From a distance Maggie shoots the walkers in the ring and the others begin to attack. Pandemonium breaks out and the residents start running. In the confusion the group slips away, as Philip walks through the dust almost without a care in the world. As they make their escape, Merle tries to lead the way pointing out that everyone is at the area. Rick tells Merle that he is not going anywhere with them, but Merle replies that they haven't got time for this. The group leaves through a partition without closing it, thus allowing a walker to enter Woodbury.
When they meet up with Michonne and Glenn, they are not impressed to see Merle. Michonne grabs her katana pointing out that Merle tried to kill her and Rick puts a gun to her. Merle tells Darryl that it looks like he is going native. Merle tells them that Andrea has been sleeping with Philip and that they found Michonne in the woods with her. Darryl tries to tell Merle to shut up and when he doesn't Rick knocks Merle unconscious.
Back at the prison, Hershel is taking care of Tyrese's group with medical attention. They are surprised to see a baby amongst them and at first assume that the child belongs to Beth. Sasha says that this is the first decent people that they have met. Tyrese admits that there used to be 25 of them until their camp was over run. Tyrese comments that he must be the first brother in history to break into prison and Axel says that this makes him the first White boy who didn't want to break out. Hershel warns Tyrese that they have a large close knit group and that they shouldn't get to comfortable there as he walks away, Tyrese says, "please you can see what type of people we are."
Darryl begs for them to take Merle back to the prison and argues that Merle is blood. Darryl points out that Merle knows how Philip thinks. They look over at Michonne and declare her too unpredictable. The others make it clear that Darryl belongs but not Merle and finally he says, "no Merle no me." When Glenn brings up Carol, Darryl says that she will understand. Darryl starts to walk away, and Rick stops and says, that there has to be another way, but Darryl's mind is made up. Rick tries again and reminds Darryl that they started something last night. Darryl walks away with Merle after telling Rick to take care of everyone. The rest start to get into the car and Rick tells Michonne that they will patch her up and then she has to go.
Back at the prison Tyrese's group prepares to bury their dead when Alan says that it's a golden opportunity for them to take over the prison because all they see is Carl, a woman, a girl and a one legged old man. Alan points out that the place is secure.Tyrese tells him to show some decency but Alan says that this survival of the fittest and that they shouldn't wait around to be thrown out on their asses. Axel and Beth brings out a shovel and offers to help and Tyrese quickly takes it stopping Alan from attacking.
The group is forced to stop to move a truck out of the way. When Glen opens the door, a zombie pops out and Glen promptly stomps it death. Glenn is upset that Rick didn't kill the governor and starts to scream about what the governor did to Maggie. Rick says that Darryl was the priority. Glenn is not happy that after all the effort and risks and screams, "do you know what he did to her?" Glenn is not pleased that after everything they've been through that Darryl left with Merle. Rick says that this is the hand that they have been dealt.
Back in Woodbury, Philip has apparently looked himself in his apartment. People have lined up at the gate trying to leave but Philip's men have the exit blockaded and say that no one leaves. Andrea tries to tell everyone to calm down and then tells Martinez that he is making things worse by threatening the citizens. When they hear screams, they take off running and discover walkers feeding on people in the town. Philip walks over and shoots the man in the head who the walker was feeding on.
Back at the prison, Carl complains about how quiet it is and Carol points out that it is easy to forget how loud the world used to be. She tells him that his mother was proud of him. Their conversation is interrupted by Rick and everyone returning home. Rick tell Carol that they run into Merle and that Darryl chose to leave with him. Carol is visibly shocked and hurt by this news.
Philip has returned to his apartment and Andrea quickly follows and tells him that he has to talk to the people because they are panicking. Philip says that the people have had it easy but Andrea suggests he stop blaming people for the mess that he created. Philip tells Andrea that Merle scooped Glenn and Maggie to find out where Darryl was. Philip adds that her friends killed seven good people. Andrea asks why he didn't tell her that they were here but Philip says that she is just a visitor there. Andrea then tells him
Beth hugs and kisses Rick when he returns. I wonder if Beth has a small crush? Hershel shakes his hand and asks about the governor. Rick tells Hershel how Philip had Darryl and Merle set to fight to the death and asks what kind of person does this. Carl is standing watch over Tyrese's group when Rick and Hershel enter and walk through without saying a word. Alan comments that Rick not a chatterbox but Tyrese tells him to be patient and that he will do all of the talking.
Rick heads off to see the baby and Beth hands her over. Even as he is holding his daughter, the crying is clearly unsettling Rick.
The citizens of Woodbury have gathered outside of Philip's apartment. Milton makes announcmnet that the walkers are now gone. The people are asking where Philip is and point out that Philip shot Richard. Andrea tells them that they are never going to be the same and so they have to dig deep and find the strength to carry on. Philip is watching Andrea speak from the window. Her little speech seems to calm people down and so they begin to disperse.
At the prison, Beth is walking around with the baby. Carol tells her that she has a knack for babies. Beth says that she always wanted a child and adds that the baby wouldn't have made it if Darryl hadn't been there. Beth says she doesn't understand why Darryl left because Merle sounds like a jerk. Carol says that she isn't the woman she was a year a go but hopes that if Ed walked through the door and asked her to leave that she wouldn't go. Carol points out that Tyrese and his groups seem capable so maybe they'll be okay.
Hershel is checking in on Glenn. Maggie looks in but she does not enter. Hershel asks if Glen and Maggie are alright and thanks Glenn for looking out for her and then says he is going to check on her. Before leaving, Hershel tells Glenn that he is like his own son. Hershel catches up with Maggie and asks if she has something that needs attention. Maggie asks about Glenn and he tells her to go and see for herself before sitting next to her. Hershel says, that they seem to be holding something back and asks what happened. Hershel says that he rests easy knowing that Maggie can handle herself because she has her mother's spirit and stubbornness. Maggie remains silent and Hershel tells her not to disappear on him before hugging her.
Hershel checks on Michonne and reports that she is sleeping. Rick wants to know how long it will be before she can travel. Axel is telling Carol that Oscar stood up for him whenever Tomas went off. Beth wants to know if they believe that the governor will retaliate. Hershel says that they could use some reinforcements. The group enters the area where Tyrese and his people are being kept. Tyrese introduces himself and holds out his hand but Rick refuses to shake his hand. Tyrese says that they aren't strangers to hard work and will do anything to contribute. Rick tells them no but Sasha begs and says that it's just them now. Hershel breaks in and says that they should talk about this. Carol adds that Axel and Oscar were good but Rick says that he cannot be responsible for anyone else. Hershel pulls Rick aside and says that they have done everything he has asked without question and that he is wrong on this and must give people a chance. When Rick looks up he sees a vision of Lori all in White looking down at him and he walks over to her and asks, "why are you here, what do you want from me?" He yells, "I can't help you. You don't belong her get out." When he pulls out his gun Tyrese says that they are going and that no one needs to get shot. Tyrese and his group make a quick exit and Glenn steps in front of Rick.
I was kind of hoping for a much bigger start after the mid season break but I guess there's only so much epic that they can bring. It was sad to see Darryl slip right into his secondary role the moment he saw his older brother. I get what he is saying about blood, but clearly he refuses to acknowledge exactly who Merl is. He saw what he did to Glen and still yet chose Merle. There are those who tend to deny that Darryl is a racist, but can there be any doubt after him siding with Merle? Not all family is good and plenty of people choose to cut out members who are cancerous every day. His refusal to do so speaks volumes, zombie apocalypse or not. It's really long past time for Merle to die.
I am not at all pleased with the continued horrible treatment of Michonne. Is she ever going to do anything but look angry? I don't understand Rick's absolute distrust of her. Yes, she separated from then when they got to Woodbury but she did exactly what she promised. Yes, Michonne is unpredictable but that is no reason for Rick to decide to turn her into an outcast. That's a death sentence and he simply does not care. From the very beginning this was his decision. If it were not for Carl's actions she would have died outside of the prison. There was so much build up about Michonne joining the cast but so far she has been mistreated and done little more but stare with rage at people. Yes, Michonne in the comics wasn't the worlds largest conversationalist but this is downright ridiculous. Would it be so hard to build her character and make her the equal of the others?
Rick is clearly losing his mind and pushing everyone away from him. The fact that he told Tyrese that he couldn't be responsible for anyone else, tells us that he blames himself for Lori's death and in fact for every loss that the group has suffered. It makes sense that after all the horror that he would start to show symptoms of everything that he has suffered.
My biggest question right now is the role of Glenn moving forward. Glenn has changed so much from the first season and it's clear that he has leadership potential though he is still very young. Are they going to continue to grow his character? It would be nice to see this and though it will be a change from the comics, I think it's more than time to see Glenn step up. If Rick can change, so can he.
