It seems to me as if they are trying to draw parallels between Rick and the Governor;  though the Governor was quieter about it his withdrawal during a crisis and his lack of tact in killing the wounded man suggests that he is undergoing a similar breakdown.

Transformers 4: My Little Megatron

Transformers 4: My Little Megatron

I was more impressed that the walker took down a half-ton steer with its bare hands.

I guess if you are the owner of a farm with a group of armed survivalists squatting in your front yard you might not want to get involved in the conversation about whether or not to kill a member of another group of armed survivalists who may or may not want to squat in your front yard.

The situation in the bar was ambiguous; the Philly boys did draw down on Rick but from their perspective he was sending them off to die in a zombie infested wasteland while he denied them entry to a place of safety. That they tried to force the issue makes them desperate not necessarily a band of soulless marauders.…

On the other hand by killing him you up the stakes considerably for the group and more or less guaranteed yourself a fight to the death if the other group finds the farm. Not only have you denied yourself a hostage you have also made it pretty certain that you will be shown no quarter if the fight goes against you.…