The Walking Dead is back for its “Winter Premiere” or whatever the hell they call it when you split seasons into two. Last night’s episode was called “The Suicide King” and it was…well, you’ll find out my thoughts below.
As per usual, comic related business may be discussed, as this is a review told from the perspective of a comic fan. BEWARE, FOR THERE BE SPOILERS NEAR, MATEYS!
1. Crap. It was crap.
What an epic return to fail. The season premiere of season three was the last episode that was this weak, equaled by the entirety of season two. This episode was a whole mess of mediocre, closing with the ending that was just unparalleled in stupidity. I might be overstating this because I just finished the episode, but this episode was very bad.
2. Daryl, take me with you!
We know Daryl will make it back with the group eventually, but as of right now he’s off gallivanting in the woods with Merle – having been rescued by Rick and Maggie in Woodbury – as Rick wouldn’t take Merle back, meaning Daryl rolled out by himself. An understandable decision by Daryl and Rick. The former obviously would choose his brother first, the latter had to choose being able to sleep at night without some creepster redneck killing his people. Still, the show is weaker continuing with the ruse that they will be separate going forward. Alas.
3. Tyreese is the silver lining
Chad Coleman was a strong choice as Tyreese, and so far he’s been nothing but superb as the character. He had a number of moments to shine – namely, when two of his buddies wanted to turn on the prison team and he stood up to them – and nailed them all. Given the handling of other recent arrivals – namely, Michonne – it’s a bit on the uncertain side how they would handle Tyreese. It’s reassuring that he’s performing so well so far.
4. Babies. A bunch of babies.
“She eats like a horse and sleeps like a rock.” That’s what Hershel said about Lil’ Asskicker (I truly do not remember the name of the baby at this point), and that’s reassuring. At least one character is not completely acting like a baby. Between Rick (regressing to the mean), Glenn (throwing tantrums a plenty), Maggie (reacting to Glenn’s tantrums), Tyreese’s teammates (wanting to kill a lady and a kid) and The Governor, this is just a big episode filled with sulking by adults.
5. Then there was Andrea.
As people who read this column already know, I’m not a fan of Laurie Holden as Andrea nor of how she is portrayed. This episode was perhaps an all-time low. What was her response to finding out her sulking, dismissive man of the moment was holding her friends captive and torturing them? Go out and give a speech and tell everyone about how great Woodbury is. Because that makes sense.
Give me a break The Walking Dead.
Let’s hope this was just them getting the bad out in one fell swoop.
