by Dana J. Hortman, contributor
Previously on AMC’s award-winning phenomenon “The Walking Dead,” the post-apocalyptic, yet Pleasantville-like town of Woodbury collapsed, as well as the domineering supremacy of the notorious Governor, who is currently missing in action. Coping with the loss of Andrea’s unfortunate death, Rick and the “Grimes Gang” graciously opened their prison gates to the vulnerable survivors of Woodbury.
As a Daryl Dixon admirer, I sat in front of my Vizio widescreen for an exceedingly anticipated season four premiere on Sunday October 13. With high expectations of an action-packed episode that immediately continued where season three left off, I was unpleasantly surprised when there were no instant unadulterated moments of revelation. Where’s the Governor? Is he even coming back? Which one of these so-called Woodbury survivors are snitches? However, it was clear the writers weren’t going to reveal these answers during the season premiere. After watching executive producer Scott Gimple discuss the upcoming season on post-show talkshow “The Talking Dead,” I felt very satisfied with where this season is heading.
Spoiler Alert:
After an estimated six months later, season four begins with Rick plowing the cultivated garden and raising farm animals while the others in the newly developed prison community slaughter fence “walkers” and make occasional zombie-plagued grocery stores runs. While hunting a wild boar, Rick stumbles across a very disturbed survivor, who pleads for his aid. The question of Rick’s morality is once again at stake. Back at the prison, several new threats surface, including the security of the prison gates.
My Three Obsessions:
1. The fact that Carol called Daryl “pookie,” and he acknowledged it without any resentment makes me incredibly happy. Ever since Carol’s daughter “turned” and was killed in season two, the pair have expressed an undeniable bond with a lot of sexual tension and flirtation—I totally ‘ship’ it. #TeamCarolandDaryl right here.
2. Carl Grimes needs an attitude adjustment. I understand the fact that he’s lost a lot of his innocence in a zombie-infested society and had to develop maturity quicker than most, but his new persona is borderline annoying. Throughout seasons two and three, I’ve admired Carl’s resilience and outlook on various situations, such as the intense scene where he had to kill his mother, Lori. However, after he intentionally killed the fellow teenager in season three, I’m worried Carl is headed down a rebellious and tormented road.
3. As if the cause of the zombie apocalypse isn’t mind-boggling enough, the writers of the show introduce us to a possible new strand of the disease that mysteriously infect and kill Violet the pig and Patrick, a Harry Potter look-alike. Where did it originate? Is the virus aromatically contracted? My theory seems illogical, but I believe the new strand has something to do with Woodbury and the Governor.
Did You Know?
Daryl, Michonne and several prison newcomers ransack a grocery store for possible supplies. The shelves that were displayed during the scene showcase some of Georgia’s most famous craft beers, including IPAs from Atlanta’s very own Sweetwater Brewery.