As promised, I'm back with an early review of the second episode of The Walking Dead Season 3, titled "Sick". Like last time, I will avoid major spoilers, but don't read this review if you haven't seen the first episode or want to be completely surprised when you watch the new episode.

It seems that many people felt the same way about the first episode as I did, with other reviews and readers calling it one of the best episodes of the series. You'll be happy to learn that the second episode is as impressive as the first and they play together like a single episode or a Walking Dead TV movie.

Picking up literally seconds after the ending of the last episode, the main focus is on the discovery of survivors inside of the prison, along with trying to keep Hershel alive after the emergency amputation. There continues to be a really good mix of action, walkers, and drama that made many people enjoy the first episode.  You'll have to do the exact body count, but there are dozens of walker kills, so there is no shortage of blood and action.

The Season 3 premiere did a great job of showing that these characters are in a different place from where we left them in season 2, and the new episode continues down this path. Fans of T-Dog will be happy to see him continue to have a bigger role, and even Carl is more of an asset to the group's survival than someone they have to look after.

Adding new survivors to the mix definitely has an impact on Rick's plans, but you'll have to watch the episode for yourself to see how everything unfolds. For fans of the comic book series, there are some interesting parallels, but as you should know by now, it's not a direct adaptation. Don't go into this episode or series looking for the exact same story, and you should enjoy the twists and changes they've included.

By the time the episode concluded, I felt like the cast and crew did a great job of presenting us with new versions of the main characters, introducing us to new characters, and setting up the prison as a major focus of the season. Those hoping for more of Michonne, Andrea, or the first look at The Governor, will be sad to learn that they don't appear at all this time, but don't worry... they're coming up soon.

I really can't get into too many details about the plot or characters, because so little of this episode has been seen in the trailers and AMC even avoided showing a full preview of it last week. If you loved the first episode, I can't see how you won't be impressed with the second episode as well. Picking up right after the events of the first, they play together like a single episode and I'm excited to see the world of The Walking Dead expand in the next episodes.

Score: 4/5

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Be sure to check back next week for a special interview we'll have with Andrew Lincoln and Gale Anne Hurd to discuss episode 2. Catch up on our recent coverage of The Walking Dead with the following articles: