Rick and The Governor meet face to face.
This is my favourite episode so far of series 3 as it shows the two leaders sizing each other up and forming strategies to deal with the threats they pose to each other.
What I like in particular is that it shows the mentality of leaders negotiating. When the Governor makes his proposal to Rick there is only one real response he can give sadly because he would be foolish to take him at his word. Much like the Prisoner's Dilemma, it would be in the best interests of both sides to cooperate, but neither can trust the other. Rick in particular cannot trust the Governor based on what he has shown of himself in previous episodes. War is the only option. I like how they go through the 'dance' of diplomacy with each other then gear up for conflict immediately after.
Rick using fear of Woodbury to convince his group of survivors to fight is a well used tactic throughout history. It might have seemed to be in their best interests to unconditionally surrender or consider The Governor's offer about Michonne, but the logically if he wants to ensure his family's survival he has to eliminate the threat.
I also think the scenes with Daryl, Herschel, Milton and Caesar are brilliant. They show how an impending conflict between two groups of strangers is merely a continuation of the politics between two leaders, and nothing more.
The only aspect I struggled with from a perspective of plausibility is that there is no attempt by each to assassinate the other in the situation. This is a definite stretch but I guess the writers want the story to last longer so they can continue to portray all aspects of crumbled societies as they attempt to spring up from the ruins of a zombie apocalypse.
All the cast are great as always and the tension created by the performances and production is superb.
For me it's an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.
This is my favourite episode so far of series 3 as it shows the two leaders sizing each other up and forming strategies to deal with the threats they pose to each other.
What I like in particular is that it shows the mentality of leaders negotiating. When the Governor makes his proposal to Rick there is only one real response he can give sadly because he would be foolish to take him at his word. Much like the Prisoner's Dilemma, it would be in the best interests of both sides to cooperate, but neither can trust the other. Rick in particular cannot trust the Governor based on what he has shown of himself in previous episodes. War is the only option. I like how they go through the 'dance' of diplomacy with each other then gear up for conflict immediately after.
Rick using fear of Woodbury to convince his group of survivors to fight is a well used tactic throughout history. It might have seemed to be in their best interests to unconditionally surrender or consider The Governor's offer about Michonne, but the logically if he wants to ensure his family's survival he has to eliminate the threat.
I also think the scenes with Daryl, Herschel, Milton and Caesar are brilliant. They show how an impending conflict between two groups of strangers is merely a continuation of the politics between two leaders, and nothing more.
The only aspect I struggled with from a perspective of plausibility is that there is no attempt by each to assassinate the other in the situation. This is a definite stretch but I guess the writers want the story to last longer so they can continue to portray all aspects of crumbled societies as they attempt to spring up from the ruins of a zombie apocalypse.
All the cast are great as always and the tension created by the performances and production is superb.
For me it's an 8.5/10 but I round upwards.