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The Walking Dead season 3

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The Walking Dead (season 3)
Season 3
Promotional poster
No. of episodes16
Release
Original networkAMC
Original releaseOctober 14, 2012 (2012-10-14) –
March 31, 2013 (2013-03-31)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 2
Next →
Season 4
List of episodes

The third season of the AMC horror–drama television series The Walking Dead premiered on October 14, 2012, and concluded on March 31, 2013, consisting of 16 episodes.[4][5] The series is based on the series of comic books of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard; it was developed for television by Frank Darabont and is executive produced by Kirkman, Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, and Gale Anne Hurd.

As in the comics, the season is set in both an abandoned prison and an active rural town of survivors. It introduces several notable characters from the comics, including The Governor, Michonne, Axel, and Tyreese. It also marks the return of Merle Dixon, Daryl's volatile older brother who went missing in season 1. It also features the return of Morgan Jones, the first survivor Rick encountered who he lost contact with in season 1. The season follows Rick Grimes assuming a dictatorial-like leadership over his group of survivors as they survive in a world infested with zombies, called "walkers" in the series. The group inhabits a large, fortified prison, but this security is threatened by the nearby community of Woodbury, led by the nefarious Governor.

Cast

Main cast

The primary characters of the third season include (from left to right): Lori, Carl, Daryl, Carol, T-Dog, Beth, Hershel, Rick, Maggie, Glenn, The Governor, Michonne, and Andrea. Absent is Merle.

The third season features ten actors receiving opening credits billing, with eight returning from the previous season and two new cast members introduced; six were listed as main cast members in the second season, while Lauren Cohan, Michael Rooker and Scott Wilson are promoted from recurring status,[6][7] and Danai Gurira and David Morrissey are added to the main cast as Michonne and The Governor, respectively.[8] However, Scott Wilson and Melissa McBride are credited as "also starring".[9]

Starring

  • Andrew Lincoln portrays the series' protagonist Rick Grimes, a former deputy sheriff who has established himself as the group's leader. Rick has become a more cold and calculating leader, willing to leave strangers to die and abandon group members if it means everyone else survives, and comes into conflict with the Governor. Rick has also become distant, secretly resentful of Lori for her affair with Shane. But when he loses her, his unwillingness to accept it causes him to sees hallucinations of her, which mainly appear when he is making morally wrong choices, which due to his colder mindset occurs very often. (15 episodes)
  • Sarah Wayne Callies portrays Lori Grimes, Rick's wife and Carl's mother who is 9 months pregnant but is resented by Rick and Carl for her affair with Shane and the problems it led to. Lori dies early in the season during childbirth, after Maggie is forced to kill her to deliver the baby, and Rick's unwillingness to accept her death causes him to see hallucinations of her. (8 episodes)
  • Laurie Holden portrays Andrea, a former successful civil rights attorney, who was separated from the group at the end of the second season. She befriends Michonne and forms a relationship with the Governor, unaware of the monster he is. When she finds out Rick's group is alive and targeting the Governor, Andrea becomes torn between the innocent people of Woodbury and her old friends. (13 episodes)
  • Norman Reedus portrays Daryl Dixon, an antihero-like Southern redneck who's also the group's primary hunter. He has become Rick's right-hand man and closest ally since Shane's death but his loyalties are tested when he learns not only is Merle alive but working for the Governor. (13 episodes)
  • Steven Yeun portrays Glenn Rhee, a former pizza delivery boy and Maggie's boyfriend who has grown colder especially after encountering Merle again, and when Maggie is almost raped and killed by the Governor. His anger towards the Governor puts a strain on his relationship with Maggie, but after resolving their differences, Glenn proposes to her. (13 episodes)
  • Lauren Cohan portrays Maggie Greene, Hershel's strong-willed and determined elder daughter and Glenn's girlfriend, who despite her love for him, becomes distant after he becomes consumed with anger towards the Governor. The two eventually resolve their differences and she accepts his proposal to her. (13 episodes)
  • Chandler Riggs portrays Carl Grimes, Rick and Lori's young son and Judith's brother/half-brother who has also become more cold and brutal following his father's example, but is often frustrated when he is forbidden to contribute more often, as the elder members of the group seek to retain his innocence. He also has a crush on Beth. (14 episodes)
  • Danai Gurira portrays Michonne, the katana-wielding hooded figure who saves Andrea in the season two finale. Michonne is a quiet and seemingly ruthless survivalist who immediately dislikes the Governor and after discovering what he truly is, leaves and forms an alliance with Rick's group to get back at him. However she forms a bond with Rick's son Carl and begins to shed her brutality for a more healthier mindset. (15 episodes)
  • Michael Rooker portrays Merle Dixon, an unruly Southern redneck and Daryl's older brother who disappeared in the first season. Merle is the right hand of the Governor, but when he learns Daryl is alive and with Rick's group, and when the Governor goes to war with them, his loyalties are torn. (11 episodes)
  • David Morrissey portrays Philip Blake / The Governor, leader of the town of Woodbury, father of Penny, and the main antagonist of the season. The Governor is a ruthless, paranoid, and dangerous sociopath who will murder anyone he sees as a threat to his community, and seeks to eliminate Rick's group when they move into the prison nearby. He also forms a bitter grudge against Michonne after killing his undead daughter. Due to having suffered a similar trauma to Rick in the past, The Governor can be considered a mirror of what Rick could eventually become. (13 episodes)

Also starring

  • Melissa McBride portrays Carol Peletier, a former victim of domestic abuse who is now the last surviving member of her family, having lost her daughter Sophia last season. Carol also has a close bond with Daryl, and dislikes his brother Merle for his influence over him but sees Daryl's potential in him too. (12 episodes)
  • Scott Wilson portrays Hershel Greene, a religious farmer, trained veterinarian, and father of Maggie and Beth, as well as a father figure to Glenn. He is the group's primary moral compass and Rick's main adviser who is arguably more right-minded to lead than Rick. Hershel loses his leg to a walker bite and is forced to have it cut off which confines him to the prison. (13 episodes)

Supporting cast

  • Emily Kinney portrays Beth Greene, Hershel's soft spoken younger daughter and Maggie's half-sister who has accepted the world's new state, having previously tried to kill herself, and has become more skilled at killing walkers. She often tries to boost morale by singing. Beth also catches the attention of Carl, who has a crush on her which she finds amusing. (13 episodes)
  • Jose Pablo Cantillo portrays Caesar Martinez, one of the Governor's men. Martinez is a loyal, slightly egotistical, member of Governor's forces, but is reasonable and has honor, and is sometimes disturbed by his actions but is willing to do what is needed to stay alive. (11 episodes)
  • Dallas Roberts portrays Milton Mamet, a scientist and friend of the Governor who studies the walkers believing there can be a way to restore their humanity, but is ignorant to accept the Governor for the monster he is as he knew him before the outbreak. (10 episodes)
  • Travis Love portrays Shumpert, a silent bow using member of the Woodbury army who is very loyal to the Governor and a good friend of Martinez. (10 episodes)
  • Lew Temple portrays Axel, a convict and survivor, found by the group in the prison, who tries to keep the peace but often speaks more than needed. He also forms a friendship with Carol. (8 episodes)
  • Vincent Ward portrays Oscar, a survivor found in the prison and Axel's best friend who is very honorable and brave, even in the face of death, and is willing to risk his life to help those in need. (7 episodes)
  • Daniel Thomas May portrays Allen, part of Tyreese's group, father of Ben, and husband of Donna, who is a survivalist willing to kill innocent people even if they show him compassion. He also has a feud with Tyreese as Donna became smitten with him after he saved her from walkers. (6 episodes)
  • Chad L. Coleman portrays Tyreese, a survivor leading a small group of people to safety who finds the group in the prison, but is tossed out by a mentally unstable Rick against everyone else's advice. He eventually joins Woodbury, unaware of the Governor's true nature. Tyreese is a man of morals and principles willing to do what it takes the earn his place and to find a group for his sister and friends, but is hesitant to hurt people even if needed. (5 episodes)
  • Sonequa Martin-Green portrays Sasha, Tyreese's sister who is trying to find shelter with her brother and finds the group in the prison but is tossed out by a mentally unstable Rick, against everyone else's advice, and joins Woodbury unaware of the Governor's true nature. Unlike Tyreese, Sasha has a colder survival mindset willing to abandon the weak if it means survival which sometimes puts her into conflict with her brother, but she is still compassionate enough to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. (5 episodes)
  • Tyler Chase portrays Ben, Allen's teenage son. (5 episodes)
  • Melissa Ponzio portrays Karen, a Woodbury citizen who disagrees with the Governor's plan to raise an army from the Woodbury citizens, which includes the children. (4 episodes)
  • IronE Singleton portrays Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas, a survivor of the original Atlanta group who struggles to prove his worth to the group, but is a brave individual willing to risk his life for everyone else's sake. (3 episodes)
  • Markice Moore as Andrew, the smallest and weakest of the prisoners which Rick's group encounters who is also the most mischievous and cunning of them. (3 episodes)
  • Alexa Nikolas portrays Haley, a cocky and overly confident female Woodbury guard. (3 episodes)
  • Lawrence Kao as Tim, a member of the Woodbury army. (3 episodes)
  • Arthur Bridgers as Crowley, a member of the Woodbury army. (3 episodes)
  • Nick Gomez as Tomas, a violent convict and the leader of a group of prisoners who survived within the prison. (2 episodes)
  • Theodus Crane as Big Tiny, the largest of Tomas' group of prisoners but is also the most kindest who has trouble killing walkers. (2 episodes)
  • Donzaleigh Abernathy portrays Dr. Stevens, a doctor living in Woodbury. (2 episodes)
  • Julio Cesar Cedillo portrays Lt. Welles, a member of a group of military personnel who are involved in a helicopter crash, and saved, but eventually slaughtered by The Governor while Welles himself is decapitated and has his head placed in a fix tank. (2 episodes)
  • Lennie James as Morgan Jones, the first person Rick encountered after awakening from his coma who, along with his son Duane, were believed dead. Though a decent and moral father, Morgan has suffered a psychological break after his son was killed by his undead wife after Morgan failed to shoot her earlier. Morgan now believes he needs to clear Rick's hometown of all walkers and people and unintentionally almost kills Rick. (1 episode)
  • Jon Bernthal as Shane Walsh, the second season's main antagonist and Rick's former fellow deputy sheriff and best friend who had an affair with Lori and lost his mind. He was killed by Rick whilst trying to murder him in the second season, and reappears as a hallucination to Rick during the Woodbury battle. (1 episode)
  • Emma Bell as Amy (voice), Andrea's younger sister and a former member of the group who was bit and was put down by Andrea; heard in Rick's hallucinations over the phone. (1 episode)
  • Jeryl Prescott Sales as Jacqui (voice), a former employee of the City of Atlanta, and former member of the group who committed suicide after losing hope by remaining in the CDC with Dr. Jenner as it exploded from fail-safes; heard in Rick's hallucinations over the phone. (1 episode)
  • Andrew Rothenberg as Jim (voice), a former member of the group who was bit and, per his request, left to reanimate and is currently undead; heard in Rick's hallucinations over the phone. (1 episode)

Production

AMC renewed The Walking Dead for a third season on October 25, 2011 after the season two premiere broke cable ratings records in the 18–49 demographic.[10] On January 14, 2012, AMC announced that the third season will contain 16 episodes.[5]

Filming for the season began in May 2012 in Coweta County, Georgia, with the city of Senoia being used as the filming location for the town of Woodbury.[11] Ernest Dickerson directed the season premiere episode.[12] Greg Nicotero, co-executive producer and special make-up FX artist on the series, directed the fifth episode of season 3 after already having directed the season 2 episode "Judge, Jury, Executioner". He also returned as a zombie in the episode "The Suicide King", after portraying two different zombies in the first season.[13] In November 2012, Glen Mazzara announced that Ernest Dickerson would direct the season finale.[14]

After the conclusion of the third season, Mazzara will step down from his position as showrunner and executive producer for the series, in a mutual agreement by both Mazzara and AMC. The press release read, "Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways."[15]

Webisodes

Following the Torn Apart series in 2011, another set of webisodes titled Cold Storage were produced and debuted on October 1, 2012, prior to the premiere of Season 3.[16][17]

Talking Dead

A second season had been commissioned in May 2012.[18] To coincide with a marathon of the show, a special episode was aired in July 2012 following the marathon's end, featuring a tour of the various props/sets used in the third season, as well as cast/crew interviews, and a snippet of exclusive footage featuring the newly introduced character Michonne.[19]

Episodes

No. in
series
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
201"Seed"Ernest DickersonGlen MazzaraOctober 14, 2012 (2012-10-14)10.87[20]
212"Sick"Billy GierhartNichole BeattieOctober 21, 2012 (2012-10-21)9.55[21]
223"Walk with Me"Guy FerlandEvan ReillyOctober 28, 2012 (2012-10-28)10.51[22]
234"Killer Within"Guy FerlandSang Kyu KimNovember 4, 2012 (2012-11-04)9.27[23]
245"Say the Word"Greg NicoteroAngela KangNovember 11, 2012 (2012-11-11)10.37[24]
256"Hounded"Dan AttiasScott M. GimpleNovember 18, 2012 (2012-11-18)9.21[25]
267"When the Dead Come Knocking"Dan SackheimFrank RenzulliNovember 25, 2012 (2012-11-25)10.43[26]
278"Made to Suffer"Billy GierhartRobert KirkmanDecember 2, 2012 (2012-12-02)10.48[27]
289"The Suicide King"Lesli Linka GlatterEvan ReillyFebruary 10, 2013 (2013-02-10)12.26[28]
2910"Home"Seith MannNichole BeattieFebruary 17, 2013 (2013-02-17)11.05[29]
3011"I Ain't a Judas"Greg NicoteroAngela KangFebruary 24, 2013 (2013-02-24)11.01[30]
3112"Clear"Tricia BrockScott M. GimpleMarch 3, 2013 (2013-03-03)11.30[31]
3213"Arrow on the Doorpost"David BoydRyan C. ColemanMarch 10, 2013 (2013-03-10)11.46[32]
3314"Prey"Stefan SchwartzGlen Mazzara & Evan ReillyMarch 17, 2013 (2013-03-17)10.84[33]
3415"This Sorrowful Life"Greg NicoteroScott M. GimpleMarch 24, 2013 (2013-03-24)10.99[34]
3516"Welcome to the Tombs"Ernest DickersonGlen MazzaraMarch 31, 2013 (2013-03-31)12.42[35]

Reception

The third season received critical acclaim. Based on 30 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, season 3 received an average 93% overall "Certified Fresh" approval rating; the website's consensus states, "The palpable terror and visceral thrills continue in the third season of The Walking Dead, along with a deeper sense of the people who inhabit its apocalyptic landscape."[36] On Metacritic, the season scored of 82 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[37]

Home media releases

Season 3 Limited Edition Blu-ray

The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 27, 2013,[1] in region 2 on September 30, 2013[2] and in region 4 on September 25, 2013.[3] Special features include eight featurettes—"Rising Son", "Evil Eye", "Gone, But Not Forgotten", "Heart of a Warrior", "Michonne vs. The Governor", "Making the Dead", "Safety Behind Bars", and "Guts and Glory". Five audio commentaries, for episodes "Killer Within", "Say the Word", "Made to Suffer", "The Suicide King", and "This Sorrowful Life". Also included are 13 minutes of deleted scenes across six episodes.[1]

The third season was also released in limited edition Blu-ray packaging, a replica of The Governor's walker head aquarium as seen in season three. The limited edition packaging was designed by Greg Nicotero and sculpted by McFarlane Toys.[38]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Liebman, Martin (August 17, 2013). "The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
  2. ^ a b "The Walking Dead – Season 3". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Walking Dead, The: Season 3". EzyDVD. Retrieved July 11, 2013.
  4. ^ Masters, Megan (July 13, 2012). "Walking Dead @ Comic-Con: Season 3 Premiere Date Revealed!". TVLine. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Neuman, Clayton (January 14, 2012). "AMC Announces 16 Episode Order for The Walking Dead Season 3". AMC. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 10, 2012). "'The Walking Dead': Lauren Cohan Upped to Series Regular". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  7. ^ Jefferey, Morgan (November 13, 2012). "Michael Rooker on 'Walking Dead' return: 'The wait was brutal'". Digital Spy. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  8. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (March 18, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Casts Sword-Wielding Heroine Michonne". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
  9. ^ Ausiello, Michael (April 4, 2013). "Melissa McBride Clears Up Walking Dead Contract Mystery, Declares: 'I Am a Series Regular'". TVLine. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
  10. ^ "'The Walking Dead' Renewed for a Third Season By AMC" (Press release). TV by the Numbers. October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  11. ^ Skinner, W. Winston (April 4, 2012). "'Walking Dead' filming in Senoia regularly in month of May". The Times-Herald. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  12. ^ Mazzara, Glen (April 12, 2012). "We start shooting in early May. Ernest Dickerson is shooting the season premiere. He shot the S2 finale & other eps". Twitter. Retrieved April 23, 2012.
  13. ^ "The Making of Episode 309 The Suicide King: Inside The Walking Dead". AMC. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  14. ^ Mazzara, Glen (November 7, 2012). "Ernest Dickerson will direct the @WalkingDead_AMC finale. #316". Twitter. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
  15. ^ Harnick, Chris (December 21, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Season 4: AMC, Glen Mazzara Part Ways For New Season". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
  16. ^ James, Jonathan (March 16, 2012). "The Walking Dead: New Webisodes Confirmed". Daily Dead. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  17. ^ Neuman, Clayton (October 1, 2012). "The Walking Dead – Cold Storage Webisodes Now Online". AMC. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  18. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (May 9, 2012). "AMC's 'Walking Dead' Talk Show, 'Comic Book Men' Renewed for Second Seasons". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  19. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (July 8, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Season 3: Michonne Comes Out Swinging in New Teaser (Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  20. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 16, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings:'The Walking Dead' Dominates Night, Space Jump, 'Dexter', 'Boardwalk Empire','Homeland,' 'Breaking Amish', & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  21. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 23, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings:'Walking Dead' Kills it Again, + 'Breaking Amish', 'Dexter', 'Long Island Medium', 'NFL Countdown', & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
  22. ^ Bibel, Sara (October 30, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Breaking Amish', 'Dexter', 'Homeland','Long Island Medium', 'Boardwalk Empire' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  23. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 6, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Easily Wins Night, + 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Breaking Amish', 'Talking Dead', 'Long Island Medium' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  24. ^ Bibel, Sara (November 13, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Breaking Amish', 'Dexter', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  25. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (November 20, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'Breaking Amish', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Dexter', 'Sofia the First' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
  26. ^ Bibel, Sara (November 27, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Dominates Night, 'Soul Train Awards', 'Liz & Dick', 'Dexter', 'Homeland', 'Boardwalk Empire' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 27, 2012.
  27. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (December 4, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Midseason Finale Dominates Night + 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Shahs of Sunset', 'Dexter', 'Sister Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  28. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 12, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Kills the Competition + 'Talking Dead', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Live from the Red Carpet' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  29. ^ Bibel, Sara (February 20, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'NBA All Star Game', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Ax Men', 'Shameless', 'Bar Rescue' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 20, 2013.
  30. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (February 26, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'Live From the Red Carpet', 'Ax Men', 'Bar Rescue', 'Shameless' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  31. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 5, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'The Bible, 'Vikings', 'Shameless', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'Pawn Stars' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
  32. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 12, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'The Bible', 'Vikings', 'Real Housewives of Atlanta', 'The Client List' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  33. ^ Bibel, Sara (March 19, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'The Bible', 'Vikings', 'The Client List', 'Shameless', 'Army Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 19, 2013.
  34. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 26, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night + 'The Bible', 'Talking Dead', NCAA Basketball, 'Vikings' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  35. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 2, 2013). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Wins Night, 'Game of Thrones', 'The Bible', 'Vikings', 'Shameless', 'The Client List' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  36. ^ "The Walking Dead: Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  37. ^ "The Walking Dead : Season 3". Metacritic. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  38. ^ Neuman, Clayton (February 7, 2013). "The Walking Dead Season 3 Limited Edition Blu-Ray Set Now Available for Pre-Order". AMC. Retrieved December 14, 2013.