By Christian Kern
The Walking Dead, season three, episode 13 Arrow on the Doorpost, starts this week ‘in media res’, something Robert Kirkman has become good at with his television interpretation of his The Walking Dead comic book. The episode starts with Rick and the gang arriving at what looks like a factory or farm silo for a clandestine meeting between Rick, Andrea and the Governor.
Both leaders have come a long way in their journeys; both are healing from recent events and also coming to grips with their world. Of course even if the Governor claims that he has come in peace he still has a weapon taped under the table. It is obvious that the Governor is ready to assassinate Rick Grimes at this meeting.
The Walking Dead, season three, episode 13 Arrow on the Doorpost, starts this week ‘in media res’, something Robert Kirkman has become good at with his television interpretation of his The Walking Dead comic book. The episode starts with Rick and the gang arriving at what looks like a factory or farm silo for a clandestine meeting between Rick, Andrea and the Governor.
Both leaders have come a long way in their journeys; both are healing from recent events and also coming to grips with their world. Of course even if the Governor claims that he has come in peace he still has a weapon taped under the table. It is obvious that the Governor is ready to assassinate Rick Grimes at this meeting.
Back at the prison, Glen, Maggie and Carl all work to set up the prison for an impending invasion but Merle wants to invade head on, leading to more intense confrontations between Glenn and Merle as Michonne and Maggie watch on. Nothing seems to go right for Glenn. He is at odds with Merle, his relationship with Maggie is strained and he may even be at odds with himself. His constant need to make up for his lack of ability to save Maggie back in Woodbury earlier in the season can attest for this.
The meeting though has become more heated. Rick has a solution of drawing up boundaries for Woodbury and the prison but the Governor doesn’t want to negotiate. He even throws Andrea under the bus by telling Rick she is in no position to make such a request. He has come to this meeting for one thing, Rick’s surrender. As the two talk, Rick has the Governor sized up, calling him the town drunk who would be arrested for tearing up someone’s front lawn or busting their fence. The two hit each other where it hurts.
The meeting though has become more heated. Rick has a solution of drawing up boundaries for Woodbury and the prison but the Governor doesn’t want to negotiate. He even throws Andrea under the bus by telling Rick she is in no position to make such a request. He has come to this meeting for one thing, Rick’s surrender. As the two talk, Rick has the Governor sized up, calling him the town drunk who would be arrested for tearing up someone’s front lawn or busting their fence. The two hit each other where it hurts.
Outside, each team remains in waiting for their respective leaders to finish the meeting. Both Daryl and Caesar come to an understanding with one another after showcasing their walker-killing skills. Herschel and Milton begin to bond as they talk, he asks Herschel about his leg, fascinated by the ability to stave off the infection by simple amputation. He wants to see Herschel’s leg but he won’t show him for fear of his hidden weapons being found. Whether this bonding on the part of the Governor’s men is an act or if it’s commonality of simple people being stuck in a position remains to be seen.
We learn that the two groups of Daryl and Herschel mirror both Caesar and Milton. This comes out especially in this episode; Darryl is Rick’s first trusted gunman, his lieutenant. While Milton is the Governor’s advisor, this is the same as Herschel; Milton is the Governor’s brain trust when it comes to walkers and how to deal with them on a scientific level. Herschel is more Rick’s conscience telling him what plays to make but how to make them and how to deal with everyone around them. He reminds Rick that he is still human and reminds him how to feel.
We learn that the two groups of Daryl and Herschel mirror both Caesar and Milton. This comes out especially in this episode; Darryl is Rick’s first trusted gunman, his lieutenant. While Milton is the Governor’s advisor, this is the same as Herschel; Milton is the Governor’s brain trust when it comes to walkers and how to deal with them on a scientific level. Herschel is more Rick’s conscience telling him what plays to make but how to make them and how to deal with everyone around them. He reminds Rick that he is still human and reminds him how to feel.
The Governor lays it out for Rick, telling him that he’s going to kill everyone. He recounts a story of when he was at work and received a phone call that his wife was in an accident and she died. Never to see her again, his life had come crashing down around him, he mentions a voice mail he had never answered, and that he still wonders what she was calling for. Here we see in the Governor’s eye just how much he has come to play Rick, using the dead wife as a way of making Rick put his guard down. Rick then takes his originally refused drink, to the governor’s pleasure.
Andrea sits all alone as Herschel moves to talk to her. The farmer tries to put her at ease. She knows she cannot go back to Woodbury, having seen the Governor for what he truly is. She also feels she cannot return to the prison but Herschel tells her that there is always room for family.
The last man, that’s the decree the Governor gives to Rick Grimes. That his people may not be combat tested but there is more of them. The Governor wants one thing from Rick and one thing only as he shows him his wounded eye. Looking Rick directly in the eye he lays his offer straight: If Rick hands Michonne over, he’ll leave the prison alone.
Andrea sits all alone as Herschel moves to talk to her. The farmer tries to put her at ease. She knows she cannot go back to Woodbury, having seen the Governor for what he truly is. She also feels she cannot return to the prison but Herschel tells her that there is always room for family.
The last man, that’s the decree the Governor gives to Rick Grimes. That his people may not be combat tested but there is more of them. The Governor wants one thing from Rick and one thing only as he shows him his wounded eye. Looking Rick directly in the eye he lays his offer straight: If Rick hands Michonne over, he’ll leave the prison alone.
“Is one woman worth all the lives in your prison?”
- The Governor
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