‘The Walking Dead’ Review: “Walk With Me”

‘The Walking Dead’ season 3 brings to life its third episode of the season, as Andrea and Michonne happen upon a seemingly idyllic community run by the charismatic Governor (David Morrissey) and a very-much living Merle (Michael Rooker), who have much darker secrets and purposes in studying the zombies than they let on.

Last week’s ‘The Walking Dead’ episode “Sick” saw Hershel’s deadly injury taking a toll on the other survivors, while Rick found himself at odds with their new prison inmate cohabitants, and faced a difficult decision, so what will the latest episode bring?

Read on for your in-depth recap of everything you need to know about ‘The Walking Dead’ season 3 episode 3, “Walk With Me!”

Up in the air, a helicopter full of military soldiers tries, and fails, to reach its unit over the radio.  Just then, the chopper experiences a mid-air breakdown, and goes careening into the trees!  Andrea and Michonne spy the plume of smoke from a distance, and head off to investigate, walkers in tow.

At the crash scene, andrea remains behind while Michonne finds at least two dead bodies  near the chopper, one sliced clean in half!  Several cars pull up, among them The Governor and his men, arriving to survey the scene themselves.  The two women watch from the brush as the Governor puts the dead men out of their misery, while his cronies take out any incoming walkers with melee weapons and a bow and arrow.  When Michonne’s walkers seems to start getting riled and making noise, she decapitates them on the spot, but their efforts to stay hidden fail as they’re confronted by none other than Merle Dixon himself!  A combination of exhaustion and surprise causes Andrea to pass out on the spot.

After drifting in and out of consciousness in a car ride, Andrea wakes in the Woodbury infirmary, guarded and asking questions.  Merle enters to re-introduce himself, seemingly much nicer than we remember, as the pair catch up on their respective experiences, and the fate of Daryl.  Michonne remains wary of their captivity, but Andrea thanks the man for his hospitality.

The Governor himself next steps in, explaining that their weapons were removed to protect their people, and also bringing them up to speed that people turn to walkers regardless of the cause of death.  He leads the pair outside into the empty streets of a well-seeming town, explaining the safety features of Woodbury as they watch heavily armed men take out a few walkers approaching the gates.  The Governor shows them to their accomodations, including everything from food, fresh clothes and a shower, but brushes off questions about the fate of the living-pilot from the helicopter.

The next day, a woman leads Andrea and Michonne around the seemingly idyllic community, even disregarding some of the more savage walker displays outside the town.  Meanwhile in the infirmary, Dr. Stevens and The Governor tend to the wounded helicopter pilot, who explains that while their fort went to hell, 10 men escaped and are waiting for the chopper to return with their convoy.

The Governor next travels to an emptied church, where Merle and the Governor’s aid Milton  have a laboratory set up to examine Michonne’s walkers.  The Governor sends Merle to learn what he can from Andrea, while Milton explains that the creatures lost their ability to eat, in turn losing the interest in doing so, and providing effective camoflauge for the two women out in the wild.  After serving the Governor a mysterious cup of tea, Milton questions the idea of Merle learning what he can from the women, that they might be better served doing it themselves.

The next morning, the pair have Andrea and Michonne over for breakfast, musing about the nature of walkers.  While serving them his mysterious tea, Milton asks Michonne about the identities of her walkers, only for her to instantly freeze up.  The Governor gets them off the subject, and elaborates that Woodbury’s community and purpose have enabled them to survive where other strongholds have failed, while Andrea seems enraptured by his words.

Outside, Michonne still claims not to trust the man, though Andrea fires back that she doesn’t trust anyone.  Andrea presses her companion that they should stay for a few days, and even she doesn’t know about the walkers in her possession, but Michonne once again refuses to elaborate.

Elsewhere, a military convoy surveys the scene when the Governor speedily drives up waving a white flag.  He explains to the men the fate of the chopper and its crew, but catches them off guard by whipping out a pistol and firing!  The Governor’s men all fire at the remaining soldiers from a distance, and he instructs them to gather the supplies and equipment.

Later, the Governor returns to the town and addresses the people, claiming that the men were all dead when he arrived, but the people of Woodbury will honor their sacrifice by being grateful for all they have.  Andrea shares a talk with him after, offering to do her part for the community, and asking the Governor’s real name.  Somewhat flirtaciously, he explains that he never gives it.

That night the Governor drinks in his apartment, with a woman from earlier asleep in his bed, as he looks over a photo of his family and unlocks a secret room.  Inside, the Governor closes the door behind him and reclines in a chair, as we see that the room contains rows of fishtanks filled with zombie heads, including Michonne’s walkers, and the recently-killed helicopter pilot!

The first episode not to be screened for critics initially, 'The Walking Dead's "Walk With Me" certainly delivers some engaging reveals, but largely serves to set up The Governor and Woodbury than progress any of the main plots.  We also get to know Michonne a bit more, but see that she remains closely guarded even to Andrea.  We look forward to learning more about the Governor and his bizarre, sadistic behavior, but for now "Walk With Me" only shows us so much.

Did you get your fill of thrilling zombie killing?  What did you think about the episode? Check out all our other ‘Walking Dead’ season 2 coverage, and join us next week for an all-new episode recap of ‘The Walking Dead’ season 2 episode 4 “Killer Within” on AMC!