User Reviews

Hands down the best episode of the season so far and maybe one of the best of the series. We finally get to figure out what happened with Morgan from all the way back in episode one. Lennie James steals every single scene he is in. An absolute tour de force of an performance that blew me away. There's a lot less action in this episode but it really is all about the dialogue between Rick and Morgan. What I also like about this episode is that the writers chose incredible minimalism, minus the walkers and one guy with a backpack, there are just 4 actors in this episode. There is some great character development from the conservations between Michonne and Carl as well as Morgan and Rick. I like that they decided to write Carl as smart and not a stupid kid, he's had to grow up a lot faster and I think the scenes between him and Michonne really show that. Morgan and Rick's conversation is much more intense, the moment that really got me is when Morgan talks about his son, I could feel and hear the pain in James' voice, actors who can get emotions out of an audience are rare and so I applaud him for having a skill like that. Can't wait until next week!

I had been fearing for the direction of the series of late, but this episode put my mind at ease. With all these plot twists with towns and random survivors dropping in, the show really has been missing deep characterization; which is emphasized by the fact that so many of the original group members have passed. The constant anguish from Rick and the attacks of the governor have really swung a depressing brush to the series, and it just feels repetitive.

*SPOILER* However, with the return of Morgan, we have a renewed sense of hope for Rick as he sees how far a person can fall off the deep end - and it seems like he's on the way to snapping out of his issues with his wife's recent passing.

It's also especially good that michonne finally gets a positive spotlight! I can see her being very integral to the following episodes, hope to see more of her open self (and not confined to 2 words per episode as previous). Seeing Carl in the episode reminded me how far he has come since the farm (geez he was annoying on the farm), and is really crafting himself into a stable adult.

Overall the script, acting and execution of this episode was truly wonderful, and brought me back to the first season's roots.

The Walking Dead has been one of those shows with ups and downs throughout its length and for the couple of episodes which occurred before this one i was slightly disappointed with the way things were going. But with the episode "Clear" we can now clearly see the philosophical as well as the plot line even more clearly than we might have been imagining it. It shows the variety of thoughts between the characters and also the changes that the two,Rick and Morgan,have experienced during the time of the plague. And of course the weird but apparently successful mix of Rick/Carl and Michonne entering a place which was forgotten showed that even in all that primitive time of "Food and only food" people still care for one or the other. But of course that's not entirely true,as you'll see for yourself.

I give it a 9 out of 10 and only removing one rate point out of it for being so short.

This episode starts out with a mystery as we join three unlikely compatriots in the little green wagon. Michonne, Carl and Rick (largely lucid after several episodes of shaky sanity) driving and we're forced to wonder where the rest of the group is. Before the credits we're given insight into just how much Rick has changed as well as a palpable tension with the black sheep, Michonne. Form there the episode doles out information in a satisfying and tantalizing way. The meat of the story comes in the form of the return of Morgan, the man who saved Rick when he was fresh out of the hospital. A three-years-long delivery on a curiosity set up early in the season one. A well paced and thoughtful episode ratchets up when we see how much both men have changed and Lennie James gives the best performance of the series, and one of the greatest performances of the last decade of television, completely captivating the viewer with a riveting account of his life since we last saw him. James pulled off the equivalent of the Alec Baldwin, Glengarry, Glen Ross performance, completely stealing the show and bringing the show plenty of award potential. Even if you dislike zombie movies, hate horror and don't know any of the characters, you HAVE to see THIS episode because this performance is NOT to be missed.

There were definitely a few episodes of "the walking dead" that were kind of haunting and sticking in your mind for a while, making you think. But for me, this is the one that got stuck permanently and really hit me emotionally. As several other reviewers said, Lennie James is just awesome. His acting is that intense that he manages to stop you breathing just being on screen, talking. The conversations Rick and Morgan have are intense, drastic and although Morgan kind of lost his mind on the way, he speaks many truths nonetheless. But what got me most is the discrepancy you can see and feel, - Rick, Carl and Michonne in the car, the lonely guy outside, screaming his lungs out for them to stop, to take him in, and twice - they don't. Helping is not an option anymore. Seeing Rick getting emotionally back to hi roots, his hometown, and Morgan, who saved him long ago, and seeing rick suddenly remembering his humanity, wanting to help, to save Morgan - but he can't. And then the last scene, humanity gone again, reality hitting you like a club - the three of them going back in the car, an seeing what's left of that hitchhiker from the beginning of the episode, only entrails. And then, even the car going back and just taking this persons backpack and supplies, emotionless. That's how the world is there, no excuses. And the humane shadow of yester-yesterday, - gone. Brilliant acting, brilliant writing, haunting!

The last few weeks, I have been complaining about the logistics of The Walking Dead and the turn the show has taken to a much slower pace that really is driving no where. My biggest argument was that it felt like the show was trying to just fill episode quotas based on a story that was too short to fit a 16 episode order. Andrea's reunion was a pointless time waster, Rick seeing his dead wife took up far more time than it needed to, and Merle and Darryl leaving the group for one episode was not necessary at all.

And the biggest problem with these side stories and slow paced episodes: character development was nonexistent. We know Rick is crazy. We know Andrea is torn between the two groups. We know Merle is bad news. We know Glen is a cry baby. These episodes gave us plenty of time to explore these characters and find out more about each of them, but instead we continued on the same trends with the same characters. That is why I started comparing the second half of season three to season two. The show had become stagnant.

That is, until last night. Last night's episode, titled "Clear" for the work being done by one of our favorite characters that we haven't seen since episode one, was an exceptional episode and a look at what this show could be if executed properly week in and week out. Let's face it: the zombie portion of this show is a back seat factor; no longer the main threat, but the constant danger in the world these characters live in. While Rick's group and the Woodbury family have found ways to protect themselves from the walkers, the clash comes from the two groups fearing the other. Meanwhile, there is Morgan, a man we haven't seen since episode one. A man who took Rick in and saved him from the geeks wandering the streets. A man who had to shoot his zombie wife, had his son taken away from him, and has spent his days clearing areas in his neighborhood and fortifying himself in a building in his small downtown.

Finally, for once, we get to see how someone else is living in this situation. Someone who will only resort to killing other people if they threaten him, but won't take anyone in and bring anyone close to him. Someone who is only working on protecting himself from the evil wandering the earth. Someone who is not interested in fights with other people and only wishes to live quietly in his new home that he has booby-trapped for his protection. Morgan is the character I have been waiting so long to meet; a man who is terrified of the situation he is in, but doesn't group up with a bunch of strangers and try to make a new life. He protects himself, and that's it.

Morgan has been through a lot since we last saw him. Duane, his son, was bitten by his zombie mother and turned into a walker. Morgan finally was able to gun down his wife, but his hesitation cost his son his life. He has spent the time since Duane turned going through the surrounding neighborhoods from where he lives, killing the walker inhabitants and burning the buildings down so zombies can't conceal themselves. The man is smart and resourceful. He has collected a large number of guns and knives and has been able to survive by simply using traps and barricades and burning the strung up walkers. And while he seems insane on the outside, he is very observant and understanding of the situation. As Rick demands that Morgan join up with his group in a prison that they have taken over, Morgan asks "Did your wife die there?" He goes on to mention that he saw the amount of guns that Rick is taking; that there must be a reason he needs that large amount of weapons. And suddenly, it is Rick who is getting the talking to, not Morgan. Is the prison really that safe? Is the life Rick's group has chosen the right one? Morgan has made a quiet home for himself that is almost never under the threat of other humans killing him or walkers finding their way in. Meanwhile, the prison is the biggest target anyone could live in.

To read the rest (IMDb form too short) visit: http://custodianfilmcritic.com/the-walking-dead-3-12-clear/

Rick is not in my top ten of favorite Walking Dead characters. He is in my top ten of least liked Walking Dead characters. Since the beginning he's continued to make bad decisions. But in this episode is where I totally disconnected with the character Rick.

This episode itself I personally found to be overrated and a bit ho hum. What I did find interesting is that while on their way to Rick's hometown to find guns & ammo, Rick, Michonne & Carl pass a lone, helpless hitchhiker. The hitchhiker pleads for help as they pass him in the car. They get stuck in some mud and the hitchhiker catches up again pleading for help. Rick doesn't even acknowledge him. Ironic that Rick winds up reuniting with Morgan in this episode. If it weren't for Morgan, Rick would be dead. Rick was helpless, just like the hitchhiker, when he walked out of the hospital and into a world full of zombies. Yet Rick didn't even consider helping this hitchhiker even though at one time he was in the same dire straits. At the end of the episode, while driving back they see the hitchhiker's body on the side of the road devoured by zombies.

There was certainly room for one more in the car not to mention they were preparing for war with the Governor so Rick could've definitely used more man power.

Imagine living in a zombie apocalypse and doing that to your fellow man or woman. To me, this spoke volumes about Rick's character.

The sheer horror of Morgan losing his son and the meltdown he experienced after that was wonderfully portrayed.

"I see red!" -Morgan Jones. Underrated episode. Seeing Morgan return was awesome. This episode shows how much the apocalypse changes you, Morgan, a nice man who helped save Rick going absolutely insane. Michonne had some good character development. I liked her and Coral's side quest to find the picture of their family for Judith (it was mainly just so she could see what Lori looked like. When Michonne told Coral to wait by the door and she went and got the picture she got it so unbelievably fast. I was spoiled a lot of things in TWD but I wasn't spoiled Morgan returning so this really surprised me the first time I watched this episode. The Orange pack back guy is in this episode.

I'm so glad they included Morgan this season. Lennie James is an amazing actor and it was great to hear what happened since the pilot. I think any fan who has watched the show from the beginning would enjoy it. Anyone that gives this episode low ratings may not grasp the true essence of TWD. It's not all about great walker kills and action it's about the humans and how they interact in a new world. The running story lines through three seasons is amazing and I don't think a lot of other shows do that the overall feel and look is not like anything else on TV. I look forward to future episodes because I'm a fan and always will be. Don't criticize just enjoy or don't watch

Words don't do this episode justice. We all wanted Morgan back, and two scenes in this episode gave me chills (seeing him unmasked, and seeing "Duane turned" on the blackboard). It was good to see Michonne prove herself to Rick and Carl, it was eerie to think that the town Rick and Carl came from looks the way it does this far into the show, and the closure that comes with seeing Morgan (and sadly not Duane) just made this episode twist my emotions in every which way. Let's be honest, how many people DIDN'T think at least once during the show "hmm, wonder what happened to Morgan and Duane..."

Hope they keep bringing us wonderful episodes like this... tonight's was good, but mainly because it's a great building episode to something even bigger and better.

Let me just say, that OMG, this series don't ever get boring! Which I find kind of difficult to keep up when you deal with a zombie apocalypse and there isn't really too much to do after a while. For example, Resident Evil. I used to love the video games (and I still do), but the movies.. yeah, not so much. The first and second ones were absolutely amazing, but after the 3rd one, things just got repetitive, and you could see that they didn't have that much to create anymore. The plot lines were completely lost, and well, the saga is going downhill.

BUT, The Walking Dead, after 30 episodes is as amazing as it was on episode 1. The suspense is huge, and as the season continues you are really surprised about the things they come up with to keep the show alive. And for me, I can't say enough times what an amazing show it is. The best of the best on zombie apocalypses for me.Tuesday's episode "Clear", had a slight twist. The upcoming war with the Governor is held at bay, and instead it focuses on something, or rather, someone who we 've been thinking on since Season 1. Rick goes on a road trip with Carl and Michonne to Atlanta (see where this is going?) And they go back to their hometown. Oh, before this, they find a hitchhiker, but they ignore his calling for help and leave him in the road. When they arrive to Atlanta, they see a house armed with spikes and tramps to the walkers. A guy on a rooftop aims a gun at Rick's group, but they manage to catch him first. When Rick takes the helmet off, who he sees? Morgan.

While he is unconscious, Rick takes care of him and Carl and Michonne search for a craddle. But, Carl instead of going to the baby shop, he goes somewhere else to look for a picture of his mom and dad. They go to this room and unfortunately, their plan to distract the zombies doesn't work and they are chased. After their escape, Michonne tells Carl to hang in there while she returns to pick up the photo. Amazingly fast, she returns, uninjured. That was a very sweet moment because Carl starts to trust Michonne, and after all she's done to help the group, she really deserves it. Then we have the moment we were all waiting for. Morgan wakes up, and after attacking Rick and being subdued, his mind comes back to the present and he reveals shocking news. When he and his son were looking for food, he left him while he searched on the basement, and surprise! His wife (who we all know was turned into a zombie and he couldn't bring himself to kill) is right there in front of his son. He is aiming the gun, but can't fire and in a panicking moment, Morgan calls him, and then... his own mother attacks him! Morgan then needs to bring himself to kill his wife, and later, when his son turns into a zombie, kill him as well.

May I just say that this is so so so cruel!! And unexpected. Like, we kind of saw it coming, but not with "the mother kills her son" thing. This plot line reminds me of the time when Carl had to shoot Lori before she became a walker.

Later, they leave Morgan and go back on the road, just to find the poor hitchhiker completely devoured and his backpack lying a few feet from his body. Michonne stops the car, and they pick up the backpack and leave. That's how it ends! That was so heartbreaking!!! And, we can also notice this new mindset for surviving. Not trusting anyone, not saving anyone and just doing whatever it takes to protect themselves. This reminds me of Rick's last words on the season 2 finale "This isn't a Democracy anymore".

The Zombie epidemic continues! The progression of the Walking Dead series is driven by the thesis with social break down people love their humanity and just look after themselves and their small groups. Rick's heart has hardened and is losing his humanity. Clear begins with a helpless man who calls for help twice along the road, and Rick's crew ignores his pleas. The crew reaches Rick's old town scrounging for weapons and finds his friend, Morgan, who helped Rick in the first season to live. Rick's friend has become a harden survivalist. Rick's friend say he was weak which killed his son! One wonders if the Clear episode is a warning for Rick of what he will become a shell of a person. 7 out of 10 a very dark episode. This episode leaves an impression of what is in store for the next season.

I don't know the meaning of Morgan showing up. It has nothing to do with the fight against governor. A stab in the shoulder heals so soon. Conversion between Morgan and Rick is empty. Rick tries to convince Morgan to join his team? Why does he think Morgan is stupid enough to take the risk of being killed? Carl appears to be more and more a trouble-maker.