DRW50

I thought the actual final scene was gorgeous, and I have no problem with more people being brought in - if you're going to have a battle, you need cannon fodder, and, aside from maybe Beth/Hershel/Carol, everyone in the prison was too important to the story to kill, or too popular with fans. Feeding everyone - between the food from Woodbury and the farming that Hershel wanted to start but hasn't been able to, that shouldn't be a huge problem. The episode itself was more problematic, especially the way they handled the Governor and Andrea, but I think they never should have built up a battle when logically it was never going to happen (the Governor had everything and more he needed to win). I felt like the season had about five balls in the air, and the finale had to deal with them, and seemed to let a few fall (for instance, while it's nice to see that Tyreese and Sasha are nice people, I'm not quite sure why they were ever in Woodbury...?). Reading about the behind the scenes debating over Andrea and her final scenes, which was apparently serious enough to mandate reshoots months later, I am a little more forgiving. I only watch about 3 new shows so that's not a problem for me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9LzpBIbaXM

Sorry to keep posting stuff but this is a Laurie Holden interview. She talks a little about the other ending that was originally filmed, and not being happy with it. It also sounds like the decision to kill her was somewhat last minute. I kind of wonder if this is what got Mazarra fired, or if it was Kirkman, or what. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-season-3-finale-death-spoilers-andrea-laurie-holden-interview-431969 More Kirkman: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-season-3-finale-interview-robert-kirkman-431968

More scary/stupid/insane comments from those in power. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2013/04/gay-marriage-local-republicans.php?ref=fpb

Looks like there were originally VERY different Andrea/Milton scenes in this episode. http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/01/the-walking-dead-dallas-roberts-milton-andrea/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_SZoxu7ER8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIeAdLX2Rw0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThT4qiTpp9E

http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/04/01/the-walking-dead-robert-kirkman-season-3-finale/

This is one of those shows I always wish I could see more of. The bits and pieces I've seen are generally very good, and what a rich cast. Matt and Maggie having stories about their careers and love lives and own choices even as Matt had a grown son, at a time when many soaps were farming their older characters off.

I agree with some of what you're saying. I have a tough time with Andrea dying and the Governor living, because, narratively speaking, I feel like his story was done, while hers wasn't (admittedly she had no real ties left to Rick's group but I did want to see more of her with Michonne). I also think it's a very bleak message, with no real hope (this show isn't about hope but things like the CDC explosion or Lori's death had some hope mixed in with the pain). There are rumors Laurie Holden isn't happy either, and apparently she only found out before taping of the episode, which is somewhat unusual with the show. The main problem with any confrontation is that the Governor would have blown them away. Yes, his people were a little slower, but he had tons more ammo, more manpower, and pure ruthlessness. I think that's one of the reasons the show actively avoided a direct confrontation. The prison is better protected than the town, and also has room to plant crops.

Surprised that the "was Carl wrong to kill that boy" poll was split. I think the show has hardened its viewers more than they may realize.

What was that phone call? I thought I'd turned on CSPAN. They always have scary calls.

I laughed and laughed when Hardwick responded to Yvette's comment with, "And that's when she started murdering people." I can't say I was a fan but I thought they could have done a little more with him and his son. That seemed like fodder. I forgot to say - two black women actually survived to the finale. If Sasha actually gets some material next season then that's far better than a lot of TV at the moment.

So Chad and the guy who played Allen helped come up with the reason for the tension. No wonder that all seemed so rushed and weird - they had to come up with it on the fly. (shallow note - I thought the guy who played Allen was a little hot. Before he was shot in the head, anyway).

I was just thinking about how much time Andrea spent with Milton this season - she tried to help guide him, over and over. She saved him from being bitten by the old man who was dying of cancer. She helped teach him how to leash walkers. She tried to get him to leave with her. To think that he went on to turn and kill her...wow. I was also thinking about the scene with Milton and Hershel which had such "changing of the guard" undertones. All along that was pure bait and switch.

He usually works in that he doesn't see it as romantic (in so many words). I think he likes their bond but not past that. It's still weird for me that TWD has a ship war. I think the show might have expected that with Shane/Lori/Rick... Chad Coleman is a beautiful man. You don't quite get that with the skullcap he always wears on the show.

Norman Reedus is not a Caryl fan, he just tries to be polite about it. It's sort of interesting when he dances around it. The show needs characters like Beth. You need a few subdued people in the background. And they need someone to sing for montages.

"Beth Finally Kills A Walker." That made me laugh. After last week where I said I thought Carl was somehow getting all the young guys killed, he shot one in the head this week. Damn. If I have that much power on the show then poor Jim and Jacqui would still be alive. I just realized Maggie has managed to keep her family for two seasons. That's amazing. I never guessed it would happen. Enjoy them while you can, Maggie.

Yvette is not an Andrea fan

Sorry about the double post. I agree about that Mad Men promo. Shameless.

I know what you mean, in a sense. The story can easily move along without her. It's just I always associated her with the top tier of characters, in story prominence, and voice. I'm shocked. And Laurie Holden plays those last moments brilliantly.

I really wasn't expecting that at all. I thought Hershel, Carol, Beth. I thought Andrea was too big a character. I'm glad it wasn't them, but I'm still shocked. Laurie Holden has been a real trouper, dealing with all the fan hate while she knew how this was ending. Poor Michonne. She loved Andrea.

Ugh I can't believe this with Andrea. I'm close to tears.

I'm in bargaining stage - I can accept one of my favorites dying, but I don't think I could take two. (this is just me speculating, no spoilers)

How long was it between the time Betsy found out and Dan died? For a long time I thought she found out right before he died. It must have been at least a year though. I wonder if they had long-term plans for Beau. You'd think he would have been around a long time. Instead they brought in Brad. I know this has already been asked and answered, but did Marie Masters want to leave?

Lee Godart was very sexy as Elliot. EON had at that time, I'd say, collectively, the hottest male cast I've seen on a soap.