At first, Season 4 of The Walking Dead left me somewhere in the middle of frustrating and entertainment. Although every night I was still very much interested in the show and its characters, I wasn’t quite sure if it was headed in the right direction. But after reaching the midseason finale, the tremendous episode “Too Far Gone”, it’s safe to say that this has been one hell of a season of The Walking Dead. Any of the problems that I had with the season just took a bit of patience on my end, as the show had a clear course agenda of where it was headed from day 1. My apologizes to you, Scott Gimple (current showrunner).
“Too Far Gone” picks up right where “Dead Weight” left us last week. The Governor in full command of Martinez’s camp, planning to lead them on a takeover of The Prison. He spins it as a better place for their own protection, which it may be, but we really know he simply wants to get revenge on Rick, Michonne, and the rest of the crew. Prior to his big speech, he went to the prison and captured Michonne and Herschel who are working outside of the prison, taking them hostage as the first piece in his chess move to take over the prison. He pretends that their capture is to prevent any violence, but we all know that’s complete b.s. He has his hostages, and he has his new Woodbury sheep army, ready to do what he didn’t do last time. The only person not convinced is Lilly, who is now aware that Brian isn’t who she thought he was. The Governor tries to convince Lilly to come with him to the prison, using the safety of Meghan to try and convince her.
We see The Governor interact with his new captors, Michonne and Herschel, who tries to reason with The Governor, even offering to share the prison together. The Governor has no plan to steer the course. His made was made up long ago. There’s a bit of foreshadowing in their conversation, when The Governor says “Nobodys gonna hurt you,” to which Herschel replies, “I don’t believe that.” Herschel tries to use The Governors understanding about protecting one’s daughter to prevent trouble, reminding him that his own daughters (Maggie and Beth) would be hurt. He asks how he could go about threatening someone’s daughter if he truly understands what it’s like to have a daughter. The Governor coldly responds with, “because they aren’t mine.” Clearly there is no chance of a peaceful resolution. Any traces of Brian are officially dead. The Governor has taken full control.
Meanwhile back at the prison we see a touching scene with Maggie and Glenn, as well as Bob and Sasha, who is more than thankful for his help. Then we see the long awaited conversation with Rick and Daryl about Rick booting out Carol. Daryl is understandably upset, but he doesn’t disagree with Rick either. They go to break the news to Tyreese about Carol, who has discovered that someone has been dissecting rats. Tyreese points out this is likely the same person who killed Karen and David, and right when Rick goes to spill the beans, a loud explosion is heard above them. The Governor has arrived.
Meanwhile, we see Lilly stare off at a walker who tries to cross the river, but who is carried away by the tide, proving that the water is indeed keeping them safe. This is all while Meghan, who is digging in the ground (who asks for Lilly to help her dig), is grabbed and bitten by a buried walker. Oops.
The Governor brings out Michonne and Herschel in front of the prison, and gives Rick and the gang until sundown to give up the prison, threatening to tear it down with his army and tank at will, if they don’t. Everyone at the prison prepares for potential battle, even young Lizzie and Mika, the former who realizes that even they have to fight, remember Carol’s words. Rick looks into Herschel’s eyes and realizes that he needs to offer to share the prison with The Governor and his people, realizing its better than going battle. Rick won’t give up the prison, and explains to the Governor that a war will only destroy the prison, leaving it useless for anyone to live in. “Now, we can all live in the prison, or none of us can,” Rick says, and that enrages The Governor to put Michonne’s katana to Hershel’s neck. Rick begs and pleads for a peaceful resolution, which puts a smile on Herschel’s face. But The Governor has none of it, whispering “Liar” to himself and putting the katana through poor Herschel’s neck. Soon enough, bullets are flying.
Through the chaos, Rick’s hit, the prison gang unloads all hell on The Governor’s army, and Michonne slips out and breaks free. The Governor, who is also wounded, chops Herschel’s head clean off, for no reason other than he’s an insane bastard. Too bad for him Lilly sees it all, and delivers the dead corpse of Meghan to him. The Governor, pissed off beyond all belief after putting the final bullet in Meghan, orders for them to take over the prison, leaving no prisoners left over “Kill them all.”
Maggie goes to save Glenn, while Beth gathers all the sick onto a bus. Daryl has a close call with a few walkers, but wisely uses one as a shield, and is able to disarm the tank with a grenade, and kills the very unlikeable, Mitch. Tyreese is almost killed by Alisha, but is miraculously saved by young Lizzie, who may have the best aim on the planet.
Rick and The Governor finally get to beat the shit out of each other. The Governor is about to finish Rick off, but not before Michonne is able to finally stick her katana through The Governor. He’s not finished off though, because Lilly gets that honor. Rick finds Carl, but when they try and find Judith, all they see is her bloody baby carriage.
The episode ends with everyone going their separate ways. (Rick & Carl) (Maggie, Sasha & Bob), (Daryl & Beth), (Tyreese, Lizzie & Mika), Glenn’s on the bus, and then Michonne, Lilly and Tara are all on their own.
“Don’t look back, just keep walking” Rick says as they finally leave the prison behind.
Notes:
The second half of the season returns on February 9.
R.I.P. Herschel. Damn shame to see the great Scott Wilson leave the show.
Judith ain’t dead. Who has her? Michonne?
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