Rick the Fearless Leader is Back

Watching the season finale of The Walking Dead was a bittersweet experience. After my thirst to find out how the season was going to end was quenched, the reality of the seven month hiatus became quite real.

This season Rick struggled with the lost of his daughter, the group and mostly the prison. I say mostly the prison because it offered a security that pales to anything else since the onset of the zombie apocalypse. The group became comfortable at the prison and let their guard down from the Governor. This one act set the course of the events of season 4. 

When Rick and Carl fled the burning Walker overrun prison, he was batter and weak. Carl had lost respect and trust in his father's judgement. He blamed Rick for the lost of his entire world. I think it's safe to say Rick doubted his leadership abilities as well.

Rick's only focus is keeping Carl safe. Because of that, he taps into a part of himself that I don't think he knew he possessed. This entire season all the characters were pushed to the brink and only the strong survived.

When you have nothing to lose ...you will do anything. 

Rick morphed into a true gladiator when he unleashed the warrior within and ripped Joe's jugular open with a single bite. In the face of unavoidable brutality, Rick has not lost his humanity, it's just been altered. In fact, he found the necessary drive within to motivate himself Daryl, Michonne and I'm sure the rest of the captured group (who seem discouraged by their situation).

Despite Carl's traumatic encounter with the attempted rape, he was still frighten by his father's actions in order to keep him safe. We forget sometimes that Carl is a boy and he has deep felt fears as all children possess. But the loving

relationship with Michonne (his mother figure and best friend) allowed him to cling to her for the emotional support and nurturing needed for him to feel safe again. Through her loving and insightful words, Carl gained understanding and reignited his respect and devotion for his father. 

For Rick, reconnecting with part of the group brings inspiration and propels him with the drive to be the great leader they need. He has never been stronger and more willing to do anything to keep his group alive. Season 5 promises to show us Rick at his very best.

Check out this video released by AMC behind the scene of episode 16

 

The Walking Dead Insight from the Cast on Ep 15 "Us"

If you are like me you are anxiously awaiting Sunday's finale of the Walking Dead. The official show description states: "Many paths collide; Rick faces sheer brutality; the group struggles to survive."

That description makes me really wonder about Rick, Michonne and Carl safety.  Will Daryl be alright with this ban of ruffians he is currently with? I'm guessing things will be very intense on this finale and I hope they all survive.

I came across this video released by AMC and I thought you may be interested in hearing the perspective of the cast.

Enjoy

The Walking Dead Sneak Peek Episode 10 "Inmates"

In this sneak peek we see Beth and Daryl sitting alone by a fire. Beth is adamant in wanting to find the others. She's convinced that they made it out alive. 

Daryl looks defeated. He has become such a protector of his family (Rick's group) once Merle left the group. 

The loss of Hershel and the instability of the entire group weights heavy on him. I think this clip shows how deep seeded he feels the pain, depression and how much all of this has affected his state of mind.

 

New Sneak Peek with the Cast and Producers' Perspectives

We are still ten days away from the return of the Walking Dead but AMC has shared a few sneak peeks.

The first sneak peek video also includes behind the scene commentary from the producers and our favorite characters. 

They discuss in great detail the plight and new challenges that the group now have to deal with. Several of the actors share their thoughts on the mindset and struggles that their characters are facing.

The second video seems to show snippets of the group immediately after they disbanded. The entire group is struggling to survive. Things look dismal and chaotic. As much as I was hoping, I'm not sure about Baby Judith anymore. She is nowhere in sight.  

I was just made aware of a Hot Topic sweepstakes that starts today and goes on through Feb. 9th. You could win an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles for the premiere of the Walking Dead Season 5. For more information click HERE.

The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 6 Live Bait

Walking Dead Season 4 episode 6 “Live Bait” opens right where we last saw The Governor in Season 3.

As you recall, The Governor was on the streets gunning down his disciples from Woodbury. He then drove off with his two faithful henchmen.

When night fell, The Governor sat staring at the camp fire. Could he possibly be reflecting on his depraved behavior? He looked as if he was in a trance. He sits unresponsive to the imminent danger as a Walker approaches him.

Carlos takes matters into his own hands and shoots the Walker. Carlos’s expression is nothing less than frustration and disappointment in his great leader. To no surprise, The Governor awakes the next morning to find his men gone.

The Governor is truly lost and returns to his only home. He breaks through Woodbury’s barriers only to find the place is overrun by Walkers. He watches his beloved town burn.

Abandoned and lost, The Governor begins to wander the countryside. He staggers around looking like a “Living Walker.” He appears to be a broken man and cares about nothing. He just exists. He is nonchalant as he passes Walkers on the street.

He wanders for months. He is a mere shell of his former self, which is evident from his over grown beard and lifeless expression on his face. Until one day he spots a little girl staring at him from an apartment window.

The Governor explores the building and finds Tara, the tough-talking wannabe cop; single mom Lily, her adorable daughter, Megan, and the sisters’ dying father.

He explains that he came from a group that “the leader lost it, I barely got out alive.” Could The Governor actually realized somewhere along the way he lost he’s humanity?

Like other characters, The Governor’s storyline seems to also ring the theme of change in Season 4. The Governor is brought back to life while living with this little family.

He reinvents himself as Brian Harriet and becomes a protector of his new family. It is unclear how The Governor was as a man before the zombie apocalypse, but from his relaxed demeanor with Megan, it is clear that she brings out the best of him. Are we seeing glimpses of his former personality when his daughter was alive?

She obviously reminds him of his deceased daughter Penny. Do you remember how tenderly he interacted with her in Season 3, despite the fact she was a Walker in a straightjacket locked in a closet.

The Governor clearly has replaced Penny in his heart, which is symbolized by him burning the family photograph, in other words erasing his past. We can guess that losing his family was the traumatic event that brought about the rise of The Governor.

After the father passes away, Lily convinces The Governor to help them find a better location. A romance is developing between him and Lilly and it seems real. His protecting of his new found family starts immediately as they hit the road.

After parking the truck for the night, it won't start in the morning. The group is forced to walk the streets until they find another car. Of course, Walkers appear and they all run for cover. Brian - aka The Governor scoops up Megan and runs pass the struggling sisters hobbling along.

Brian and Megan fall in a walker trap and he must kill all of them to protect the child. Megan clings to him. He promises to always keep her safe. Ironically, at the end of the episode The Governor finds out the trap was made by his once loyal henchman, Caesar.

Can people change so drastically from evil to a genuinely good person? 

Do you believe The Governor has put his dark side in the past for good?