The Walking Dead is never afraid to shock audiences with violence, gore, story twists and –yes– the death of major characters. We are three episodes deep into season six and we’ve had a slow opening, an excellent second episode (have I told you all how much I love Carol) and now the gut-wrenching third episode. This review does contain a major spoiler so go and watch episode three before reading this, if you have not already. I assure you it will be worth your time and effort.
I have to be honest, I did not watch the show as it aired because the Eagles were on. Sorry, friends, I loves me some Eagles football. As commercials came on, I checked my Facebook feed and saw a massive flood of status updates mentioning The Walking Dead. It was mostly people lamenting. As soon as I saw this, I texted a good friend of mine (shout out to my boy Billy V.) and asked him who died. He told me “Just go watch it.” I asked, “it was Glenn (Steven Yeun) wasn’t it?” He affirmed. What?!
Before I dive into that whole scene, I want to talk about the lead up. Last week, we dealt with the folks in Alexandria and did not see Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the gang. This week, was the opposite. We get to see the gang making their way back to find out the source of the horn and gun shots. Let me say, I love how this is playing out with one week paralleling what happened the previous week but with the opposite group. Glenn, Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are leading some of the townsfolk back while Daryl (Norman Reedus), Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) and Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) continue to lead the remaining walkers not distracted by the horn 20 miles out of town.
When Rick splits off from the ever-shrinking group, he gives Michonne and Glenn directions to get the rest of the group back home and to do what they can to help them survive without putting themselves in harm’s way. Heath (Corey Hawkins) overhears this and grows increasingly upset, leading to an emotional and dramatic conversation between he and Michonne. This show is so well acted, it really makes you empathetic to what they are feeling. Rick is off to get the RV and the rest of the gang are making their way back when they come upon an abandoned town. We find out Nicholas (Michael Traynor) has ties here because he would go somewhere else in his mind from time to time throughout these scenes. I absolutely despised his character last season but this year he is really trying to do the right thing. And, hey, if Glenn can forgive him, so can I.
As the Walkers begin to make their way closer to town, Glenn asks Nicholas if there is somewhere they can easily light on fire to garner the Walker attention. Nicholas says he will draw a map but Glenn shows trust in him and tells him to come with him. They head out only to find that the feed store has already been burnt to the ground — someone apparently had the same idea previously. The crew in the pet store take to the streets lead by Michonne. Glenn and Nicholas find themselves surrounded by Walkers on all sides and become trapped in a fenced in alley.
Glenn and Nicholas do their best to fight off the Walkers and end up on top of a dumpster continuing to empty rounds into their zombie skulls. Just then Nicholas goes somewhere else in his head as Glenn tries to bring him back to reality. As Nicholas comes back, he looks at Glenn says “Thank you,” placing the gun to his own head and shoots. Nicholas’s body falls into Glenn’s, causing them to fall into the pit of zombies (not only a Walking Dead scene but a great song by Cannibal Corpse for all you metal heads). After the tumble the camera is trained on Glenn’s face as he screams. The camera stays up on Glenn’s head as his face is being sprayed with blood and walkers tear out intestines. Notice, I did not say Glenn’s intestines. Why? Because, we really don’t know if they are his guts or Nicholas’ innards. I am going to go on record as saying Glenn is going to be fine. The camera angle was off, we know The Walking Dead is not afraid to show full body gore. But, for some reason, we areonly getting Glenn’s face. We will see. Meanwhile, Rick takes out some Wolves invading the RV. He tries to start it to no avail as a hoard of zombies approach from the woods and the episode ends.
I have to say I loved this episode. I was on the edge on my seat almost the entire time. The episode was directed by Michael Slovis with credits including Fringe and Breaking Bad. The writer was Angela Kang who is no stranger to The Walking Dead. To you both, I say “Bravo!” You have inspired the Thug to give out his first five star rating!
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episdoe 3 “Thank You” 
(5 / 5) on the Thug Meter
