On AMC's The Walking Dead, Hershel's (Scott Wilson) passing represented the death of civilization.
That's how showrunner Scott M. Gimple views the pivotal scene in one of the many bonus features on the show's upcoming season four DVD and Blu-ray.
In the exclusive bonus commentary, seen exclusively above, producers, including Gale Anne Hurd, and stars Andrew Lincoln (Rick) and David Morrissey (The Governor), break down one of The Walking Dead's most shocking deaths yet.
"Just as [Rick] thinks it's all lost, he sees Hershel with a kind of serenity on his face," Lincoln explains. "As soon as it happens, there is no way back."
The scene, Hurd explains, provides the key moment in the season when Rick realizes there is no negotiating with The Governor anymore.
"He has to become that violent leader again," she says in the clip.
The commentary is one of the scores of bonus features included on the season four DVD and Blu-ray sets, on sale Aug. 26. The Blu-ray features extended episodes of pivotal installments "After" and "The Grove." Featurettes include going inside the making of the show, The Governor's return, scores of deleted scenes and audio commentary with producers and stars including Norman Reedus, Wilson, Danai Gurira and Lincoln. Also included in the set is the not-safe-for-work alternate season finale ending, which Lincoln says he fought hard to air.
Check out the trailer for the limited-edition Tree Walker set below. And in case you missed it, check out The Walking Dead's season five trailer here and more analysis of what may be coming here.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
