8. Clear Season 3, Episode 12
Clear was the episode that many agree on to be one of the best episodes the entire series, and with good reasons. For one, it singlehandedly rectified and inconsistently characterized Michonne (Danai Gurira), something that has been a problem in season 3. Before this episode, Michonne had not really showcased a wide range of emotions. Whether this was intentional for the characters guarded nature or a misstep in character development for the screen is up for discussion. She finally opened up to Rick about some of her past, helped Carl on a touching side quest and bonded in the process, and even cracked a joke here and there. This was a big moment for her character as she finally gets to prove that she will fight for the group, and gets the proper acceptance into it. Who knew that all it would take to fix Michonne was to send her on a road trip with Rick Grimes and son back to their hometown? Perhaps the biggest event in this episode, however, was the return of Morgan. The one character we havent seen since the very first episode. While Michonne and Carl went all adventure time across town, Rick was forced to face his past, and by extension, his present. The few episodes prior to Clear had Rick at the apex of his madness, wandering outside the prison gates chasing a vision of his dead wife and raving around like a lunatic. This episode finally had Rick see what he can become in the form of Morgan, who is now a delusional and paranoid hermit that has stockpiled traps and weapons. Upon learning the ghastly fate of Morgans son Duane, as well as seeing Morgans way of life, Rick finally sees the error in his ways. He pleads with Morgan to comeback with him, in effect rousing himself back into action. This was the first step of Rick coming back from the brink, something that gets wrapped up nicely later in the season 3 finally, and a real turn for his character. The scenes between Lincoln and Lennie James were some of the best dramatic pieces the show has had to offer, and provides a gratifying end to an arc that has lain dormant since episode one.