Reviewed by Rich Jepson.

So what was the point of last week’s episode again?

I mean I get it but doesn’t it seem like a bit of a waste of our time to reintroduce the Governor and spend a complete episode laying the framework for redemption, only to then completely u-turn so quickly into the next episode?

This Governor miniseries has been a worthwhile approach to the season and has certainly been a good excuse to explore life outside the prison before it becomes too monotonous. However, I can’t help feel that this has been a bit of a pointless expedition when you consider the overall fact that his basic response to Rick and the others is going to be the same as in the 3^rd season finale. He’s out for revenge against Michonne and he’s a cold-blooded killer willing to ‘protect’ his kill no matter what the threat.

Let’s face it though, we like him better bad. Killing Martinez and turning back to his old ways gives us something we love to hate once again. Morrisey has played out this story well and deserves a lot of credit for making the Governor his own yet seem familiar to the comic in many aspects.

One thing I did find annoying was how the ‘Vin Diesel’ brother didn’t seem to bat an eyelid about the fact that his sibling had died and instead took it as a promotion to the camp’s No.2. He’s a weak character and his approach last week felt very much like Merle in season 1, full of prejudice to the new guy when it seems this group has been expanding for a while.

There were some great shots of gore, the mud walkers and the pond wader were both flashbacks to the Governor’s former life that created some iconic imagery for the show. Although, it was a little strange that there is all that countryside and the Governor turned back due to dirt track being blocked off – he should have taken his other vehicle, the tank.

Overall it’s been a bit of a mixed bag in this side story, the Governor’s rise & fall & rise again plot was an idea worth exploring and gives us more insight into him before he goes back into battle with Rick. Had it been played out a little longer or without some of the clichéd and convenient turns I think it would have worked a bit better in the grand scheme of things.

8/10

Scene of the Episode: Holed In One – Martinez’s death was pretty gruesome and reasserted the Governor’s true identity and ultimately gave him leadership of this new group.