This is really all Tyreese’s fault. “We’re safe. That’s it.” And then he repeated that naive mantra just a few panels later. [Enter Sean Bean] “One does not simply say they are safe in The Walking Dead and actually stay safe.” [Exit Sean Bean]. Such optimism is as alluring as it is dangerous, as Tyreese likely learns all too well as the Governor’s forces (tank and all) stampede towards our formerly lucky group of prison survivors . . .

But let’s backtrack a bit and examine the impact of the preceding tragedy before we brace ourselves for the next one. Carol’s death has left a dreary mark on almost everyone. Losing people in the zombie apocalypse is not new to this weary group of survivors, but the whole suicide thing is a unique evil. When so much must be fought for just to keep breathing, the idea of a fellow survivor just giving up the struggle and opting out is a disturbing one on many levels. For starters, the sting of the actual loss of Carol is a painful one and impacts each person in the group differently.

Poor Sophia especially seems to be in a rather catatonic state (much to Carl’s concern). Andrea reveals that she has become desensitized to putting loved ones down when they turn and simply sees it as a grim (even humane) necessity. Billy is left feeling confused and frustrated after Carol commits suicide so soon after they had intercourse (was he really THAT bad?). And (bad joke aside) Tyreese is so pissed at Carol for making such a selfish decision that he can’t even spare time to grieve for her. I do think Tyreese is hurting more than he lets on, and his “no talking” sex with Michonne is perhaps motivated more by a need for distraction than by any deeper meaning. The need for distraction goes both ways, as I am sure Michonne has plenty of reasons why she could need distracting as well.

However, the time for distractions and grieving is past as the forces from Woodbury rapidly close in on our favorite band of survivors and their imperiled prison sanctuary. They built so much there, and it grieves me as a reader to see it all about to fall apart. The prison just might have been their happily ever after, or at least as happy as an ever after can be in the zombie apocalypse. But now the psychotic whims of one madman with too much power and a big tank could undo all that. Carol’s war is over. For everyone else, it has just begun. And wars have casualties . . . more