I labeled episode 4 of
Season 3 “arguably the ‘best ever’” which I still stand by. However, in terms
of the direction and editing of action, “Home” is superb. We pick up from the
end of “The Suicide King” with Rick still hallucinating. One may wonder if it
will become an episode dealing with the psychological trauma that Rick is
undergoing; in a sense, it is. Whenever the scene focuses on Rick we are analysing
his fragility, his strength and his sanity.
The opposing Woodbury
group are similarly shown in a meditative light to begin with; Andrea, Milton
and the Governor under close scrutiny as to who is loyal. The Governor stays
loyal to Andrea, promising her pacifism toward the prison group. Though, to the
ever-wary audience, this just appears to be another one of his Machiavellian
statements.
Cut to the newly formed
third-narrative strand and Merle and Daryl are wandering the woods looking for
food. This, at least for me, is what I wanted to see. Daryl is one of the best
characters (if not, the best) character in the series and any chance of him
disappearing would quickly sour the show’s sensationalism. And whilst seeing
the two brothers up to very little is not everything we expect and desire it’s
still better than nothing. Luckily, uproar and tension arrives with an isolated
incident on a bridge with a group of survivors under attack from a hoard. In
this brief but bloody scene Daryl shows off his independent, heroic, bad-ass
persona – freeing the viewer from any worry about his future as a dullard
double-act with Merle.
This scene’s violence
and effects is top-notch and only a mere burst of energy compared to what’ll
come later. One zombie drops to the ground, head by the wheel of a car, and has
his head explode under the force of the tyre. It’s a small but excellent
example of the effects team’s skill.
Balancing out the drama
and action we return to the prison where Axel and Carol are having a friendly
chat. This is the first instance where Axel’s character has been explored. He
has never appeared malicious or unfriendly. The moment you finally say to
yourself, “I’m liking this guy” his head snaps back with a sniper’s bullet. Sudden
and completely unexpected it’s a bold move from the writers to kill off a
character just about to be properly introduced. However, it was the case with
Oscar and the original prison leader – dead within the space of an episode –
and the no holds barred approach to story-telling is what makes The Walking Dead (and other hits
including Breaking Bad and The Wire) so damn thrilling.
And so to the
aforementioned action...
Axel falls, Carol lies
behind his body; Rick, out in the fields trying to capture the Lori phantasm,
leaps to safety under a bridge amidst the barrage of gunfire; the rest hide in
the prison fortress, desperate to provide some cover fire. As unexpected as it
seems, this is the Governor with a definite plan. With bullets aiming to hit as
many of Rick’s group as possible, he adds walkers to the equation by driving a
van through the gates and releasing a small swarm (followed by walkers
surrounding the building). This has all happened within the space of two or
three minutes and ends as quickly as Axel’s life. Speaking of Axel, the poor
bastard is riddled with bullets as Carol shelters behind him – a weirdly noble
sacrifice.
Just as each of our
hero’s lives seem in dire jeopardy, the Governor leaves. Danger is not absent
however, and the walkers still surround and invade the territory. No one is
more vulnerable than Rick on the outskirts of the forest. He shoots and whacks
his way through a few but looks surely to get injured. It’s here where the
episode could likely end – leaving us with a spectacular cliff-hanger. Still,
what happens next is even better. A close-up shot of Rick and a zombie’s
gaping, biting mouth inches apart and then the beautiful sight of Daryl’s arrow
piercing its way through the undead’s forehead. It is a moment of pure joy
knowing our favourite has returned, and with such brilliant timing. Of course
Merle is with him but in that moment it’s not an issue; just to see Daryl back
where he belongs is divine.
The episode draws to a
close with Daryl, Merle and Rick dashing back to the security of the prison
walls. Nothing much needs to be said (that’ll be the next episode’s job), it’s
a simple declaration of war.
By Piers McCarthy. Also posted on Flickering Myth
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