AM ET Big revelations on 'The Walking Dead'

November 26th, 2012

11:15 AM ET

Big revelations on 'The Walking Dead'

[Editor's Note: This post contains spoilers for the November 25 episode of AMC's "The Walking Dead."]

The long-awaited meeting of Michonne and Rick's group finally took place on Sunday night's episode of "The Walking Dead." Despite the fact that her early exposure to them was somewhat Governor-esque, she spilled the beans about Woodbury.
It could have very well been Michonne's observation of how the group cared for each other - like when Rick reunited with Carol - that convinced her she could trust them enough to tell them about the Governor's town.

Michonne set off with Rick, Daryl and Oscar to Woodbury, running into a herd of walkers along the way. They took shelter in a shack, with an off-his-rocker resident demanding that they leave his property. Michonne showed the group how she handles things by running him through. The man's body was enough distraction for the walkers that they were able to get away.
The four survivors were just outside the walls of Woodbury as the episode came to an end, but even more revelations took place inside the town.
After Merle tortured Glenn with his machete hand and sicced a walker on him, he was still unable to find out where his fellow survivors - as well as his brother - were holed up.
The Governor then interrogated Maggie, offering to drive her to the location of her friends and family. When he refused to let her speak to Glenn, she clammed up.
Then - in probably the most disturbing scene ever, from a series which regularly features violence and gore - the Governor threatened to rape Maggie, pushing her down onto a table. When it became clear she still wouldn't talk, he left.
Merle and the Governor brought the half-naked Maggie to Glenn and threatened them both. Maggie finally gave in and told them about the prison, so they would spare Glenn. The Governor creepily attempted to console Maggie, but as soon as she could, she ran to Glenn.
Later, the Governor questioned Merle as to where his true loyalties would ultimately lie, now that Daryl is with the other camp.
The Governor returned home to console Andrea (which, in light of Maggie, made it even creepier than usual) after she took part in a failed experiment of Milton's to see if walkers retain any memories after they turn. (No surprise: it would appear they don't.)
This was an excellent episode setting the stage for the fall finale, which looks to be a big confrontation between Team Prison and Team Woodbury, with Andrea and Merle caught in the middle.
You have to hand it to the producers: this season the walkers have truly become secondary to the drama between the characters, and that's probably a very good thing for the long term future of this show.
Do you think Andrea and Merle will stick with their sides next week? Now that we're at the halfway point, do you agree that it's been a successful season so far? Share your views on video or post a comment below.