AMC’s The Walking Dead, midseason finale was a spectacular episode. So far the gang has been to hell and back trying to seek refuge in a world filled with zombies. Their journey from the CDC in season 2, left them heart-broken and hopeless and now as they embark upon a new journey as guests at on an old Vet’s farmland, the somewhat comfortable life they thought they could get used to has been shattered with shocking new developments. As Lori struggles to deal with learning that she is pregnant, now worries settle in regarding if she really wants to bring up a child in an apocalyptic world, not to mention that she really does not know who her baby’s father is. I adore Rick but there is no doubt in my mind that the baby is Shane’s. I was wondering how long it was going to take for Lori to spill the beans about her and Shane. To my surprise Rick took it pretty well. But I do understand the circumstances. Her quick decision to take the morning after pill was out of sheer panic. I would panic too in a situation like that. On the edge of my seat when my boy Daryl almost got killed, I could barely pull my self to gether. Happy to see him recovering his determination to find and rescue Sophia touched my heart. Not living up to the self-centered redneck bastard that his brother wanted him to be just shows that goodness in others can always push through no matter how dark they may try to appear. Glenn is trying to be a nice guy and experience love, but his new farm girl crush keeps pushing him away. A night of potential passion leads to shock when Glen learns that Walkers are in the barn only a few yards away from the main house. Troubled by keeping secrets he lets the cat out of the bag to Dale. Dale then approaches the old man, and tries to talk some sense into him which does not work. Andrea and Dale’s relationship slowly is in the process of rebuilding. Andrea surprisingly has a sexual encounter with Shane while he is teaching her how to shoot. Dale does have a fatherly intuition and knows things before anyone even opens their mouth.
The search for a missing Sophia continues, and the next thing you know Glenn tells everyone about the Walkers in the barn. Uncomfortable over the news, Rick confronts the Old Man about making the place safe and pleading his case to let them all stay. Viewing the Walkers as people the Old Man does not change his mind about the zombies. Persistent in the concept that Rick and the gang can hold their own out in the world, he eventually tells Rick that he will think about his decision more. Everyone on edge, the Old man gets word that “it’s happened again.” Curious about what his son meant, I know all audience members wanted to know what the heck was going on. Rick is led into the woods by the Old Man and his son, only to find that two Walkers are stuck in a stream struggling to get out. Neighbors as the Old Man looks at it, instructs Rick to help lure them back to the property.
Shane and Dale have an unusual encounter in the woods when Dale makes the stupid decision to try to hide the guns. I am not really a fan of Shane’s but I do like how he operates. He thinks logically. After retrieving the guns and having words with Dale he is quickly back on the farmland. Trying to convince everyone that the place is not safe, he feels that they all must do what they can to survive. Each member of the group that shoots a gun has one in their possession. They all notice that Rick and the Old Man is approaching with two Walkers. This is the point where I lose it. Shane looses it as well. I could not believe that the Old Man was willing to go any lengths to see where Rick’s loyalty lied. As they approach the barn Shane goes ballistic shooting a Walker, trying to show the Old Man that they are not people. He breaks open the doors to the barn and Walkers spill out one by one getting shot in the head. As the last one falls to the ground the sound of one final Walker slowly emerges and it is the missing now fleshing eating zombie Sophia. Stunned over the shock of the girl, mouths are dropped and tears flow. Squirming in my seat, my eyes widened the moment I heard the sound and I knew it was Sophia.
I could not believe that the Old Man caught the girl and was well aware that she was in the barn. What was his purpose for doing that? Giving Carol a false sence of hope? I just do not understand that. Daryl almost lost his life going on a wild goose chase. Maybe he really did think there was a cure for them. I know that Carol is heart-broken and so is Carl. Sophia was the only other child he has been around. The whole gang is distraught over this and I know they have many questions for their host. Betrayed in the worse way I wonder how the gang is going to get over this?
I am looking forward to seeing the continuation of the season, I just hate that we have to wait for February. I saw the book in Barnes and Noble, maybe I will pick it up the next time I go….