Season three of AMC's hit horror series "The Walking Dead" has been such a successful study in defying TV conventions, that even when the series pulls back the reigns for introspection, it still rages hellfire intensity. Example: Episode six, "Hounded."

After the previous episode found Rick seeking catharsis via gruesome displays of violence on walkers, the phone rang near the boiler room where Lori died. But was the phone call just in his mind? One of the most satisfying episodes in a season already embarrassingly stacked with talent, episode six burrowed deep into Rick's shattered psyche to explore the aftermath of his wife's death on his humanity, only revealing the phone calls as imaginary in its final moments.

Teasing the reality of the phone calls until the end brought us inside the grief welling up inside Rick since the show began, and created a tremendous end pay-off.

Readers of the comics might remember that after Lori's death, Rick continued to talk to her through imaginary phone calls in his head. Episode six proved just another example how the TV version of "The Walking Dead" continues to build on the comic in fresh, unique ways, using some of its narratives to transform these characters into fully realized, everyday people.

Creator Robert Kirkman says this willingness to defy TV conventions, like killing off central characters at free will, defines much of its popularity.

"It was definitely a lot," said Kirkman referring to killing off Lori, in a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times. "What we're really trying to do with 'The Walking Dead' is keep people guessing and also show that we're not your typical television show. I think that's something that has really led to our popularity, that we do things that you don't really normally see on television. I think 'Sons of Anarchy' is one of the only other shows on television that will kill a major character seemingly anywhere in the season."

Kirkman assures fans the rest of the season will keep them guessing just as much.

"We think that's really important to the show, to keep the audience off base," Kirkman said. "They don't know what's going to happen or when it's going to happen. When you sit down to watch an episode, anything could happen. While we do recognize that it's a very jarring thing and it's a huge loss to the show to lose two major characters in one episode - possibly three, we don't know what's going on with Carol, you never know - we wanted to do that so as you're watching Episode 5 and 6 and 7 and so on, you know, Oh my God, this show is for real. Anything could happen."

Based off the monthly black-and-white comic book series written by creator 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 show is striking its own path at this point, deviating freely from the narrative in the comics, but still includes much of the source material.

While Kirkman and crew are fans of taking chances, he believes staying true to the arc of the series' narrative is ultimately what's most important. As the show trudges further into darkness, he hinted the comic will continue to provide clues, and insight on the future of the series. 

"If you've looked at the comic book, the source material, we've gone in some pretty dark areas in that, and I don't think that we're ever going to be pulling any punches in the television show," Kirkman said. "I would say that while we do worry that killing a baby on TV is probably going to alienate some people, and it would be a pretty harsh thing, I don't know if that would keep us from doing that if we thought it was necessary for the story. So who knows what's going to happen, but it's certainly fun having a baby on set."

Creator Kirkman has confirmed the third season's 16 episodes will be split into two halves with the first eight episodes premiering every Sunday through Dec. 2, 2012, and the other eight episodes set to air in early spring 2013.

Episode six found Glen and Maggie kidnapped by Merle while out looking for baby supplies. Michonne is newly on her own, and - as the episode's final seconds revealed - is likely about to team up with Rick and the rest of the prison gang. With only two episodes left before the mid-season break, we're betting on an epic showdown between a newly unhinged Rick, Michonne, and The Governor and the rest of Woodbury.

Episode seven of season three, "When the Dead Come Knocking" airs Sunday Nov. 25 at 9/8c on AMC.