The Walking Dead Season 3 Ep 13 - Arrow On The Doorpost

rick the governor the walking dead

The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 9 - Arrow on the Door (218 )

What did you think of this weeks show?

  1. Excellent (80 [36.70%] - )

    36.70%

  2. Good- Some Critiques (95 [43.58%] - )

    43.58%

  3. Fair - Not What I Expected (33 [15.14%] - )

    15.14%

  4. Poor (10 [4.59%] - )

    4.59%

#76
Things&Stuff

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I really enjoyed the chess game between Rick and the Governor.

Rick laid out his demands, the boundaries, and let the 'Governor' know what his opinion of him is. The Governor countered with jabs about Lori and Judith (Thank you! Andrea) which was really telling about the guy. But Rick held his own even though he gave a bit away when he drank the whiskey after hearing Phillip's sad dead wife story. And you could see by his one good eye that the Gov was pleased with Rick's reaction. But he was stymied because Rick stopped with the one. When he wasn't bragging about all the details he knew about Rick and the prison he was bragging about how his people needed him and thought he still knew what he was doing. Narcistic much?

This episode was all about mind games and it was nicely laid out in contrasts. Rick vs the Governor, Herschel vs Milton and Rodriguez vs Daryl but the Gov was so cocky he took on Andrea, too. She had nothing to answer him with and Rick didn't give her any comfort but Phillip's biggest mistake will be in underestimating people and, as disappointing as I've been in Andrea, I think his biggest is in underestimating her. The Governor can't see how his psychosis is getting out of control because he's unable to read human reactions. People aren't a reliable mirror any more. His smugness turns everyone's reactions into stupidity and manipulated calm. He thinks he's winning but eventually even Milton won't be able to stomach the Governor's appetite for revenge and control.

Merle vs Glenn was fun. Merle is like a caged animal trying every weakness in his cage but he found none. He has to play along and accept equality. Glenn didn't win the wrestling match but he did get the reward and so did we when Maggie and Glenn finally made up!

I especially loved how Rick centered this episode was. I don't think he's completely sane yet but he passed the testing with the Governor pretty well. Now he's got the grinding fear to deal with. Two days will seem like forever for him because he has Michonne's future in his hands. Will he stay strong and not give her up? That mental test can't be salved by a glass of whiskey. And leaning on Herschel for advice! That was very cool.

Also eating away at him is knowing that they are being watched. I hope we see how the Group handles that but it might be a detail that gets lost on the way to war.

I think Andrew Lincoln did a great job telling us how Rick felt listening to the Governor spew his nonsense. "You're the town drunk and you've ruined my front lawn" (or w/e he did to the yard). He followed that up nicely with several looks of incredulity, amazement and disbelief when the Governor bragged.

It didn't have much physical action but this was a well done and necessary staging for the season finale. When the writers write dialogue they do a terrific job!
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#77
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I really enjoyed the chess game between Rick and the Governor.

Rick laid out his demands, the boundaries, and let the 'Governor' know what his opinion of him is. The Governor countered with jabs about Lori and Judith (Thank you! Andrea) which was really telling about the guy. But Rick held his own even though he gave a bit away when he drank the whiskey after hearing Phillip's sad dead wife story. And you could see by his one good eye that the Gov was pleased with Rick's reaction. But he was stymied because Rick stopped with the one. When he wasn't bragging about all the details he knew about Rick and the prison he was bragging about how his people needed him and thought he still knew what he was doing. Narcistic much?

This episode was all about mind games and it was nicely laid out in contrasts. Rick vs the Governor, Herschel vs Milton and Rodriguez vs Daryl but the Gov was so cocky he took on Andrea, too. She had nothing to answer him with and Rick didn't give her any comfort but Phillip's biggest mistake will be in underestimating people and, as disappointing as I've been in Andrea, I think his biggest is in underestimating her. The Governor can't see how his psychosis is getting out of control because he's unable to read human reactions. People aren't a reliable mirror any more. His smugness turns everyone's reactions into stupidity and manipulated calm. He thinks he's winning but eventually even Milton won't be able to stomach the Governor's appetite for revenge and control.

Merle vs Glenn was fun. Merle is like a caged animal trying every weakness in his cage but he found none. He has to play along and accept equality. Glenn didn't win the wrestling match but he did get the reward and so did we when Maggie and Glenn finally made up!

I especially loved how Rick centered this episode was. I don't think he's completely sane yet but he passed the testing with the Governor pretty well. Now he's got the grinding fear to deal with. Two days will seem like forever for him because he has Michonne's future in his hands. Will he stay strong and not give her up? That mental test can't be salved by a glass of whiskey. And leaning on Herschel for advice! That was very cool.

Also eating away at him is knowing that they are being watched. I hope we see how the Group handles that but it might be a detail that gets lost on the way to war.

I think Andrew Lincoln did a great job telling us how Rick felt listening to the Governor spew his nonsense. "You're the town drunk and you've ruined my front lawn" (or w/e he did to the yard). He followed that up nicely with several looks of incredulity, amazement and disbelief when the Governor bragged.

It didn't have much physical action but this was a well done and necessary staging for the season finale. When the writers write dialogue they do a terrific job!


Welcome T&S. Love your name.
Good analysis!
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#78
wukong

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Glenn didn't win the wrestling match but he did get the reward and so did we when Maggie and Glenn finally made up!


I think it was great that the entire prison 'family' held Merle in check. Glenn was brave enough to stand in the way and say no but the remaining family members had Glenn's back.
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#79
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I was dissapointed this week. I waited an entire week for an episode and all I got (well, we got) was pointless talk between the two leaders.

Also, I love sex as much as the next person but the Maggie/Glen sex scene just seemed like too much.
It seems out of place from the entire show and it's so irresponsible to do that on guard duty.

I do't think Rick will give up Michonne though, he's not dumb enough to think that the Govenor isn't going to kill him (I mean they randomly shot up the prison hoping to kill anyone).
  • -1

#80
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The part where the music came on towards the end where the Gov doesn't reveal his plans to Andrea and then they both walk their own ways gave me goosebumps. I think the Gov knows she is no longer by his side. Then the transition to our little prison group all being told to prepare for war was a chilling scene to me as well. Poor Carol and Herschel want to get on the road! I am so worried for them!

And yeah the horse scene removed. No wonder the episode title was changed lol.
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#81
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Not sure what to think of this episode. On the one hand it seems like it built up enough tension for the rest of the season. On the other it was dragging and boring. I realise it was centred around the rendezvous but after that it was a time fill.
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#82
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This episode was all about contrast/similarities to me, but done awkwardly. That's the only way to explain why milton and hershel came along, just to get those two together to show the "logical" or analytical side of the two camps. Same goes for Daryl/Martinez, similarities...shows the governors men that team prison is a bunch of people such, just like they are. Rick and Gov were the same way. Gov lost his wife and struggles with what her last phone call meant...rick struggles with the loss of lori with a phone call from her.

Heck, even Michionne and Merle, both have similar interests, but Michionne had the self restraint enough to control hers while Merle is all Rambo ready. She sees his side, but had to restrain herself, I thought she even smiled at him a little before she walked away.

It even shows the contrast of Beth. She was so sweet and innocent, couldn't come to terms with the ZA last year to the point of wanting suicide. Now, she's a gun toting, bar room brawl breaking up bitch.

I enjoyed seeing Andrea being put in her place, made me chuckle, along with the Daryl/Martinez macho man hour.

I'm fine with this episode, I find it a necessary evil, like I have felt a lot of them are this season. I just felt like it was a little forced with what they were trying to achieve.

I don't know why, but my love for Daryl is starting to find its way to Rick. Maybe cuz he's a little scruffier, a little more bad ass, more unstable. I don't have any issues or anything, huh?
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#83
zombieprincess

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^ What's Andrea's "place" exactly?
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#84
mr teaspoon

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Also, did I miss something or did the gun taped to the table bit go nowhere?
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#85
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When I watch an episode, before deciding how I felt about it I must first classify it into one of these 4 categories.

1: Setup
2: Drama
3: Action
4: Hybrid (I tend to be very conservative using this as technically each one would be a hybrid in some way)

Tonight was a Setup episode, plain and simple. When deciding how I felt about it, I looked at it from the perspective of a setup episode. As far as setup episodes get, this is as good of one as you are going to get. Too tired to go into details, but I rated Excellent and stand by my decision.
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#86
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I really enjoyed the chess game between Rick and the Governor.

Rick laid out his demands, the boundaries, and let the 'Governor' know what his opinion of him is. The Governor countered with jabs about Lori and Judith (Thank you! Andrea) which was really telling about the guy. But Rick held his own even though he gave a bit away when he drank the whiskey after hearing Phillip's sad dead wife story. And you could see by his one good eye that the Gov was pleased with Rick's reaction. But he was stymied because Rick stopped with the one. When he wasn't bragging about all the details he knew about Rick and the prison he was bragging about how his people needed him and thought he still knew what he was doing. Narcistic much?

This episode was all about mind games and it was nicely laid out in contrasts. Rick vs the Governor, Herschel vs Milton and Rodriguez vs Daryl but the Gov was so cocky he took on Andrea, too. She had nothing to answer him with and Rick didn't give her any comfort but Phillip's biggest mistake will be in underestimating people and, as disappointing as I've been in Andrea, I think his biggest is in underestimating her. The Governor can't see how his psychosis is getting out of control because he's unable to read human reactions. People aren't a reliable mirror any more. His smugness turns everyone's reactions into stupidity and manipulated calm. He thinks he's winning but eventually even Milton won't be able to stomach the Governor's appetite for revenge and control.

Merle vs Glenn was fun. Merle is like a caged animal trying every weakness in his cage but he found none. He has to play along and accept equality. Glenn didn't win the wrestling match but he did get the reward and so did we when Maggie and Glenn finally made up!

I especially loved how Rick centered this episode was. I don't think he's completely sane yet but he passed the testing with the Governor pretty well. Now he's got the grinding fear to deal with. Two days will seem like forever for him because he has Michonne's future in his hands. Will he stay strong and not give her up? That mental test can't be salved by a glass of whiskey. And leaning on Herschel for advice! That was very cool.

Also eating away at him is knowing that they are being watched. I hope we see how the Group handles that but it might be a detail that gets lost on the way to war.

I think Andrew Lincoln did a great job telling us how Rick felt listening to the Governor spew his nonsense. "You're the town drunk and you've ruined my front lawn" (or w/e he did to the yard). He followed that up nicely with several looks of incredulity, amazement and disbelief when the Governor bragged.

It didn't have much physical action but this was a well done and necessary staging for the season finale. When the writers write dialogue they do a terrific job!


Very nice dissection of the episode. :)

My pros were mainly:

- Glenn and Maggie patching it up.
- Milton and Andrea finally seeing Phillip's true ways.
- Daryl and Martinez/Hershel and Milton.
- The Gov's backstory about his life coming through.

My cons are:

- Rick considering giving up Michonne. I thought by now he'd know that Phillip will kill them all anyway.
- Merle. Not sure if this is just me misreading him, but he seemed a bit off (aside from the whole "I'm going to leave with some of your ammo" act).


Overall, I enjoyed the episode, but as many others have said, it's more of a build up for things to come. Can't believe there's only two episodes left!
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#87
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Yet another Glenn and Maggie sex scene - bleh. We get they like each other. Really we do. Glenn character works so much better as the solo super scout ex-pizza delivery boy. Romantic tough guy doesn't suit him. I usually flip channels every scene between him and the home coming queen sultry farm girl.
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#88
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Best line: "You're the town drunk who knocked down my fence and ripped up my yard. Nothing more."

Oooooooh, SNAP!
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#89
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Finally, tension without an unnecessary fight scene. The dialogue was so well done between all characters. And thank the Lord, they finally did not cut people off mid-conversation so they could get to the action faster. They let people talk. Anyone who says it was boring is just wrong. This is how you make us care about characters. This is how you set up your story. And it only took them 13 episodes to do so.

Oh, may I also say that this episode did not drag on? I've seen a few people claim that but I disagree. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, and it has been a long time since TWD has managed to immerse me into the story like this.

I highly doubt Mazzara was very involved in the making this episode, which excites me for season 4. Look how much better episodes are when he doesn't have his grubby fingers all over them. This was the best all season, no doubt about it.
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#90
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Thought the episode was pretty good. Hershel is one badass mofo and I liked his line about MIlton buying him a drink in order to see his leg stump. The part with Daryl and Martinez is interesting too. Makes me wonder what kind of role Martinez will be playing in the final 3 episodes. I'm glad that Andrea has finally "woken up" but I wish that she did earlier and that it didn't take her finding out that The Governor molested Maggie to fully realize how fucked and evil up he is. I think we knew she was starting to get the picture in the past few episodes, but I'm glad she knows now at least. It now seems like shes playing the dumb blond and will totally try to go Mata Hari on the Governor. Unfortunately I think some bad shit might be happening to her before the season is done. I'm glad that Rick saw through all of the Governors mind games, even though he said he just wants Michonne, Rick knew that The Governor wanted them all dead, Michonne or not. Also it seems like Milty is starting to stand up to the Gov a bit too. Perhaps he'll defect or get killed. Also I think the way Glenn handled Merle was good, he didn't get all rage-aholic on him, but stood his ground. The sex scene with him and Maggie was a bit awkward and maybe a bit unnecessary, but at the same time I'm glad Glen realized why his actions pissed off Maggie and apologized for it.

Also did anybody else notice when they were tearing eachothers clothes off that one minute Maggie was only in her bra then the next cut she had that American apparel type sports bra thing on, then the next clip she didn't? For some reason I found that amusing. Bad cutting on the editors parts. Haha
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#91
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The calm before the storm. :zombiethumbsup:
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Crazy has come to town for a visit!!


#92
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I thought the various interactions were all pretty interesting. I thought that the Daryl/Martinez talk was just to show that both guys are similar and both understand what is coming next and that neither will hestitate to kill the other one when the time comes, even though I think they recognize kindred spirits. It is just the way things are now.

I think the Maggie/Glen scene was there to show that the rift between them has healed. Not that unusual for couples that have been fighting to have make-up sex and I am glad to see the ZA has not changed that.

In regards to the gun under the table, I think the Guv was trying to goad Rick into doing something and then he planned to shoot him. When Rick failed to take the bait the Gov changed tactics.
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#93
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I liked the setup they had for the characters at the meeting site. The leaders, their right-hand men and their advisers. And then there was Andrea, who unlike the rest, was in the middle of it all by herself.
I found this to be a pretty damn good episode. A good setup for the last few of the season, and some great dialogue.
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#94
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Why exactly does the Governor want to slaughter Rick and his group? The Governor told Milton that it's so they can "stand as one (whatever that means)," but Rick poses no threat to Woodbury.


I have the same question - While I can now why he wants them dead - but why when he first heard them existing - same with the national guard unit he gunned down?

I think Rick touched on it when he said "they can put up a statue of you...." does the Gov want woodbury to be the sole survivors of the ZA?
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#95
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Maggie and Glenn sex scene...I remember being ~20 ... Yep, careless, hormonal, throw caution to the wind, right now and maybe several times OK sure. That is what 20 year olds do biologically this is prime sex time.

This scene was not gratuitousness at all... and comics comparison spoiler:

Spoiler

The fact that it occurs is fine-it's been shown how you're alive one momemt and dead the next-it's natural. i think most of the problem with that scene was how long they stayed with it - cut away and it's implied they had sex - especially since nothing came from it (prison breached/Merle escaped, etc)
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#96
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Also, did I miss something or did the gun taped to the table bit go nowhere?


Well, the gun is still there. And if Rick does decide to show up with Michonne, the Governor can blow his head off. (or so he thinks)

Can't believe there's only two episodes left!


3! But yes, I agree.
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#97
Things&Stuff

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-Am I the only one surprised Andrea got them together to talk in the first place?


No, the Governor would be more than willing to talk. He thinks Rick is psycho and an easy target to manipulate. I think he gets off on playing Mr. Nice guy then killing his victims. The look on their faces is his payoff, sick bastage. And Rick is always open to talk things out.

-I'm surprised Andrea didn't know about Maggie. You would have thought someone would have told her.


Since they didn't and it wasn't shown it looks like Andrea didn't make any progress in getting the Group to accept her any more than they did the first visit. Maybe because she didn't kill the Gov like she was supposed to?

-I thought Rick was going to jump across the table and snatch an eye patch when the Gov said Judith probably wasn't his. The look on Rick's face was one who was ready to kill, great scene.


Did it make you nervous when he drank the whiskey? I covered my eyes as if they were killing walkers!


-Just decided I really want Daryl and Martinez to have a bromance. I totally ship that. Love them both and they seem like under different circumstances would be good friends. Hopefully he makes it out of the Woodbury drama in one piece.


Kirkman is softening you up so you will care when Martinez meets a gruesome death.

-Love Milton putting back on his glasses and going into scientist mode once he found out how Hershel lost his leg. I love Hershel's humor about it though.


He had to keep Milton from discovering that he was 'legged'.

-Merle's scene seemed off to me.


Ditto but for a different reason. He won't go up against Rick face to face. He is going to test Glenn's and anyone else's authority to find his place in the group's pecking order. He likes to get what he wants. I found the delivery of his line to Michonne about being mesmerized by her something whatever was a bit forced and not as charming as he's been before. Maybe some of the sass has gone out of him? The look on his face the last time we see him made me think so, too.

-Thought the Maggie and Glenn sex scene was a bit random. I don't know why they chose this exact time to focus on it story wise.


I coudn't enjoy it the first time. Again, hands were over my eyes. I kept thinking about someone sneaking past them into the prison or shooting them from the woods.. Ah!!

-Honestly I still don't see why they just don't run (other than it wouldn't make for as an exciting story). They act like the prison is as cushy as the CDC was, doesn't seem worth all of the trouble. Seems like it would be easier to just fortify another building somewhere safer.


Judith and Herschel. Plus they paid a heavy heavy price for that place. But, just as important and with longer lasting implications is the idea that if they start running, they may never stop. Rick is already fighting down the fears that make him want to turn Michonne over to the Governor.

It just occurred to me that Andrea's story arc might show her sobbing with regrets over all she had been blind to. If the writers allow her regret to be compensation for the stupidity that led to so many deaths then I will be really really angry. I love so much about this show but she will have to sacrifice something herself. Maybe she should lose the hand or an eye or something. She cannot come out of this without paying a price that isn't measured in just tears.
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#98
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What happened with the horse thing? I missed the first 12 minutes. I wanted to see Daryl being adorable with it :/


Per Glen Mazzara twitter post....."313 was supposed to be called Pale Horse bc Daryl finds a headless rider strapped to a live horse. Didn't look right so I cut the scene"
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#99
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May have already been posted but not sure, did anyone else pick up on the distinctive noise at the end during Rick and Hershel's conversation? It sounds three times, each time getting louder before the episode ends. I thought it was a bird at first but after watching that scene several times it im beginning to think otherwise
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#100
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Good epsoide. Enjoyed it alot. Thou @ the end of the meeting rick is sitting on the other side of the table where tg gov was strapped. How did he not see it?
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