Do You Think The Governor's Pissed? Review: The Walking Dead - "Made to Suffer"

Air Date: Sunday, December 2, 2012, 9/8c on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

“Woodbury’s starting to grow on ya, huh?” – The Governor

My hostility toward the new group is overwhelming my ability to be impartial to their circumstances. I don’t like the unfamiliar. I don’t like the stupid decisions they make either. One wrong move can put numerous lives in danger and it seems that’s not an accepted stance within this new group of survivors. Blood and gore reign supreme in “Made to Suffer” and I know it’s only going to get better from here on out.

Observations and thoughts:

I’m curious about a few things I’ve noticed during this episode. One: it’s raining. Has it ever rained in an episode? The rain could be used as an obstacle, slowing down the Walkers and providing cover noise. I think it’s interesting when I notice the slightest weather changes. Two: the enormous hole in the wall leading to the prison. Why hasn’t the gang discovered that? At least now we know why Walkers are constantly roaming the prison. Three: the newbie who’s bit on the arm has to be carried. Since when does an arm wound affect the legs? When someone is slowing the group down, they’re usually left behind. It’s a matter of survival and nothing personal. Braver souls have sacrificed themselves for the greater good and this development reads like ominous foreshadowing. I don’t like it.

Do You Think The Governor's Pissed? Review: The Walking Dead - "Made to Suffer" 1

Penny was the Governor’s final link to his humanity. Now that it’s been severed, who will the man become?

I take it Milton’s (Dallas Roberts) experiments won’t amount to much. It’s obvious the zombies are completely devoid of any memories of their former human lives. Although, I do remember the Walker from season one that kept going back to her house. (This was also mentioned on last week’s Talking Dead episode, so I’m not the only one making that connection.) Is there a reason some of the undead recall familiar things while others don’t? Do we really want this to be the case? I’m thinking the guilt of those who’ve had to kill their loved ones would eat them alive should it be known they could eventually have been cured. So no, I’m going with my gut on this one. Once you turn, you are no longer you.

The gunfight at O.K. Woodbury is intense. I keep thinking if only the other side knew who they were shooting at, they’d put down their guns and have a group hug. But what difference would it make in the long run, right? This is a different world and it’s not about who you know, but who controls the masses.

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) has a slip-up when he thinks he sees someone he knows is long dead. Shane (Jon Bernthal) has a surprising and short-lived cameo; the writers use this to remind us where Rick’s head is. He’s still not back from that precipice of despair, and we know he’s dealing with an incredible amount of guilt and responsibility for things he had no control over. It makes me wonder about his decision making though. Is he still fit to be a leader? Should he step down and let someone else take over while he grieves? And if so, who?

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I’ll take a Shane sighting, even if it’s only in Rick’s head. I wonder who he’ll conjure up next.

Michonne (Danai Gurira) versus the Governor (David Morrissey) is the highlight of “Made to Suffer.” Michonne kicks ass and fights like someone who wants to live! Not only does she do something I didn’t think she’d have the heart to do, she wounds the Governor with an eye-piercing blow (pun intended). I couldn’t look away from their brawl yet I had to avert my eyes every few seconds. The fight was just too realistic for me and I couldn’t help cringing with each punch and head slam. Talk about gruesome.

Okay, Andrea (Laurie Holden), you no longer have any excuse to ignore what your luvah is doing behind closed doors! I know it won’t make a difference, but damn, I hope this woman comes to her senses. She’s seriously beginning to piss me off. Has she been brainwashed, or is her need to believe in the normality Woodbury presents so powerful she’ll turn her back on everyone from her past? I was deeply disturbed when Andrea doesn’t drop her gun until Michonne leaves the room. That worries me.

Carl (Chandler Riggs) is turning into a force to be reckoned with. Gone is the little boy of season one. He makes decisions the way an adult would and doesn’t second guess himself. I can appreciate his candor; he’s got his little sister to think about, and taking in newcomers with no reservations would be foolish. I think Rick would be proud.

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This is the end of a friendship. I hope Andrea has chosen wisely because I don’t think the next time she sees Michonne she’ll be walking away.

Merle (Michael Rooker) must have forgotten the lie he told the Governor. Remember, he claimed to have killed Michonne… Oh yeah, that’s one lie that will definitely bite him in the ass. I’m over Merle and his stupidity. He’s been so myopic that he hasn’t taken his actions into consideration. So now, not only does he have a price to pay, Daryl (Norman Reedus) does as well. I bet Daryl regrets wanting to “work something out” with Merle and the people of Woodbury. This family reunion doesn’t go as planned.

Memorable lines:

Maggie: “All this time running from Walkers, you forget what people do.”

Merle: “Nothing happens to Daryl.”

The Governor: “Of course not.”

Rick: “If this goes south, we’re cutting her loose.”

The Governor to Michonne: “Don’t hurt my little girl. Please.”

There has been so much character growth in this first half of the season that I’m not sure where the characters will head. Just think about the first time you saw Carl handling a gun. Now he aims, shoots and hits his target with sniper-like precision. He can only go up from here and he’s being groomed into a dangerous zombie killer. With the newcomers on the scene and the gang being introduced to the insanity of the Governor, destruction and redemption are on the horizon. I loved every minute of “Made to Suffer” and don’t know how I’ll cope with this hiatus. The Walking Dead returns Sunday, February 10, 2013 with all new episodes. I guess I’ll start reading the comics to tide myself over until then.

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