TV

16 best moments from ‘Walking Dead’

“The Walking Dead” is more than a suspenseful show about zombies. It has human drama that rivals the best on television. The battle against the “walkers” is just a backdrop for the war to save not just humans, but humanity.

Every good zombie tale has its share of gore (well, except for “World War Z”), but “The Walking Dead” is just as focused on the emotional torture of its characters. For even scene of undead gristle splattering a camera lens, there is one of living mental carnage. It’s the human moments that stand out, that make “The Walking Dead” more than just another slash-and-gash battle with the undead.

With the Season 4 premiere coming Sunday, here are the top 15 such moments through the show’s first three seasons:

  1. 1. Take no prisoners

    cc7cceb0-7174-4dfc-847f-dd5e5fb0a82d_TWD_20100606_5561.jpg

    Season 1, Episode 1: Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) puts down a school-age girl … who happens to be a “walker.” Right off the bat, you know, this show is willing to go to some dangerous places.

  2. 2. Meet the Herd

    c0b92c5d-6681-404e-a70b-a4ec9d829911_101_RT_PhotoSpread_Bla.JPG

    S1, E1: Rick, traveling alone on horseback through empty Atlanta streets, turns a corner to meet thousands of undead packed together in what later is referred to as a herd. This ain’t “Night of the Living Dead.” This is something larger and more menacing.

  3. 3. CDC you later

    e746baa4-ffee-44b6-bc96-abd42f7c524a_TWD_20100818_SG-3025.jpg

    S1, E6: Rick convinces group they must go to CDC to find answers. All they find is Dr. Edwin Jenner (Noah Emmerich), who has given up on survival, but has a secret. The group escapes just as Jenner blows up the building. But where could they possibly go?

  4. 4. Hello, Michonne

    999e2a24-6c1a-6311-d543-149fe2c9a4da_DSC_3848.JPG

    S2, E13: A hooded stranger (Danai Gurira) wielding a sword, and accompanied by chained walkers, saves Andrea (Laurie Holden) after the farm is overrun. Later it is learned the de-jawed undead help hide Michonne’s scent from other walkers.  

  5. 5. Finding prison

    DSC_6542phgn.jpg

    S3, E1: After a nomadic winter, Rick & Co. stumble upon a prison overrun with walkers. They take hold of what becomes their new home, but not before Hershel (Scott Wilson) has a leg amputated after a bite.   

  6. 6. Sophia lost

    eb215496-60d3-4fc8-b674-11ac97096e07_TWD_201_0627_3751.jpg

    S2, E1: After escaping a herd on a clogged highway, young Sophia (Madison Lintz) is lost in the woods. During the gang’s search, Carl (Chandler Riggs) is shot by Otis (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who sends Rick to Hershel’s farm for help.

  7. 7. Hello Gov.

    84b4188d-0f10-b056-147e-45900d74eec3_TWD_GP_303_0611_0337b.jpg

    S3, E3: Andrea and Michonne are introduced to the town leader: the Governor (David Morrissey). He has built a sanctuary, but why does he have a wall stacked with severed undead heads in aquariums?

  8. 8. Poor ol’ Dale

    The Walking Dead (Season 2)

    S2, E11: Carl steals a gun from Daryl (Norman Reedus). Fails to kill mud-bound walker before it escapes. Same walker bites Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn). Daryl is forced to put the grandfatherly Dale out of his misery.

  9. 9. Andrea dies

    3e7b2104-d20c-f637-9cca-75755347691b_TWD_GP_316_1120_0189.jpg

    S3, E16: Chained to chair for perceived betrayal, Andrea watches the Governor stab Milton (Dallas Roberts) and proclaim: “You kill or you die. Or you die and you kill.” When found, Andrea is alive but bitten. Michonne is by her side when a presumed kill shot is fired off-screen. 

  10. 10. Prison attack

    fd1b2b41-9de8-9724-31ef-8b0d399b3226_TWD_GP_316_1119_0036.jpg

    S3, E16: Woodbury forces storm the prison. They are run off by an interior ambush from Rick and pals. The Governor then tracks down his fleeing troops and kills them all, save Martinez (Jose Pablo Cantillo), Shumpert (Travis Love) and, unknowingly, Karen (Melissa Ponzio).

  11. 11. Gov. v. Michonne

    TWD_GP_308_0806_0080.jpg

    S3, E8: Intent on killing the Governor, Michonne sneaks into his abode and discovers his undead daughter chained in a hidden room. He arrives and watches her kill the walker daughter. In combat, she stabs him in the eye. Andrea, who was having an affair with the Governor, stops Michonne before she can kill him. Michonne flees, and an eye patch is born.

  12. 12. Daryl v. Merle, Part I

    52c091d3-7dc5-13ce-3747-03fc20a000ce_TWD_TR_308_0802_0201.jpg

    S3, E8: The prison group attacks Woodbury in an attempt to rescue Glenn (Steven Yeun) and Maggie. Daryl is captured. To demonstrate loyalty, the Governor orders Merle to fight his brother Daryl to the death. Both escape thanks to efforts of the prison gang. 

  13. 13. Daryl v. Merle, Part II

    960002fb-2440-4a2c-6eef-bea8131512a6_TWD_GP_315_1026_0383.jpg

    S3, E15: Undead Merle, having been killed by the Governor, attacks brother Daryl, who eventually stabs Merle multiple times in the face before collapsing in tears.

  14. 14. So long, Lori

    a8fd7c06-1081-09bc-504a-42e35dfa4eb8_TWD_GP_304_0620_0377a.jpg

    S3, E4: After complications in childbirth, Lori gives Maggie (Lauren Cohan) the go-ahead for a C-section. Once the child is removed, Carl has to kill his now-dead mother to prevent her from becoming a walker.   

  15. 15. Shane’s death

    493a00f1-b5ff-4880-bf52-fe41ff530fb8_TWD_212_1103_0703gn.jpg

    S2, E 12: Rick ends the battle for dominance and the Lori love triangle when he stabs Shane (Jon Bernthal), after discovering Shane had led Rick to a secluded area to kill him. Shane reanimates, proving no bite is required to become a walker. Carl shoots undead Shane.

  16. 16. Sophia’s in the barn!

    80ca1247-67ee-4da6-9b93-73049cdaccc5_TWD_207_0901_1723.jpg
    Gene Page/AMC

    S2, E7: Shane initiates an impromptu raiding of the barn full of walkers. After the gang has gunned down dozens of undead, zombie Sophia (Madison Lintz) stumbles through the doors. Rick painstakingly shoots her down.