This week’s episode focuses on the two societies, both run by madmen.

Title: “Say the World”

Cast and Crew

Directed by Gregory Nicotero
Written by Angela Kang from the graphic series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Robert Adlard.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes
Danai Gurira as Michonne
Laurie Holden as Andrea
David Morrissey as the Governor
Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon
Dallas Roberts as Milton
Scott Wilson as Herschel Greene
Steven Yeun as Glenn
Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene
Norman Reedus as Darryl Dixon
Emily Kinney as Beth Green
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes
Vincent Ward as Oscar
Lew Temple as Axel

Additional cast and crew information may be found here.

Premise

Michonne leaves Woodbury, and Andrea begins to have second thoughts as we learn more about the governor and his people. Back at the prison, the survivors deal with the events of the past episode, deaths and a birth, and Rick receives and unexpected phone call.

High Point

We’re gradually getting into the warped psyche of the governor, clearer through the relationship with his daughter than the gladiator games at the end (which clearly reflect back our involvement with the show).

Low Point

…Or, at least, an ambigous one.

I am uncertain about Michonne. She has some evidence against the governor, but nowhere near as much as we do, and no reason to run out quite so quickly. Is she that acclimatized to surviving on her own, that she can no longer accept civilzation? Or, does she just have such finely-tuned senses that she knows now that she needs to leave, even if her only friend must be left behind?

The situation is less inviting than it looks, but this Governor doesn’t present the immediate danger of the graphic novel version.

The Scores:

Originality: 4/6 Despite the prevalence of zombies and apocalyptic events in recent fiction and media, the ep does one or two interesting things with the Woodbury society.

Effects: 6/6

Story: 5/6 The story moves along, with major developments. If Carol remains alive, we need to see her soon, or receive a spectacularly impressive explanation for where she’s been this last while.

Acting: 5/6 Norman Reed and Michael Rooker get some of their best moments as character this week, while David Morrissey brings us convincingly under the governor’s skin. Andrew Lincoln certainly remains a strong performer, but his insane rage feels a bit forced.

Emotional Response: 5/6

Production: 6/6

Overall: 5/6

In total, “Say the Word” receives 36/42

Best guesses for the phone call?

Carol, still alive?
Rick’s saner half?
A phone scammer claiming to be “Windows Technical Support?”

God, with an explanation?
Sadako Yamamura or Samara Morgan or Park Eun-Suh, ringing in on the fun?