We just had another delicious week of The Walking Dead. This one threw us on our heads, however, opting for something a little different. And while I felt the episode was a bit of filler, there was still plenty of good content to be had. The most interesting thing about the whole episode, was that it focused entirely on The Governor. Flashing back to the end of Season 3 when we see him drop his Woodbury army in a hail of bullets, the entire episode follows our favorite sociopath as Martinez and Shurman straight up abandon him in the wastes of America.
I think that was the last straw to break the proverbial Camel’s back. What ensues is another montage set against a bluesy song (imagine that!) as The Governor wanders about the remnants of Georgia. I enjoyed this scene as it really gave a sense of the devastation the zombie outbreak has had. There are simply no people. But there’s plenty of walkers. I also like that we got a bit of a nod to the comics in terms of The Governor’s look. Depressed, alone, and most likely ill-equipped for life on the road, we see his hair and beard grow long. I imagine fans who read the comics were just like me, having a nerd-gasm at the transformation before our eyes. Later on in the episode he gets cleaned up, but I would’ve liked him to remain unkempt. Regardless, I hope to see him go back to the biker look that we know and love, but I’ll explain why later on in the post.
Image courtesy of Screen Crush. Check out their fantastic write-up!
On-topic, it was also interesting to see him go to Woodbury and burn down everything he had struggled to build. Afterward, we watched as Phillip meandered about the empty streets of America like a blind man. He never fights walkers, but dodges them deftly, letting them fall to the ground. Eventually, exhaustion seems to overcome The Governor and he falls himself. Looking up, he sees a small girl quickly close a window. He investigates to find a father with his two daughters and granddaughter. The four have been living in an apartment building and have somehow made it.
What ensues is an interesting turn – Phillip clearly wants to have nothing to do with these people. But they need him as they’re completely ignorant of the world outside or how to even deal with walkers. The father, who has terminal lung cancer, predictably dies, but not before he talks to The Governor about being a father and what it means, something I imagine hit close to home. Most fascinating about the whole exchange with this family was that Phillip actually goes on two errands for them. The first is to find a game-board for the granddaughter, and the second, to get oxygen for the ailing (grand)father. I really enjoyed the latter scene as we’re given another glimpse of the devastation the zombie outbreak has had. Phillip makes his way to a nursing home that’s been completely overrun. He deftly navigates the treacherous hallways, dodging walkers or closing them off in rooms. I found this scene pretty riveting, as the man’s clearly at a disadvantage with one eye. But he does the smart thing (something I’m not sure I could do) and avoids fighting until absolutely necessary. He gets two oxygen tanks and narrowly avoids being torn to shreds.
Eventually, the father dies, and Phillip stays outside the room like a hawk, knowing like we do, that the man will turn. He does, and we’re given a brutal moment where The Governor bashes his head in with an oxygen tank. From there on, the granddaughter, whom Phillip had bonded with, avoids him entirely. Phillip and his new-found family hit the road. He hooks up with the girl’s mama (who has no idea what she’s getting into!) and all seems well. Until their truck breaks down.
Huffing it on foot, they stumble upon a horde and book it. Phillip holds the girl and runs through a field, leaving the sisters in his dust. He stumbles and falls, and we’re all given a surprise as he lands in one of the zombie pits he had made in Woodbury! Separated from his adopted daughter by three walkers, what unfolds is probably the most emotional and visceral fight we’ve seen yet as Phillip fights the undead with his bare hands! It was an awesome scene, and really showed how much he cares for his new family. Upon dispatching the undead, we’re given another shock. Martinez appears above them and swears in surprise as he sees The Governor. The credits roll, and I couldn’t help but wonder what will happen next!
Final Thoughts
All in all, I felt like this was the weakest episode of the season as it was simply too long. However, I think when we see the end result, it’ll make The Governor that much more of a relatable villain. We’re being shown a chance for redemption here. After seeing the terrible things Phillip’s done, it was hard for me to really empathize with the man. However, he has my sympathy as he lost everything that was important to him when the world ended. He now has a “new” wife and daughter. And I think that’s given him the fire in his belly once more to push on and endure. But I think it’s safe to say that he’s going to lose them. Personally, I think that’ll be what pushes him over the edge and brings him to the level of crazy we were shown in the comics. From that perspective, the show has done a fabulous job of really delving into the character and showing his descent into madness. I also loved that The Governor still has shreds of humanity buried deep down. When he burned the picture of him with his wife and daughter, I found it interesting that he burned himself first. That may not be as revealing though as the scene before as he folded the picture, effectively removing himself from it. There’s some loathing and regret going on here. Personally, I feel that it’s possible for him to come back. But he won’t because the tragedy will be that much more palpable. Many would never have gone as far as The Governor did in his efforts to “protect” Woodbury. But we can all recognize the pain he feels from his loss.
I also feel that his unkempt look was a reflection of the inner turmoil – he simply didn’t care. I like that look, as I associate the character with it. However, I think his unkempt appearance meant something – he didn’t care, nor was he in control. In the previous episode, we see a clean-shaven Governor with short hair. He still may be bat-shit crazy, but the fact that his appearance is under control implies that The Governor has a purpose. And as we’ve seen, when the man has purpose, he is a serious threat.
All in all, I’m excited to see where this goes. Will Martinez and Shurman reveal the Governor’s true nature to his family? Or that he lied about his name? Either way, I’m looking forward to where this goes and hope to see The Governor we saw in the comics make his appearance on-screen. Only time will tell! But I think we’re getting there!
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