After establishing a secure perimeter in the yard, they move inside to clear a cell block. This sequence is notable for its claustrophobic, dark atmosphere, contrasting with the wide-open spaces of the previous season.
During a sweep of the darker corridors, Hershel is bitten on the leg by a walker hiding under a table. In a desperate move to save him, Rick uses a hatchet to amputate Hershel’s leg below the knee.
The episode also catches up with Andrea, who was separated from the group in the Season 2 finale. She is being cared for by the katana-wielding Michonne. Andrea is severely ill, and the two are surviving in the wilderness, moving between abandoned buildings while Michonne uses two armless, jawless walkers as "camouflage" and pack mules.
The prison set remains one of the most iconic locations in the series. The episode used minimal dialogue in its opening minutes, relying on visual storytelling to show how much the group had changed over the winter.
