Just four episodes into its third season, and "The Walking Dead" refuses to back down.

The first three episodes were a slick mix of brooding atmosphere and shocking fits of gore-drenched violence, and episode four, "The Killer Within" was no different.

One of the best things about "The Walking Dead" is the show's knack for life-like spontaneity. This is a scripted series about a zombie apocalypse, but the show rarely feels that way, directly telling viewers how to feel about anything or anyone, or offering an indication of its direction. "The Walking Dead" prefers the kind of horror that can bubble up from any situation, or inside anyone, at any moment. Real danger.

This is a new world, with a new set of rules; everyone makes their own, no one is safe.

Episode four delivered on that sentiment in spades. Just as Norman Reedus (Daryl) assured viewers at a press conference for the series, the episode took the series even deeper into hell.

"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'd wondered if episode four would pack in some tragic character deaths, and the episode did not disappoint.

We lost both T-Dog and Lori in "The Killer Within," characters that have been with the show since its inception. While most shows would think twice about murdering their stars, "The Walking Dead" piled on the suspense, pulled the ripcord, and didn't blink once.

Lori dying while giving birth sets up an interesting prospect for the rest of season three. Rick doesn't seem like the best candidate for father at the moment. With Lori gone, will he step up, or will someone else take responsibility for the child?

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 certainly makes dramatic sense for the show to kill off a series regular or two. There are plenty of new faces around to take their place.

Reedus himself gave a nod to the show's ability to pack in realistic surprises, possibly hinting at even more challenging new directions for the show down the line.

"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," he said.

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."

Episode five of season three, "Say the Word," airs Sunday Nov. 11 at 9/8c on AMC.