Due to the lateness of my blogging, I have missed out on a fair few posts on The Walking Dead. If I had Bernard's Watch, I'd quite happily go back to Season One and start again, review each episode and revel in the zombie craft work of Greg Nicotero and his FX team (side note - stay tuned for a special feature in the future on his HFX work). Alas, Bernard's Watch disappeared in the 90s. So instead, i'll keep this snappy. The Walking Dead is, in my opinion, a bloody brilliant television series keeping the done-to-death zombie genre alive. Intense character development with intervals of wonderfully gory zombie dismemberment is a recipe for success in my mind. Yes, as each season develops, it becomes markedly different from the graphic novels, but we cannot compare two entirely different mediums. Instead, let's critique and appreciate them as different entities.
I had planned to do a quick recap of Season Three so far, but 'quick' does not do it justice. All I will say is this, if you haven't started it, please do, it's the best yet. So, after that hap-hazard introduction, lets get down to business and review Season Three, Episode 14; Prey. Or what I like to call Andrea's hour.
Tension continues to ooze this week as the Governor's ethics and the safety of Woodbury is continually questioned. Upon discovering the Governor's true plans to attack the prison, Andrea decides she must flee and warn Rick and the gang. She escapes and makes her way to the prison, her perilous journey comprising the majority of this episode. Meanwhile, Tyreese and Allen are continually disagreeing on their place within Woodbury. Allen appears supremely happy with his new gun-toting responsibilities, whereas Tyreese questions the morals of Woodbury's citizens, as they are sent on a mission to retrieve some walkers, or 'biters', to bring back to their walled 'safe haven'. Milton also suffers with an ethical and moral dilemna this episode. Upon the slow realisation of what the Governor is truly like, he is unsure where to place his loyalties. He feels inclined to stay in Woodbury as it is "where he belongs", but the ever present threat of danger and immoral activity can no longer be ignored, nor does he want to be a part of it. Milton is emotionally torn, fully aware of the consequences toward his safety if he too were to flee Woodbury. It is a subtle piece of character development that works rather well. Whilst it is gratifying to see that the Woodbury charm is not fooling everyone, the spotlight of this weeks episode primarily shines on Andrea and the Governor.
Andrea has been a fairly unlikable character this season, her constant indecisiveness and naivety has been somewhat infuriating. However, this week was definitely her time to shine, particularly in an intense showdown with the Governor. Mid-trek to the prison, Andrea is eventually chased down by him, angered by her act of betrayal. He cannot let her warn the prison, weakening his position of attack. She takes cover in an abandoned factory, in which the Governor follows. An intense game of cat-and-mouse is played between both characters, reminiscent of the slasher genre during its prime in the 1970s and 80s. The use of lighting is particularly effective here. It heightens intensity, producing an enigmatic threat - who should we be more scared of, the Governor or walkers lurking in the shadows? Metaphorically, it signals the Governor's ever pacing decent into a menacing sadist, emphasised by his foreboding whistling. Think Kill Bill Vol. 1... but creepier. Overall, it's an incredibly intense and wonderfully crafted sequence, one I will not divulge in any further, but for me it was definitely a highlight of the series.
Other highlights include some brilliant zombie FX. Towards the end of the episode we return to the captured walkers, prepped and ready to be transported back to Woodbury. However, a mysterious figure douses them in fuel and sets them alight. We soon see the consequences - a pile of writhing walkers with some pretty serious third degree burns. Any attempt of an in-depth description will not serve it justice but once again, it is a brilliant example of how such effects from Nicotero and his team make all the difference - so keep your eyes peeled for that sequence.
The only criticism I have thus far is of Tyreese and his band of survivors. I can't help but feel they were introduced at the wrong time. The central focus on the Governor/Woodbury and Rick/the prison leaves little space for Tyreese and his friends to develop. An attempt was made this episode, with questions of masculinity and a battle of egos frequently intercepting throughout. However it felt forced, almost a way to pass time until we can watch Andrea or the Governor again. But who knows, Tyreese and his gang may hold prominence in the last two episodes of the series, which after tonight's installment, promise great things and quite the explosive finale.
Top walker kill: During Andrea and the Governor's intense showdown in the factory. The Governor comes face to face with a walker, an encounter short-lived as he knocks the walker to the ground and plants a shovel right between the eyes. Queue a short snippet of gory fun.
How did you feel about this weeks episode? Post a comment!
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