I was going to say the same thing about the jack shepherd vibe. Glad to see rick finally coming back to the light (season 1@2 rick). Feel bad for daryl but it had to happen
awesome but very bittersweet ep.... big theme about redemption, Merle getting some to an extent before paying the final price... glad Rick came to his senses, but wish he could've done that before Merle kidnapped Michonne as that would've save one more good soldier for the "good guys"... Great scenes with Rick/Merle, Merle/Michonne. and especially Darryl/Merle with the bummer ending.... I hope this doesn't send Darryl in a tailspin... I guess we knew that there are going to be deaths before the nd of the season, but for some reason I wasn't expecting Merle to be one of them....
Poor Daryl man. He wanted to be with his brother but he also wanted to be with the group, and if he could only get them to work together it would have been great. But Merle being Merle couldn't let it be simple like that, because he doesn't know why he does the things he does.
Having the show focus on Merle primarily pretty much spelled his doom, but it was nice to hear from him a lot and get a lot of character development before his demise. It made him somewhat of a hero. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but he "carried the weight" of the kills the Governor made him commit and he was aware just separated he was from everything and everyone except for Daryl. So he did his own thing, to make himself feel better trying to take down the Governor, to nab that glory, and also to save his brother, and invariably (at least to Merle) the rest of the group. All perfectly portrayed by Michael Rooker.
And Daryl, poor Daryl having to put his zombified brother down. But he went to town on Merle's face. I think it was more than just his despair, it was also a combination of his anger that Merle went out like that instead of trying to make things worth with the group and change for the better like Daryl had. He had hope that Merle could change liked he had, but alas Merle couldn't, didn't, or wouldn't. Also, perfectly portrayed by Norman Reedus.
Danai Gurira also gave a good job and Michonne was the perfect one to have these little talks with Merle. Obviously it made sense story-wise, but she was the best character since she's also on the outside still with the group.
Sad ending. But genius little plan by Merle, leading the walkers to Governor's men. I hope Daryl actually puts two and two together and works out exactly what went down, because it would be a shame for Merle to have done all that work if Rick and co. don't know about it.
Serious props to Michael Rooker. I've always thought he was great as Merle, but in this episode, he really laid it down. I'd not be surprised to see him get an Emmy nomination for that. Norman, of course, was great. And is that the first time we've seen a real smile from Michonne? Odd context for it, if so!
Wow, another amazing episode leading us into the finale next week! That scene between Daryl and Merle, the zombie, was so unexpected. I guess I thought he would just find him dead in the building first but this was so much more intense for the viewers. Merle went on his suicide mission and tried his best to redeem his past the only way he could. Just having Merle as a character on TWD and then finally returning again this season, made it so much better for the series as a whole.
One thing I noticed that tptb did to distinguish between who Michonne is as opposed to Merle, was to have her return to that poor zombie's head that Merle cut off with the sword. Michonne took the time to go over and kill it and I think this shows just how well she fits in with the group. I think it will take her time to finally accept them after knowing what could have been Rick's decision to turn her over, but the look of relief in Rick's face was evident as he sees her return to the prison. She does belong with the group.
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i cried at the end :(
ReplyDeleteAw, poor Daryl. Was not expecting the Merle twist. That was so sad!
ReplyDeleteAnd Rick was giving me some Jack Shepherd vibes there with that speech.
Great episode! Can't believe the finale's next week already.
I was going to say the same thing about the jack shepherd vibe. Glad to see rick finally coming back to the light (season 1@2 rick). Feel bad for daryl but it had to happen
ReplyDeleteAll I can say right now is..... DON'T CRY, DARYL!!! D: Sure many fans are depressed right now!
ReplyDeleteEven though I knew ahead of time how the episode was gonna end it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the episode in the least.
ReplyDeleteExcellent episode. Rooker and Reedus both nailed it tonight. Sad at the end, but Glenn and Maggie made me happy.
ReplyDeleteSeason 4 finale spoilers: Rick yells to ghost Lori "WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE PRISON!"
ReplyDeleteMichael Rooker and Norman Reedus nailed it tonight. Great actors, and great work in the end.
ReplyDeleteawesome but very bittersweet ep.... big theme about redemption, Merle getting some to an extent before paying the final price... glad Rick came to his senses, but wish he could've done that before Merle kidnapped Michonne as that would've save one more good soldier for the "good guys"... Great scenes with Rick/Merle, Merle/Michonne. and especially Darryl/Merle with the bummer ending.... I hope this doesn't send Darryl in a tailspin... I guess we knew that there are going to be deaths before the nd of the season, but for some reason I wasn't expecting Merle to be one of them....
ReplyDeleteI had accidentally caught word that Daryl cried in the episode...I was afraid Carol died for some reason first.
ReplyDeletePoor Daryl man. He wanted to be with his brother but he also wanted to be with the group, and if he could only get them to work together it would have been great. But Merle being Merle couldn't let it be simple like that, because he doesn't know why he does the things he does.
ReplyDeleteHaving the show focus on Merle primarily pretty much spelled his doom, but it was nice to hear from him a lot and get a lot of character development before his demise. It made him somewhat of a hero. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but he "carried the weight" of the kills the Governor made him commit and he was aware just separated he was from everything and everyone except for Daryl. So he did his own thing, to make himself feel better trying to take down the Governor, to nab that glory, and also to save his brother, and invariably (at least to Merle) the rest of the group. All perfectly portrayed by Michael Rooker.
And Daryl, poor Daryl having to put his zombified brother down. But he went to town on Merle's face. I think it was more than just his despair, it was also a combination of his anger that Merle went out like that instead of trying to make things worth with the group and change for the better like Daryl had. He had hope that Merle could change liked he had, but alas Merle couldn't, didn't, or wouldn't. Also, perfectly portrayed by Norman Reedus.
Danai Gurira also gave a good job and Michonne was the perfect one to have these little talks with Merle. Obviously it made sense story-wise, but she was the best character since she's also on the outside still with the group.
Great episode. Can't wait for the finale.
Sad ending. But genius little plan by Merle, leading the walkers to Governor's men.
ReplyDeleteI hope Daryl actually puts two and two together and works out exactly what went down, because it would be a shame for Merle to have done all that work if Rick and co. don't know about it.
"Wanted my sword back before I get away"
ReplyDeleteAmazing line, with a killer smile to go with it. Love Michonne.
Serious props to Michael Rooker. I've always thought he was great as Merle, but in this episode, he really laid it down. I'd not be surprised to see him get an Emmy nomination for that. Norman, of course, was great. And is that the first time we've seen a real smile from Michonne? Odd context for it, if so!
ReplyDeleteDamn! One episode to go!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that this doesn't spell the end of the governor and leads into next season, cause this season has just been fantastic!
The attack on the prison looks like it's gonna be crazy!
I did not just cry, I was sobbing.
ReplyDeleteWow, another amazing episode leading us into the finale next week! That scene between Daryl and Merle, the zombie, was so unexpected. I guess I thought he would just find him dead in the building first but this was so much more intense for the viewers. Merle went on his suicide mission and tried his best to redeem his past the only way he could. Just having Merle as a character on TWD and then finally returning again this season, made it so much better for the series as a whole.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I noticed that tptb did to distinguish between who Michonne is as opposed to Merle, was to have her return to that poor zombie's head that Merle cut off with the sword. Michonne took the time to go over and kill it and I think this shows just how well she fits in with the group. I think it will take her time to finally accept them after knowing what could have been Rick's decision to turn her over, but the look of relief in Rick's face was evident as he sees her return to the prison. She does belong with the group.
Can't wait for the finale next week!