts they're not sticking around.
The Governor's attack wakes Rick from his reverie, who begins returning fire. A great action sequence ensues featuring Michonne in top Walker decapitating form and a Trojan Horse–esque van packed with zombies smashing through prison gates. Just as it looks like Rick will be overwhelmed by undead hordes, Daryl and Merle appear saving the day.
Everything ends with Rick seething in anger. Next episode looks promising, as our heroes again find themselves in the worst possible situation. Merle's toxic presence adds new group dynamics, and the prison's security is utterly compromised. The Walking Dead pushes itself into compelling territory with “Home”, making this third season's second half look strong as its first.
