Death comes to 'Walking Dead' again

"I still think there’s a plan. I still believe there’s a reason." — Hershel, "The Walking Dead"

Throughout its four seasons, if there's one thing we've learned from "The Walking Dead," it's that people who achieve a sense of peace, purpose, and redemption aren't long for the post-zombie world. Often it is those zombies that end their journey, but in the case of Hershel, it was a man.

The first five episodes of "The Walking Dead" moved at a slower pace and allowed us to grow with our heroes in the prison. The next two turned their focus to The Governor, and his attempts to rehabilitate himself. The question logically being asked during the mid-season finale, which took place Sunday, was how far is too far gone.

The focus during the first half of the season was on Rick and the Governor, two men pushed to the brink by events and the way they responded. Rick recoiled from leadership, responsibility, and, in some ways, reality. He wanted to become a farmer and live a simple life. But life, it turns out, is not so simple.

One of those who spoke reason into Rick's life was Hershel, a man who's long been the moral compass of the show. He encouraged Rick to take time to find his center, but not to abandon his calling as a natural-born leader of the group. He saw the goodness and potential in Rick and sought to bring it out.

Hershel was also a man that remained rooted to his faith, even during times of struggle. One of the hard questions asked by "The Walking Dead" has been how you maintain your faith and sense of purpose even in hard times. Hershel was pushed to the brink a lot during this season — especially as he saw his friends dying of illness and was powerless to stop it. Yet something in him clung to that faith.

In John 15, Jesus notes that He is the vine and we are the branches. He calls up to abide in Him. Hershel did that, even when all around him crumbled. Even as the medicine needed desperately failed to arrive, he believed there was a larger plan, a larger reason at work.

And Hershel instilled that in Rick. Rick, too, came to realize he was part of a bigger plan. And there was growth in that.

During the episodes that featured The Governor, we saw someone on a potentially similar path of growth. The Governor bottomed out, alone, then seemed to find himself again. He seemed to find a purpose, but even in finding that purpose he found violence.

When the two came face-to-face again Sunday night, it was clear only one had changed. As Rick urged The Governor to put down his weapons, to let go of old grudges, and to live in peace, Hershel smiled. His work was done. He had the positive influence on Rick he sought. There was a change.

And in keeping with the long-term theme of "The Walking Dead," his time was over. Hershel's death, like so many on the show, was bittersweet. Now, with the survivors of the bloodshed spread to the winds, it remains to be seen how they can regroup again. And we can only hope that sense of purpose, love, humanity, and survival remains after Hershel is gone.