#TheWalkingDead - Mid Season Finale

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Prior to the mid season finale of the Walking Dead I felt I had the attitude of most fans. An  anticipation if you would of outrageous cliff hangers to come. I was almost pessimistic as I feared this would just be a blow hard "setup" episode leaving the nation awaiting an epic battle of good vs evil aka Rick and the gang against the Governor's new militia. Although the inevitable cliff hangers  and the dreaded  soap operatic scenes were present in this latest episode, fortunately for us the fans so was the edge of your seat suspense action sequences. In fact this episode was so powerful, so unexpected it may have been the best to date in this unbelievable one of a kind series.

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If you missed even a second of this latest edition I warn you. This may not be a good blog for you. To much transpired in just one hour to glance over this episode.  As we all knew the Governor (David Morrissey) was leading his new survival group full speed ahead at the prison occupied by the main cast. However right from the opening credits the writers left us gasping in disbelief. Few anticipated the Governor would take capture of both Hershel (Scott Wilson) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) in efforts to seize the prison.  After a few heart to hearts and discussions over right and wrong between various characters the Governor positioned his crew and their tank outside the prison fences leaving his new family isolated by a river bed for their protection. However while the Governor is off playing war his new instant family was destroyed. As if that wasn't enough the mad leader led his people into a slaughter, killing most including himself and destroying the prison.

The battle began after Rick (Andrew Lincoln) tried to talk sense into the militia outside the prison fences. Enraged and realizing he might loose his people to reason, the Governor took action beheading the beloved Hershel. From there, chaos ensued. Rick's gang a fire on the Governor. Many were lost in this heart pounding epic fight. While shots rang through the air the residents of the prison evacuated away from the battle by bus leaving the warriors behind.

As the episode ended there was no to be continued moment. No dreaded will they or wont they scenario. Just a total cluster of chaos and possibilities. Give the writers credit for once again keeping the audience on it's heels and repainting the story. All the major characters are now separated from each other in a grim and once again hopeless mind set. The evacuating bus for instance left with the sick who are no were near ready to be back on their feet. Among those on the bus is Glenn (Steven Yeun) now  apart from his fiance Maggie (Lauren Cohan). She has her own issues as she found herself with the sick Sasha ( Sonequa Martin- Green) and Stookey (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) who also was suffering from a bullet wound of his own. Michonne seemed to have dispersed in her own direction after stabbing the Governor. Tyreese (Chad Coleman) found himself saved by the little orphan girls who so carelessly abandoned the infant Judith. Armed and dangerous Tyreese is now the father and survival figure to the little women. Daryl (Norman Reedus) narrowly escaped the feud and headed off with Beth (Emily Kinney). Lastly the good sheriff Rick and his son Carl limped off into the forest away from the prison. Rick was shot in the leg and beaten to near death by the Governor. Lost and separated from each other the group is danger of loosing one another and themselves. All this has left the writer with endless possibilities and us the viewer in a different kind of anticipation.  Leaving us to explore in our imaginations and conversations the possibilities.

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Characters Lost

Hershel - The kind hearted voice of reason and savior to the sick is gone. Beheaded by the Governor as a ploy to incite a battle. Warmed by Rick's  words of togetherness and reason Hershel had an unforgettable look of peace on his face when the blade was taken to his throat. Fans were shocked and saddened by the characters death. Once an ignorant farmer solely relying on his faith to see his family through the zombie apocalypse, Hershel grew into a leader. Speaking of morality and harmony his character was relatable  even in the non zombie plagued world.

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The Governor - Killed eventually by his new love interest Judy it was Michonne's blade through the chest that put the evil mad man down. It was clear quickly that his lust for power and revenge far out weighed anything or anyone else. His attack on the prison was said to be for his group's protection, yet that could not have been further from the truth. His reality was not shared with others. "I will not loose you again" he said to Judy. Blending his past life into his current situation. His reaction to Meghan's (who he visioned as his own daughter, his so called reason for life) death portrayed just how far his mind was demented.

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Judith Grimes - Whether she was Shane's baby or Rick's it appears she is no longer alive. Rick and son Carl found at the end of the episode  her car seat empty soaked in blood. Leaving us to believe that the young infant was eaten by walkers. This will undoubtedly take it's toll mentally on the surviving Grimes men.

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A Look at Hershel Greene

Sneak Peek