The Walking Dead – “Live Bait”

Season Four, Episode Six

Grade: C+

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This episode is sure to receive mixed opinions from fans, not like The Walking Dead is unfamiliar with this still fresh from seeing Rick ban Carol from the prison. This is a Governor-focused episode, reminding us that he’s still a very important character on the show and still has a lot to offer with this story-line. It reminded me of the “Tower of David” episode on Homeland where Brody dominated the entire episode, after being practically irrelevant in the third season. But what this is mainly showing is how The Walking Dead is looking at the big picture in terms of how it wants to tell its story. Because why else would they dedicate an entire episode to the Governor?

The last time we saw the Governor he just finished mowing down a number of Woodbury residents with a machine gun before skipping town. His very quick transformation of charismatic, creepy leader to psychopath left a sour note on the show, which capped off a mediocre season with many questionable character decisions. We now see him on what seems to be his last few steps before giving up on life, until he sees a little girl inside a nearby building. There, he meets a small family who are cautious but not very equipped or wise about the rest of the world.

There is Tara, who introduces her as a cop but later on reveals she was still in the academy; Lilly, the sister who is kind and the mother figure of the family; Megan, the young child who enjoys playing games; and the dad. The Governor introduces himself as Brian and it’s clear he’s gone through an incredible amount of trauma from being run out of Woodbury and traveling on the road ever since. But this family is kind and caring to him, allowing him to stay the night. Brian even does a few favors for the family, first finding a game set for Megan and then retrieving a few oxygen tanks for their dad. But in the end, the father passes away and the family begs for Brian to take them along (which I’m curious about because why wouldn’t they just stay put since Tara commented how they had enough jerky sticks for years).

My concern about an episode like this is asking myself the question, What are we supposed to take from it? We can’t forget the cruelty of the Governor from last season, so is this episode supposed to make us sympathize with him? Are we supposed to see him in a different light, or are we supposed to wait until he snaps again? The interaction he shares with Megan is quite touching, as he sees her like he did his own daughter. But what purpose did this episode have aside from teaming him back up with Martinez? That’s where I’m not entirely okay with “Live Bait.”

And the most frustrating thing about the episode is that at the end of the hour, we still don’t know where the writers are going with it. That ONE shot of him staring at the prison as Rick and Carl retrieve some vegetables, that scene was more powerful than the whole “Live Bait” episode. Is he seeking revenge? I’m torn with what I’ll be satisfied with because I did in fact like the Governor at the start of last season, but his character went to shit towards the end. Is The Walking Dead trying to re-write his character and present him as the villain 2.0? I don’t mind stand-alone, focused episodes. In fact, “Clear” was my favorite episode of last season, but while there is a separation from the main cast, there isn’t really a distinct path the show is giving us a peek at. We see the Governor, how he gains the trust of a needy family, and how he meets with his top lieutenant. The fading question is, now what?

Revolution – “Come Blow Your Horn”

Season Two, Episode Eight

Grade: B+

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Truman tells the residents of Willoughby (I keep thinking to type Woodbury from The Walking Dead) that Miles is the one responsible for the bomb that went off inside the walls and that he, along with Aaron, Rachel, and Charlie, are terrorists. So what does the gang decide to do? Make them eat their words by cooking up a bomb to eliminate Dr. Horn and anyone else hiding in the headquarters.

This part of the episode was full of the most tension because of the elephant in the room that Rachel and Charlie eventually discuss: what to do with Gene Porter? Charlie knows she can’t forgive her grandfather but she can forget his betrayal, while Rachel has more rage than forgiveness inside of her heart. What ends up happening is what we all expected, while Rachel sneaks to the roof of the building, Gene walks in to visit with Dr. Horn. Does Rachel drop the chemicals? Charlie certainly doesn’t want her to, but Miles calmly mutters that it’s Rachel’s decision. That all changes when a few Patriot officers bring in Aaron and Cynthia. The problem is Rachel doesn’t see this and Miles and Charlie have no way to tell her. Can this be the end of a handful of major characters?!

Of course not, but I must admit that this was one of the more suspenseful moments on Revolution this season. The way Rachel quietly climbs the steps to the roof while a dozen guards litter the yard. Seeing Gene walk into the headquarters just added to the decision of leaving the building in flames, but then when Aaron is seen your heart just drops! But ninja Miles swoops in and prevents Rachel from dropping the chemicals (which has me thinking, why didn’t Miles just climb to the roof instead of Rachel?).

This is when we just have to say, Poor Aaron. Since the beginning he’s been the one who’s arguably the most useless out of the group. He even knows it, but he’s that underdog character that it’s hard to root against. But since he’s been resurrected from the dead and has super-human powers, he’s target number one on Dr. Horn’s list. Why? Because he has a tumor growing in his brain and believes the nanotech that brought Aaron back to life can cure his tumor. Whoa. Oh, and Dr. Horn will do anything for this to happen, which includes torturing Aaron, watching his body heal itself like Wolverine, and eventually has an officer stab Cynthia to draw out an emotional response. That Dr. Horn is an evil man!

Meanwhile, Neville talks with Allenford’s husband, Roger, and makes a deal with him to hand over his traitor wife so the camp can see his loyalty to the Patriots. Roger has a change of heart nearing the site his wife’s being held, but Neville’s no fool. “I thought something like this might happen,” he said with a small smile. You simply don’t mess with Neville. Period. In the end, Roger shoots Secretary Allenford and Neville’s plan to climb the Patriot ranks is still moving flawlessly. It’s uncertain what’s going to be Neville’s next play, but that’s what keeps this part of the story-line so interesting. Unlike Miles and company trying to escape Willoughby (and for a while now), we really don’t know what’s in store for Neville as he continues to travel from camp to camp.

In the end, a lot of characters are facing imminent danger: Aaron spreads flames in the dungeon, Gene stares down the gun pointed at his head from Truman, Cynthia’s stab wound to the stomach, and Miles and company still wanted as terrorists. Last week I pointed out how the urgency level should be raised… well we finally got it. Now I’m concerned whether or not Revolution will keep their foot on the gas pedal, or will they slow down the action and draw out all the situations?

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Last but not least:

• Monroe leaves Aaron because if he’s captured, he’s dead. Smart, and also shows how Monroe wouldn’t sacrifice himself for others.
• Miles has a nasty infection spreading down his arm. Still, with one arm he’s still a kick-ass killing machine.
• Charlie was border-line annoying, preaching to her mom about keeping Gene alive.
• We see a lot of Dr. Horn flashbacks and learn he’s not a religious man, but he’s still a creepy old hellraiser!