By and large, the events of the season’s finale, ‘Beside the Dying Fire,’ play into the idea of having a complete story arc contained within the runtime of a single episode. That’s not to say the episode didn’t leave plenty to speculate on, it certainly did, but those were glimpses of things to question and hold on to during the wait for season 3.
Episode 13 starts with a glimpse of how exactly the zombies got to Hershels farm, I really loved this sequence mainly for the fact it was freaking awesome to watch and we got to see a city again (yey!).
It then kicks in pretty much straight away into the action of Rick just about to explain what happened to Shane then BAM zombies! This episode was just what us fans love mindless zombie killing, the calamity of the situation is as compelling as anything The Walking Dead has so far put on screen, and with the back-to-back deaths of Dale and Shane, it’s nice to see the show hadn’t lost its stomach for further thinning of the proverbial herd. Jimmy and Patricia arguably had to depart, as their roles in the series were never really established. T-Dog finally got some time on the screen after not doing much this series, despite him not doing much I really love his character I loved how they linked to the start with T-Dog pretty much saying "lets go everyones dead we cant go back" which he did in episode 1 with Dale saying they should leave before the others get back maybe forshadowing future events.
With their numbers depleted, ammunition scarce and the safety and security of Hershel’s farm completely jeopardized, the group separates and flees. Rick, Hershel and Carl are the first to arrive back where this storyline began: the crowded highway on which the group lost Sophia. There is a moment where Rick seriously considers making a run for it with just Carl by his side, but other survivors do end up turning up just before he goes. It seems like everyones back safe but wait? where is Andrea? oh thats right she got left behind and now is being chased by dozens of walkers. Andrea fights tooth-and-nail to survive, and although she is overwhelmed with exhaustion and nearly consumed by a single walker, Michonne (character featured from comic) comes to save her with her 2 iconic zombies by her side.
Meanwhile Rick reveals what Jenner in season 1 whispered in his ear, that everyone is already infected you die, you become a zombie, regardless of being bit or scratched by the undead. The group replies by saying "why didnt you tell us" but Rick says it was for the good of the group.
Just to kick him while he’s down, Lori responds negatively to Rick’s account of Shane’s death. The season finale ends as it began, with a solid tease. The helicopter seen in the beginning of the episode was as intriguing than the glimpse of the prison standing a short distance from where the group had stopped for the night. And with that tease comes a clearer indication of what can be expected from season 3, which certainly works to end season 2 on a positive note.
Altogether fantastic episode, great ending and really helps get me hyped for season 3
this episode gets 10/10 best of the season.
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