As we prepare for tomorrow’s episode of AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” episode four, ‘Killer Within’, still haunts us – what was perhaps the most powerful episode of the serie (so far) also proved that this is all about survival; no one is safe, not even a main character.

Viewers were treated to both high-intensity battle at the prison as well as conspiracy at the hands of the Governor in Woodbury.

But it was the death of Lori which really defined episode four of “The Walking Dead”s third season.

In an AMC interview with Sarah Wayne Callies, the 35-year-old actress behind Lori Grimes, Rick’s guilt-ridden wife, talked about her character’s emotional departure. “I was nervous because I was expecting it to hurt, but I was so proud of Chandler [Riggs] and proud to say I was a part of helping to build that show. I think Lori’s death did justice to that; she was a remarkable and powerful woman and she was given a remarkable and powerful death.”

She also revealed that the cast has a ritual for the departing cast members; “We started having death dinners for everyone who got killed off the show beginning in Season 1. After some one’s last episode, all the actors would go out to dinner together and raise a glass to them. Those dinners became a big tradition.”

The other, admittedly less important, demise, was the death of T-Dog, a character who splits opinions because of his passive involvement and zero character development. While some saw him as a token black man, others as their quiet favorite, people who know the comic have sporadically assumed that T-Dog is the watered down version of the character Tyrese. This assumption was partly negated in March when producer Glen Mazzara told MTV Slash Page that he thinks “the Tyrese character is someone we are interested in introducing at some point,” but why T-Dog, who is original to the series, was ever there in the first place if not to fill the diversity quota, is anyone’s guess.

In any case, as sad and heroic as T-Dog’s death was, it was expected. KevyB commented on TVline.com’s recap that “T-Dog never got any lines, so they clearly had no clue what to do with him, so he was going to die.” Meanwhile, the reviewer for TV.com who was saddened by T-Dog’s exit, albeit not surprised, wrote “At least the man who lasted inexplicably longer than we thought he would went out a warrior, sacrificing his life for Carol.”

Speaking of which, the jury is still out on whether or not Carol got away safely.

And then everyone else

Fans who shared my personal dislike of Lori were probably just as happy to see her character redeem herself in her final moments. Her speech to Carl was a real tear jerker and every message board in the past week has been overflown with testimonials from fans, talking about their emotions towards her death. It is also impossible to overlook Andrew Lincoln’s heartbreaking performance when Rick realises that his wife has passed away; a scene likely to go down in television history.

It was a great, yet troubling detail that Lori and Rick never fully reconciled. In the moments up until the surprise invasion of walkers, a look was exchanged between Rick and Lori that made us hopeful. Not knowing what was in store, it was comforting so see, as the walkers were closing in, how Rick ran to his estranged wife. It could have been the turning point of their relationship.

Instead, when she said “goodnight love,” it was as if she was talking to Rick. It was a turning point alright, but definitely not what I had in mind.

Although we got a little from both stories last week, the events at the prison clearly dominated the episode’s overall storyline. Andrea and Michonne are preparing to leave the Governor’s oasis, but Andrea is so bedazzled by Woodbury and the attractive Governor that she doubts Michonne’s instincts. Bad move blondie.

Andrea also tempts Merle with a possibility to track down his long-lost brother. As unattractive as this degenerate may seem, he grows on you. When he asks Andrea, “How come we never hooked up?” my heart grew two sizes for him.

Unlike the prison, danger is far from obvious at Woodbury — yet equally deadly. Having the insight we do as viewers, it is hard to watch Andrea become so taken by Woodbury which, after a rocky start, is becoming quite taken with her in return. Especially the Governor – or should we say, Philip.

Still, Michonne got the right idea when she says she would rather take her chances out on the road than stay in Woodbury.

For tomorrow night, the questions will be: How does Carl and Rick deal with the loss of Lori (not to mention, the baby), can Michonne suppress her bad feeling towards the Governor much longer, and where is Carol?

Tune in tomorrow night for ‘Say the Word’, episode five of “The Walking Dead.”

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About the author

Claudia Sondergaard
Specialised in American foreign policy media discourse, I have a real passion for media and writing and feel comfortable in subjects such as human rights, politics, environment, social issues, movies, TV and books. Reporting from Denmark. Follow me @swirlgirlversus

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