‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Made to Suffer’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

For the most part, midseason or season finales tend to be devoid of social commentary or deeper meaning in the television world and understandably so. After all, the midseason finale is designed to wow us and keep us talking until the show returns, and the finale in question is designed to wrap up all the plot points introduced throughout the season and look ahead toward the next one. Which makes them invaluable storytelling tools that help guide the audience more than anything else. But believe it or not, it is possible to squeeze a little deeper meaning into the framework of those two types of episodes and for proof, then look no further than the season three, midseason finale of The Walking Dead.
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For ‘Made to Suffer’ offered up some fascinating post-9/11 commentary on America, the kind that sadly, can still be applied today, and it accomplished that feat, by outright surprising us with it. Because a vast majority of this story… met the criteria for a midseason finale that we discussed just a moment ago. For this episode was also filled to the brim with big moments. Because this is indeed where Rick and his search and rescue team, rocked the Governor’s world, courtesy of the fact that Glenn and Maggie were in real danger. For Merle was ordered to end their lives, but before he could harm a hair on their heads… flashbangs went off, as did smoke grenades and just like that Glenn and Maggie were saved and after a massive gunfight at the gates, the kind that made the Governor panic and shocked this town to its core… Rick and most of his group were reunited. 

But the word ‘most’ comes into play here, simply because… Oscar, who came along for the fight died in the crossfire and Michonne went off on her own to handle a special mission. One that involved killing the Governor and her motivation for revenge made total sense. After all, The Gov made a point to send a murder squad her way, so why not return the favor? Except her attempt on his life, didn’t quite go as planned, since it ended in a bloodbath of a battle… one that sadly emboldened the Governor to commit to madness further. For when the dust and rotten walker water settled, the reanimated corpse of his daughter lie still, and his right eye was gone and well… that led to the other big surprise in this episode and the commentary in question. For shortly after his wounded eye was patched up… he spoke to the town and offered up some incredible revelations and lies.

Because he used the word ‘terrorist’ to describe what happened on this eve and he informed the town; that the ‘evil folks’ that invaded Woodbury under the pretense of stealing what they have… had inside help. Specifically, Merle, and he would be forced to pay for his betrayal in blood… alongside his brother. For Daryl Dixon was captured in the middle of the firefight and well… that is one hell of a cliffhanger for certain. One that genuinely offered up some interesting commentary on fear and how quickly it spreads when the right person stokes it. Because that’s precisely what the Governor did here, lied and used fear to energize his base and seeing him and others turn on Merle in the name of scapegoating, spoke not only to how fear spread and transformed into anti-Muslin sentiment following 9/11, but also how such problems still persist today. Since fearmongering is a standard in elections now by way of the Republican Party and anti-vaxxers have been eager to spread fear and misinformation throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. 

But all that aside, that really was a wonderful and subtle way to sneak that commentary into this story and it definitely stays with you long after this episode comes to an end, as do the other elements in this midseason finale. Because watching the Governor finally get a little taste of comeuppance is satisfying indeed and the action here was top notch and… we would be foolish to not point out that this episode introduces a pair of key characters that would be critical to several storylines in the future. For this is when Sasha and Tyreese are introduced into this universe and it is wild to see them once again, and it will be equally as amazing to go on some powerfully emotional journeys with them once more. But before we get to that point, there is still the matter of the Governor to deal with. Because now that he’s been a dealt a blow to the chin, it is only a matter of time before he enacts his own brand of cruel revenge to make Rick pay for what happened in Woodbury on this fateful night. Until next time. 

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