The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 15 Recap: "This Sorrowful Life"

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 15 "This Sorrowful Life"
Rick with Hershel and Daryl at prison grounds.

Rick, Daryl and Hershel talks among themselves. It's almost time to meet the Governor. Rick plans to save the rest of the group by giving in to the Governor's demand, that is, to surrender Michonne to him.

Rick went to talk to Merle. Rick talked about choices. He wants his help to capture Michonne quietly and take her to the meeting place with the Governor. Merle now knows that Rick don't have the guts to do it and that is why Rick ask for his help.   

Carl and Maggie makes noises to lure the zombies on the field and let the truck pass through the field. Daryl, Michonne and Glenn are inside the truck.

In the cell block, Carol talks to Merle. She wanted to know if Merle is with them. She wanted Merle to pick a side. Merle said that Carol is different since they met the first time. He describe her as a late bloomer. Carol thinks the same with Merle.

Carol to Merle: "Are you with us?"

Outside, Daryl talks to Glenn about Merle. He asked for forgiveness for Merle.  Glenn is not that forgiving. Not yet.

Daryl looks for Merle. He talks about Rick's plans and if Merle is with them.  Merle ask what happened to Daryl. He wants to understand why his brother care for these people more than his brother. Daryl ask what happen to Glenn and Maggie at Woodbury. Merle said he only did the dirty work for the Governor. Merle left and picks up the phone and put it in his bag.

Hershel reads the bible to her daughters. Outside, Rick prepares some wire. He looks up towards the sun. He saw Lori, up at the observation deck, looking at him. Rick comes inside and said to Hershel that he can't do the plan to give up Michonne.

Merle and Michonne is in the inner prison clearing our some walkers still roaming inside. Merle knocks out Michonne and  tied her with some rope. 

Merle led Michonne outside. Merle use Michonne's sword to kill and approaching walker. More walkers move around them.

Rick notice Merle and Michonne are gone. Daryl went out to track his brother and Michonne

Glenn talks to Hershel.  He holds with his hand the watch that Hershel gave. He ask Hershel's approval to marry Maggie. Hershel is happy about it.

Merle ties Michonne to a post. Then he rig a nearby car. He sets off the car's alarm.

Then walkers started to come attracted by the noise. Michonne is force to defend herself from the attack. 

Merle let Michonne loose. Then they drive off to escape the walkers. Michonne talks some sense out of Merle. She wants to know what kind of man Merle is.

Michonne to Merle: "We can just go back."

Glenn is outside inspecting some zombie. He cut off a zombie finger, taking the ring on it.

Michonne argues with Merle in the car. She wants him to abandon his plans and  for them to go back to the prison. Merle said he can't. He cut off Michonne's bond. He let her our the car and gave her sword back. He drove off.

Daryl caught up to Michonne. She said Merle let her go.  Daryl went his way to look for his brother.

Merle is in the abandoned factory. He is in the car drinking The car stereo is on. The zombies, attracted by the noise, approach the car. He drives off, luring the zombies as he goes. The zombies followed him. He jump out of the car and into the building.

The Governor and his men saw the car and the zombie mob. They started shooting on the zombies. Merle started shooting on them. Then a zombie attack Merle. This force Merle out of hiding. They captured him and the Governor bets him up. They went into  heated argument. The Governor pointed a gun at Merle.

Glenn gave Maggie the ring. She was happy with the engagement gift.

Rick meet them all. He explain what the Governor's deal was. He wanted to give up Michonne, but he changed his mind. Merle carried  out the plan instead and now Daryl is in pursuit.  Rick apologize to the group for not prioritizing their safety. He said to the group that he is not the prison's governor. Now, he wants the group to vote on whether to stay fighting or go on the road to find safer place.

Rick is up the tower where he saw Michonne approach the prison.

Daryl is in the abandoned factory compound looking for Merle. He saw Merle, crouching on a dead man. He is feeding on the carcass. He turned. Daryl is in total anguish. Merle was no more. Merle, the walker, looked at him with hungry eyes. He then charged at Daryl. Daryl pulled his wits out and stabbed his zombie brother repeatedly. Merle lie on the ground in his own pool of zombie blood while Daryl cried for the lost of his good older brother.

...

The episode revolves the people at prison and how they are preparing for the war with Woodbury. Even though how close-knit they were, relationships within the group needs a lot of ironing out. 

The conflict within Rick is quite clear. He struggles between his decision of sacrificing Michonne for the safety of the rest of the group. He has done that in the past when he killed his best buddy, Shane for the sake of the group. Now he asks Merle and Daryl to help him deliver Michonne to the Governor. It does seem the logical choice in such a dire time. But his conscience nor his dead wife, Lori, wont let him rest until he finds another way to sort things out.

The Walking Dead 3 :"This Sorrowful Life" of Merle

Clearly, Merle's role here is to do other's dirty work. He done bad things for the Governor back at Woodbury. He does the job without remorse and without thinking of the consequences. That is how 'rotten to the core' he was. Now he is doing what Rick is not willing to do. 

However, we find that Merle has soften a bit since his stay with his brother's adopted family. There was that instance when Carol said that he is a late bloomer too. And the lengthy on the road discussion with Michonne seems to show that Merle suffers the same conflict as Rick's. It is fun to see Michonne try to save her life not with her sword but with words. In the end, Merle had a change of heart and let Michonne go back to prison. 

Merle even went further by facing The Governor and his men alone. He instantly turned from bad guy to hero. He didn't succeed in killing the Governor but he did manage to trim down his army, hopefully, to even out the playing field a bit in favor of the prison folks. Merle did all of this for his brother. But sadly he had to die. I, for one, would have liked to see more of Merle in action fighting side by side with Rick and Daryl. That was a touching goodbye moment between zombie Merle and Daryl. He surely be missed.

It is not all sad moments in this episode. We saw Glenn and Maggie got engaged. It is good to know that they look forward to life together despite the threat of death. We also see democracy restored as Rick let go of being the governor of the prison. So what will the future hold for the this group and their adversary at Woodbury. We will soon find out on next week's season ending finale.

Sneak Peek to Episode 16 "Welcome to the Tombs"

The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 14: "Prey" Recap

The Walking Dead 3 "Prey":
Milton asks Andrea to escape from Woodbury.

A little flashback when Andrea and Michonne are still camping together with Michonne's chained up zombie goons. The zombie goons are a touchy subject to Michonne.  "They deserve what they got. They weren't humans to begin with." was the only relevant explanation Andrea got from Michonne. 

Moving forward, the Governor is testing his own chains inside his torture chamber. Outside, the Governor's men are preparing a lot of arms. Andrea came to investigate.

Milton went to see the Governor who's busy in his torture workshop. He ask him to let bygones be bygones and have reconciliation with the people at the prison. The Governor won't budge an inch from his lust for revenge against Michonne.

Milton talks about it with Andrea. He relays what the Governor wants and that is to capture Michonne and deal with the prison inhabitants. He plans to kill them all. Milton wants Andrea to escape and warn the people there. However, Andrea has other plans and that is to kill the Governor. Milton would not let her. He is still loyal to the Governor.  Andrea has no choice but to leave Woodbury.

Martinez took Andrea's guns. The Governor talks to Andrea about it. He wants Andrea safe and present when they talk to Rick again.

Tyreeses and her sister, Sasha, are on patrol at the walls. They are target practicing with some zombies. Andrea came to escape over the wall. Tyreese tried to stop her. But Andrea wanted to leave and warns Tyreese that the Governor is mad. Tyreese let her go. He can't stop andrea from leaving. 

Tyreese report Andrea's escape to the Governor.  The governor recalls to them how they first find Andrea and that the is concern for her well-being.  The Governor said that he will try to find Andrea and bring her back. He then ask Tyreese's group to help Martinez with some tasks.

The Governor set forth to pursue Andrea. Milton tried to stop the Governor. The Governor now knew then that Milton and Andrea been talking behind his back and that Andrea now know what his plans are.

Tyreese and his group is going on a mission with Martinez. Tyreese and Allen are arguing with each other over Andrea's escape. Allen wants to stay in Woodbury and he don't want Tyreese righteous intentions to ruin it for him and his son.

The Walking Dead 3 "Prey":
Andrea's Last Stand with the Governor.

Andrea went in the woods to evade the Governor's car running down the highway. She's been cornered by walkers at a tree. Luckily, she escaped them using only her knife.

Martinez and the group are in a holding area full of walker. The Governor plans to use the walkers as weapons against the people at the prison. Tyreese doesn't agree with the plans to attack the prison folks using walkers. They have a fight about it especially with Allen who don't want to risk getting thrown out of Woodbury.

Andrea is on an open field. The Governor spot her and went after her on a car. Andrea escaped into the woods. She came into some abandoned buildings. The Governor's car approaches. She went inside to hide.

Inside the building, Andrea looks for a good hiding place. She trip on some buckets and made a lot of noise. This alerted the Governor to where she is at. The Governor whistles and this stirred up zombies inside the building.  Andrea is on dangerous grounds. 

Andrea stayed still in the hopes to evade the Governor and the walkers. The Governor tried to talk her out of her hiding place. When it didn't work, he broke the glass windows with a shovel to bring her out into hiding.

The Governor is getting close to where she is. Zombies starts to emerge one by one. Andrea is trap between a door full of walkers and the Governor. She choose to enter a room of walkers to escape. She left the Governor with the walker mob.

Back at Woodbury, someone gauge the zombies with gasoline and burned them.

Andrea is inches near the prison but the Governor out of nowhere caught her and pinned her on the ground.

Rick was on patrol but didn't see anything

Someone saw the zombies burned.

The Walking Dead 3 "Prey"
Tyreese and Sasha on happy times.

The Governor came back from his search mission. Martinez  told him that someone have burned the walkers in the pit. The Governor report back that he didn't find Andrea.

The Governor talks to Tyreese's group. He suspect them of sabotaging their plans.

The Governor meet up with Milton. He ask about Andrea and then the pit of biters. The Governor is suspicious of Milton as well.

At the Governor's torture chamber, Andrea is gag and bound, waiting for the Governor's return.

After thoughts:

After an intense week involving the Governor and Rick, we find this episode solely dedicated to the main characters at Woodbury.

The Governor is dead set in his plan to kill all the prison folks and have his revenge over Michonne.  Andrea now knows her suspicions are true that the Governor is mad in his revenge towards Michonne.

Milton is coming into his own.  He tries to work things out with Andrea to set things right at Woodbury. Milton even took Andrea to the balcony area of the Governor's torture chamber and watch the mad man do his work. But Milton stopped Andrea when she seize the opportunity to kill the Governor. This is a big mistake. Nevertheless, we now know that Milton is not on the Governor's side anymore. He even did a little sabotaging on his own by burning those zombies at the pit. What would happen to Milton now that the Governor knows his game?

At the abandoned building when Andrea release a zombie mob towards the Governor, how could he escape that? Whether he is superman or just running on pure adrenalin, the Governor is unstoppable at the moment.  Would Rick be able to stop such a mad and powerful nemesis?

What would happen to Andrea now that she is totally bound under the torturous hands of the Governor? Has the Governor totally lost his sanity and continue this deathly dance with her beloved Andrea?

What about Tyreese and Sasha? Will they sit still at Wooodbury or defect back to the other side to help Rick's group? We will soon find out in the coming last two episodes of the season.

Sneak Peek: "This Sorrowful Life"

The Walking Dead 3x15 Sneak Peek "This Sorrowful Life"

The Walking Dead 3x15 Sneak Peek 2 "This Sorrowful Life"

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 13 Recap: Arrow on the Door Post

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 13 "Arrow on the Door Post"

Rick, Hershel and Daryl arrive on an undisclosed place. Rick and Daryl went in while Hershel stay in the car with arms ready. They are in an abandoned factory compound of some sort. 

Rick went inside a warehouse as if waiting for someone.

The Governor appears and hold his hands up to Rick. Finally the two leaders meet face-to-face to talk about their differences.

Rick don't trust the smooth talking man in front of him. "You are dead to us", said Rick. The Governor removes his guns and sits by the table. The table has a gun taped at the side of it

The Governor of Woodbury

Daryl, Hershel, Martinez and Milton camp outside.  Then Andrea came. She went in to try to mitigate between the two leaders.

At prison, Merle, Glenn, Carl, Maggie, Carol, Beth and Michonne waits and discusses among themselves what options there is after the negotiation happening at the warehouse.

Back at the abandoned factory, Rick tries to negotiate their boundaries. The Governor, on the other hand, only wants Rick's full surrender. Rick gets frustrated with the Governor's stubbornness and confronts Andrea about it.

The Governor said Andrea has no position to negotiate. Both men asks Andrea to leave. When she left, the Governor tells his own version of Maggie and Glenn's abduction.  The Governor wanted Rick to see the evil among his group. Rick only sees the devil in the Governor. The Governor brought out whiskey.

Outside, Milton talks to Rick's friends. He ask them about their camp. He explains that he record things for history sake. 

Then zombies around the factory attack them. Andrea, Daryl and Martinez wipe them all out. Daryl and Martinez bond over killing the zombies. Milton and Hershel and Milton also connected with similar experiences. Milton  ask about how Hershel lost his leg. He wanted to see his leg. Hershel decline the offer to become Milton's test subject.

The governor drinks while he talks with Rick about her wife. He lost her in an accident. Rick drank some of the whiskey too. 

At the prison,  Merle prepares some guns. He wants to go to the meeting place.  Glenn tries to stop him as this can get Rick and his companions into trouble. Maggie help his boyfriend contain Merle. There was a struggle. Beth breaks up the fight with a warning shot pointed towards the ceiling. 

Andrea is crying. Hershel came over to console her. She asks about Maggie. Hershel answers, 'The governor is a sick man'. Andrea wants to leave Woodbury. Hershel said she is welcome at prison.

The Governor knows Rick has many guns. However, he will continue his assault unless Rick gives him what he wants. The Governor wants Michonne turn over to him.

Merle talks to Michonne about his plans to kill the governor. Michonne didn't want part of it as this will endanger Andrea. She walks away.

Glenn is on the watch outside. Maggie joins her. They talk about what happened at Woodbury and reconciled. Glenn can't make out while the zombies outside are watching. So, they closed the gates to have a their intimate moment in private.

Rick talks to the governor about his vendetta with Michonne. He wants assurance that the Governor keeps his word. The Governor tells Rick he can have anything he ask if he turns Michonne in. The Governor wants rick to think about it in two days.

The Negotiation to Nowhere.

The Governor left with his men. Andrea went with the Governor's car. Rick left with Daryl and Hershel back to prison. 

At Woodbury, the Governor reveals his plans to Martinez. He wants Rick's group dead when they turn Michonne in. He told Milton but not Andrea.

Rick talks to his group.  Rick said the governor wants the prison and that he wants them dead. They have no choice but to defend themselves and the prison.

Hershel talks to Rick in private about their options. He wanted to have their chances on the road, but he will abide by the groups decision to go to war. Rick told Hershel the Governor's conditions. Hershel ask why Rick didn't tell the rest about the Governor's terms. Rick wants the group scared so that they accept the situation.

Hershel said that Michonne now part of the group. Hershel knows they owe Michonne when she told what happened to Glenn and Maggie. Rick talks to Hershel about handing Michonne to the Governor, hoping he can talk him out of it.

Some after thoughts:

Finally, Rick met his adversary. He finally saw what a liar the Governor is. Yet I find it puzzling that Rick still considers to give in to the Governor's demands to turn over Michonne to him. I hope Rick is thinking straight now and not fall into this devious trap.

Michonne is in hot waters. The Governor wants her really bad, bad enough to sacrifice the lives of the Woodbury folks just to pry her from Rick's protection. The Governor wants revenge for what she did to his eyes and zombified daughter. 

I think Merle is the only sane person at this point. I think Rick should let him go with his plan to assassinate the Governor. But I think Daryl would not let him do this all by himself.

Andrea should have gone with Rick's group. She had that chance when they were at the negotiations. I think it would be difficult for her to escape Woodbury now that the Governor intends to kill all her friends.

Sneak peek to Episode 14 "Prey"

The Walking Dead 3x14 Sneak Peek "Prey"

The Walking Dead 3x14 Sneak Peek #2 "Prey"

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 12: Clear Recap

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 12 "Clear"

Rick, Michonne and Carl travels back to their hometown of King Country, Georgia. Rick didn't want to leave Michonne at the prison because Merle was there. Somehow, he needs to know more of this woman who's been too silent all this time. 

Someone is screaming for help. A backpacker runs towards them. They ignore him and drive off. 

They drive into the deserted town and went to the police station.  They found no guns. This frustrated Rick. They have to find guns. They need guns. 

Outside, Rick saw something.  A barricade!  Lots of stuff oddly placed on the road.  A walker moves towards them then got trapped in the maze. Then someone shot it.

A gunman is on the roof.  They exchange fires. Carl shot the masked gunman. The gunman was out. He was wearing a bulletproof vest. Rick unmask him. He was a familiar face.

Rick, with Carl, found Morgan still alive!

The gunman saved Rick's life before. Rick recalls that he has a son. They watch out for booby-traps. There were lots of trip wires, spikes  and, inside where the gunman lived, they saw piles of ammo. There were also a lot of writings on the wall. Rick saw something.  He pick it up and it was a two-way radio receiver.

Rick said that they will wait for him to wake up. Michonne didn't want to. She wanted to take half of the guns and go.

Rick insist on waiting. Carl saw a drawing of the neighborhood on the walls. It says there that Rick's house was burned down. Then he saw KCC on the map. Carl wanted to walk around the town and look for a crib for Julie. It was their old neighborhood after all. Rick relented only if Michonne goes with him. 

A few walkers followed them. Michonne takes on one. Carl seize opportunity to the give her a slip. She saw him sneak off and caught him. They went pass the baby store. He said to Michonne that he needed to take care of something else alone. Michonne reluctantly relented, but still followed the boy.

Rick is watching out for his old friend. Morgan woke up and charged at Rick. Morgan is delirious.  He thought Rick was one of the walkers wearing a dead man's face. In the struggle, he stab Rick on the chest. Rick pointed a gun at him. Morgan pleaded Rick to kill him.

Rick recalled their past. Morgan began to remember. He expected Rick to contact him everyday with the radio but Rick did not. Rick said he's sorry that he wasn't able to do. He found Lorie and Carl; and he had to protect them constantly.

Rick tries to knock some sense into Morgan.

Morgan remembered his wife. She turned and he wasn't able to kill her. So, one day, his turned wife killed their son, Duane. He wasn't able to save his son from his walker wife. That drive him to insanity.

Morgan: "Your boy, is he dead?"
Rick: "No."
Morgan: "No? He will be. He is like you, the good people. They always die. And the bad people do too. But the weak people. People like me. We have inherited the Earth."

Carl wants to do something and Michonne wanted to help. They went inside King Country Cafe. There are many walker there. They tried to distract them with rats. But there were too many walkers and had to escape out. Michonne went back in and got the picture frame of Carl's family for Julie and a cat decor for herself.

Michonne hands Carl his family photo.

Rick wants Morgan to come with him to prison. Morgan didn't want to come. He knows Rick needs more gun but he don't want to witness anymore bloodshed. Morgan gave him the guns instead. Rick, once more, persuade him to come with them. Morgan stayed. He said he have to clear.

Carl and Michonne returned carrying a crib. Carl said sorry to Morgan for shooting him. Morgan said, "Don't ever be sorry".

They started to head back to prison, their home.

Michonne said she knows Rick see things.  Dead people. She seems to understand. She said she use to talk to her dead boyfriend. Rick let Michonne drive because he see things. As they drive away, they see lots of bloodied dead corpses, including the backpacker's corpse they saw alive earlier.  They picked up his backpack lying on the street. They continued driving towards home.

My after thoughts from the Episode:

I think Rick needed this trip. He reconnected with his son Carl and also with Michonne. He even got a big bonus. He reconnected with an old friend, Morgan. He realized he is not alone. In the zombie world, the past haunts everyone. Some see ghost of their loved ones. Rick realized this and had to deal with it somehow. Morgan is also haunted by his past. He is struggling to find a way to deal with his dead wife and son by being alone. It's his choice. He doesn't want to be saved.

Rick on the other hand needs to resolve his own demons because others depends on him, especially his son, Carl and baby Julie. It's good that he get to spend time with his son Carl. Carl has dealt with the lost if his mother more strongly than Rick. For God sake,  Carl shot his mother after she died so that she won't turn. What could be any braver than that? 

Carl has become a brave boy in a very scary place. He did many brave things and going inside a bar filled with walkers is one of it. Lucky for him, Michonne was there to help him do it. He wanted that family photo so he can see his mother's face again. And it was for Julie too, so that she can see her mother too.

Morgan wasn't able to do that with her own wife and that lead to the lost of his son. 

Rick has to move on with the lost of Lorie. Like any one else does. Like Hershel who has lost his daughter, Carol who lost Sophia. Michonne also mentioned that she saw his dead boyfriend from time to time. She had peace with it somehow.

Rick got a wake up call in this episode. Its time for him to make peace with the dead and start living for the living. After all things made clear, is Rick ready to face the Governor?

Here is  a sneak peek.

The Walking Dead 3x13 Promo

"Arrow on the Doorpost"

The Walking Dead 3x13 Sneak Peek

"Arrow on the Doorpost"

The Walking Dead 3 Episode 11: Ain't A Judas Recap

The Walking Dead Season 3: Ain't A Judas

Rick's dysfunctional group discuss their situation and options. Merle stays on a separate cell block. Hershel wants rick to wake up from his depression. 

Carl talks to his father alone. He wants him to back off and let Hershel and Daryl led the camp for now until he recovers. 

The Governor discuss with Milton about Woodbury's able body populace for war. Andrea came in and ask what happened at prison. The Governor said they were attack while extending a hand of peace. He wants Woodbury ready for an attack. Andrea seems powerless to stop it.

Glenn wants Merle out. Hershel wants Merle to stay. The group needs Merle for his combat experience. Hershel talks some sense into Merle. 

The governor recruits Woodbury folks to arms.

Carol talks to Daryl. She's glad he came back home. She advice him not to let his brother weigh him down.

Andrea wants to investigate further what happened at prison. She ask Milton for help to contact her prison friends.

The Walking Dead: An Eye for an Eye, The Governor of Woodbury

The Governor inspects his damaged eye. Milton told him of Andrea's plan to meet her prison buddies. The governor told him to help her do what she wants.

A walker wonders around the woods. Milton and Andrea captures and pinned it down. Andrea hacks its arm. Then she lets it bite a rock until it broke its teeth. Tyrese and company came in and saw them.

Merle talks to Michonne for a reconciliation. Carol was there listening.

Tyrese and company goes with Milton to Woodbury. Andrea goes to prison lead by the walker. She ask rick to open the gate. Rick inspects Andrea. He ask if she's alone. "Welcome back" says Rick.

Andrea reunites with old friends. They told her what happened while she was away. She stated her intentions in coming. She wants to bring two groups together. Woodbury is getting ready for war. She wants them to talk to Phillip (the Governor). However, Rick and the group don't trust her boyfriend. Rick wants access to Woodbury. Andrea refuse because of the innocent people there.

Andrea and Michonne talks. They argue for a while. Then Michonne said the Governor sent Merle to kill her after she left Woodbury. She also told Andrea that she choose a warm bed for a friend.

The Governor welcomes Tyrese group to Woodbury. They disclosed how they were in the prison and that they are willing to help them fight against Rick and the prison folks.

Andrea met Julie and cradled the baby in her arms. She found out from Carol what happened to Lorie and Shane. Carol ask her to kill the governor in his sleep.
Andrea is leaving. 

Rick gave her a car and a gun. 

Andrea returns to Woodbury. She talks to the Governor. He ask if Michonne, Merle and Rick was there. She said she went back in her own will. The Governor says she belongs here. They get cozy again and find themselves hugging and kissing.

At prison, everything is quiet. Beth started to sing. Rick is holding Julie. Everybody listens. They were hoping for Andrea's 'negotiations' with the Governor push through. Rick plans to do scouting tomorrow. Daryl wants to come. Rick ask him to stay at camp to watch over his brother. Carl is on guard outside. 

Andrea rise from the Governors bed. She picks up a knife from her pocket and pointed it her bed mate. But she wasn't able to kill him as plan.

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Matthew 5:29-30
29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 

30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.