Written by: Kevin Berge
Rick isn't ready for the series' true baddest character... Michonne. (Image Courtesy of: denofgeek.com)
Quick Take: The Walking Dead Season 3 finally captures the threat of its world and its effect on the characters, using two important settings to focus the story as threats both living and dead converge on Rick's group. For those who have loved the series to this point, this is the best it has offered yet.
Season Reviews: 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6
***This is a review specifically of the third season of The Walking Dead, and that focus makes this a review driven by spoilers. If you have not watched the third season yet and plan to, do not read ahead as you will be spoiled.***
Honestly, I cannot say for certain why I kept on with The Walking Dead after its first two seasons. Even though there were solid ideas present, too much was just poorly conceived in its pacing and character development. Season three changed my mind as it finally pushed the pacing and capitalized on two seasons of build up.
With a full sixteen episode run for the first time, the series took charge and pushed forward, immediately thrusting Rick Grime's crew into scenarios that forced them to utilize their past experience to adapt and survive. From the start, it was clear that the jail would be an important part of this show.
By the time the show hit "Killer Within", it was ready for this huge, series-shifting episode as The Walking Dead finally dealt with its most lingering characters issues. Lori's death was a necessary move and was done well particularly thanks to the effect it had on Rick. T-Dog was also killed off, a character who only made any impact on the series in his final seconds on screen.
The series did not always live up to the standard of that episode in this season, but the season felt so much smoother once it had established this affecting loss. While Rick's crew mourned and attempted to create a sustainable living in the prison, Woodbury and The Governor were both introduced as the first real human threat in the series.
As this series has progressed, it has become more clear that the Walkers are the lesser of two evils often enough, but the third season allowed the threats on all sides to feel overwhelming. Woodsbury presented a hidden threat and formidable adversary even as the Walkers still ravage Rick's group when they least expected.
While the story generally shines, the season does falter in its second half thanks to the focus on Andrea, the last remaining poorly written character in the series. The season would have been incredible if it had none of the Andrea scenes though it made her death in the finale satisfying. She even pulls down the introduction of Michonne as a character.
***This is a review specifically of the third season of The Walking Dead, and that focus makes this a review driven by spoilers. If you have not watched the third season yet and plan to, do not read ahead as you will be spoiled.***
Honestly, I cannot say for certain why I kept on with The Walking Dead after its first two seasons. Even though there were solid ideas present, too much was just poorly conceived in its pacing and character development. Season three changed my mind as it finally pushed the pacing and capitalized on two seasons of build up.
With a full sixteen episode run for the first time, the series took charge and pushed forward, immediately thrusting Rick Grime's crew into scenarios that forced them to utilize their past experience to adapt and survive. From the start, it was clear that the jail would be an important part of this show.
By the time the show hit "Killer Within", it was ready for this huge, series-shifting episode as The Walking Dead finally dealt with its most lingering characters issues. Lori's death was a necessary move and was done well particularly thanks to the effect it had on Rick. T-Dog was also killed off, a character who only made any impact on the series in his final seconds on screen.
The series did not always live up to the standard of that episode in this season, but the season felt so much smoother once it had established this affecting loss. While Rick's crew mourned and attempted to create a sustainable living in the prison, Woodbury and The Governor were both introduced as the first real human threat in the series.
As this series has progressed, it has become more clear that the Walkers are the lesser of two evils often enough, but the third season allowed the threats on all sides to feel overwhelming. Woodsbury presented a hidden threat and formidable adversary even as the Walkers still ravage Rick's group when they least expected.
While the story generally shines, the season does falter in its second half thanks to the focus on Andrea, the last remaining poorly written character in the series. The season would have been incredible if it had none of the Andrea scenes though it made her death in the finale satisfying. She even pulls down the introduction of Michonne as a character.
The circle of main characters... and T-Dog because we gotta get some racial diversity in there. (Image Courtesy of: amcnetworks.com)
The acting was truly on point in this season with a performance by Andrew Lincoln particularly in "Killer Within" that stands up among the best of 2012-2013. With Daryl finally growing fully realized, Norman Reedus began stealing the show as well as a nuanced character stuck in so many emotional scenarios.
Steven Yeun made up for poor writing of Glenn last season with the show's most sympathetic performance alongside Lauren Cohen as Maggie. Melissa McBride also begins to work with Carol as a character with real drive and shines. Special mention to Lennie James as Morgan who is incredible in his one episode "Clear".
This was the last season under Glen Mazzara before Scott Gimple took over who has produced the series since. It was clear how the series needed a change but was also suffering from multiple production shifts. It likely caused some of the pacing issues again in this season where the speed was pushed heavily only to fall back later.
The theme of this season was sacrifices for survival. Many times, we are shown how Rick must continue to adapt to avoid becoming The Governor who sacrificed his own humanity along the way. This is of course a recurring theme, but it comes to the center for how Rick must understand sacrifice as the leader.
This season has many fantastic scenes and episodes. Beyond those already discussed, the third season also included the brutal capture and torture of Glenn that led to a brutal fight in the streets of Woodbury. All of the use of Merle in this season in his short return was also excellent.
This was both the series finding its stride and at its best. While the series was steadily solid from this point, no season after this has matched the consistent performances in season three. Even in its weakest moments, this is an emotional ride with characters that finally interesting and compelling.
Steven Yeun made up for poor writing of Glenn last season with the show's most sympathetic performance alongside Lauren Cohen as Maggie. Melissa McBride also begins to work with Carol as a character with real drive and shines. Special mention to Lennie James as Morgan who is incredible in his one episode "Clear".
This was the last season under Glen Mazzara before Scott Gimple took over who has produced the series since. It was clear how the series needed a change but was also suffering from multiple production shifts. It likely caused some of the pacing issues again in this season where the speed was pushed heavily only to fall back later.
The theme of this season was sacrifices for survival. Many times, we are shown how Rick must continue to adapt to avoid becoming The Governor who sacrificed his own humanity along the way. This is of course a recurring theme, but it comes to the center for how Rick must understand sacrifice as the leader.
This season has many fantastic scenes and episodes. Beyond those already discussed, the third season also included the brutal capture and torture of Glenn that led to a brutal fight in the streets of Woodbury. All of the use of Merle in this season in his short return was also excellent.
This was both the series finding its stride and at its best. While the series was steadily solid from this point, no season after this has matched the consistent performances in season three. Even in its weakest moments, this is an emotional ride with characters that finally interesting and compelling.