Episode no. Season 1
Episode 3 | Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton | |
Story by Charles H. Eglee
Jack LoGiudice Teleplay by Charles H. Eglee
Jack LoGiudice
Frank Darabont Original air date November 14, 2010 (2010-11-14) | ||
"Tell It To The Frogs" is the third episode of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on November 14, 2010. The episode was written by Charles H. Eglee, Jack LoGiudice, and Frank Darabont, the creator of the series. It was directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton.
Contents
In the episode, officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) finally reunites with his wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies), son Carl (Chandler Riggs) and best friend Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), although this reunion is short lived when he decides to return to Atlanta to rescue Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) along with Daryl (Norman Reedus), T-Dog (IronE Singleton), Glenn, and Morales. After realizing that her husband is alive after all, Lori ends her tumultuous affair with Shane. That is when Shane takes out his frustration on the cruel and abusive Ed Peletier (Adam Minarovich).
Plot
In the episode's prologue, Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) struggles to escape the handcuffs after his group abandoned him on an Atlanta's store rooftop, swearing vengeance at Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes for putting him there. He starts to beg for God's forgiveness when walkers start trying to force open the rooftop door. Merle starts trying desperately reaching for some tools nearby, screaming that he will never beg to God again.
Elsewhere, Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) leads Rick and the other members of his group back to the suvivors' camp outside Atlanta. Rick is overwhelmed to find his wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and son Carl (Chandler Riggs) among the survivors, along with his friend and partner Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal). As the group is reunited, they discover a walker nearby, which they quickly dispatch, though fear that this may be a sign of trouble as they had yet to see walkers anywhere near camp. Merle's brother Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) returns from hunting to learn of Merle's fate, and is furious at the group.
Feeling guilty for leaving Merle there as well as wanting to retrieve his bag of guns, Rick arranges a rescue group, including Daryl. While Rick is gone, Lori tells Shane that with Rick back, she must end the relationship with Shane. Shane becomes bitter, and when he happens upon Ed Peletier (Adam Minarovich) striking his wife Carol (Melissa McBride) for not focusing on the laundry for the group, Shane beats up Ed severely and threatening to kill him if he touches any of the women in the group.
In Atlanta, the group returns to the store and make their way to the roof, finding Merle apparently gone. Daryl goes into a fit of rage until they find that the handcuffs are still attached to the pipe with Merle's severed hand within them.
Production
This episode marks the first appearance of several notable characters in the television series, and from the graphic novels. This includes the meek housewife, Carol Peletier and her daughter, Sophia who first appear in the 2003 "Days Gone Bye" volume. It also marks the appearance of a prominent character exclusive to the television series, Daryl Dixon, an expert huntsman and tracker who would become a long running character due to popularity.
Critical response
Leonard Pierce of The A.V. Club graded "Tell It to the Frogs" A- on a scale of F to A, calling it a "key episode in setting the tone for the first season". He praised the episode, saying it "did just about everything it needed to do. It deepened characters, strengthened relationships, laid out future conflicts, and gave its cast more to do. Best of all, it returned to the slower, more thoughtful pace of the pilot." Eric Goldman of IGN also gave it a highly positive review, rating the episode 8.5 out of 10. Goldman called the episode a "big rebound from the somewhat lackluster second installment, offering a much more intense and engaging story."
Ratings
Upon its initial broadcast on November 14, 2010, "Tell It to the Frogs" was watched by 5.07 million viewers, slightly increasing in viewers from the previous episode.