February 11th, 2013
12:24 PM ET
"The Walking Dead" is finally back and not a moment too soon.
It's been a long couple of months wondering what might become of the Dixon brothers, as they were both captured by the Governor with the townsfolk chanting for their deaths.
So, without further ado, here are the big moments from Sunday night's mid-season premiere.
1. Dixon brother against brother
The Governor decided to give the people what they want: a fight to the death between Daryl and Merle. He told Merle this was his last opportunity to show his loyalty. At first, it seemed Merle would do anything to survive in this situation, including possibly killing his own brother. But it was all part of the plan - he intended to get both of them out of this situation alive.
They got some unexpected help from Rick, Maggie and the others, whose smoke bombs gave the Dixons enough cover to escape.
2. Daryl and Merle set off on their own
However, the reunion was short-lived after Merle spilled a ton of exposition on Rick's group, especially the whereabouts of Andrea, her relationship with the Governor and her connection to Michonne. Finally, Rick heard quite enough from Merle and knocked him out.
Daryl decided to leave with his brother. Somehow I think they'll be just fine on their own, but there's no way we've heard the last of them.
3. Andrea confronts the Governor
After dealing with residents attempting to flee town, and the new phenomenon of "biter" attacks in the middle of Woodbury (one of which ended with the Governor coldly shooting a bitten man in the head), Andrea told him the townsfolk needed his leadership.
He responded that they were on their own, because this is war. He also dropped the bomb on her that Glenn and Maggie had been kidnapped by Merle and "her friends" killed several people in town the night before.
Now I realize that this is a desperate situation, but I think most people in Andrea's shoes would drop the Governor, and pack their bags. We'll see if she finally does that next week, but I have my doubts, judging from the promos.
4. Glenn and Rick have it out
As what remained of the group got ready to return to the prison, Glenn argued with Rick over the fact that the Governor was left alive.
Rick responded that their rescue was the only reason they went to Woodbury.
Glenn again said that the Governor deserved to die after what he did to Maggie.
I have a feeling this division among the group will come to a head in the next few weeks.
5. Rick loses it
It was made pretty clear during the "phone call" episode that the loss of Rick's wife was the final straw for his sanity.
Sure, he doesn't trust Michonne and wants her gone as soon as possible, but he also seemed to have no bond with his child when he saw him for the first time (though I had to smile at her makeshift crib), and he showed nothing less than contempt for Tyrese's group upon meeting them.
Things really got bad, though, when he hallucinated a faceless woman (Lori?) in the shadows looking back down at them, pulled out a gun and started ranting and raving. Tyrese and his people left the room, while the rest looked on in horror.
How will our group of survivors ever be able to take on the Governor, when their leader has gone cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs? And what did you think of last night's episode overall?
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