The Walking Dead - S03E15 This Sorrowful Life (2013)

Review

Rick has decided to hand Michonne over to the Governor in order to try and avoid hostilities, another mistake by Mr Grimes. He informs Daryl and Hershel, who are both bothered by the decision and tell Rick this isn't what the group is about. For some strange reason Rick includes Merle in the plot, with Merle spinning some down home wisdom about how Rick doesn't have the balls to follow through. Naturally Rick has second thoughts, just as Hershel also changes his mind, and makes the right choice. Unfortunately Merle decides to take things into his own hands, and kidnaps Michonne attempting to get her to the Governor as he heeds some advice from Carol. Daryl is soon in hot pursuit.

During the journey to the meeting with the Governor Michonne points out some home truths to Merle, who decides to release her and for once do the right thing. Leaving Michonne on the roadside Merle continues to the meeting with the Governor and his destiny. A heartbreaking moment ensues as Daryl finally catches up to his brother.

One of the best episodes of season three and surprisingly an episode that focuses on Merle Dixon, a character that has pretty much been a part of the supporting cast up to now. There's a lot going down in the episode, some subtle some not, which makes repeated viewing an absolute priority to get the full force of what Director Greg Nicotero is laying down. I'm actually itching to see the episode yet again as I write this, powerful stuff that simply keeps on keeping on.

If there is one major criticism of Walking Dead, that would be that things happen as the plot demands not organically

There are a number of nods to the previous two seasons that had me smiling as they came down the truck line. Daryl remarks when they get back to that roof top in season one that "nobody can kill Merle, but Merle", which pretty much plays out in This Sorrowful Life as Merle determines he will go down fighting, finally for something he can believe in. Equally Merle states that Rick simply doesn't have the stomach for the hard decisions, which reflects Shane's statement in season two that Rick isn't cut out for the post-apocalyptic world. Interestingly both Merle and Shane have gone the way of the dodo while Rick is still standing, albeit as a total bad arse far removed from his law enforcement roots. In fact season five runs with the by line that "the new world's gonna need Rick Grimes". What we have right there is character evolution, and dare I say it depth to that evolution!

Just in passing there was a great exchange between Rick and Hershel that really underlined just how good The Walking Dead can be when they get things right. Rick has decided not to hand Michonne over to the Governor, thus underlining his and his group's humanity in a world of the savage, he tells Hershel just as the farmer is about to perhaps say he supports Rick's earlier decision. It's subtle and could well have been a slight poke at religion as Hershel has a road to Damascus moment while praying with his daughters. Nice touch for mine, a blink and you'll miss it moment that highlighted just how good an actor Scott Wilson is.

Okay back to the main course, This Sorrowful Life is firmly a Merle episode, which was a surprise considering the episode is the penultimate one in the season. A number of people speak to Merle during the course of the episode, Rick, Carol, Daryl, and Michonne talking about family and taking a stand. About the only one who isn't going to try to redeem the big Georgia redneck is Glenn, who cannot get over Merle's involvement in tormenting Maggie while they were being held by the Governor. In the wash up Merle finally finds a course of action that is going to redeem him from past deeds, but naturally as biblical requirements go, he must make a sacrifice to come to his new understanding. Merle goes down all guns blazing and unapologetic, as we would expect, having in the process culled a number of the Governor's troops. Merle knows the score, remove the Governor and you'll remove the conflict, as in all flawed heroes cases this doesn't quite work out as planned. Still to be honest a resurrected Merle was never going to work for the ebb and flow of the show, though to hell with it, I for one will miss the character. Fare thee well to Michael Rooker, who nailed a complex and elusive character.

Full marks as well for the Dixon Bros finally meeting up, and Norman Reedus' (Daryl) emotional discharge when he discovers that Merle is no longer amongst the living. The ultimate revenge kick for the Governor I would imagine, and Reedus goes full emotional on the scene, something we haven't seen from the younger Dixon brother thus far over nearly three seasons. It's a heartbreaking moment, and Michonne is clearly wrong with her assertion that no one is going to mourn Merle.

One of the things people seem to have a problem with is the lack in some episodes of zombie action, it's about the survivors people not the shambles corpses, no concerns this episode as the undead catch up to Merle and Michonne. In fact got to say one of the best zombie kills of the season when Michonne takes out a couple of zombies while being tied up! Later in the episode Merle enlists the aid of the zombie horde in attacking the Governor's forces, doesn't work out as well as Merle might intended, but gorehounds will be happy with some gut munching action.

I'm pretty much done with this excellent episode so let's wrap it up and deliver it to the editor. A minor problem for mine was how certain things fell into place; Rick had to go get Merle involved, exactly why? Equally Merle is at least aware that the Governor is not going to be placated by Michonne being handed over, but still plans to do that! And is Rick really going to make bad call after bad call this season, at least the Ricktocracy is over finally as he delivers power back to the people. Apart from those small gripes I had a good time with episode and as ever am going to recommended it without prejudice, The Walking Dead really is one of the best shows currently on the small screen.