Last night’s Season 3 finale saw the show reach a record
breaking 12.4 million views, proof that this zombie survival drama is
captivating audiences with its high tension, suspense and emotive discourse.
For that we have Glen Mazzara to thank, taking the reins after Frank Darabont’s
departure and masterfully building up this civil war between The Governor,
Woodbury, Rick and the prison. This final installment of Season 3 was the
conclusion of it all, as Rick and the gang defended the prison from The
Governor and his relentless brutality.
Akin to the last few episodes, The Governor stole the show
this week. From the opening sequence in which we are treated to a point-of-view
close up whilst getting beaten, The Governor has gone into full villainy mode.
Finally, I say, as that seems to have been restrained for quite some time. His
attack on the prison didn't go as planned, despite the excessive use of heavy artillery.
Rick, Maggie, Glen and co. took a tactical approach which ultimately succeeded
in driving the Woodbury army out. For how long is another question and one that
unfortunately remains unanswered. The Governor was not happy
at Woodbury’s failure, nor was he afraid to show it, as he brutally gunned down
the majority of his army in a massacre fueled by rage.
His most sadistic action, however, was pitting Milton
against Andrea. At first, The Governor forced Milton to kill Andrea, handing
him a knife. In trying to outsmart The Governor, Milton attempted to stab him instead but inevitably failed, winding up getting stabbed several times himself. With
that, The Governor locked him in the same room as Andrea, who is still tied to
the torture chair. He left the room stating, “in this life now, you kill or you die, or you die and you
kill” – a befitting statement that set up the most harrowing sequence that comprised the episode. It was a suspense-fueled race of survival – will Andrea escape
before Milton awakes? Or will Milton arise first and end up feasting on Andrea’s
flesh in his new zombified state? The sequence was brilliantly shot, showcasing the shows ever-present cinematographic talent. Extreme
close-ups and confined framing was used, emblematic of the sense of entrapment. The
close-up-of-the-dead-hand-that-begins-to-move shot (below) was also routinely implemented. Whilst somewhat cliché,
you can’t argue it is down right effective. The build up to inevitable death was also a great opportunity for Andrea to share her side of the story, aka the
reasons why she was so indecisive and unlikable this season. To put it
simply, she didn't want to kill anyone. She had the chance but decided against
it, hoping to resolve issues through other means. Okay Andrea, we forgive you. As do
Rick, Michonne and Daryl when they eventually get to her at Woodbury. Only it was
too late, Milton had been killed, but Andrea had also been successfully bitten.
Queue the big surprise death of this episode and an emotional goodbye.
This week was also an important reflection on Carl. So far throughout the series he seemed to be turning into a relatively bad-ass
teen, taking to the zombie apocalypse like a duck to water. However, it would
be wrong for the shows writers to neglect the trauma that he has in fact been
through – his dad in a coma, the death of Sophia, oh and the fact that he had
to shoot his mum. Now the true effects of this are beginning to show. He opens
fire on a surrendering teen, harshly criticises his father for all the wrong
decisions he has made and watches, unimpressed, as Rick returns to the prison
at the end of the episode with a school bus full of ex-Woodbury citizens,
joining the prison community. It is almost fair to say that Carl appears to be
on the same (socio)path as Shane or The Governor, an interesting character
development that will hopefully be explored in the next season.
For me, The Governor and Milton/Andrea showdown was this
episode’s saving grace, in addition to its ever-brilliant cinematography. Other
than that I can’t help but feel that after last week’s stellar episode, Welcome
to the Tombs was a relatively anti-climactic conclusion to what has been, in my
opinion, the best season yet.
Top walker kill: delightfully gory and inventive walker kills weren't really featured in this episode. Although I have to say, it was oddly refreshing to see a bunch of them gunned down via heavy artillery. Makes a change from a samurai sword at the very least.
What were you thoughts on the Season 3 finale? Post a comment!
Kill of the week for me was michonne's kill of two walkers with one slice.
ReplyDeleteMust agree though, bit of an anti-climax with the battle scene which was the main aspect that was being built up throughout the series. Certainly expecting some sort of showdown.
Definitely - I was half expecting some sort of Saving Private Ryan-esque battle culminating half an hour of the episode...not five minutes.
DeleteTotally agree with the anti climactic 'battle', especially when Maggie and Glen, both of whom have proven themselves to be exceptionally handy with a gun, suddenly forget how to shoot when faced with a fish in a barrel moment. Very frustrating but nice and open ended to allow the break off of the governor to become a vigilante perhaps? We shall see.
ReplyDeleteMm definitely! Kirkman has confirmed that The Governor will definitely return in Season 4, but of course it's a very different dynamic now so, as you say, only time will tell!
DeleteDid you not find Andrea's constant pausing and talking exasperating? He's dying and she keeps checking on him. Other times she was talking to him and not even attempting to get free - has she heard of multitasking?
ReplyDeleteThat has been a common criticism! It didn't bother me though, I think I was focusing too much on if and when Milton would turn. Equally, if it was me, definitely wouldn't be able to multi-task!
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