Season three of "The Walking Dead" has seen the show approach its already chaotic world with a scorched earth policy. This season is all about breaking new ground, and exploring every character's limits; if you get left behind, watch out. Season three's about as predictable as a schizophrenic off their meds.
One of the most delightful and shocking additions to the series this season has been the addition of new central character, The Governor. A man who - to put it lightly - plays by his own set of rules. And that's really saying something when the world you're playing in has none.
The Governor is "a devious, horrible, terrible human being. A villain you absolutely love to hate," said creator Robert Kirkman in a recent interview with zap2it.com.
"When it came time to adapt that character for the show, we're doing as much as we can to add nuance," Kirkman noted. "We're accentuating the politician side to show he can be a lot more seductive than he ever was in the comic book series. David Morrissey (The Governor) is doing a fantastic job of that."
While the first three episodes were a slick mix of brooding atmosphere and shocking fits of gore-drenched violence, Norman Reedus (Daryl) assured viewers at a press conference for the series that episode four will take everyone even deeper into hell. You might want to bring some tissues along this week.
"We just watched Episode 4, as a group, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house," said Reedus.
"Even though these were people who were there while we were filming it, all day, over and over again. We saw Episode 1 at a screening for the cast and crew, so there were 400 people packed in the place, and everyone was screaming at the top of their lungs. You could barely hear the dialogue. If it does that to us, when we're there filming it, bored and waiting for the day to be over, it's going to blow your minds. It's great!" Reedus continued.
Considering Reedus' quote, we can't help but wonder if we're in for some tragic character deaths in episode four. With the addition this season of The Governor, and Michonne, the lone wolf with a samurai sword, and the return of the much beloved Merle (Michael Rooker), it would certainly make dramatic sense for the show to kill off a series regular or two. There are plenty of new faces around to take their place. A sentiment that Reedus may have further hinted at when describing the show's snaking, complex narrative.
"The people that are really fans of the show, we're not dumbing anything down for anyone. It's smart television. It's not one of those shows where there are three people in an office that you know are going to be there until the season ends. Anyone could go, at any time, just like in the real world that we're trying to play in. It's fascinating to watch."
Based off the monthly black-and-white comic book series written by creator Robert Kirkman, "The Walking Dead" follows a gang of lost souls just trying to survive day-to-day life in a post-apocalyptic U.S. overrun with the living dead. The first two seasons of the AMC series have been hugely successful; the season two premiere broke cable ratings records in the 18-49 demographic. But season three has shattered everyone's expectations for the show, ratings and otherwise.
The premiere episode for the third season of AMC's "The Walking Dead" broke ratings records for the network with nearly 11 million viewers. Episode two, "Sick," which ran on Sunday Oct. 21, pulled in another 9.5 million fans, topping all non-sports programs for the week, and cementing "The Walking Dead" as the hottest TV series for the coveted 18-49 demographic so far this fall.
With DISH Network now once again carrying AMC, there are 14 million more users who can now watch "The Walking Dead."
Morrissey, who plays The Governor, elaborated on creator Kirkman's sentiment of needing to add levels of nuance to his character, to flesh him out into a more complex human being than the brute presented in the comics.
"The important thing for me is that the people who meet him for the first time aren't being tipped off [to his dark side], that they feel they're in a safe place," said Morrissey to Zap2it.
"The presentation to them is, 'You're safe here.' He's someone who looks strong and dependable, a man with his community's safety at heart. What I like is the audience has a different relationship with The Governor than the other characters on the show. The audience gets to see him in a personal place, they know him better than anyone."
Morrissey says his character is a meticulous pragmatist who's an expert at sizing people up. "Any leader of a community knows that certain people have to do certain jobs within the community for the community to exist successfully. [The Governor] can pinpoint those people," said Morrissey.
"It's not just Andrea. He can recognize in Michonne someone who can be very valuable. He doesn't want the national guard there, or someone who will challenge his authority, but he wants people who can work in this structure he's laid down."
But Morrissey says The Governor is more than just a cult-like leader. "I looked into many ideas of leadership, not just cults but also standard leaders that we have ourselves. Any successful leader has to be able to know the people around him, how he can manipulate them or trust them, mold them to his vision. Any good leader will not be frightened of people who are stronger than him both mentally and physically."
Morrissey recognizes his character is a demented man, but wants viewers to see The Governor as emblematic of everyone's susceptibility to brainwashing in the right context. Like, say, a zombie apocalypse?
"I think it's a bit safe to say cult, because we all like to believe we don't live in that type of domain. But all of us are subject to that type of leadership mindf*** really," sais Morrissey.
"We are played with that way in society whether we like it or not. Some of the tactics The Governor comes up with are used in everyday politics all the time."
Episode four, "The Killer Within" airs Sunday at 9/8c on AMC.