We’re still dead…we’re still walking
Things are going well at the prison, and the survivors are starting to look toward the future…but an outbreak proves that there are more dangerous things than the Walkers and men. When the Governor (David Morrissey) returns, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the other survivors find themselves on the run…but the promise of a place called Terminus could be the hope that they are looking for.
The Walking Dead—Season 4 aired from October 13, 2013 to March 30, 2014 on AMC. The series continued to have strong ratings and the series received Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role (“30 Days Without an Accident”) and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series (“Too Far Gone”).
I’m back and I’m pissed
The Walking Dead is tricky for me. While I enjoy it, it often seems to drag. I end up watching the series a year (or years later) than the original airdate and you can’t escape spoilers online for that long. The book has followed some basic comic storylines, but is largely on its own…and that does make it both fun to see how it is adapted, but also gives away plot points for viewers who also read the comic.
I found The Walking Dead—Season 3 rather sluggish. The whole prison portion (though a realistic plot point…I’d look at a prison for safety in an apocalypse of any sort) became rather dull and plodding. The prison saga continued on for two long into this season, and the series really feels like it picks up with the return of the Governor (who was given solo episodes) and the odd storytelling of the second half of the season which had a Pulp Fiction-esque non-linear aspect to it. The basic problem for the series is that you know things aren’t going to end well.
Well crap…a ton of my family died, I lost a leg, now this…not a good year
This season ushered out a few of characters while introducing more. You had the Governor return and die (which was satisfying) and Hershel (Scott Wilson) became the big sacrificial lamb which was a fate reserved for Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) in the comic series. Both children Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) and Mika (Kyla Kenedy) meet tragic ends in one of the shows darker points (and ripped directly out of Of Mice and Men), but the show did decide to spare Judith (for now). The season introduced Tara (Alanna Masterson) while rather unceremoniously killing off her sister and niece after developing them a little, and it brings in Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), Eugene (Josh McDermitt) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) as the “heroes of the apocalypse” who are a bit too cartoonish (something that the show managed to deescalate in the Governor from the comic books). The show also spent an unnecessary amount of time on the Joe (Jeff Kober) character who also is written out rather quickly. The show sets up next season by introducing the Terminus crew which includes characters played by Denise Crosby and Andrew J. West.
Hey George, tell me about the bunnies again…
The season spends a lot of time on what the characters were and what they are becoming. Both Michonne and Daryl’s pasts are developed (while making Beth and Daryl temporarily a new power couple). You also get to see the Governor character go from broken to restored (and then broken again) but you also get to see smaller characters like Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) face his demons. This is where the show is strong and a continuing series about an apocalypse has strength.
Visually, the series continues to excel with great special effects on the zombies. Just when you think a zombie is as gross as it can get, the show tops it by another zombie that is more disgusting. The series is frustrating (to me) however on how easily the zombies can be killed (apparently you can stick a sword, knife, pole) into the head of a zombie no problem…like the bones are butter…and you can sever a head with a sword like there is no spine…if that is the case just kill all the zombies you encounter and no zombie problem…show over.
Yep…sure this will turn out great
The Walking Dead continues to evolve and I’m really glad to put the prison behind the series. It was an interesting attempt and decision, but it seemed to bog the story down. At this point too, you would think the characters would have meet-up plans if they ever had to flee somewhere so they do not get separated. The show also runs the risk of not caring about the characters since they are so expendable. You can’t attach yourself to them because you figure they’ll be dead in an episode or even a season (and of course you’ll hear about it immediately online). I still look forward to where The Walking Dead leads…but sometimes I figure the path is already plotted in doom.
The Walking Dead—Season 4 Complete Episode Guide:
“30 Days Without an Accident”
4.1 30 Days Without an Accident Airdate: 10/13/13
The prison adjusts to life with the new people and works to form a community. A patrol by Rick (Andrew Lincoln) leads him to the discovery of a strange woman in the woods named Clara (Kerry Condon) and the possibility of more survivors. Beth (Emily Kinney) gets close to a boy named Zach (Kyle Gallner), and Bob Stookey (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) tries to contribute more to the prison. Carl (Chandler Riggs) finds Carol (Melissa McBride) is keeping a secret about what she’s teaching the children of the prison. A collecting patrol led by Daryl (Norman Reedus), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green), and Glenn (Steven Yeun) goes horribly wrong. A boy named Patrick (Vincent Martella learns that the danger might not just be from outside the prison.
“Infected”
4.2 Infected Airdate: 10/20/13
Patrick has succumb to a disease and caused an outbreak in the prison. With the outbreak contained, the new threat of a super-virus capable of killing the survivors could destroy the prison from within. Carl must decide what to tell his father about Carol’s teaching habits as Carol finds herself taking care of Lizzie (Brighton Sharbino) and Mika (Kyla Kenedy) after their father’s death. The attacks at the fence begin to increase as the survivors realize someone is feeding the dead. Injured during the attack, Michonne finds she must face her past with Rick’s baby Judith. Tyreese learns his girlfriend Karen (Melissa Ponzio) might be infected but the infection could lead to someone taking actions into their own hands.
“Isolation”
4.3 Isolation Airdate: 10/27/13
David (Brandon Carroll) and Karen’s murder drives a rift between Tyreese and Rick as Tyreese demands justice. As the sickness begins to spread, a cure must be found before it is too late, and Hershel (Scott Wilson) is forced to help divide up the sick which now includes Glenn, Sasha, and Dr.Caleb (Sunkrish Bala). Bob Stookey, Tyreese, Michonne, and Daryl go on a desperate medicine run to an animal hospital. Rick investigates the killing and makes a shocking discovery.
“Indifference”
4.4 Indifference Airdate: 11/03/13
Rick and Carol are forced to go on a supply run, and Rick questions how to deal with Carol’s admission that she killed Karen and David to stop the spread of the disease. Tyreese continues to get more suicidal as Michonne, Daryl, and Bob try to get the medicine they need for the sick…but Bob’s demons could be more dangerous.
“Internment”
4.5 Internment Airdate: 11/10/13
Rick deals with the decision to force Carol to leave and returns to the prison to learn things are getting worse. Hershel finds that the sickness is spreading and more people are becoming Walkers. Rick and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) learn that the fence is weakening but reinforcing it could be harder than expected with the limited healthy survivors. Even if they survive the plague, a greater danger could be lurking nearby.
“Live Bait”
4.6 Live Bait Airdate: 11/17/13
The Governor (David Morrissey) has lost everything and is now lost himself. When he meets Lilly (Audrey Marie Anderson), Tara (Alanna Masterson), their dying father David (Danny Vinson), and Lilly’s daughter Meghan (Meyrick Murphy), the Governor must decide if he can trust again.
“Dead Weight”
4.7 Dead Weight Airdate: 11/24/13
The Governor, Lilly, Tara, and Meghan have been absorbed into the new group of survivors formed by Caesar Martinez (Jose Pablo Cantillo). When the Governor realizes that every group of survivors has weaknesses, he sets out to ensure that his new family is protected…at all costs. With danger all around, the Governor realizes his people need more protection…and a showdown with Rick and his survivors could be next!
“Too Far Gone”
4.8 Too Far Gone Airdate: 12/01/13
The Governor has taken Michonne and Hershel hostage and is using them as negotiating pieces to take control of the prison, but Rick and the Governor might not be able to give up the prison regardless of the offer. Tyreese discovers evidence of danger within the prison as well as outside. Left at the camp, Meghan and Lilly might discover that the Governor’s foresight isn’t as clear as he believed. With the prison in danger, tragedy will strike and no one will walk away clean.
“After”
4.9 After Airdate: 02/09/14
The prison has fallen, and Rick and the survivors have scattered. As Michonne remembers her life before she joined Rick’s crew, she questions returning to a life of solitude. Carl finds his father pushed to the limit due to his injuries and discovers he might have to fend for himself.
“Inmates”
4.10 Inmates Airdate: 02/16/14
Tyreese, Lizzie, and Mika try to survive with Judith in the woods and find surprising aid which could pose a problem for Tyreese. Beth and Daryl try to regroup after the attack at the prison and search for survivors. Maggie, Bob, and Sasha set out to find Glenn while Glenn finds unlikely help from Tara back at the prison…but Glenn and Tara could have a new problem.
“Claimed”
4.11 Claimed Airdate: 02/23/14
Glenn and Tara find themselves travelling with Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), Eugene (Josh McDermitt), and Rosita (Christian Serrratos) on a secret mission to Washington, D.C. to stop the zombie apocalypse…but Glenn has other plans. Michonne spends time with Carl, and Carl learns more about Michonne’s past while Rick deals with unwelcomed guests during his recovery.
“Still”
4.12 Still Airdate: 03/02/14
Beth and Daryl continue to hide on the run, and Beth decides she is old enough to drink…leading to an eye-opening evening with Daryl on a quest for alcohol.
“Alone”
4.13 Alone Airdate: 03/09/14
Bob, Sasha, and Maggie head for Terminus, but Sasha disagrees with the plans leading to a separation. Daryl and Beth find an abandoned funeral home, and Daryl finds himself in a dangerous run in with Joe (Jeff Kober) and his men.
“The Grove”
4.14 The Grove Airdate: 03/16/14
A home with gas and water seems like the perfect place for Tyreese, Lizzie, Mika, Judith, and Carol, but Mika’s fear to kill the living and Lizzie’s acceptance of the Walkers could prove fatal.
“Us”
4.15 Us Airdate: 03/23/14
Glenn, Tara, Rosita, Eugene, and Abraham follow the tracks toward Terminus, and a dangerous tunnel could prove to be the site of hope. Daryl finds himself embedded with Joe’s group and learns that not following their code could be deadly.
“A”
4.16 A Airdate: 03/30/14
Joe and his men locate Rick and the reunion turns deadly. Rick and the survivors reach Terminus, but Rick finds the promises of Terminus might not be entirely true.
Related Links:
The Walking Dead—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
The Walking Dead—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
The Walking Dead—Season 3 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Fear the Walking Dead—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
