Smear yourselves with zombie entrails, everyone, because we’re diving into another episode of the “Walking Dead”. Before we get started, I’m going to try a new format this time. Instead of retelling the events of the episode, I’ll provide a brief summary and continue on to pose the important questions as well as what I personally believe the answers to be. I mean, you’ve already gobbled up the episode if you’re here reading this, so what need is there for me to tell you about it all over again? We’re going to focus on the thoughts that come after.
This week’s episode, “Arrow on the Doorpost”, practically gushed tension from every available pore. The core of the episode revolves around a summit between Rick and the Governor, meeting to work out a peace agreement between their two groups. In reality, they’re meeting only to poke and prod each other in search of weakness. They both know this can only end in bloodshed. We also see some bonding occur between members of the two groups, and the wool beginning to lift from Andrea and Milton’s eyes. A lot of interesting events occur in this episode, so let’s get down to the juicy questions.
Rick, shoot him. Shoot him! Why aren’t you shooting him!? You know you were thinking it, don’t pretend you weren’t. Right when the Governor sauntered out of the shadows, Rick should have put a bullet in his other eye. It would have been amazing, but, unfortunately, there are reasons to not riddle the Governor with bullets at this precise moment. The Governor would have become a martyr and conflict would inevitably be sparked. Chances are the five people waiting outside would have been at each other’s throats at the sound of gunfire too. Most importantly, what would become of the rest of the season? Shoot the Gov now and you might as well just roll credits.
Will Rick go for the Governor’s deal and give him Michonne to make peace? I certainly hope not. I can see why Rick is considering it, though. While Michonne is a great ally and an excellent fighter, betraying her could potentially save the lives of everyone else in the group, children especially. Having said that, I have faith that Rick will make the right decision and reject the offer. We already know the Governor has no intention of honoring the deal. As soon as Rick’s group arrives, he plans to gun them all down and take Michonne prisoner. Presumably to torture her. He’s not a nice man.
What’s the deal with Andrea? Hershel offered Andrea the chance to come back to Rick’s group, no strings attached, but instead returns to Woodbury again. I think, at this point, Andrea knows she belongs in Rick’s group. I have a hunch she’s returning to Woodbury as a double agent, planning to weaken the Governor’s position from the inside. Especially since she knows what the Governor did to Maggie now. It’ll be nice to see Andrea going back to her hardened gunslinger roots instead of all this diplomat nonsense.
What would be the ideal resolution to this conflict? Honestly, the Governor’s death is required to achieve any sort of peace, but he has to be dethroned in a specific manner to avoid further, unnecessary violence. We’ve seen that the majority of the Governor’s people aren’t nearly as psychotic and bloodthirsty as he is. And as he becomes more unhinged, his people begin to become suspicious. The web of lies he weaves to keep his people scared and loyal can only last so long. If this web is unraveled, the Governor’s own people are very likely to rise up against him. Even Milton, the Governor’s right hand man, is beginning to realize how horrible a man his leader is. If Woodbury ousts the Governor, there is a significant chance of peaceful coexistence with Rick’s group.
If the Governor has to die, who should do the deed? A lot of people say Maggie or Michonne should have the honor of skewering ol’ one-eye. Maggie because of the near rape, Michonne because of the attempted murder. Personally, I’d love to see Milton do it. Solely because the Governor would never see it coming. He regards Milton as the most harmless thing on the planet, his most trusted and meek servant. Milton and Andrea should join forces and turn the Governor’s people against him. I would find that especially satisfying.
I believe this was the calm before the storm episode. We should expect to see things escalate quickly from here on out. If you have comments or think I’ve missed an important question or two, I’d love to hear from you. Otherwise, I’ll see you fine folk next week. Now go shower.
