Last night’s episode of The Walking Dead 3×11 “I Ain’t a Judas” saw Andrea being reunited with Rick’s contingent, as well as Woodbury preparing for war.
We’d been waiting for it since the beginning of season 3, anxious for Andrea and the prison group survivors to meet face to face once more; and the latest instalment in The Walking Dead saga didn’t disappoint.
The Episode
As the group gather together following the Governor’s attack on the prison, in which Axel met his death, Rick and Glenn condemn Hershel’s wish to leave, suggesting that they should stand up to The Governor and fight. Merle forewarns the group that The Governor has the means and ways to kill them all if and when he wants to, and reminds them that they are outnumbered and outgunned. In frustration, Rick goes to leave the room, to which Hershel shouts out to him to “Get back here,” telling Rick he needs to live up to his role as leader.
Later, whilst watching the fence where the walker-filled courtyard is swarming with the undead, Carl approaches Rick and suggests that he stop being the leader; Rick needs a break, and Hershel and Daryl have it covered.
Meanwhile, in Woodbury, Milton and The Governor review the lists of tenants, looking for eligible fighters – including girls and boys aged 13 and up. Milton divulges that this would give the town 35 able-bodied soldiers. Andrea then confronts The Governor about his visit to the prison, which he tells her was to call a truce, but that Rick’s group fired at them. Andrea then says she wants to see her old friends, and The Governor warns, “You go to that prison, stay there.”
When Andrea leaves The Governor’s apartment, Karen calls out to her, upset that her 14-year-old asthmatic son has been called to fight. Andrea challenges Martinez about this, but he is adamant that the only way to deal with the situation is to face it head on and raise an army.
Back at the prison, the group prepares for war. Whilst Glenn is unhappy with Merle’s sudden inclusion to the group, Rick tells him that they can’t just kick him out, and Hershel reminds them that Merle has valuable military experience. Hershel then approaches Merle later, and they discuss their amputations and the Bible. Merle leaves no doubt in Hershel’s mind that The Governor will never relent, detailing how The Governor would kill Rick’s team, saving Rick until last to watch. Alongside this, Carol and Daryl also have a catch-up, and she tells him she is glad he has returned to the group. She reminds Daryl that despite blood ties, Merle isn’t necessarily good for him.
Back in Woodbury, Andrea enlists the help of Milton to escape Woodbury so that she might settle the feud between the two groups. Milton is unhappy but agrees. In his apartemnt, The Governor applies an eye patch over his missing eye, and Milton reveals Andrea’s plan. The Governor encourages Milton to help her.
Later, Andrea and Milton venture out of Woodbury towards the prison. As they set about disabling a walker by removing its arms and lower jaw, they run into Tyreese, Sasha, Ben and Allen. Desperate for shelter, they beg Milton and Andrea to take them to Woodbury, and Milton leads them there.
At the prison, Merle attempts to make peace with Michonne, not apologising as such but explaining that he’s done many things he’s not proud of. Unmoved, Michonne ignores him. Meanwhile, Carl spots Andrea advancing towards the prison in his binoculars. The group assembles to let her in, but Rick immediately forces her to the fence to search her.
Andrea is then led into the prison. She tells them she is on their side but Rick, unconvinced, brushes her pleas aside. She explains she wants everyone to form a truce and negotiate, but Hershel questions The Governor’s desire for that actuality. Upset, Andrea goes outside with Michonne, and angrily accuses Michonne of poisoning the group against Woodbury. Michonne then spits back that The Governor had Merle sent out to kill her. Andrea looks hurt and confused at this news.
Over in Woodbury, The Governor welcomes Tyreese and co. to Woodbury. He explains that they are welcome to stay as long as they wish but that unfortunately due to hostilities he cannot give them weapons, ammo or a vehicle. Tyreese explains that they don’t want to be going anywhere, and recounts the group’s experience at the prison. Milton then asks if the group could describe the prison layout to them, and Tyreese agrees to do so, but Sasha appears uncomfortable with this.
Over at the prison, Carol introduces Andrea to Judith. Carol then urges Andrea to kill The Governor.
You need to sleep with him, give him the greatest night of his life…Get him to drop his guard, and then when he’s sleeping, you can end this.
Then as Andrea goes to leave the prison, she is given a car, and told to be careful by Rick, who hands her a handgun and a knife. In the prison, Rick decides he is going on a run tomorrow afternoon, and will take Michonne and Carl. He tells Daryl to stay with the others, and to keep an eye on Merle. “Keep an eye on your brother,” Rick says. “If he causes a problem, it’s on you.”
Upon Andrea’s arrival at Woodbury she is stopped at gunpoint before she can re-enter the town. She then visits The Governor and discloses that she went to visit her friends. He asks why she chose not to stay, and she says it was her choice, implying she wanted to be back with him. They then kiss, and later we see them lying beside one another in bed. Andrea goes to collect her knife whilst The Governor sleeps, but decides not to kill him. She then stares out of the window, knife still in hand.
So what were our thoughts?
Whilst this episode wasn’t anywhere near as hard-hitting as last week’s 3×10 “Home,” it gave us something to chew on.
Why couldn’t Andrea kill The Governor? Knowing what she knows now having spoken to Michonne, Rick, and the others, she cannot deny that The Governor is a nasty piece of work. But is love blind? Or is it less a case of love, and more a case of need? We’ve got our fingers crossed Andrea comes to her senses and realises who she should be fighting for (and against)!
Next week’s episode of The Walking Dead titled “Clear” airs on AMC at 9/8 p.m. ET/PT.
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