‘The Walking Dead’ Nebraska. I can’t believe who was in that car!!

That was a pretty good freaking episode! You can see that there is a transition happening, but the character development is still going strong. In fact, my opinion of a few characters really changed for the better last night.

For one thing, I find myself siding with Shane. Even if he’s hot-headed and confrontational, his heart is in the right place, and he’s just basically right. He’s one of the only characters that didn’t let their guard down in the first half of the season. I kind of think that Dale should just give up his whining about how bad Shane is. Stop your fit-throwing and pitch in a little, Dale!

While we’re on the subject of Shane, I did love that Maggie hit him early on in the episode. I also enjoyed the tender moment between Shane and Carol when he is washing her arms and she is totally out of it. You don’t see Shane’s soft side very often.

I was proud of Carol in this episode. She seemed on the verge of coming out of her shell and carrying on. I think she knew all along that Sophia wasn’t coming back. I am really looking forward to seeing how her character develops over the next couple of episodes. And how things proceed between her and Daryl. Daryl was a total dick this episode, by the way. I get it, he’s regressed or some such nonsense. He and Dale should get together and have a little time-out until their tantrums are over. I still love you though, Daryl.

Carl is still obviously on his way to total bad-assery. If I were Lori, I don’t think I would be so worried about him. I would appreciate the fact that he may have what it takes to make it in this new world. Speaking of Lori, she seems to be a bit of a drama queen. I get that Hershel needs to get back, but Rick and Glenn are already on it. Don’t you think they will try to get back quickly? Do more lives really need to be risked on a trip to town? I did enjoy that she finally got a tiny bit ballsy and decided to do something for herself for a change. Although, it didn’t turn out well… After seeing the car wreck so many times on the different trailers, I was shocked to see that it was Lori in the car! That never even crossed my mind. I can’t wait to see what happens with her next week.

Andrea and T-Dog were hard-core when it came to burning that heap of walkers. It spoke volumes about how their way of life is so much different now than it was post-walker, and how they are becoming desensitized. Especially the scene where the walker’s arm fell off the truck. Disgusting! But it didn’t faze Andrea in the least. I’m starting to root for her in a major way.

Of course the highlight of the episode was the action in the bar. I never realized how similar Rick and Hershel are. They are both just trying to do their best to be strong and look out for their people, but they are both failing miserably and trying not to fall apart over it.

What can I even say about Rick shooting the fuck out of those two douche-bags?! That entire scene was beautifully executed. At first it seemed almost friendly, but you could feel the tension as soon as  the subject of the farm came up. It made me see Hershel in a very different light, because if we has been following the plight of these other two guys, we would hate Rick and be rooting for them to take over the farm.

Talk about an instant transition. For the last several episodes, it has been Rick’s people and Hershel’s people. At the moment these new guys started talking about the farm, the two groups became one, and Rick stepped up to take charge. I’m sorry that I said you couldn’t be in charge any more after last episode, Rick. I stand corrected.

Although, I wouldn’t have minded terribly if Michael Raymond-James had been joining the show.

Sorry it didn't work out...