I agree with others' impressions. I also thought Daryl was taking out his anger that Merle had sacrificed himself, when Daryl was trying so hard to integrate Merle into Rick's group.

Don't forget the impact of Merle's discussion with Carol, that made him realize late-bloomer Daryl had blossomed with Rick's group, but Merle never would.

I think Merle had planned to release Michonne all along. He had to get her away from the prison so Rick, et. al, wouldn't turn her over to the Governor, and Merle knew she'd never accompany him voluntarily.  He also didn't want her help killing the Governor, because despite what Rooker said on "Talking Dead", Merle…

How 'bout Oscar? Turned off the prison alarm. Saved Rick/killed Andrew. Loves slippers. Kills zombies with the best of 'em. Great soldier to have along on a rescue mission. Helped Maggie over the barricade. And then…RIP.

Gag me!

Don't forget the brief nod to that arc by having Merle recite Bible verses and bond with Hershel.

It was Allen's son, Ben.

And Beth's sitting outside at the picnic table wearing a wool cap pulled low over her ears.

Or as Tony Soprano once said, "All that that entrails."

Lotsa finger imagery this ep.

Apparently, the CDs were already in the car. Very convenient for a rednecked Pied Piper.

The discussion with Merle factored in Rick's decision, too, as did hearing Hershel praying with his daughters - which triggered the Lori-hallucination (as a stand-in for Rick's conscience).

"Couple of armless/toothless zombies" - that was Michonne.  Andrea had one armless/curb-stomped zombie on a harness.

I think the combination of the Gov's fighting his way out of the factory (which details we didn't see much of) and Rick's walker-killing rampage following Lori and T-Dog's death (detailed in bloody living color) showed the two salient sides of that coin.

@MM: I agree with much of what you wrote, except…."he tried to kill Michonne just for wanting to leave." We can't overlook the fact that Michonne dissed the Gov in multiple ways before leaving.  We all knew that would bode poorly for her.

Appreciate what you wrote, J.O. and CS. I've felt the same way since season 1.

@What else could make a woman hate a man that much?

To add to spork and beans: Also unlike the walkers, Andrea needed to be fed, watered, and occasionally given medicine, and she's an annoying blabbermouth.

Reminded me of Tomas' repeatedly whacking Big Tiny's head, after Big Tiny was bitten.

Didn't Maggie give Oscar a head-shot to prevent that?