By Dana J. Hortman
On episode six of “The Walking Dead,” the Governor makes his long-awaited return after being MIA since we last saw him destroying the town of Woodbury and mass murdering its citizens.
Spoiler Alerts:
This episode picks up exactly where we left off with the Governor. After being left behind by his henchmen Martinez and Shumpert, the Governor returns to Woodbury, burning the remains of the desolate town. Stricken by the slaughter of his own people, he roams hopelessly for miles, growing a beard and appearing less like his villainous self. Has he realized the consequences of his devious actions from last season? Or is he secretly plotting a despicable retaliation? Barely surviving, he continues to wander until he discovers two sisters, Tara and Lilly, their father and Lilly’s daughter, Meghan.
From teaching the women how to properly kill zombies to retrieving a tank of oxygen for their dying father, the Governor comes to the aid of these inexperienced survivors. He kills the father when he eventually dies and turns. By the end of his short stay with them, he realizes he’s taken them on as his responsibility, and he allows the two women and Meghan to come with him.
The episode concludes with the Governor embracing Meghan after having fought numerous walkers inside of a deep trench where the two fell. However, they aren’t alone. Martinez shows up unexpectedly to see what he’s captured in his walker trap. Although he expresses shock, the Governor, impervious to his arrival, continues to hold the scared little girl and assure her that he will let nothing bad ever happen to her.
Three Obsessions:
1. The Governor’s ability to kick ass is undeniable. Although I’m anti-Governor and hate everything about him, especially that eye patch, I must praise him for his survival abilities. Instead of using a typical, post apocalyptic weapon such as a crossbow or automatic assault rifle, the Governor utilizes a small knife and his bare hands. However, he may be skilled when it comes to killing zombies, but he’ll never surpass Daryl Dixon.
2. Father is the Governor’s best role. The former heartless Woodbury totalitarian may be deceitful and manipulative, but he possesses qualities of a good father. In season three, he couldn’t cope with his daughter’s fate so he kept her under lock and key because he was afraid of losing her. His paternal tendencies shine as he saves young Meghan from the zombies and comforts her afterwards. Though I was pleasantly surprised by his valiant efforts throughout the episode, I half-expected him to steal Meghan from Tara and Lilly at any moment. How far will he go to be her father figure?
3. This “filler” episode is crucial. I’m usually not a fan of episodes in which jaw-dropping moments don’t occur. For 60 minutes, I enjoy sitting on the edge of my seat with rapid heart palpitations. However, I’m thankful for this uneventful episode. Since the season premiere, the episodes have been action-packed with escalating storylines. Enjoy the rest, devoted fans, the mayhem is soon upon us.
Did You Know?
Back in August, the Governor (David Morrissey) announced that he would be starring in an upcoming show called “Line of Sight,” a criminal drama about a transportation safety board investigator, who miraculously survives an unexpected plane crash. Alongside “The Walking Dead,” the new series has also been produced in Atlanta. AMC has not yet released whether they plan to air the show. However, a decision is expected to be made soon.