TV Review: THE WALKING DEAD Season Three Episode 5, 'Say The Word'

AMC's Emmy Award-winning series The Walking Dead is led by showrunner Glen Mazzara and based on the acclaimed comic book series by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. The next episode is scheduled to air November 18th.

The Walking Dead tells the story of the weeks and months that follow a pandemic zombie apocalypse. County Sheriff Rick Grimes travels with his family and a small group of survivors, constantly in search of a safe and secure home. But the constant pressure of fighting off death on a daily basis takes a heavy toll, sending many to the lowest depths of human cruelty. As Rick struggles to keep his family alive, he will discover that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be far more dangerous than the mindless walkers roaming the earth.

Season 3, episode 5

If last week depressed you beyond all belief, you weren't alone. After Lori bit the dust, Rick decides to lose all of his s*** and go looking for her body. In the process he axes quite a few zombies in the most brutal ways possible, earning several zombie kill of the week nods. While the fearless leader goes crazy, Daryl steps in to look for formula for the newborn baby. During his hunt for food with Maggie, we see a completely new side to the badass as he officially solidifies his position as the most beloved character on the series. He will not let another one die after his search for Sophia ended in tragedy and at one point he even becomes the first person to feed the baby after a successful mission. For comic fans, if you weren't convinced by now, know that Daryl is no doubt the replacement for a missing Tyreese. Look for a leadership struggle between Rick and Daryl to be in the pipeline.

Back in Woodbury, the Governor combs his zombie daughter's hair until chunks of her head fall off. It's a sweet moment until he bags her face to shut her up. Ok, some more psychotic reveals and I'm slowly getting more convinced at David Morrissey's portrayal of the villain. Michonne also finally, finally breaks out from depressing walking cardboard mode and even cracks a smile as she goes Kill Bill on a group of walkers. The choreography in the zombie kills this week was probably the best it's ever been on the show so far.

Gladiator fights were also unearthed in this episode as Merle shows everyone that the ridiculous karate kick promo pic he had prior to the season wasn't as goofy as I thought it was. The fight itself loses lot's of it's brutality because the Governor reveals that the exhibition is more or less on the level of professional wrestling. I found this to be a letdown because the source material is more shocking and violent, so here's hoping this event takes things to the extreme next time they introduce it, which I'm sure they will.....

Carol wasn't found either and Glenn presumes her dead as he ends up digging three graves for some reason even though ZERO bodies were brought back for burials. There's no way Carol should be dead, so stay tuned for her return. The episode ends with Rick finding that his dead wife has been eaten so he begins stabbing the grotesque, bloated walker that ate most of her until a phone starts ringing in the boiler room. Yes comic fans, it's the phone and the episode ends as Rick picks it up to say 'hello?'. This element was introduced after the prison arc, but with Lori's accelerated death it makes sense to bring it in now. Andrew Lincoln's descent into madness as the shattered Rick Grimes has only just begun.