Elisabeth Vincentelli

Elisabeth Vincentelli

TV

Bloody end to Governor’s reign in ‘Walking Dead’ blowout

Because millions of hungry zombies aren’t enough, “The Walking Dead” needs living, breathing villains. Sunday night a big one got an appropriately bloody, violent exit — which, in the show’s universe, translates as grimly satisfying.

Though he vanished at the end of season 3, it was obvious we’d see the Governor (David Morrissey) again because he and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) have always been on a collision course. They represent irreconcilable types of leadership in the zombie apocalypse. Rick’s approach is ambivalent while the Guv fully embraces dictatorial authority. Rick is troubled by the moral decisions he must make to protect his extended family while the Guv does what he has to do with no apparent qualms — never mind the couple of episodes in which we were led to believe he had been somewhat redeemed.

That’s the philosophical way to look at the half-season arc.

The other is to say that last night kicked butt, starting with the Guv trying to take over Rick’s domain. First he tried forcing the ex-sheriff’s hand with hostages Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Hershel (Scott Wilson). Rick refused to leave, arguing for cohabitation instead. So the Governor decapitated Hershel, right in front of his horrified daughters. Then he attacked the compound with a tank. Because if you have it, you gotta use it.

But guess what: When you blow things up, there’s nothing left for you to play with. At least we got to hear a wounded Rick gurgling out for his son: “Caaaaarrrrrggghhhhlllll!!!”

One of the best things about “The Walking Dead” is that every victory is bittersweet, every setback comes with a ray of hope. Last night Hershel died, but Michonne ended up katana’ing the Guv. The prison is destroyed and its community scattered, but at least this ended the stalemate that paralyzed this season’s first half.

That half didn’t work for two reasons. One is that the Gov’s return felt like a rehash — we already had a showdown at the end of season 3, so another one felt like déja vu.

The other is that the episodes literally didn’t go anywhere: With the original group holed up in relative safety, “The Walking Dead” was a hair away from turning into another “Doomsday Preppers” in which survivalists make it through with gardening and home remedies, occasionally lobotomizing Walkers with picks.

Now our team is on the move again, which is good — even if we know they will somehow end up in the usual woods near the usual stream and the usual abandoned mall.

First they’re going to have to regroup somehow. Then they’re going to have find new shelter and supply sources. Then another lead character will have to die, because that’s how they roll in the zombie apocalypse. At least Carl isn’t the only armed vigilante child anymore. Now the little girls are locked and loaded, too, not just obliging Walker snacks. On this show, that counts as progress.