Hear Ye Hear Ye: A Walking Dead Analysis from the Show’s Biggest Fan

I want to talk about both the show and graphic novels in a duel of comparisons, because this week’s episode deserves that out of my overly-obsessive fanatic composition. I have read and watched almost everything that is Walking Dead related. After long speculation as to whether or not I should read them due to spoilers and pure stubbornness, I gave in. I cannot promise no spoilers whatsoever. On the contrary, Robert Kirkman‘s graphic novels are wildly different from the show.

I had too much to drink on Sunday evening and spent the entire hour the Walking Dead was on talking my mouth off to friends who read the comics in front of friends who did not. I woke up Monday morning, after the hysteria of Hurricane Sandy possibly knocking a tree into my bedroom and a wicked hangover resulting in complete Walking Dead memory loss (other than knowing the Grimes group was not in the episode at all) and was bummed to the max.

This post is a short, two point discussion regarding the most Tweeted and social networked characters in “Walk With Me,” this past Sunday’s episode. Andrea and Merle on opposing forces this week threw viewers a curveball. If you don’t watch the show I hope this post inspires you to tune in, because it is the best thing Sunday’s have to offer, or television alone.

1. Andrea can’t possible trust the Governor (comic spoilers).

In the novels, Michonne is violently raped by the Governor and Andrea isn’t even in the Woodbury scenes- she actually stays behind as a top dog with the group in prison. So things are already different and to my liking. Whether the shows portrays the Governor as a sadistic raper is a question I cannot answer.

The first two times I watched, (because I watch each episode 6ish times), Andrea seemed to have fallen for the idea of a civilized community, one with a leader/food/shelter. Even with the obvious look of uncertainty on Michonne’s face, Andrea seems to be enjoying the comforts of safety. After all, it was her idea to stay in Woodbury even after they had the chance to leave (or did they?) After seriously watching this episode, body language implies that she is sticking around Woodbury because she is unsure on how to leave just yet. She is certain that the community is not all it seems to be- it’s too cookie-cutter perfect for the times. Andrea is either planning something or is afraid for her safety upon leaving. It’s hard to read her plan of attack (or no attack) watching just once, but since the show’s viewers have nothing to back up their predictions, we have to go with the little things- eye rolls, jaw clenches, and my favorite- the uneasy look on her face when the Governor told her in one part of the closing scenes, “You just might like what you see.”

Andrea in the comic/graphic novel is not who she is in this show- just yet. When she watches Dale suffer from being bit, and puts a bullet in his head, it changes her for the long haul. Andrea is a character on the show (like she is in the comic) who won’t be going anywhere just yet. She is more of a woman in this apocalypse than she ever thought she could be, and with Michonne, the comic’s ultimate badass, by her side, the Governor and his goons are in for a fight. Andrea, after Sunday’s episode lets viewers in on what’s to come for her- if you read between the lines- and how vital her role as a fighter will be.

2. Anyone who knows Merle, knows Merle don’t take no orders!

Merle is not in the comics and neither is Daryl. There is nothing to spoil here but I will tell you that Merle is easily analyzed on his season one behavior alone. We know he is a Georgian, a tracker/hunter, a survivor, a foul-mouthed hard-head… a racist, but we also know he doesn’t takes orders; cue the end of episode 3 when he bites back at Milton for smoking in the research room- very reminiscent of old Merle. Remember how pissed the eff off he was on that rooftop on the sole topic of leadership? Remember he called T-Dog the N-word? Remember when he declared he was the leader among a group of about six just because? Now all of a sudden the Governor has him on lock down? And for what, food and shelter? I find it hard to believe Merle needs food and shelter so bad he is bowing down to this Governor. At the end of episode 3 when they shoot-up the remaining military members you can see a look of confusion on Merle’s face as he tries to hide disgust. This is his defining moment; a time when Merle realizes what a corrupt lie Woodbury really is. What’s the reason? I think we will find out but in a long time from now. Do I think Merle will survive this season? No. Do I think the inevitable reunion between him and his brother and the Grimes group will go smoothly? Hell no. But he will adapt after realizing the pure evil of the Gov. Merle will have to choose between fighting with the Governor or against for the rights of that prison; because Daryl will be there, he will find the decision easier. Mark my words.

Sneak peak of epsiode 4: The Killer Within

The Killer Within