Courtesy of AMC
It’s time to play “When-Will-Andrea (Laurie Holden)-GET-A-CLUE?” This week on The Walking Dead our prodigal blondie returns to the Grimes gang for a visit seemingly behind The Governor’s (David Morrissey) back. It begs the question: Does anyone truly want Andrea around?
Let’s bitch it out…
As we inch closer and closer to the inevitable showdown between Team Woodbury and Team Grimes, the chess pieces slowly move into place. As I predicted last week, it looks as if (tiresome) Andrea is going to play a major role in the whole scheme of things, unfortunately she decides to hold out to finale time. The episode’s final moments certainly tease us with the opportunity for Andrea to crawl out of her rut as “most hated character.” But instead of doing us all a favour and killing the Governor rightfully in his sleep (Side Note: Props to Melissa McBride’s Carol who is swiftly becoming an interesting character in her own right for suggesting it in the first place!) Andrea wusses out, leaving us wondering if her libido is what really determines her loyalties.
Preceding this is Andrea’s inevitable return to Team Grimes, and she’s not exactly welcomed with open arms (Carol excluded). I’ll be honest, as much as I despise Andrea, I did feel slightly sorry for her during her cold reception when she first enters the prison. Flaws and all, she was once a part of this family, and without actually having spoken to her, the Grimes gang is quite quick to judge her. What I can’t forgive is the fact that Andrea is completely oblivious to the evidence in front of her. She uses her history with the Grimes gang as a reason for them to trust her, yet she’s so quick to believe the Governor’s thin lies with the wink of his eye instead of trusting what she knows about the family she was once a part of. While I might feel slightly sympathetic toward Andrea, it’s not a feeling that lasts for very long.
This is especially true when we get the reunion between Andrea and Michonne (Danai Gurira). We finally learn the reasons why Michonne decided to head back to Woodbury after narrowly escaping it the first time round: her sole mission was the expose the Governor in an effort to hurt Andrea. Initially, it may sound petty, but the scene is one of the strongest of the night as Michonne lays it plain and simple for Andrea’s tiny little brain to grasp. Blondie chose Phillip over Michonne, after a winter of our katana-welding badass presumably saving Andrea’s hide, so that had to sting. We still haven’t gotten much of Michonne’s backstory (Methinks an entire episode devoted to this is could come up soon) but it’s clear Michonne has been hurt pretty significantly in the past. It’s therefore not too surprising that she’d risk her life in returning to Woodbury to really stick it to Andrea (Side Note: Michonne’s ‘messiah complex’ is one of the best burns I’ve heard in a long time)
What is surprising is that even after Michonne says that the Governor sent Merle (Michael Rooker) to have Michonne killed (which would have also included Andrea had she chosen to come along) the dumb blonde doesn’t immediately decide that the Governor is bad news once and for all. Seriously, what is it going to take for Andrea to wise-up?
Because Andrea is the primary narrative motivator of this episode, the result is one of the weaker offerings of the season. The small vignettes we get of the other characters are far more interesting and carry the episode out of “worst of” territory. But Andrea needs to get a clue fast or get eaten by some walkers if there’s any hope of regaining the momentum built up in the first half of the season.
Courtesy of AMC
Other Observations:
- The moment we get between Merle and Hershel (Scott Wilson) is a gem of a scene. Here we have two characters who are at opposite ends of the moral spectrum, yet by simply quoting scripture, they’re momentarily united in this crazy world.
- It appears that Rick (Andrew Lincoln) has finally taken a shower and a nap. There’s still a suggestion that he’s seeing Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) but, at least for now, the old Rick appears to be back.
- Carl (Chandler Riggs) continues to develop in the short scene he shares with Rick. It’s a brilliant moment when Carl prefaces his advice that Rick step down as leader with “If I say something, will you promise not to get mad?” The childlike statement coupled with a very rational recommendation, demonstrates both Carl’s advanced maturity and youthful innocence. Bravo.
- Milton (Dallas Roberts) is also quickly becoming one of the most interesting characters. It’s clear he’s devoted to the Governor out of sheer fear, but there’s something about him that is inherently redeeming and identifiable. I don’t know what will become of Milton, but I find myself increasingly intrigued.
- Carol and Daryl (Norman Reedus) also share a nice little moment when she reminds him of how far he’s come from his days with Merle back in Season One. Now that Daryl is back, I’m surprised at how on-board I am with these two becoming an item. Am I the only one who just wishes they would make-out and put us all out of our misery? (A Carol-Daryl kiss would be far more welcomed than the awkward face suckage we get between the Governor and Andrea…)
- It really wouldn’t be The Walking Dead without one cringe-worthy Walker scene. This week it comes when Andrea makes her own little zombie pet after channeling the “Oakland Special” from American History X. Just when I thought I was getting used to all the gore…
What did you think Dead fans? Do you think Andrea will finally grow a pair, or will she get caught in the crossfire and make everyone happy? What did you think of Cutty Tyreese’s (Chad L. Coleman) return and how quickly his group is willing to flip to Team Woodbury? Sound off in the comments below.
A gentle reminder that we adhere to a SPOILER FREE zone here, so please keep any plot points from the graphic novels or online tidbits to yourself.
The Walking Dead airs at 9pm EST, Sundays on AMC.
I think Tyreese’s team would divulge the info to the Governor that the prison is not so imprenetable afterall, with that huge hole at one of the prison’s sides.
Hmmm wonder how Andrea would fit at the last battle?
I hope no one from Team Grimes would end up dead in the showdown/season finale.
Guaranteed someone from Team Grimes will buy the farm. Someone ALWAYS dies
I can’t say I blame Tyreese’s crew for flipping so quickly – Rick did chase them out rather unceremoniously. But hopefully there’s more too them then just telling The Governor about the back way – maybe they’ll get invited to a cage match and end up being double agents for Team Grimes?
As much as I want Andrea to die a slow an painful death, I don’t think it’s going to happen. Now that Lori’s gone, I think Andrea needs to stick around to fill the void.
In terms of who else is going to die, I agree with cinephilactic – we’re going to have a major death. Since Scott Wilson still hasn’t made the opening credits, my money’s on him (although it would be quite the loss indeed).
I would happily spend a good portion of an episode watching Andrea become a walker/biter meal. She has become a trifle irritating now. The Governor and Rick need a showdown. Woodbury needs to burn. Not entirely sure who would be sacrificed from Team Grimes, they have all developed but Woodbury can burn now. Ready for the showdown and a little bloodshed. More of the balance of episode 10 with drama and violence. More under the blanket moments needed for my wife.
Only a trifle? Andrea takes the crown for most annoying character ever. Lori was growing on me and I’d much rather have her around instead (surprisingly). I’m thinking there’s going to be a pretty massive bloodbath when the two sides meet, but I’m still hoping Milton will survive and join the group.