‘The Walking Dead’ Retro Recap: ‘Too Far Gone’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Over the course of the past couple of days, we’ve talked at length about the notions of redemption and absolution in regard to the Governor’s journey on The Walking Dead, and what we’ve learned thus far in these discussions has been fascinating. For now, we know that reflection is a key step to traveling down that road and that to start to obtain it, we need to be open to change and address the root causes of what brought about our own bad behavior in the first place. So, we can truly be remorseful and able to pay a penance. But while those are some fascinating lessons to learn, there is still one more step one needs to take in order to obtain absolution, and that was explored in a heartbreaking manner in the next episode of this storied franchise.
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For ‘Too Far Gone’ saw Philip ‘The Governor’ Blake continue to skirt the edge between absolution and abomination by kidnapping both Hershel and Michonne and by rallying his people to a fight at the prison, a move that allowed for that answer to be presented to us. For Rick Grimes’ words to his old nemesis made it completely and utterly clear that to truly obtain what we seek, we have to openly want it. Which means one needs to be ready to embrace change and the necessary work that comes with that, and unfortunately… that’s not something the Governor was willing to commit to. Because he truly believed the worst parts of him somehow made him whole and strong, and to change that would make him weak and when faced with the choice to change or continue on his path, he chose the latter.

A choice that not only closed the book on this exploration in a blunt and rude manner, but it also allowed for the story to explore what kinds of problems can come about from rejecting change and choosing fury, which in this instance… involved complete and utter devastation. For shortly after the Governor committed to the darkness in his soul and chose to unleash his fury upon his enemies, Hershel lost his life in a horrific manner… and the prison fell. For he used his wonderful tank to roll over the fences and blow holes in his supposedly prized new home and well, this led to a heartbreaking sequence. One that saw good people lose everything over a petty battle from a petty and little man, and thankfully… he finally received his comeuppance for his actions.

For when the opportunity arose, Michonne was quick to plunge her blade into his chest, thus saving Rick from the physical beatdown he was dealing with, and eventually, Lily put a bullet in the Governor’s brain, ending his insane reign, but the damage was done. For the bug out bus left without everyone on it, and Daryl and Beth were forced to escape into the night and of course, Tyreese and the kids made a hasty exit, one that at the time… left us worried that Judith might be in trouble. Plus, a badly beaten Rick Grimes and his son were forced to scatter as well. Because in the end, the Governor’s inability to choose to be better, allowed for the living dead to infest the burning and ruined West Georgia Correctional Facility, leaving our heroes to face an uncertain future.

Because now, they have no shelter and no supplies and that’s a dangerous place to be in a world where the dead walk and well, in the end, this brilliant episode still packs quite the wallop after all these years. Since it reminds us of how choice plays a big factor in the dark things people do and of course, the death of Hershel was downright tragic and painful. Since he was such a gentle and wonderful man and watching the prison burn and everyone scatter… well it just reminds us that the good guys don’t always win and well, this is one that still stays with you long after its ended. For it really is a bold and brave tale, one that would lead to fundamental change for the characters. Because they would learn some hard lessons outside the prison’s walls, and we will be privy to all of them in the days to come as we dive into the supremely dark second half of season four. Until next time.

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