‘The Walking Dead’ spoilers: Season 3, episode 9 ‘The Suicide King’ recap

The moment walker fans have all been waiting for has finally arrived. On Sunday, Feb. 10, the hit zombie apocalypse show, “The Walking Dead,” returned to AMC. Debuting with episode nine, “The Suicide King,” Rick, Daryl and the gang kicked off the second half of season three.

View slideshow: ‘The Walking Dead’ spoilers: Season 3, episode 9 ‘The Suicide King’ review

Note that spoilers are ahead for those who missed out on “The Suicide King” or are not up-to-date with “The Walking Dead.”

Season three picked up right where it left off in episode 9, “The Suicide King.” Daryl and Merle are in the zombie arena in front of all Woodbury, and ordered to fight to the death. After a brief fight between the Dixon brothers, walkers are brought into the pit. The bros don’t fight them for long though, as Rick and Maggie fire shots and a smoke bomb at the crowd. This gives Daryl and Merle a chance to escape.

Daryl is reunited with Rick and Maggie, but there’s a problem – Merle is with them too, and this is something nobody agrees with. Not wanting Merle near their people, the small group discusses options. Daryl makes things pretty clear though, and tells the group that if they can’t bring Merle, he’s leaving too.

Meanwhile, at the prison, Hershel is talking with Tyrese and his group. The new members meet the baby. Hershel tells Tyrese not to get so comfortable though, because the decision for them to stay is not up to him. Tyrese asks him who it’s up to, but Hershel does not answer and leaves their cell. Tyrese’s group then goes out to bury Donna. One of their group members suggest that they take out the people in the prison, but Tyrese and Sasha make it clear that they are good people and disagree.

Things aren’t any better at the prison. Shaken up by recent events, the people of Woodbury have packed up their things and demanding to be allowed to leave, not knowing that things are not any safer out there. A walker breaks in the town and kills a couple of people. The Governor walks out of his room to shoot one and returns to his building in silence.

Rick, Glenn, and Maggie return to the prison and are greeted at the gates by Carl and Carol. Carl hugs his father, happy that he is back. Carol looks around for Daryl and begins to panic when she doesn’t see him. Rick reassures her that he alive and well, but ran into his brother and took off with him. Carol can’t believe he is gone and asks Rick several times if he really is gone.

Tyrese and his people see Rick, as he passes by to enter the cell. Rick quickly turns to look at them but continues walking and doesn’t tell them anything.

Carol and Beth have a small talk about baby Judith and Daryl leaving the group. Beth doesn’t think they are as strong without Daryl, but Carol tells her she understands why Daryl chose his brother. They then put Judith to sleep in a box/crib that reads ‘Lil’ AssKicker’

Hershel is patching up a wounded Glenn. It doesn’t take long for Hershel to notice that there’s something going on between Glenn and Maggie. He goes to talk to his daughter but she doesn’t tell him much.

The prison gang, now all together with the exception of Daryl, discuss if Tyrese and his group should stay. Rick goes out to talk to them. Tyreese introduces himself and offers his hand, but Rick ignores it. Tyrese tells Rick that they are more than willing to contribute and ask to stay. Sasha pleads with Rick, but he shakes his head. The group all want the new people to stay but Rick is very hesitant. Rick than sees a silhouette of Lori and goes crazy, yelling at her to go away. The group doesn't know what to think. The episode comes to a close.

"The Walking Dead" airs on AMC every Sunday night. Check TV Guide for local listings.

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