How "Killer Within" Laid The Groundwork for the Downfall of The Walking Dead

Throughout the many great episodes of the show, there’s one that never gets enough credit, partially because it came so early on in the series, but also because it’s easy to forget how consequential this really was at the time. Of course, the episode I’m talking about is season 3 episode 4, Killer Within
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Outro:
Late Night Driving - Broke In Summer
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[@jessecuddy8121]

I wish they didn't kill off T-Dog in this episode. He definitely needed more character development. His own death got overshadowed by Lori dying. I would have enjoyed it if he survived and we got to see more interactions with him and Merle when Merle joined the group.

[@Jes1919]

It was either him or Carol. I do wish he lived longer and died at the battle at the prison, or on the road. His death was overshadowed by lauris and wish he did live on.

[@diaperfang5293]

Honestly right? He was getting alot more screen time in the episodes he got in S3. Him and Merle meeting is too epic of an idea. Funny thing is my friends and I loved T-Dog and made him our favorite character, we were so heart broken when they all saw how he goes out, but we definitely mourned more for our chocolate spartan than Lori.

[@speeryd-3897]

The reason that he died was because the actor was always late to shoot and sometimes wasn’t even coming. He wasn’t supposed to die originally

[@Gibbypastrami]

@@speeryd-3897 probably wasn’t satisfied with the bare bones story he was being given since season 1, Season 2 and 3 they didn’t give a shit about his character so I get why he didn’t give a shit right back

[@speeryd-3897]

@@Gibbypastrami still not a good mentality to have as an actor

[@ryanelliott71698]

T-Dog’s death was a waste. We were so close to getting a reunion of T-Dog and Merle. It would’ve finally given him something to do.

[@ryanstarwalt19]

Nooooo, I never thought about that until just now! That makes his death even more disappointing 😢

[@joshuacampbell289]

He would’ve been with Merle trying to assasinate the governor

[@Mark-ek8md]

@@joshuacampbell289 I don’tttttt know man. Knowing Merle being Merle he’d probably crack another racist joke to him like he did back on that roof in Atlanta…

[@fantasmacstrp9239]

@@Mark-ek8md he was changing, and he lost his hand for that stunt

[@purplebanana6420]

Nah carol was going to die in this episode but the tdogs actor was to much of a drama queen they decided he was gonna die and carol would live

[@bridgethammond7]

I remember first watching this episode and I couldn’t believe Lori was dead. I legit tried to ration that Carol had found Lori and dragged her to safety. This is such an iconic episode and it’s a real shame that Lori’s words to Carl of “beating this world” come to pass. He deserved to grow old

[@kadenthoreson9915]

My interpretation is that Carl did beat this world, in the end he found peace and didn't let the world turn him into a monster. In my eyes, he won. Still wish they kept him but oh well.

[@syzionaurifex5383]

When Shane’s bastard offspring was dragged out I knew the plug was pulled and this show was on its way down the drain. If you’ve read the comics you know during the Governor’s attack Lori was shot on the back and both Lori and the fetus died as a result. That’s what should have happened. This was supposed to be carls story. You won’t change my mind

[@michaelkugler3886]

@@syzionaurifex5383 lori gave birth to judith in the comics but both her and judith did die

[@lastharper]

@@syzionaurifex5383I mean, Judith was a bit more than a fetus when she and Lori died in the books; she was born and spent a couple weeks with Rick and Lori before the Governor’s massacre. But I agree, killing Carl is the single biggest fuck up in adaptation history. He’s the entire point of the books by the end; the final page of 193 being him grown up telling stories of Rick to his daughter is the definition of a perfect ending in my eyes.

[@syzionaurifex5383]

@@michaelkugler3886 you’re right, my bad. It’s been YEARS since I’ve read em. My opinion still stands tho

[@OctoStar20]

As memed to death as it has been, the scene where Rick finds out that Lori died never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Andrew Lincoln is so good. Great video as always bro

[@barryallen3883]

Ooooooh nooooo Coooraaal

[@Nelson_Swamp]

Andrew Lincoln acted his ass off in that scene. My first time seeing it, I was legit blown away at the quality of acting assembled for a supposed "zombie show." Another scene that rivals it is Chad Coleman's Tyrese as he dies in the backseat of the car. More understated, but just as effective. Powerful performances in this show.

[@tiabeaniesemotionalsupportdmon]

@@Nelson_Swamp the scene after Negan appears and kills Abe and Glenn, then is getting ready to make Rick chop Carl’s arm off is some EXCELLENT acting from Andrew Lincoln… Dude was crying so hard, he blew actual SNOT BUBBLES!!

[@Nelson_Swamp]

@@tiabeaniesemotionalsupportdmon Agreed. That's another scene that blew me away.

[@mentalhaze4226]

​@tiabeaniesemotionalsupport1173 the fact that he somehow remained conscious while purposefully causing himself to hyperventilate and cry at the same time blows my mind. He had to have been exhausted after that day of filming. Such a great actor and perfect Rick Grimes

[@NeroMattsss]

"Killer within" never struck me as a title regarding the baby, but Carl's killer within. This is, IIRC, his first kill. His own mother. Negan later says Carl is going to become a "serial killer", which is where this title comes from... (in the comics, at least)

[@annefalbowski2672]

He had killed Shane right after Shane turned, which I think could be counted as a kill since this is when we (and Carl) first learned that everybody turns after death.

[@NeroMattsss]

@@annefalbowski2672 maybe... Shane was a Walker then, though... I'm not sure we were meant to count him as a person then...

[@Us3r739]

No. It’s about Andrew. The killer within. The guy who busted open all the zombie gates and made noise. That’s the killer within…

[@dangelo3767]

@@Us3r739lol u guys all arguing about why its titled the killer within like it obviously doesnt have all of those meanings

[@denisucuuu-s7u]

@@dangelo3767 it does, though. episode titles have meanings.

[@RubenRodriguez-so2lt]

This episode traumatized me when it first aired. Not only because I was in third grade when season 3 came out, but it took a whole dark turn with the new Prison setting. The Prison was a very scary place and gotta give them credit, they used it very well in season 3 and season 4 to implement horror. I think you should talk about s3 e10 "home" and how it challenged ricks leadership and sanity while also laying the foundation for the rest of the season: the govenor attacking the Prison

[@jjkilhij9531]

that episode is very underrated!

[@mrgray5576]

The fck are you doing watching this at 8 years old.

[@_Devil]

I always thought Rick was overly harsh to the remaining 2 prisoners, since they did seem remorseful for what they've done, but I understand that Rick's only other encounter with strangers beforehand were 2 men in a bar trying to kill him, Hershel, and Glenn. I know why he was wary of them up until their deaths.

[@zombiekilla25979]

Plus his sheriff bias

[@karengoldenthal2889]

Plus, Shane had tried to Take him out.. Tomas & Andrew were definitely Not good. Yes. It takes Rick time, to want to bring people in..

[@panspermiapancakes]

The reason Rick was overly harsh towards the two remaining prisoners is because at one point during the earlier episodes, they had intended on making Axel a serial killer. He was going to kill Beth. However, they decided to scrap that idea because they felt like a 3rd antagonist storyline while the Governor and Merle storylines were taking place, would be a bit of an overkill. That's also the reason why Axel has that creepy moment with Beth in the prison cell. It was supposed to be foreshadowing, but they decided against the serial killer arc.. However, they sort of resorted back to that storyline while the Governor was off with Tara's family. When Carol was killing off people in the prison and not even the viewers were aware that it was her at the time.

[@Rebecca-GLaines]

Yes, Rick made a lot of bad choices, he could have had an army of dedicated bad ass soilders.. He should have at least asked the prisoners what their crimes were and let them TRY to prove themselves. He turned Sasha & her brother (CANNOT think of his name!) Was it Tyree? Anyways, he turned them away too, and he needed them all. He ends up with them in the long run, and had he had them, they could have handled the governor.

[@logger22]

@@panspermiapancakes perhaps he was a killer all along and was playing a Facade. Similar to how Carol plays her facade as a innocent middle age mom. He was hitting on Beth, an underage girl until Carol walks in on him. Then he starts getting sweet again. I personally think he was lying about how he got persecuted and he was just killed before he ever got the chance to act. Axel in the show either way, is very different from the comics. In the comics he is pretty much Oscar in the show.

[@buddyraw9778]

Rick crying like a baby on the ground, truly broke my heart. I wished I could appear in the show to give our brother a hug and support

[@Loading676]

Dont think anybody should touch Rick at that moment, you would prob get packed up

[@writerlairchannel2636]

Fun fact about this episode: if people doesn't understand why rick cut open the walker for no reason - its because lori's skeleton were suppose to be nearby but it was banned so they acted the scene like its there

[@KhepriProductions2022]

I thought it wa also symbolic of Rick stabbing into the round belly signifying how Rick might harbor resentment for Judith killing his wife.

[@YRTTSSFS]

@@KhepriProductions2022 could be since there’s a deleted scene of him refusing to acknowledge Judith

[@ProfessorAragorn]

I was shocked upon initial viewing because I wasn't expecting Lori to die until the mid-season break or season finale - dying similar to her comic counterpart with Judith being born successfully. In retrospect the only thing that ticks me off is the complete waste of killing T-Dog in this episode. We never got the Merle/T-Dog reunion we could have gotten. And furthermore, Oscar essentially replacing him in the group until his death a few episodes later (around the time Tyrese gets introduced) really paved the way for Mazzarra's showrunning to basically be "Oh we need the token black guy, then we kill the token black guy and replace him with the next token black guy," inbetween the hackneyed "and then Andrea - because she's a woman - completely fucks everything up." I'll say this, I like a few things about season 2 and season 3, but Glenn Mazzara being showrunner was never one of them. I am shocked to learn this is one of the better rated episodes. I could see it being top 20 . . . but top 5 is odd for me - especially given that season 4-6 has The Grove, No Sanctuary, No Way Out, A, Too Far Gone, Four Walls and a Roof, and even season 3 still had Clear . . . it's just odd that this would overtake some of those episodes.

[@benjamintriplett3]

I hated mazarra for killing Andrea off. Her character was supposed to be on for eight seasons but yet they killed her off for shock value at the last minute.

[@EclecticDD]

I like your interjection clip that it was a lie, because they did disappoint us in killing off Carl. People may not have thought the actor was great, but the character was an important part of the show and the whole story changed with his death.

[@idkwhattohaveasausername5828]

I liked Chandler as Carl and thought he portrayed the character well 🤷‍♂️

[@gagetaylor192]

I personally didn't find Carl's character that much better in the comics. Which only reinforced the idea for me that the show didn't lose much when he died. My impression of the character in the comics was just crushed when I found out that he wasn't anywhere near what everybody who's a fan of the comics told me he was. I was looking forward to the "nation wide leader of the new world". And what I got was him having a happy ending with a family and not really breaking out of Rick's shadow as a leader. Which is fine as an ending and it actually teared me up a little. But that's basically the peak of his character is that he gets a happy ending. I like that in the show his death serves the purpose of Negan becoming a better person and being motivation to Rick to make that better world.

[@ryman1933]

​@@gagetaylor192Did you even read the comics then? Cause Carl's character is infinitely better written in the comic. In the comic he is much younger than the show version is and yet more mature and capable. All the characters are better in the comics.

[@gagetaylor192]

@@ryman1933 I have read the comics and I can tell you with 100% certainty that the show absolutely does some characters better than the comics. Many of them in fact. Some so much better to the point they make the comic counterparts look like embarrassments. The 2 notable ones in that regard that come to mind are Carol and Father Gabriel, probably Morgan too. Those are the ones to me that when I read the comics I was thinking "what in the actual fuck were they thinking and what was the point of these characters?" Meanwhile their show counterparts all became fleshed out badasses. Gabriel especially actually got one of the most satisfying conclusions to his arc in the finale by being the one to open the gate whereas when he started he was a coward that locked out his congregation. Other ones would be Michonne, Governor, Hershel, Glenn, Shane, Abraham, Dwight, Rosita, Negan (yes I said it, JDM elevated that character to new levels), Ezekiel, Maggie (she was annoying early season 11 but still better than her becoming a politician and turning Hershel into a spoiled little entitled shit), the whisperers (just period, everything about them was better, especially Beta), Lance, Eugene, I'm probably forgetting some. And this isn't to say the comic versions of these characters are necessarily bad (except for Carol, Gabe, and Morgan) but I just think the show did better. Some by a lot, some by a little. The show has done very few people badly. Usually when they fuck up a character it's a fuck up by a LOT but it doesn't happen that often.

[@ryman1933]

@@gagetaylor192 See not everyone needs to "become a badass" good writing has characters that play both minimal and minor roles. Just because a character on the show gets tons of screentime for no reason other than to drag out the length of the show so they can milk it for more money, doesn't mean they are better. The show is easily 6 or 7 seasons too long. Also, in real life not everyone would adapt into some epic badass, in the comics some people fill roles in the communities rather than out fighting and being a main character. Half of them are just replacements for other characters that the show ruined. Carol is just a replacement for Andrea, Judith is just a replacement for Carl cause the show messed up killing him off and by not killing off Judith because they were too scared to show a baby die I guess. Morgan in the show was so bad they had to pawn him off on that other horrible show. Governor was way better in the comics, he was absolutely unhinged and beyond sadistic. Something the show was too scared to try and show. They couldn't even respect Abraham enough to give him his own death scene, in the comics he takes an arrow in the head and still manages to finish his conversation first. Like a badass. Negan is way worse in the show too.

[@NokoFace]

What you said about the walkers being a threat hit home for me. I always hated the argument of the walkers becoming nothing more than a nuisance being "It's about the CHARACTERS and HUMANS being the evil ones! The zombies are on the side!" because you can HAVE both. The show HAS HAD both walkers as a threat, and a show about the characters and humans being the real evil.

[@JakeyXY]

I loved this season so much. So dark and some of the best character arcs I've seen. As always, great video Thrifty!

[@yr_yel]

You mean the most annoying season ever? I was so glad andrea died i had to continue watching

[@jaythomas468]

This episode (along with the midseason finale of Season 4) are probably the two most emotionally devastating episodes of television I’ve ever watched. I remember right AFTER it aired, I was supposed to go over to a buddy’s house to hang out (who also happened to watch the show) but I remember him calling me like, “hey, where you at?” And I just responded with, “you haven’t watched the newest TWD episode yet, have you?” He replies, “nah, but I’m about to start it NOW.” I finally go, “alright, without spoiling anything, YOU HAVE FUN WITH THAT. In the meanwhile….I’m gonna need a minute.”

[@PurpleMatter]

I remember rewatching this episode so many times over the years. I'm glad you finally covered it!

[@m0urn1ng5tar5]

Lori may not have been a very great character - but her death scene is still heartwrenching to watch. Her goodbye to Carl is still one of the saddest scenes in the whole show imo. And the fact that Carl put her down himself only added to the impact of it all.

[@Cam_DePasquali]

I never thought the real threat was ever meant to be the walkers. The show is about how humanity devolves with an apocalyptic world.

[@jaythomas468]

I KNOW, RIGHT? That’s why I get kinda annoyed when people say shit like, “maaaannnn, TWD fell off, they don’t even focus on the ZOMBIES anymore.” I’m like, “it was NEVER about merely the zombies, but to try to build interesting characters around the dissolution of civilized society.” Zombies are cool and all, but they’re pretty much one-dimensional. It’e be EXTREMELY HARD for ANY SHOW to keep things interesting for 100+ episodes without building up characters. If you want to just watch some mindless zombie schlock, go watch Z Nation or any of the hundreds of B-movies with zombies in them.

[@podtherod9304]

@@jaythomas468 exacrly bro, like the title is about the PEOPLE not the actual walking dead

[@benjamintriplett3]

It's just like it was in a Romero Zombie movie. It's not about the zombies it's about how people act during an emergency, how people keep their " humanity" when that humanity is put to the test. The zombies are just a background threat. They could easily be a hurricane, pandemic, nuclear bomb, Global blackout etc. The real story is how whatever ended society as we knew it affected those who left behind.

[@Jay-okc]

@@jaythomas468 RIGHTT

[@wgnd1614]

i was watching fear and that show took this ''humanity is the villain'' way too seriously... am i the only one who thinks that? bro i am on 4x02 and i haven't seen one episode where the walkers are a threat for more than 5 minutes... not even when they attacked the ranch i felt the same as i did in twd

[@PrimeDave27]

I would honestly love to see your take on Carol's full character arch. A video on this topic would be a great watch, maybe something like this in the future?

[@thethriftytypewriter]

It’s already on the channel! Look for it in the TWD character analysis playlist 😁

[@adipoke2112]

5:26 Noooo 😂😂😂 Andrew Lincoln's acting in the scene when he realizes what's happened gets me every time - I start getting teary as soon as we hear Judith cry. And I don't even LIKE Lori 😂 But seeing Rick being completely destroyed by Lori's death is heartbreaking. The only thing I don't like about it is that he makes no attempt to comfort Carl - but that can be explained by the fact that Rick is freaking out and trying to wrap his head around the entire situation (his baby was born, his wife is dead, his son almost certainly witnessed it, at least one of their friends is dead, etc etc etc). It's an excellent scene in an excellent episode.

[@karengoldenthal2889]

I ❤️ Lori..Very sad .

[@viddog6457]

This scene kinda looses its sadness aspect because I always think of the meme

[@owenyoumans5597]

Never stop doing these walking dead episode analyses Typewriter

[@Dbonesburneraccount]

Maybe I’m crazy but the camera movement with Rick,Daryl,and Glenn rushing to help and fix the gate is way better stuff than the later seasons.

[@fimacx]

So true! I love the show and enjoyed the later seasons, but the earlier seasons were shot so well and made it feel like you were there with the characters. I’ve seen the earlier seasons get shit for having a grainier camera quality, but it added to the atmosphere in my opinion. The way the later seasons were shot always felt a little off to me, sort of unlike TWD.

[@frostmusicofficial]

@@fimacx Seasons 1-10 were all shot on film, a stylistic choice made for the show. The bonus episodes for 10 and the entirety of 11 were shot digitally. Which of course still looked great but imo a bad choice stylistically.

[@Us3r739]

Even the music too. I liked the creepy unsettling music they used in season 2

[@twoface4458]

I love the fact that the one responsible for Rick's wife's death is a guy named Andrew... given that Rick is played by a guy named Andrew Lincoln.

[@shadowthehedgehog1015]

I wonder If they did that on purpose

[@yassyann5727]

@@shadowthehedgehog1015 as far as I remember Andrew was in the comics too

[@shadowthehedgehog1015]

@@yassyann5727 I have no memory writing this comment but most likely he was in the comics.

[@thedripkaiser574]

The prison arc is truly underrated

[@Cam_DePasquali]

Not really

[@thedinosaurdiscovery]

Nah, it's literally the most talked about arc in the series

[@viddog6457]

Yeah, it definitely isn't underrated, but I don't think its overrated either

[@SirDopeius]

It’s the best arc in the story

[@Hardrive2677]

Too Far Gone saved it. Season 3 has an anticlimactic finale.

[@talkingonyoutube623]

One of my favourites episodes of the show, Lori's death is one of the saddest moments ever

[@karengoldenthal2889]

Absolutely 💯

[@Raidersince]

Talking on KZbin I was glad she died…easily the worst character

[@jaxson1211]

I don’t think it is because I hate Lori as a character a terrible wife and mom

[@SalviAlmighty]

I've always been confused at how fast the birth happens. I know it's a VERY common stereotype in media (the whole "the baby's coming!" makes my eyes roll), but you (usually) don't have to push as soon as you have a contraction. Unless she'd been in labor for hours without showing it, it made no sense to me that she couldn't make her way back to Hershel.

[@SkaterBlades]

I loved this episode, it's always stuck in my top 10. Losing lori, t-dog and carol (at the time) really cemented that fact that the group is never safe. One person who was inexperienced almost wiped them out with some planning. The timing of the episode really nailed that in with it being episode 4 of the season.

[@evannadeau5560]

I recently re watched season 2 and I think it’s kinda interesting that Hershel actually kills someone before Glenn does. He shots someone after the Bar scene and the walkers eat him while he is hurt on the ground but I still count it as a kill.

[@karengoldenthal2889]

Yes. True..but Hershel says he can shoot. Doesn't like to...Glenn really didn't want to, for sure.

[@Gibbypastrami]

Wasn’t Hershel in a war? I don’t find it odd at all that he killed someone before the 20 year old pizza delivery kid, I was surprised about when Glenn actually did kill, like, the scene with him and Heath had me really confused because I thought Glenn must’ve killed already, took till the end of that scene for me to put it together

[@SubZeroJill]

This was peak TWD for me, tbh :D It's still one of my all-time favorite ep's I think bec. of Lori's last scene,,. what she told Carl hit me right smack in the feels (just had a baby boy at the time & my new-mom-hormones got all tripped up watching her fight through that pain to say goodbye, I dunno, but that was probably the first time I felt scared being a parent and knowing I can't die before my kid's ready :p) But also, any kind of writing that can make me like Lori is an automatic win. LOOOL!

[@interviolet6675]

I remember being shocked about everything happening juxtaposed with the suburban party the governor was throwing The governor was getting stronger while rick's group was devastated And yeah I didn't really realize they still treated walker's as a threat they were fairly quick the more you excited them Like the moment where Lori, Maggie and Carl try to get back to their home cell block they're quickly turned around and they aren't running but they're riled up and scary. The formula of the walking dead didn't just show in the structure it also was the premise I think the brutally honest trailer for the walking dead nails it better than I can " our group finds a place to hold up, things go wrong, they meet an enemy they fight the enemy while trying to keep holed up" rinse and repeat for the better part of most of it's run

[@JustKandyMan1]

This episode caught me completely off guard when i watched it my bud, we could not believe they would kill off Lori and have such a dark sad moment. After this episode it really cemented that no one was safe in the show. Great analysis!

[@TheGonzedd]

What triggered the "killer instinct" in Carl was the hat. This also happens to Juddith. Michonne is the sword, Daryl is the crossbow, Carol is her hair, and the like. The point is that something "triggers" the chang of heart in all these characters, they all become instinctual killers, and, therefore, survivors. Al least for a while.

[@joeyfronto]

Oscar was such a great character and missed opportunity to build upon especially as an ex con living with cops I wouldn’t want him as a villain tho but I just think the earlier seasons really shined upon character development and his was just building up especially when he nominated to go to Woodbury

[@Kyokoxox]

Lori really set the tone we love to see it and also luv that sarah wayne callies convinced the producers to keep carol alive she a real one for that❤️

[@jiggycalzone8585]

This episode birthed the most legendary iteration of the Coral meme

[@ThePercussionRealm]

Awesome!! Another great video. This episode was almost like a reset. Lori and T Dog died but we tend to forget that it was assumed that Carol died here too. They didn't find out she was still alive for another two episodes. Looking forward to more! There are still so many great eps to cover. Obvious ones like Clear, The Grove, Beside the Dying Fire. I think it would be interesting to do a video of the season 4 premiere. It think it is underrated. It basically shows a "what if" scenario. What their rebuilt community would have been like if the sickness and the Governor didn't destroy it. It also is a good episode that foreshadows the whole season. Rick telling Carl not to name the pigs because they are food is one example.

[@m00se37]

Carole, ironically, reminded me a lot of my mother with triumph over greater odds arc and the goal of overcoming not only external powers but also her own choices. I was genuinely heart broken seeing her get exiled.

[@shizzlenortheast8146]

I’m just getting into your channel and am absolutely loving your post Walking Dead coverage. I’ve seen the entire series 11 times and I’ve been obsessed with it for ten years. What you said about Carol is my feeling exactly. I would love to see you do main character (and even B list character) breakdowns and give your opinions on why they’re great or not. Either way, love the channel. Keep up the great work.

[@arielz2263]

Your videos are awesome! Would love to see you do an analysis of season 2’s Judge jury executioner. Wanna hear what you think. Keep it up brother 🤙

[@ProvingGroundsWrestling]

3:26 Merle's face with your comment about Merle's judgement lined up so perfectly.

[@bishbosh4815]

This episode is a masterpiece no doubt and one of my favourite episodes. You hit the nail on the head that this episode really encapsulates what TWD used to be and what made it so amazing and popular, and what is sorely lacking in the show in it's later years

[@ThoseBackPages]

Great work Sir! i miss the show, and more so the comic, so much. This time period was so great for all the reasons you listed, but also because this was 2013 and SUPER MEGA STREAM BINGE IT! wasnt nearly as popular as it is today. My favorite show of all time is LOST. i know, i know. But LOST was on (2004 - 2010) BEFORE Social Media and before the whole binge thing (unless you had the seasons on DVD).

[@tarheelpro87]

If they had just followed along with the comics and killed Lori and Judith, I feel like they’d probably not have killed off Carl, cause Judith was just there as his replacement, but she’s not exactly filling in for Carl the same is she though?

[@amichakraborty2770]

she is a good character.. but i couldn't feel the same attachment towards her character like i did for carl...probably because i saw carl's transformation.. watched him grow a character.. from a scared kid in season 1 to a kid who gets in trouble in season 2 to a soldier in season 3 to a hard core survivalist but still maintaining the human side... with Carl it was a journey that went missing in case of judith.. so i couldn't get that attached to her... no one could replace the original group for me.. specially carl cause he was my favorite character..

[@YanAsims]

No.. because the only reason Carl got killed off was because chandler was fired LMAO

[@YanAsims]

Also I don’t think amc would’ve allowed seeing a literal baby be killed so brutally just for another character to survive? And wanting that is also weird.

[@tarheelpro87]

@@YanAsims because it shows the brutality of the world they’re in now, and in the episodes too far gone with the empty car seat, it was Robert Kirkman trying to insinuate she died, but everyone else changed that. Also I know chandler was fired, but for what?

[@madmonty4761]

​@@tarheelpro87he was fired because he was turning 18 and didn't wanna pay him

[@annademo]

This episode was one of a few where I cried. I mean rivers of tears cried. Andrew Lincoln's despair over Lori's death was palpable, and his performance in that episode was worthy of an Emmy, which I believe he never got. In this episode, I also learned to despise Andrea, which is ironic because her being left behind at the farm was another episode that made me cry. Just not as much as this episode....

[@PennDamien]

New watcher here! I found your vids as I was scrolling through YT and I just want to say, you do an amazing job at these videos, bro! With these videos, it gives a different perspective of the show and I even notice small things I haven't before. Def hitting the sub button!

[@thethriftytypewriter]

Appreciate that a lot! Welcome to the channel!

[@mikaross4671]

Lori's death made me cry and I couldn't stand her as a character, but they did such an amazing job. Carl being the one to kill his own mother hit me so hard, especially since my own mother passed the year prior and she really liked The Walking Dead. It really is a great re-watch episode and I can see why so many like it.

[@Michelle-fh2dp]

I agree this was a fantastic episode. For me it lost too much when Neegan did his bat trick killing Glen. The next major screw up was killing Carl. The Walking Dead was really mostly Rick’s story, not that I didn’t love every character on there, but still basically Rick’s. Rick’s main motivation was protecting his son and trying to make a better world for Carl to live in. Without Carl, Rick has no reason to keep going. The final nail in the coffin for me was when Rick left the show. He was the main character and they should have ended it there, but no, there was still money to be made and so one more fantastic show was kept on way beyond its natural ending out of greed. Reminds me of another great one, The X-Files, which tried to keep going to rake in more cash without the protagonist, Fox Murder, being there. They should have remained a class act (like Lucifer) and allowed the series to die its natural death instead of dragging it out on life support.!

[@dalegend7215]

T-dog shouodn't have died in the same episode Lori died, he should've lived longer and meet Merle again, i could see him dying in the 2nd battle at the prison, defending Glenn and other people, especially since he died protecting Carol and im pretty sure Glenn said something about him being a good guy and something about driving old people to a safe place, i think it wouldve been better for the show and the character itself since his death got overshadowed.

[@LizzyLoves91]

I was borderline traumatized by this episode. I remember shaking from all the tension and emotion. It’s still hard for me to watch!

[@Rebecca-GLaines]

I always go back and watch these episodes. They're my favorite seasons. The farm and the prison. Rick deserved an Emmy!! His performance was so overwhelming, powerful and amazing!! Carol- Hands down, my girl! And my fav character!🖤🖤💪💪🖤🖤 I know this is very unpopular, but T-dogs death was very sad. But the character didn't do anything for me personally, I'm amazed at how many people were so attached to him?!?! Me to Google- WTH is T-Dogg??" Me-"OHHHH YEAH, I forgot about that guy!! Also wondering- "WTH did he do that was so memorable to thousands of fans??" 🤔🤔🤔😂

[@Zapods_]

honestly man I look forward to your every twd video, great work 🔥

[@L0DINOG]

This was actually the first episode I ever watched of The Walking Dead. I remember after seeing it, I was hooked immediately. Jumping right to Netflix to get caught up.

[@ALLAHFRNDLY]

man i agree with you for carol. shes tied for my fav with rick and negan. and that episode when she saved the group from terminus was so epic. carol is so bad ass and i love the fact that i remember her from the mist movie. she needs to be casted in more movies or shows like the mist and walking dead. i dont know her for much else. shes a great actor

[@lennychristine6761]

Rest in piece T-Dog. Wished you stayed around longer so you could’ve received some character development

[@trashmix2184]

I like how T-dog gets replaced over and over again by someone with the same personality

[@yubyub335]

This is why my favorite seasons are 3,4,5 up until the begining of 6. I just love the prison arc, it had it all, human drama, undead drama, crazy people like the governor (whom needs to be recognized as a great villain *negan just never sold me on it, he was more like a guy playing an evil cartoon character to me with the way he acted) also i loved the breaking point after the fall of the prison and terminus which to me was a little bit too quickly resolved. I wanted more of the nutty cannibals.

[@logger22]

I always thought the scene where Carl and Lori are hug while crying before she dies to be heartbreaking. It makes me think of my mom

[@master11050]

I always assumed this episode was so highly rated because it's the one where Lori dies.

[@nextphaser]

Don't forget about the meme we got. Oh noo, coooooral

[@daverowe1081]

I always thought it was interesting that as far back as early Season 3, Michonne brings up how ideal an Island would be, then over 7 seasons later it's a trip to an island that leads to her leaving the show. I don't believe they were planting those seeds that far in advance, she wasn't even remotely "with" Rick in any of Season 3, I just thought it was a neat coincidence.

[@workinprogress3329]

Such a heartbreaking episode. I’m glad your able to critique S3 unbiased. It’s a good season but has flaws.

[@almonds_tf2193]

this guy makes the walking dead content on par with korotos mystery shack

[@thethriftytypewriter]

That’s a big compliment thank you!

[@kellyjaneisthename]

Carol is absolutely the best character arc on TWD. Her transformation, even her creepy phase in Alexandria, is so compelling. I also agree that’s she’s one of the best female characters (or even just characters) in TV history. I agree with everyone else about T-Dawg. He deserved some development, or at the very least, to be the only big character killed in his death episode. I miss the vibes of the first 4-5 seasons for sure, though! 🧟‍♀️

[@MistahJay7]

PEAK walking dead era. Back when it actually had mature writing

[@CommanderArmin]

The thing about Michonne is… if i was her and finally found civilization.. why would I question it?

[@james-509]

I know this is a little older but I think a cool note you also didnt say when talking about the title is we see Carl kill his mother and that I feel awoken his killer side especially with what happens with Negan and his group. So it also applies to him awakening the Killer Within.

[@ThatJamesBestGuy]

One episode I will never forget really underrated episode.

[@nashshaffer6235]

I remember Lori and T Dogs death being so brutal and shocking that talking dead became our therapy session

[@emma-rr2zn]

this is when the show became my favourite. it was so dark and traumatising but so well done

[@tss3393]

What a bizarre sense of whiplash reflecting on how gut-wrenching of a final episode this was for Lori, and then to remember that her actress went on to play Anita Dyck in Letterkenny 😂

[@theofficialzeldamaster6377]

In the same season there was an episode called the killer within part 2. My guess is it was axle killing beth out in the woods like originally planned but they stopped because how dark the season already was.

[@relax9286]

I've always enjoyed seasons 1 thru 4 as my favorites. I've watched these seasons the most. Great episode for sure.

[@ChuckleFuks]

Am I the only one who thinks Maggie and Carl should’ve had a much stronger or closer relationship. After what happens with Lori Maggie who knows what losing your mom at a young age is like, she should’ve stated acting like an older sister. a shoulder for Carl to lean on, and just emotionally support him

[@dora1980]

Please! Maggie didn't give a f.... about Carl. She's obsessed with Glenn. She's a very badly written character. She seems like she doesn't have a life after Glenn. Even her son hates her in Dead City.

[@elizabethhurry307]

I'm so glad they didn't kill off Carol because honestly she is the main reason I stuck with the show through all 11 seasons.

[@augiesnyder7481]

An episode on 18 miles out or better angels would be great. Also if you haven’t seen the show The Terror, I think you would like that because it’s a mix of a character drama and a monster. I would love to hear your thoughts on that.

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Carol is my strike-ninja. She took the place of snakeyes in my heart

[@Joe_324]

Glad u mentioned carls weird silencer I’ve always been curious looks like the end of a baseball bat or something

[@MCat360]

I wasn’t a fan of Lori. At time I thought she was downright awful. Her death was heartbreaking though, and Rick’s reaction…woah. Great acting!

[@WastelandBowman]

The second episode that should've gotten Andrew Lincoln nominated for an Emmy. Re: Season formats Every quarter has something happen. The premieres and finales from season 3 to 8 always got the big stuff, but episodes 4 and 12 were sort of outposts to the big tent poles. 304 is Killer Within 312 is Clear. Need I say more? 404, Rick sends Carol away 412 is the Daryl-Beth character study 504 is the Grady introduction (take that for what you will) 512 introduces Alexandria. 604 is Here's Not Here, Morgan's episode. 612 is Not Tomorrow Yet. 704 has Negan visit Alexandria for the first time 712 is the Rick and Michonne road trip. 804 is Ezekiel's misery study 812 is The Key, Negan and Rick fight and Georgie is introduced (and forgotten about.)

[@monstersponge9096]

I can't find the article / interview anymore, but the showrunners sought to kill T-Dog off in this episode rather than Carol as more of a last minute plan. Apparently Iron E. Singleton (T-Dog's actor) was repeatedly showing up to set late during the course of shooting for season 3 which extended filming times greatly. This angered the producers enough for them to edit the script last minute and inform Singleton at random that they were filming his death and he was effectively fired from the series. If anyone else has heard this and still has sources please continue this in the replies.

[@NastyNickerbacker]

I know you basically have started to already, but you should keep doing the top 10 or 15 rated episodes of the show! Your breakdowns are really well done and it’s interesting to try and see why these episodes are as highly rated as they are!

[@Aunny123]

No this episode was fire. The biggest issue was they never followed through with the set ups. I guess the only thing they followed through with was Judith, but Carl deserved to grow old.

[@BountyHuntaBam]

“So that was a fucking lie” killed me 🤣🤣🤣🤣😭

[@mks9469]

This show used to be my absolute favorite!! I never missed a week. I hate that it has declined so much. I hope it gets the amazing finale that it deserves.

[@ParavantStudio]

It already ended...

[@chucksellers8422]

Thank you.I love Carol also.

[@t3hpenguinofd00m]

6:36 "So first off, I have to mention the elephant in the room" (Shows picture of heavily pregnant Lori) Lmaooooooo

[@ryszakowy]

funny how entire horde just snuck uo on the group... teleporting walkers - the biggest problem

[@daemonlynn7616]

TDogs death gave me nightmares as an elementary student. I remember when we only had 4 seasons!

[@SJK499]

In all fairness this was a genuinely executed twist because though shock value probably played a part, it had an impact on the characters for the rest of the season

[@chiffmonkey]

T-dog didn't just sacrifice himself, he subjected himself to an agonizingly painful death just to buy Carol some time. Absolute legend. Lori does NOT say that Carl will survive, her speech is entirely about not losing who he is - the thing that he dies for. Meanwhile Rick's flashback instils in him the idea of survival as being more important. Rick was wrong. Lori was right. Reaaaallly don't understand why you misunderstand Carl's death so badly.

[@AmbivalentRollerz]

That's barely the conclusion anyone would follow from hearing that. It's insane reaching lmao

[@chiffmonkey]

@@AmbivalentRollerz The entirety of season 4 and 5's themes show that Carl's death is correct. Rick is on the fall to becoming an animal all the time they're on the road, biting out a dude's neck and even going so far as to say they need to tell themselves they're the walking dead. Which is when the main character really switches to being Daryl, who responds "we ain't them" (them being the name of the episode). At that point even Glenn has succumbed to the new world. Them is the 2nd worst rated episode of Season 5, despite being by far the most important episode of the entire show, which explains why so few people seem to follow the themes as intended.

[@funkyreapercat5280]

@@chiffmonkey Go on.

[@strawberrymilk2532]

@@chiffmonkey you make no sense lori literally told carl he would beat this world killing carl was the dumbest thing they did

[@chiffmonkey]

@@strawberrymilk2532 You make no sense because you only took a small part of what Lori said. Here's the rest... "This is what I want, this is right" (talking about sacrificing herself for the baby). "Now you... you take care of your daddy for me, alright" ...(then the bit you quoted)... "You gotta do what's right, baby. You promise me, you'll always do what's right. It's so easy to do the wrong thing in this world. So don't... so if it feels wrong, don't do it, all right? If it feels easy, don't do it. Don't let the world spoil you. You're so good." He DOES beat the new world and he DOES help his dad, by reminding Rick what a hero looks like. And we see so many examples of heros who die as a result. Yet they are the ones who live.

[@theelderskatesman4417]

you are right about Carol: the arc from victim to warrior is extraordinary.

[@unclenegan6694]

on my rewatch this summer carol has been up there for my favorite character. season 4 thru 6/alexandria is peak

[@Zombiesrule93]

This episode gave us one of the best memes ever, crying Rick Grimes.

[@viddog6457]

Yes

[@thelegacyofgaming2928]

One of the greatest acted scenes of all time in this show. Only thing better was Rick in Season 7 episode 1.

[@A1D3NR1L3Y]

i think season 3 in itself, despite being amazing, ultimately lead towards the downfall of the walking dead. 4 major characters were killed off: lori, t-dog, merle and andrea. 4 characters involved from season 1 - 3 being killed off just bugged me. the producers argued that they needed to apply "shock factor". "killer within" in itself was shocking as it killed off the 2/4 characters completely unexpectedly. lori, in my opinion, her death was shocking yet a good end to her character - sacrificing herself for her child to have an opportunity to survive. however, with t-dog. i'll never forgive the producers for killing him so soon. it was uncessesary. i also believe to an extent andrea's death at the end of season 3 was also a waste of a character. it had got to a point where the walking dead just didn't feel like the walking dead anymore.

[@incredibleedibledez]

I 100% agree with you about Carol!! She was so underrated

[@darkangel4994]

in my opinion, anyone who didn’t like lori is either ignorant or just straight up misogynistic. she was an incredible person, mother, and character. and she was a good wife, despite her brief relationship with shane. the worst thing she did was trying to abort judith without telling rick, and even then you can’t blame her for feeling conflicted. then, later on, she completely rectified this and sacrificed herself to make sure judith was born, which was one of the most selfless acts to ever happen in the show in my opinion. meanwhile, MALE characters like negan, shane, merle and more who did unspeakable things or were just generally bad people get praised for doing the bare minimum and viewers forgive them for every single bad thing they’ve done. i adored lori. she was an incredible character and a mother figure to me at the time, and i’ll miss her forever.

[@damkylan3]

Yeah, no. Anyone who didn't like Lori was simply paying attention to what the writers had her doing. Was it misogynistic writing? Kinda. Doesn't change the fact that in-universe, her character was an embarrassing train wreck. Most of her scenes in Season 2 were just her being a colossal idiot, but the nail in the coffin was her getting angry with Rick for killing Shane after she told him to do so. And no, do not tell me that she was angry that Carl did it. Because a) the actress didn't even think that, so that clearly wasn't her direction, and b) even if that was the case, it's still entirely her fault for being so piss poor at keeping track of her own son in an apocalypse. The early seasons were just crap at writing women. And I don't reward the undeserving male characters either. I hated Merle and was glad he died. Shane was a dolt and got what he deserved. Negan was an embarrassment of a leader who had no control of his own people like he thought he did, and I hate the writing's attempt to make me like him by making other characters idiots in his presence.

[@SirDehumanized]

Walking Dead Was At it’s peak hype for me and my family when season 3 came around

[@neotheresa]

You can’t just tell me such an iconic meme was born 11 years ago

[@nicksimmons8373]

I feel like I'm the only person not upset and pissed off by Carl's death in S8

[@eggplant4078]

Came for the video stayed for the carol appreciation, subscribed

[@calvinmartin3849]

It’s one of my favorite episodes, but 12 miles out takes beat episode for me.