‘The Walking Dead’ Recap: The Governor Avenges Woodbury

In The Walking Dead last week, when Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his crew invaded Woodbury to rescue Daryl (Norman Reedus), Glenn (Steven Yeun), and Maggie (Lauren Cohan), it was only a matter of time before the Governor (David Morrissey) enacted revenge on the prison. Last night’s episode, ironically entitled “Home,” saw the prison group trying to defend their new residence.

The episode begins with Rick risking his own safety to follow a vision of Lori in white. He wanders off the prison grounds and heads into the surrounding forest in search of her. Michonne (Danai Gurira) watches in shock.

At Woodbury, the Governor visits Andrea (Laurie Holden) to commend her on her speech to the townspeople and to offer her his position as town leader. He also vows he will not retaliate against her friends as long as Rick leaves them alone. The Governor almost could have garnered our sympathy if we didn’t know his dual nature. Later, he orders Milton (Dallas Roberts) to keep an eye on Andrea for signs of dissent and leaves for the prison. Andrea notices his absence, but doesn’t make an effort to search for him.

In the woods, Merle (Michael Rooker) and Daryl contemplate returning to the prison, but Merle says the Governor has probably already killed Rick and the others. While on their journey, they come across a family under attack by walkers. Merle is hesitant to help, but Daryl jumps into action when he hears a crying baby. The survivors escape, and Daryl and Merle argue over their conflicting perspectives. Daryl ends up storming off into the woods to return to where he truly belongs.

Back at the prison, inmate Axel (Lew Temple) flirts shamelessly with Carol (Melissa McBride), while Glenn brainstorms ideas on how to prevent the Governor from attacking. He wants to return to Woodbury to kill the Governor first, but Hershel (Scott Wilson), the ultimate voice of reason and unofficial therapist, tries to dissuade him from going twice. Glenn is adamant in his decision and heads off to the town regardless. Hershel seeks Rick’s help and finds him hunting in the woods for Lori. Rick acknowledges he’s hallucinating, but still thinks there’s an answer for why he’s seeing her. Hershel recommends he rest as Rick turns to leave.

Meanwhile, Axel retells a pre-apocalypse story to Carol in the yard when he is shot in the head. Everyone drops for cover. A violent shootout ensues between the prison and the Governor, who is stationed outside its walls, as a truck crashes through the fence and releases a doozy of a walker bomb. Dozens of zombies flood the yard, and the Governor leaves satisfied. Glenn returns to rescue Hershel, who is trapped in the yard, and Daryl and Merle arrive in top badass form just as two walkers corner Rick. As the group scrambles to kill any remaining walkers, Rick looks on, grim-faced. War has officially been declared. –Jill Wronski

Check out a preview for next week’s episode below: