The next season was considerably more action dense than previously, in part a response to some of the harsher criticism of season 2 as well as the story-lines organic development. As more people die, more Walkers exist. Combined with survivors clustering together and beginning to form small communities, fearful of both the dead and living beyond their boundaries.
Our group begins with no boundary for safety, partially scattered by the events of the previous finale. Andrea was rescued in the finale by a hooded figure whom comic readers recognised as katana-wielding ass-kicker-in-chief Michonne. The two work together to survive, flanked by two neutered Walkers, stumbling in to a community called Woodbury led by a man called the Governor. The community seems too good to be true with the pair being welcomed to stay, but disarmed and with minimal information Michonne’s scepticism leads to investigate what may lurk beneath. The charming Governor is played by David Morissey to perfection – his smooth, Bill Clinton way with words to often hide his true intentions makes him a fascinating character to watch. Everything does not go well for Michonne and Andrea with an old acquaintance reappearing to warn the Governor of a larger group leading to Woodbury and the Ricktatorship creating more than a little friction.
As for Rick, he has continued on the downward spiral started last season, becoming colder and more calculated, willing to abandon strangers to die and even willing to sacrifice anybody from the group if it protected the whole group, and his family. He and Lori have not reconciled over the revelation her relationship with Shane, providing more problems for an already occupied Rick. Lincoln performs excellently in the high emotional moments while balancing being suitably intimidating. Rick’s difficulties cause him to act more than a little crazy which is sold on the strength of Lincoln’s ability to convey the lost soul in turmoil as well as lots of stuff….and thaangs.
The group as a whole do manage to set up shop in an abandoned Prison, once the Walker population is dealt with. Inside the walls, conflict and death are still a regular occurrence with the group losing several key members during the 16 episodes. The show again keeps it slightly fresher for comic book readers by changing personal for certain events or tweaking events but ultimately have the same result.
Even in smaller moments, something is always developing; we see the continued growth of Carol as she plays a pivotal role in the group from the get-go. Unlike the scared, protected woman from the earlier seasons, the losses already accrued have steeled her against the New World, including significantly superior weapons proficiency. Melissa McBride really grows in to the role with each scene with Carol’s confidence boost seemingly mirroring that of the actress. The group truly respects her with many seeking out her advice and Carol being selected to try to educate the children. Glenn too begins to realise his place on the totem pole is higher than he first though with many seeing him as the natural second to Daryl under Rick. His risqué and cavalier attitude has become tempered by all of the trials thus far, at the same time as trying to earn Hershel’s complete blessing and approval of his dating Maggie.
The writing of some characters took a while to get up and running with Michonne particularly struggling to engage at first as she was given very little to work with aside from angry looks, grunting and short sentences. Fortunately, the season ends very strong for her, performance-wise, which translates to more enjoyment in her awesome use of the katana to take on all comers. Sadly, the end of the season does feel slightly deflating due to the build seeming to make promises that the season failed to realise. Despite that, the build was excellent building tension and characters with each episode and the show remains one of the best shows on TV as well as establishing itself as the go-to Zombie project across the board. The show’s popularity was rivalling that of Breaking Bad, in terms of viewing numbers, when the two shows were both on AMC, The Walking Dead had more growing pains than its drug-based counterpart but continues to evolve in to something unmissable.