THE WALKING DEAD 3×12 (Spoilery) Review: “CLEAR”


I make no exaggeration when I say Season 3 is the best season of The Walking Dead so far (however anything was better than the lackluster S2). The characters are interesting, the story arcs are engaging, and the pace is fantastic. There have been plenty of contenders for the ‘Best Episode’ award, however I can wholeheartedly say that Clear is absolutely fantastic, and also one of the best episodes since way back in Season 1.

E012 provides a welcome change of setting, characters and story to the rest of the season – instead of yet another episode featuring such exciting things as arguing in the prison, walkers stumbling, Merle being a prick and Woodbury going to shit, Rick, Carl and Michonne head off to the Grimes family’s old town on a supply run. However, the most surprising and welcome element of the episode is the heartbreaking return of an old friend…

…Morgan. If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll know that Morgan and his son Duane were the people who took Rick in in the pilot and helped him survive the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. Ever since, fans have been clamouring for a return of the character like he does in the comics. Thankfully that time has come. When we meet him now he is a broken man, still struggling after the loss of his son and finally summoning the courage to shoot his zombie wife (who bit Duane and made him turn) and has taken over the entire town, arming it with booby traps everywhere.

The highlight of the episode, and the second half of S3 is undoubtedly Lennie James’ performance as Morgan. He gets some of the best dialogue of the season, and his inclusion now is more important than ever – he is written as a sort-of future Rick. One of the major aspect’s of Rick’s arc this season is his complete mental breakdown (seeing Lori everywhere), however he’s slowly been re-gaining his strength over the past two episodes. Morgan returning is what Rick needed to knock some sense into him and show that if he isn’t careful and gets his shit together quickly he’ll end up like Morgan… AKA even more crazy.

Another welcome addition – Michonne gets lines! Even though she was introduced at the end of Season 2 a whole year ago, so far she’s just been a sword-wielding badass who is actually kind of a jerk. Clear gives her a chance to shine and actually gives her a personality, along with an interesting dynamic between her and Carl and setting up a probably-important-in-the-future relationship between Michonne, Carl and Rick.

Overall, Clear provides an insight into how this new world has messed up the characters in so many ways (shown in the opening where the gang refuse to pick up a hitchhiker and when they come across him again at the end, but dead) and features some of the best writing on the show ever. After his inclusion this week, I sure as hell hope we see Morgan again sooner rather than later. I give it a rating of…

Also, a little fun fact: the episode was written by the new showrunner (who’ll start in Season 4), Scott Gimple. If this is the future of The Walking Dead, then I’m sold! What did you think of Clear? Share your thoughts below!