Walk with Me

Did You Know?

• The episode was watched by an estimated 10.51 million viewers upon its initial broadcast.
• Zack Handlen, writing for The A.V. Club, gave the episode an A− on a scale from A to F.
• Eric Goldman at IGN gave the episode an 8.6 out of 10.

Plot

Michonne and Andrea, who is unwell, see a military helicopter go down in the woods nearby. When they reach the crash site, only one crew member, Welles, is still alive, though he is seriously hurt. Hearing vehicles coming, Michonne, Andrea, and the walkers Michonne keeps chained and leads around hide. A group of men arrive, rescue Welles, and shoot the other crew members in the head as they start to turn. The noise from Michonne’s walkers gives away their hiding spot. Michonne cuts off the walkers’ heads to silence them, but she and Andrea are still taken prisoner. Andrea is shocked to recognize one of the captors as Merle, Daryl’s brother, who was left handcuffed to a pipe on a rooftop in Atlanta by Rick’s group. Merle escaped by cutting off his own hand and now wears a blade prosthetic in its place. Andrea faints from the surprise.

They are brought to Woodbury, a well-stocked, walled town that shelters about seventy survivors. After their weapons are taken, Merle questions them. He tells how he made his way from Atlanta to Woodbury and became the top assistant to the man who runs the place, known only as the Governor. Andrea explains how she left the Greene farm and got separated from Rick’s group. Merle still holds a grudge against them. The Governor later meets the two women and offers to let them stay. Michonne is suspicious and demands her weapons back so she and Andrea can leave, but Andrea wants to see more of the town. At breakfast, the Governor introduces his chief adviser, Milton, and tries to charm information about Rick’s group out of them. Michonne stays distant and warns Andrea not to trust the Governor, but Andrea believes Woodbury is safe.

Production

This episode shifts the focus entirely to the new Woodbury setting, a change from the previous episode which centered on the prison group. It marks the series debut of David Morrissey as The Governor, who is also added to the opening credits. Michael Rooker, who had a recurring role in season one and a guest spot in season two, likewise joins the opening credits. Notably, this is the first episode without Rick and Lori, and as of this point, no character has appeared in every episode.