The Walking Dead | |
---|---|
Season 3 | |
Showrunner | Glen Mazzara |
Starring | |
No. of episodes | 16 |
Release | |
Original network | AMC |
Original release | October 14, 2012 – March 31, 2013 |
Season chronology | |
The third season of The Walking Dead , an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 14, 2012, and concluded on March 31, 2013, consisting of 16 episodes. [1] [2] Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. It was executive produced by Kirkman, Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Mazzara as showrunner for his second and final season. The third season was very well received by critics. It was nominated for multiple awards and won two, including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series, at the 39th Saturn Awards. [3]
This season adapts material from issues #13–39 of the comic book series and introduces notable comic characters, including Michonne (Danai Gurira), Axel (Lew Temple), The Governor (David Morrissey) and Tyreese Williams (Chad L. Coleman). It also marks the return of Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker), the volatile older brother of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), who went missing in the first season, and also features the return of Morgan Jones (Lennie James), the first survivor Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) encountered and befriended, who he lost contact with in season one. As in the comics, this season is mainly set in both an abandoned prison and an active rural town of survivors.
Set eight months after the killing of Shane Walsh and onslaught of the Greene Family Farm, with the world growing increasingly more dangerous and Lori's (Sarah Wayne Callies) pregnancy advancing, the season continues the story of Rick Grimes, who has assumed a dictatorial-like leadership over his group of survivors as they survive in a post-apocalyptic world infested with flesh-eating zombies, dubbed "walkers". After discovering a potential safe haven, the group takes refuge and inhabits a large fortified prison, but this security is threatened by a nearby community — Woodbury — led by a nefarious man known as The Governor, who takes an interest in Andrea (Laurie Holden) as she remains, after the burning of the farm, separated and unaware of the main group's status.
AMC renewed The Walking Dead for a third season on October 25, 2011, after the season two premiere broke cable ratings records in the 18-49 demographic. [4] On January 14, 2012, AMC announced that the third season will contain 16 episodes. [2]
Filming for the season began in May 2012 in Coweta County, Georgia, with the city of Senoia being used as the filming location for the town of Woodbury. [5] Ernest Dickerson directed the season premiere episode. [6] Greg Nicotero, co-executive producer and special make-up FX artist on the series, directed the fifth episode of season 3 after already having directed the season 2 episode "Judge, Jury, Executioner". He also returned as a zombie in the episode "The Suicide King", after portraying two different zombies in the first season. [7] In November 2012, Glen Mazzara announced that Ernest Dickerson would direct the season finale. [8]
After the conclusion of the third season, Mazzara stepped down from his position as showrunner and executive producer for the series, in a mutual agreement by both Mazzara and AMC. The press release read, "Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways." [9]
Following the Torn Apart series in 2011, another set of webisodes titled Cold Storage were produced and debuted on October 1, 2012, prior to the premiere of Season 3. [10] [11]
A second season had been commissioned in May 2012. [12] To coincide with a marathon of the show, a special episode was aired in July 2012 following the marathon's end, featuring a tour of the various props/sets used in the third season, as well as cast/crew interviews, and a snippet of exclusive footage featuring the newly introduced character Michonne. [13]
The third season features ten actors receiving opening credits billing, with eight returning from the previous season and two new cast members introduced; six are listed as main cast members in the second season, while Lauren Cohan and Scott Wilson were promoted from recurring status and Michael Rooker was promoted from guest status from the previous two seasons, [14] [15] while Danai Gurira and David Morrissey were added to the main cast as Michonne and The Governor, respectively. [16] However, Wilson and McBride are credited as "Also starring". [17]
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | 1 | "Seed" | Ernest Dickerson | Glen Mazzara | October 14, 2012 | 10.87 [18] | |
After enduring the winter on the road, the group has hardened and united firmly under Rick's leadership. He and Carl have withdrawn from Lori after her response to Shane's death. When they discover a prison, Rick and Daryl lead the group inside to clear it of walkers. Hershel is bitten on the ankle. As Rick amputates his leg to try save him, they discover five convicts surviving inside. Meanwhile, an ailing Andrea is cared for by Michonne. | |||||||
21 | 2 | "Sick" | Billy Gierhart | Nichole Beattie | October 21, 2012 | 9.55 [19] | |
Rick lays claim to the prison and tries to strike a deal with the convicts, but their leader Tomas proves too aggressive. Rick kills him and leaves his friend Andrew to be eaten by walkers. Rick spares Oscar and Axel, the remaining convicts, and lets them occupy a separate cell block. After being treated by Carol and Lori, Hershel wakes, proving that Rick's amputation saved him from the bite. | |||||||
22 | 3 | "Walk with Me" | Guy Ferland | Evan Reilly | October 28, 2012 | 10.51 [20] | |
Andrea and Michonne are drawn to a helicopter crash, where they are captured by Merle. He provides them shelter and medicine at Woodbury, a safe and well-organized town of survivors helmed by the Governor. Andrea is impressed and wants to stay while Michonne distrusts them. The Governor tracks the helicopter to a remaining group of soldiers and ambushes them, stealing their weaponry and claiming their heads as trophies. | |||||||
23 | 4 | "Killer Within" | Guy Ferland | Sang Kyu Kim | November 4, 2012 | 9.27 [21] | |
Michonne tries to convince Andrea to leave Woodbury while Merle presses her for information on Daryl. At the prison, walkers are unleashed upon the group. T-Dog is bit and sacrifices himself so that Carol can escape, but she presumably dies too. Oscar and Axel help Rick, Daryl, and Glenn search for the others. They find Andrew, who survived and sought revenge upon them, but Oscar kills him. Meanwhile, Lori goes into labor and becomes trapped within the tombs. Maggie is forced to perform a fatal C-section to save the baby. Carl shoots Lori to prevent reanimation. As the survivors regroup, Rick is devastated. | |||||||
24 | 5 | "Say the Word" | Greg Nicotero | Angela Kang | November 11, 2012 | 10.37 [22] | |
Woodbury throws a party to celebrate their success, culminating in a caged fight between Merle and Martinez. The Governor locks his daughter Penny, a walker, inside his room. Michonne rebels, forcing the Governor to exile her from Woodbury. Andrea decides to stay. At the prison, the survivors mourn their losses. Daryl and Maggie find powdered formula to feed Lori's baby. Rick grows unhinged and goes on a walker killing rampage. He hears a telephone ring and answers. | |||||||
25 | 6 | "Hounded" | Dan Attias | Scott M. Gimple | November 18, 2012 | 9.21 [23] | |
Rick entertains imaginary phone calls with other survivors, wrestling with his failure to provide a safe shelter for the group. This culminates in a cathartic discussion with Lori, prompting Rick to finally adopt responsibility for the baby. Daryl finds Carol alive in the tombs. The Governor enters a relationship with Andrea. Meanwhile, he sends Merle to assassinate Michonne, but she escapes. The two later converge with Glenn and Maggie, who are gathering baby formula. Merle captures Glenn and Maggie and returns to Woodbury, where he lies to the Governor about Michonne's fate. Michonne arrives at the prison with the baby formula. | |||||||
26 | 7 | "When the Dead Come Knocking" | Dan Sackheim | Frank Renzulli | November 25, 2012 | 10.43 [24] | |
Merle and the Governor torture Glenn and Maggie to learn the location of the prison, where Michonne informs them of Glenn and Maggie's capture. As the Governor realizes that Rick's group poses a sizeable threat, Michonne leads them to Woodbury's gate. | |||||||
27 | 8 | "Made to Suffer" | Billy Gierhart | Robert Kirkman | December 2, 2012 | 10.48 [25] | |
Tyreese, a burly survivor, leads his group into the backside of the prison and is rescued by Carl. Michonne guides Rick's party into Woodbury, where they trigger a shootout to rescue Glenn and Maggie. Unbeknownst to both sides, the conflict pits Merle and Andrea against Rick, Daryl and Michonne. Oscar is killed and Daryl is captured. Michonne ditches Rick and confronts the Governor in a violent brawl. She wounds his eye, kills Penny, and exposes his psychopathy to Andrea. As revenge for sparing Michonne, the Governor pits Merle against Daryl in a cage fight. | |||||||
28 | 9 | "The Suicide King" | Lesli Linka Glatter | Evan Reilly | February 10, 2013 | 12.26 [26] | |
Rick and Maggie rescue Daryl and Merle, but Glenn forbids Merle from returning to the prison. Unable to abandon his brother again, Daryl leaves with him. Rick promises to exile Michonne for ditching them in Woodbury. Glenn presumes that the Governor raped Maggie and blames Rick for not targeting him. Woodbury is in a panic after the shootout. While the Governor has seemingly left his post, Andrea restores order. Hershel tries to persuade Rick to let Tyreese's group join them, but Rick hallucinates a vision of Lori and becomes unhinged. | |||||||
29 | 10 | "Home" | Seith Mann | Nichole Beattie | February 17, 2013 | 11.05 [27] | |
Rick wanders the woods outside the prison while Daryl attempts to survive with Merle. With no clear leader, Glenn takes charge but wrestles angrily with his failure to protect Maggie. Hershel asks Rick to return, but he is driven mad by visions of Lori. Daryl helps a family with a newborn, which prompts an argument with his brother. Merle is shaken to learn that Daryl was similarly abused by their father yet did not become poisoned with resentment and self-interest. Daryl leaves Merle and returns to the prison. The Governor attacks the prison, killing Axel and flooding the field with walkers. | |||||||
30 | 11 | "I Ain't a Judas" | Greg Nicotero | Angela Kang | February 24, 2013 | 11.01 [28] | |
In the wake of the Governor's attack, the survivors begin to crumble. Hershel scolds Rick into resuming leadership. Merle struggles to fit in. Andrea travels to the prison to negotiate peace, but they refuse. Carol persuades Andrea to kill the Governor, but she decides against it. Tyreese leads his group to Woodbury. | |||||||
31 | 12 | "Clear" | Tricia Brock | Scott M. Gimple | March 3, 2013 | 11.30 [29] | |
Rick leads Carl and Michonne on a run to his home county to search for firearms. They encounter Morgan, who has become disturbed after seeing his undead wife kill his son Duane. Carl bonds with Michonne as she helps him retrieve a picture of Lori for baby Judith. Rick tries to persuade Morgan to return to the prison, but he declines. | |||||||
32 | 13 | "Arrow on the Doorpost" | David Boyd | Ryan C. Coleman | March 10, 2013 | 11.46 [30] | |
Andrea arranges a meeting between Rick and the Governor. Daryl and Hershel bond with Martinez and Milton. Glenn reconciles with Maggie. The Governor offers peace if Rick gives him Michonne but prepares to kill Rick's group regardless. | |||||||
33 | 14 | "Prey" | Stefan Schwartz | Glen Mazzara & Evan Reilly | March 17, 2013 | 10.84 [31] | |
The Governor prepares a torture chamber for Michonne while Martinez gathers walkers to unleash against the prison. Milton exposes these plans to Andrea. She travels to the prison to warn them, but the Governor hunts her down and captures her in the torture chamber. | |||||||
34 | 15 | "This Sorrowful Life" | Greg Nicotero | Scott M. Gimple | March 24, 2013 | 10.99 [32] | |
Rick decides to give Michonne to the Governor against Hershel and Daryl's judgement. After enlisting Merle's help, Rick changes his mind, but Merle has already taken Michonne to fulfill the deal. Rick comes clean to the group and resigns leadership, delegating the major decisions to a vote. Merle decides to release Michonne and sabotages the Governor's men. The Governor kills Merle and leaves him to reanimate. Daryl discovers him and puts him down. | |||||||
35 | 16 | "Welcome to the Tombs" | Ernest Dickerson | Glen Mazzara | March 31, 2013 | 12.42 [33] | |
The Governor kills Milton in Andrea's cell, where he turns and bites her. Woodbury's army attacks the prison but flees when Rick leads an ambush. Carl kills a surrendering soldier, terrifying Rick. Furious at their retreat, The Governor massacres his army and leaves with Martinez. Karen survives and leads Rick back to Woodbury, where Michonne consoles Andrea before her suicide. Rick welcomes the Woodbury citizens to the prison, healing his guilt from Lori's death. |
The third season of The Walking Dead has received positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season holds a score of 82 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 19 critics. [34] On Rotten Tomatoes, the season holds an 88% with an average rating of 7.85 out of 10, based on 327 reviews. The site's critical consensus reads: "The palpable terror and visceral thrills continue in the third season of The Walking Dead, along with a deeper sense of the people who inhabit its apocalyptic landscape." [35]
Season 3 (2012–13): Percentage of positive critics' reviews tracked by the website Rotten Tomatoes [35] |
For the 39th Saturn Awards, the third season of The Walking Dead received four nominations and two wins. The wins were for Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series and Best Supporting Actress on Television (Laurie Holden). [3] The nominations were for Best Actor on Television (Andrew Lincoln) and Best Supporting Actor on Television (David Morrissey). [36]
The season also received a nomination for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or Special at the 65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards ("This Sorrowful Life"). [37] Additionally, the season was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series at the 19th and 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards for both halves of the season, respectively. [38] [39] This season was also nominated for Program of the Year at the 29th TCA Awards, [40] while Andrew Lincoln was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards. [41]
No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) | Viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Seed" | October 14, 2012 | 5.8 | 10.87 [18] |
2 | "Sick" | October 21, 2012 | 5.1 | 9.55 [19] |
3 | "Walk with Me" | October 28, 2012 | 5.4 | 10.51 [20] |
4 | "Killer Within" | November 4, 2012 | 4.9 | 9.27 [21] |
5 | "Say the Word" | November 11, 2012 | 5.6 | 10.37 [22] |
6 | "Hounded" | November 18, 2012 | 4.9 | 9.21 [23] |
7 | "When the Dead Come Knocking" | November 25, 2012 | 5.4 | 10.43 [24] |
8 | "Made to Suffer" | December 2, 2012 | 5.4 | 10.48 [25] |
9 | "The Suicide King" | February 10, 2013 | 6.1 | 12.26 [26] |
10 | "Home" | February 17, 2013 | 5.6 | 11.05 [27] |
11 | "I Ain't a Judas" | February 24, 2013 | 5.7 | 11.01 [28] |
12 | "Clear" | March 3, 2013 | 5.7 | 11.30 [29] |
13 | "Arrow on the Doorpost" | March 10, 2013 | 5.7 | 11.46 [30] |
14 | "Prey" | March 17, 2013 | 5.5 | 10.84 [31] |
15 | "This Sorrowful Life" | March 24, 2013 | 5.4 | 10.99 [32] |
16 | "Welcome to the Tombs" | March 31, 2013 | 6.4 | 12.42 [33] |
The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 27, 2013, [42] in region 2 on September 30, 2013 [43] and in region 4 on September 25, 2013. [44] Special features include eight featurettes—"Rising Son", "Evil Eye", "Gone, But Not Forgotten", "Heart of a Warrior", "Michonne vs. The Governor", "Making the Dead", "Safety Behind Bars", and "Guts and Glory". Five audio commentaries, for episodes "Killer Within", "Say the Word", "Made to Suffer", "The Suicide King", and "This Sorrowful Life". Also included are 13 minutes of deleted scenes across six episodes. [42]
The third season was also released in limited edition Blu-ray packaging, a replica of The Governor's walker head aquarium as seen in season three. The limited edition packaging was designed by Greg Nicotero and sculpted by McFarlane Toys. [45]
"Walk with Me" is the third episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC in the United States on October 28, 2012. The episode primarily focuses on Andrea ; having been separated from the rest of the group at the end of the previous season, she and fellow katana-wielding survivor, Michonne find themselves in the company of Merle Dixon as they are captured and brought to The Governor in a small town called Woodbury. Merle Dixon, who was previously seen physically in season 1 and as a hallucination in season 2, returns in this episode as a series regular.
"Say the Word" is the fifth episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It was written by Angela Kang and directed by Greg Nicotero, and originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 11, 2012.
"Hounded" is the sixth episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It was directed by Dan Attias and written by Scott M. Gimple, and originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 18, 2012.
"When the Dead Come Knocking" is the seventh episode of the third season of the postapocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It was directed by Dan Sackheim and written by Frank Renzulli, and originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 25, 2012.
"Made to Suffer" is the eighth episode and mid-season finale of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It was directed by Billy Gierhart and written by Robert Kirkman, and aired on AMC in the United States on December 2, 2012. In this episode, Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Oscar enter Woodbury in search of Glenn and Maggie. Meanwhile, a new group of survivors discover the prison.
"The Suicide King" is the ninth episode and mid-season premiere of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It was directed by Lesli Linka Glatter and written by Evan Reilly, and aired on AMC in the United States on February 10, 2013. The episode's first airing was the most-watched episode of the series and beat several ratings records for a basic cable series.
"I Ain't a Judas" is the eleventh episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC in the United States on February 24, 2013. In this episode, Rick Grimes and his group debate their next course of action as they find themselves running out of food and ammunition, while The Governor prepares Woodbury for battle. Meanwhile, Andrea grows uneasy and decides to travel to the prison to negotiate with Rick's group, but is treated harshly by them.
"Arrow on the Doorpost" is the thirteenth episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on March 10, 2013. In this episode, Rick Grimes and The Governor meet face-to-face, ostensibly to make a peaceful resolution to prevent further bloodshed.
"Prey" is the fourteenth episode of the third season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which originally aired on AMC in the United States on March 17, 2013. In this episode, The Governor hunts down Andrea when she flees Woodbury, and tensions arise within Tyreese 's group. Meanwhile, a traitor attempts to sabotage the upcoming meeting between Rick and The Governor.
The fourth season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 13, 2013, and concluded on March 30, 2014, consisting of 16 episodes. Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. It was executive produced by Kirkman, David Alpert, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Gimple assuming the role of showrunner after Glen Mazzara's departure from the series. The fourth season was well received by critics. It was nominated for multiple awards and won three, including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series for the second consecutive year, at the 40th Saturn Awards.
The fifth season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 12, 2014, and concluded on March 29, 2015, consisting of 16 episodes. Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The executive producers were Kirkman, David Alpert, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Gimple as showrunner for the second consecutive season. The fifth season received widespread critical acclaim. It was nominated for multiple awards and won three, including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series for the third consecutive year, at the 41st Saturn Awards.
"Claimed" is the eleventh episode of the fourth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 23, 2014. The episode was written by Nichole Beattie and Seth Hoffman, and directed by Seith Mann.
The fifth season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, an American reality television series, was broadcast on Bravo. It aired from November 4, 2012 until April 28, 2013 and was primarily filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Its executive producers are Lauren Eskelin, Lorraine Haughton, Glenda Hersh, Carlos King, Steven Weinstock and Andy Cohen.
"Crossed" is the seventh episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on November 23, 2014. It was written by Seth Hoffman and directed by Billy Gierhart. In the episode, Michonne and Carl Grimes stay at the barricaded Church with Gabriel Stokes as Rick Grimes and the others go on a rescue mission for Beth Greene and Carol Peletier in Atlanta. The episode received generally positive reviews, though most noted the set up for the mid-season finale. This is the first episode to feature all credited series regulars for the fifth season.
"What Happened and What's Going On" is the ninth episode and mid-season premiere of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 8, 2015. It marks Chad L. Coleman's final appearance as series regular Tyreese. It also features several appearances from deceased characters in Tyreese's hallucinations. The episode was written by series showrunner Scott M. Gimple and directed by Greg Nicotero.
"Them" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead, which aired on AMC on February 15, 2015. The episode was written by Heather Bellson and directed by Julius Ramsay. In the episode, the group of Rick Grimes are exhausted and dehydrated from their journey to Washington, D.C., while several members of the group continue to grieve over the group's recent losses and question their chances of survival.