i'm binging the end of S3 and reading all the comments! just wanted to say i love love love "Clear," same as other commentors this episode holds a special place in my heart - just 10/10 all around!! i'm glad you enjoyed it
fara
2025-09-16 23:43:09 +0000 UTC
Your reaction to Morgan was totally me the first time I watched. I was SO happy. "Clear" is one of my favorite episodes, Lennie James was acting his ass off. Also, it's the beginning of Michonne really being accepted into the group.
Tanesha H.
2025-09-16 23:15:08 +0000 UTC
1:04:00 you'd Gone Girl him lol!!
First Name Ella
2025-09-10 02:16:55 +0000 UTC
She's singing Tom Waits!!
First Name Ella
2025-09-09 08:03:37 +0000 UTC
I mean, Shane DID love Rick, until he thought Rick had died and fell in love with Lori and all of his darkest impulses took over. I'd also argue that the characters aren't always written consistently.
Episode 12, Clear, is so fucking good it's crazy. One of the best in the show! Between all of Morgan and Rick and Carl learning to trust and see Michonne as family, I love every second. I'm also someone who didn't like just how tough Rick was being on Michonne, but I agree the payoff in this episode is great. I especially love how you can tell Michonne wasn't taking the distrust 10% heart, in that scene where Rick was asking "Do you have a problem with that?" all aggressively and Michonne just says very softly "No I don't have a problem Rick" and offers the bullet as almost a peace offering. She GETS it. She's been there and is still there sometimes. She can hear them talking about her and feel the distrust and animosity, but she doesn't internalize it. Rick's mental state isn't always at 100 and he doesn't always know who to trust, so it makes sense that it took Carl taking to her to finally convince him.
And in general I love what this episode does for Michonne. As you said, when she's around good people we can really start to see her personality. She's witty and fun when she feels comfortable. And I love how she handled Carl. She doesn't see him as some weak kid who needs protection either, but she always doesn't see him as 100% an equal because he's not. He's a capable kid, but is still a kid. And she knew when to let him take an active role and when to tell him to take a step back so she could handle it. Another example of how great of an observer she is. Reason 1000 that she's my favorite character of the show lol
sierra's reaction corner
2025-09-06 05:40:06 +0000 UTC
That's a good point consistency
real estate agentš
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:30:41 +0000 UTC
I love everything you said in this comment, especially that last sentence. That is why sometimes its so sad and frustrating that some fans don't want to examine themselves through these characters. It's like such a missed opportunity. Hopefully sometime in the future
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:28:27 +0000 UTC
That is such a good point. And yeah I think it would have been good for Maggie to tell her about what the governor did. At the same time it's so sad to see all the things the governor have done that Andrea has overlooked. So it pains me to say that maybe Maggie's story might not even change her mind that much
Good point about Shane's version of Love. I'm totally aware that he loved Rick in the past when they were more like brothers before the apocalypse. But after Lori came back, well, sad stuff
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:17:36 +0000 UTC
sad sad sad
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:11:54 +0000 UTC
Beautifully said Iris. And I guess we can look at the deterioration of Andrea's character the same way we look at Shane's character, Rick's character, Morgan's character etc.. Instead of viewing it as stupidity, view it as a decline. The kind of change this world makes you go through. Which is not always good
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:11:01 +0000 UTC
You're right so many beautiful continuity. I would like to watch episode one and this episode back to back
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:07:56 +0000 UTC
You have some freaking amazing ears. I bet everyone watching at your auntie's house thought You already knew it
Morgan absolutely killed it
Expedition 33 is high on my list
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:05:46 +0000 UTC
big facts about the wire
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:03:30 +0000 UTC
Emotional rollercoaster for real
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:03:08 +0000 UTC
The writing is too heartbreaking and Immaculate
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:02:49 +0000 UTC
fucking tragic
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:02:24 +0000 UTC
Yeah I remember them dating in the comics. When I was watching the show and Dale started showing more interest in her, I thought that's where they were leading.
Good point about merle
I feel you i'm just waiting to see how Andrea's storyline develops more so I can have a full context
I agree 100 percent that Rick would have turned into Morgan without the group to pull him back
Big shout out to michonne
Franklin
2025-09-04 16:02:10 +0000 UTC
Oh and I remember Clear being a turning point for some folks about Michonne when it aired. At the time, I recall there being a mixed response about her -- some people were annoyed that she didn't talk enough or explain herself enough. That wasn't my vibe at all, but I also thought it was an eye-opener about how different viewers recognized or expected trauma to show up in a character.
courtru
2025-09-04 04:37:32 +0000 UTC
Ever since the first episode reaction, I was looking forward to arriving here for Morgan's return! I'm glad it felt so satisfying. Clear holds up, and everything about it is quality storytelling. Andrea...sigh. I do think she's purposefully written to be a complex character but is also an example of writing characters into a corner. She needs to help move the Woodbury storyline, and in doing so it sacrifices the consistency of her character in a very frustrating way. But I think the messiah complex that Michonne clocked is also true and what most frustrated me about her. The leader/defender/savior that Andrea wants to be is too much about validating a power structure that benefits her rather than keeping people safe. She immediately responded to regaining a certain level of privilege and comfort from the before-times. So to actually act on any of the red flags she sees from the Governor would be risking that. Also, I think it's wild that she shows more compassion for the Gov when the walker-fied daughter he's been hiding for ages in a roomful of walker heads is put down than for Rick who is "cold" because he lost his wife literally days ago.
courtru
2025-09-04 04:30:26 +0000 UTC
I always assumed she was a legal nonprofit kinda gal - like an ACLU type advocate. But definitely not a public defender or anything like that.
courtru
2025-09-04 03:49:06 +0000 UTC
I had forgotten about this scene!
courtru
2025-09-04 03:38:55 +0000 UTC
You are absolutely based in thinking Andrea's character is poorly written. They had great source material and butchered her character. In the comics, she was strong, well-spoken, sure of herself, and one of the primary protectors of the group. Weird fun fact about her in the comics, she and Dale (who was still a much older man) were dating. She was loyal to him and truly loved him. I think the show creators made a fair decision not to follow that storyline, but because of that huge change to her story, they just did not know what to do with her character. Sucks, cause she was a favorite in the comics, and in the show she is one of the most disliked.
I really appreciate the talk between Merle and Hershel. You can see Merle has made some effort to change through his knowledge of the bible, but you can also see his desire to live is still at the forefront of his thoughts. He wants them to leave so he can live another day, not because he wants them to live another day. One thing I like about Merle is that he's not the type to pretend he's good; he knows he's a bad person and doesn't hide it. He's still a bigot and an asshole, but you can respect how transparent he is without the Governor whispering in his ear.
When I tell you how pissed I was when Andrea didn't take the Governor out when she had the chance! All the evidence against him keeps piling up in front of her, and she still lets him pass. It's like she still doesn't completely believe that he's done anything maliciously, which means she trusts his pretty words more than the group she got out of Atlanta with. It's so hypocritical after she criticized them for treating her like the enemy after what they'd been through together.
I do think Morgan carries a lot of guilt for sheltering Duane. He let him learn how to shoot, thanks to Rick's encouragement, but was still too overprotective. He stated in his monologue that he didn't want Duane to go into the cellar with him (to protect him), and that ultimately led to his death. Tragic, and it really makes the viewer wonder if Rick would have turned out exactly the same as him if he had lost Lori and Carl early on, given his lean toward insanity since Lori died.
I love Michonne and Carl's relationship so much. She has a way with kids that you don't expect her to have, and she is able to get him to listen and open up where others haven't been able to. Even Daryl tried to break through Carl's walls and couldn't even make a dent.
Also, Michonne's words to Rick about her own little insanity bout is so meaningful; it really helps you understand why she was willing to stay with Rick's group and not the Governor. She understands the pain Rick is going through and why he is losing his mind; she doesn't see reason in the Governor's flavor of crazy.
MegMegMegg
2025-09-03 09:06:42 +0000 UTC
Morgan is one of my top-tier characters too.
Susan B
2025-09-03 03:53:12 +0000 UTC
Morganās wife kills Morganās son: Rickās son has to kill Rickās wife.
Susan B
2025-09-03 03:46:07 +0000 UTC
The way everything ties back to itself.... Morgan couldn't shoot his wife, Morgan's son couldn't shoot his mother. Carl shoots Morgan, and apologizes. Morgan tells him to never be sorry, not knowing that Carl DID shoot his mother. This show, man.
Rhiannon
2025-09-03 00:41:37 +0000 UTC
god that scene with morgan is soo heartbreaking š like the excitement when you realize its him, only to find out where hes at and what hes been through šš
alienqueen
2025-09-02 21:44:06 +0000 UTC
The convo between the big 3 while Beth is singing will forever be one of my favorite moments. I just love getting to see them have a conversation about the state of things and really highlighting how these 3 different men bring something unique to the governing of their group. I just always go crazy for the little conversations like that to remind us who these characters are as people. (Another reason nothing will compare to The Wire for me, bc itās just packed full of those type of moments)
Matthew Arner
2025-09-02 21:26:43 +0000 UTC
I am so bad with names but I remember when this was airing way back when. It was a family event. We'd all go to my auntie's house, she had the cable, and we'd watch the episode. It was awesome. When he first was yelling on the roof I remember clocking his voice and shouting "it's Morgan!!" I have no idea how I remembered his voice or name back then because at that point it had been maybe a couple of yrs since we had seen him.
Just noticed that the ax has TOLD YOU painted on it.
Also Lennie James who plays Morgan? He melts me when he gets emotional and goes on a monologue here. He killed it. The waves and gravel in his voice? Just ugh. š«
It kind of reminds me of Verso and his VA in Expedition 33. It wasn't even in the main story but in one of the side areas and he just starts talking and you can hear the emotion. It was palpable and I just sat there listening and staring at this game just frozen in awe. Same kind of feeling here.
Senobia
2025-09-02 19:19:12 +0000 UTC
I had this thought, too, while reflecting on why I feel the way I feel about her. And I think you helped me pinpoint exactly why it bothers me so much -- I dislike that trait in women in the non-apocalyptic world, and it seems even worse here.
Melissa
2025-09-02 17:40:05 +0000 UTC
Love all of your comments!
Melissa
2025-09-02 17:37:51 +0000 UTC
There is definitely more character development for Rick, Carl and Michonne in episode 12.
It is beyond sad to see a person yelling and begging for help....only to be ignored. Then on the trip back, we see this same person dead and they take his belongings....oh how ugly this walker world is.
As you say....Morgan is back!!! I can clearly see in this episode that Morgan, with no other persons to be with and help him, no support group especially after losing his wife and then his son...the mind can slip even faster. We already see it happened with Michonne and Rick to some degree, even with a support system. Loved seeing Michonne become more nurturing to Carl and Rick and Michonne bond over visions of their dead partners.Ā
Viewing this episode again, I now see some continuity going back to the pilot episode. Rick tells Carl and Michonne to cover their ears before he fires the revolver in the car, echoing back to the pilot episode when he was in the tank and fired a gun. When Rick says to Morgan, "I'm sorry this happened to you." He said the same thing to Hannah (the "bicycle girl") in the park before shooting her in the pilot episode. Also, Rick and Morgan discuss the walkie-talkies and Morgan's wife, which were both seen in the pilot episode. Then the inverse of what happened in the pilot episode happensĀ - instead of Rick being knocked unconscious by Morgan's son, Morgan is knocked unconscious by Rick's son. Likewise, Rick restrains Morgan until he knows he's not a threat, just like Morgan once did to Rick when he tied him to the bed. Great episode!
KimM
2025-09-02 15:54:57 +0000 UTC
Such good episodes back to back oh wow. So much to say.
I love Michonne so much. I really appreciated her talk with Andrea and how she got the chance to actually talk with her about how what she did meant for their friendship and for the person Andrea has become. I think I dont find Andrea as irritating as most people because when some see the way she acts they think the things she does are out of stupidity, meanwhile I focus more on the naivety of her character. I think that's why instead of being so irritated I'm just plain sad whenever she makes a choice we as the audience know will bite her in the ass eventually. She is so smart and I think what's really striking here is how cynical she used to be and now seeing her suddenly decide everything the Governor has done can somehow "be fixed" with diplomacy, that Woodbury would be a great place with a few changes, etc. it's a huge contrast maybe that's why people think during this arc she's acting kind of out of character. Maybe she's being naive and way too optimistic. As you said, she's high on wanting to believe the good she found in Woodbury is actually real, maybe otherwise she would've been lost, remained hopeless like she used to be back in the day after Amy died. I guess we will never know.
Also Michonne's new friendship with Carl will never not be adorable. You're getting to the sauciest part of the show, I'm so excited for you too see!
You reaction to Morgan showing up again was priceless and you're so right about how good the show is with delayed gratification. Them waiting until now to show Rick how differently his life could've been thru what Morgan has gone thru wouldnt have had the same impact if it had happened earlier. Just imagine how hopeless Rick would've felt seeing Morgan like this RIGHT after losing Lori... he wouldnt have survived it. What an amazing show.
Iris
2025-09-02 14:19:05 +0000 UTC
Oh, and yes, Frank.....Morgan was very protective of his son in trying to keep him overexposed to this walker world. I do feel he has regrets about that in not helping his son be "tougher" so to speak, how to handle himself better. Yet, his son was the one who whacked Rick in the head with a shovel in the pilot episode...he wasn't afraid to approach Rick and smack him in the head.
KimM
2025-09-02 14:05:03 +0000 UTC
So right! I always wondered if her body posture was acting or her normal self, it always irritated me. Walking with her elbows back, chest out....so haughty like she is some hot shit! Agree about the self-righteousness.
KimM
2025-09-02 13:54:20 +0000 UTC
Epi. 11 Agree with Hershel, can't just sit there in the prison. I loved him even more when he yelled at Rick to "GET BACK HERE! You're slipping, Rick, we've all seen it. We understand why, but now is not the time. You once said this isn't a democracy? Now you have to own up to that. I put my family's life in your hands. So get your head clear. And do something." And add to that Carl suggesting to his father that maybe he shouldn't be in charge for awhile, needs to take a break.Ā
There's some hidden depth to Merle....he surprised me when he finishes Hershel's Bible quote and mentions Woodbury's "damn fine library".Ā Merle proves you adapt to your environment and the people around you.
Agree with you, Frank, at this point Andrea is sooooo laughable. Andrea is blind, even after the Governor tells her if she leaves to go to the prison she can stay there....she doesn't even see she is expendable to him, she is clueless. Also, why on earth would Andrea assume the prison group would welcome her back with open arms after being gone for months and now knowing she was involved with the Governor. I don't blame them for being hostile towards her, especially since they clearly see how blind and ignorant she is to the Governor's true nature.
So perfect....Daryl: "Next time you see Phillip, tell him I'm gonna put an arrow through his other eye".Ā Amen!
I always felt that when Carol told Andrea that Rick killed Shane and why....Andrea simply heard what she wanted to hear and that Rick is a bad guy for killing Shane.Ā I had to laugh when Carol tells Andrea that it's her duty to go back to the Governor, give him the night of his life, and then kill him in his sleep. Andrea almost goes through with the last step, standing over the Governor, naked, with a knife in her hand....but again she proves where her loyalty truly is. Back later for epi 12
KimM
2025-09-02 13:50:00 +0000 UTC
andrea need a man to feel powerful, to validate her feeling that she is strong and fierce. she is performing strength for the sake of other men. i know she's different in the comics, but show!andrea is all about men; the first thing she asks is about shane. not lori, not tdog, no follow up on hershel's leg. just where's the man who made me feel good about myself, who thinks i'm powerful which makes me powerful?
Eliza
2025-09-02 13:35:26 +0000 UTC
I think Andrea was written that way on purpose like you said sheās naĆÆve and overconfident and thatās a personality type that definitely would be in a group dynamic. And itās annoying because sheās one of those females that need to stand out from other females so sheās trying to do too much but like you said, being extremely naĆÆve when it comes to her personal relationships.
I really wish even though it might have been hurtful for her to do it that Maggie would have talked to Andrea about what the governor did to her because she definitely could not defend him for that action. Iām not sure if they will visit that situation again even though I seen it itās been a long time.
And I do think that Shane did love Rick, and he may have thought he even loved Rick to the very end, but being the type of person that he was what he thought of as love isnāt going to be the same as maybe other people because everybody does not have the same definition of love.
Tamara
2025-09-02 12:16:31 +0000 UTC
I just realized my favorite episode is in this set. I love "Clear" so much. Morgan is in my top 5 fav characters from this show. What an actor!
Can't you just see Lennie James (Morgan) in "The Wire"? I'm shocked he wasn't. He's incredible.
I also loved the forward movement in the relationship with Michonne/Carl and Michonne/Rick. The picture = ā¤ļø
Melissa
2025-09-02 11:14:52 +0000 UTC
Morgan is one of my top 5 characters in TWD. Amen to simply saying hello, reaching out. I've met some awesome people that way. I won't even get started on all the ways Covid damaged things in the world. Agree, tell Val we don't bite.... š
KimM
2025-09-02 11:06:01 +0000 UTC
Not Andrea talking as loudly as possible around all kinds of people to Milton about her need to escape and keep it a secret from the Governor. š
I wish I could sufficiently understand enough to explain why my feelings toward Andrea are so negative in this season. I mean there are obvious reasons, but even the actor -- the way she holds her body and huffs and acts so righteous -- annoys the F out of me. I realize that's a petty critique, but I really liked her in the earlier seasons, so it is such a disappointment to dislike her SO MUCH now.
39:01 To be totally blunt, she's just so stupid. People SHOW you who they are. Andrea just ignores it and thinks she knows everything, how to fix it, and what is right. I want to punch her in the prison scene. Sorry if I'm being too harsh.
It's the SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS. That's exactly what it is.
How many times did Carol fantasize about doing that to her husband?? I bet a million times.
Melissa
2025-09-02 10:39:48 +0000 UTC
Hereās the deleted scene I was telling you about last time !! I think it corresponds to ep 11 https://youtu.be/_qd5sndBVcU?si=tC8raEV68PB9V75O
Iris
2025-09-02 10:12:11 +0000 UTC
I was a Lennie James (Morgan) fan before TWD. I didn't believe his character would be a one and done. So many times I thought they would show him and it didn't happen. By the time we got here, I'd pretty much forgot about it. And THERE HE IS! He is an amazing actor. He stars with Skeet Ulrich in Jericho. It's not a zombie apocalypse, but it's an end of America survival story. He is such a great character there.
So many people NOW think that most people are horrible when it's the opposite. I meet new people all the time and it's the rare occasion that someone is truly an asshole. Covid got everyone so inside of themselves and afraid of everything. Most people are good! Just talk to the person you're waiting in line with. Say hello to a stranger in a store. Pay someone a compliment. You get back what you give. āļøš
Enjoy these episodes with Val! Tell her we really won't bite and would love to see her watch along with you and hear both of your thoughts.
Pam Copling
2025-09-02 09:09:20 +0000 UTC
Excellent as usual! But in the beginning during the ride and they didnāt pick that guy up, I have to say I agreed in the moment, only because there was the oncoming fight between the governor and the prison and I thought maybe he might be a trick a scout someone That wouldāve been a danger to them had they picked him up. Then later on I came to the conclusion that they werenāt being sadistic. It was outright survival. They were at capacity they couldnāt take on new people into a pre-war situation not knowing who they are how mentally damaged and needy they may be. Had it been a week or two before or after the fight With the governor and his clan then I wouldāve said it was sadistic. I really worry about the lovely couple that are stuck at the governors with the father and son who fit right in with the governorās crew. Andrea is one of the most deeply needy woman. I lost all respect for her when she wanted the control of bringing the two sides together, knowing flat out exactly what the governor is and has shown himself over and over to be. She chose him because sheād rather be his queen then Rick, Darrell, Herschel, Carol, Carl and little Judith her original family the original crew. I donāt now if thereās a redemption for Andrea at this point in my mindset.I loved how Carl went on that mission to get the last picture known to him of his family so that little Judith would know what her mama look like. I loved Carl and Michaun* interactions, I have deep respect for her as a warrior from the very beginning sheās worth 100 Andreaās! My respect for he grew more when she retrieved the photo. It broke my heart to see how alone and broken it was find Morgan who saved Rickās life had become so broken because of such isolation and trauma. This show ensures that it grabs at each and every audience members to bring something to the table for them to examine within themselves of their own humanity, if they have the courage to do so.
Laura Thate
2025-09-02 06:39:59 +0000 UTC
NM I found it by using the search specifically for it! Sorry about that
Ella Phillips
2025-09-02 06:25:58 +0000 UTC
Frank I can't find the reaction to episodes 9 and 10 anywhere? Aug 12 you posted eps 7 and 8. Ahhhh help
Ella Phillips
2025-09-02 06:24:11 +0000 UTC
Obviously, they were like brothers and loved each other! Assuming I ādonāt rememberā they had love for each other is wild. Thatās the whole point of why it's so tragic, the love they shared being lost
That āloveā hasnāt been there for a long time. You donāt do all the things Shane did to someone you love. That is what I thought I was clearly referring to. Apparently not
Franklin
2025-09-02 06:08:34 +0000 UTC
On one hand, the writers wrote Laurie, Carol, Maggie. These really complex female characters who seem very human. But Andrea for me is one character I'm always on the fence about. One point of view is that I see these women in real life, I see Andrea in women around me, but another point of view is I feel like there are gaps in her writing. You bring up a very good point about how she's excellent at bringing up really important questions but she never goes anywhere with them. So yeah very on the fence regarding Andrea.
Abbey Munro
2025-09-02 06:05:16 +0000 UTC
To the writersā credit, Andreaās been pretty consistent with her blind and stubborn acceptance of favorable narratives, even after they're no longer true (i.e, āShane loved Rickā and āPhilip is trying his best to keep Woodbury togetherā, etc). Iām beginning to think thatās an objective flaw in her character rather than the writers dropping the ball. They love to feature realistic character flaws and missteps in judgment and with such a large cast, the flaws of one of them is bound to irritate the crap out of me.
Also, Iāve rewritten her backstory in my head. Instead of a civil rights lawyer, she was a real estate agent in a small homogeneous suburb of Jacksonville.
Ellen Noir
2025-09-02 06:02:23 +0000 UTC
I don't think it's wrong to say that Shane loved Rick but I do think that it's not really an insight that Andrea would have. She saw the surface level of Shane, never even mentioned his feelings toward Lori, may not have even known that he had feelings for her. She does not know Shane as well as she thinks she does, and I feel like her feelings for Shane mirror her feelings toward the Govener. She thinks she knows these men but it's so clear that she doesn't and I can't tell if it's bad writing or good writing.
Abbey Munro
2025-09-02 06:00:58 +0000 UTC
Shane DID love Rick. They were best friends in the past life, and Shane probably told her about those times when they hung out. I know that they were super tight, they set that up with the flashbacks. 100% Shane loved Rick, why the hell else do you think he did what he did to save him? Shane just lost his shit afterwards, when he was with Lori and then Rick came back. Shane lost it. But he loved Rick, 100%. She's not wrong. You just don't remember, rewatch it again. Even Carol doesn't call out Andreas statement cause she knew it was true, but she knew that Shane's love for Lori overshone his love for Rick.
Eboe Thrasher
2025-09-02 05:34:07 +0000 UTC
Do we know that she was a defense attorney? I looked it up and it said she was a civil rights attorney. She could have just been someone who worked behind the scenes, looking up policy.