Great Character Introductions on The Walking Dead: The Governor
By Susie Graham
We only meet a character once. Sometimes that introduction is just woven into the story. Other times it’s a dramatic event. Let’s look at some of the great introductions on The Walking Dead.
The Governor. His introduction was a combination of one that was somewhat dramatic yet a slow burn woven into the story. This was very smart. Phillip was supposed to be a charismatic leader whom the people of Woodbury trusted and looked up to for security and hope.
If we met The Governor as a completely unlikable and awful person, we wouldn’t be able to see how he was able to sway so many people. We see him first in the fields with the soldiers.
Andrea and Michonne are trying to size him up. Michonne is extremely reticent to let him see them. Andrea thinks the Governor is helping the soldiers and they should show themselves. But when the Governor stabs the injured soldier in the brain, they are confused again. Andrea and Michonne don’t know they’re all infected.
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After Merle captured Andrea and Michonne, meeting the Governor is no longer and option. He is a man of mixed signals at the beginning. We see him much like Michonne does, with caution.
He acts friendly, but wants to be in control. He says they can leave, but doesn’t let them leave right away. He takes their weapons, but says he’ll be happy to return them.
He gives Milton some respect as a researcher, but doesn’t take his advice about the party and corrects him when Milton wants to day the biters are docile without their teeth, hands and jaws. The Governor insists on calling them lurkers instead of using the word docile.
He acts like he wants to let Merle find his brother, but he won’t let him go. He butters him up be saying Merle’s too important to him in Woodbury. He throws the fact that he saved Merle back at Merle as a guilt trip. Just the idea that Merle Dixon is quiet and acquiescent is a red flag.
Next: Great introductions to characters: Mary from Terminus
But at some point we see them. The heads. Fish tanks filled with walker heads. The Governor lounging on a leather chair in his old west Woodbury room side by side with a wall of walker head filled fish tanks. Contemplating.