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Season guide

The Walking Dead: Season 3

16 episodes Premiered Oct 14, 2012 Updated Oct 1, 2026

The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic dramatic television series based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The series follows a group of survivors in a world largely overtaken by animated corpses known as walkers. Season 3 of the overarching saga continues across sixteen episodes, following the group as they navigate this dangerous post-apocalyptic e

Previously on The Walking Dead

Season 3 Lore Primer

Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.

  • ⚡ The world has been largely overtaken by animated corpses known as walkers.
  • ⚡ A group of survivors is led by sheriff's deputy and police officer Rick Grimes.
  • ⚡ The survivors must constantly flee from the pursuit and hunting of flesh-eating zombies.
  • ⚡ Long-standing cast members involved in the series include Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, and Melissa McBride.
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Season overview

The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic dramatic television series based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The series follows a group of survivors in a world largely overtaken by animated corpses known as walkers. Season 3 of the overarching saga continues across sixteen episodes, following the group as they navigate this dangerous post-apocalyptic environment. Cast members across the series include Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The television series portrays the ongoing struggles, conflicts, and efforts of the survivors to stay alive while fleeing the pursuit and hunting of flesh-eating zombie hordes, fighting the dead, and fearing the living in a grim, desolate world governed by survival.

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Season 3 Episodes

Episode Guide

🛡️ SPOILER SHIELD

Season 3 Progress Shield

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Binge Efficiency Engine

Season 3: Filler vs. Essential Canon

Filter episodes by narrative weight. Focus on essential mytharc and skip standalone side quests.

19%
81%
Mytharc (3): Crucial lore & season climaxes
Core (13): Character development & subplots
Side Quest (0): Standalone / filler
S3·E1 Mytharc

Seed

Oct 14, 2012 · 43 min

With the world growing increasingly more dangerous and Lori’s pregnancy advancing, Rick discovers a potentially safe haven. But first he must secure the premises, pushing his group

S3·E2 Core

Sick

Oct 21, 2012 · 43 min

After a traumatic event, a life hangs in the balance. Complicating matters, the group must also deal with a potential threat to their new surroundings.

S3·E3 Core

Walk with Me

Oct 28, 2012 · 43 min

After witnessing an accident, Andrea and Michonne are introduced to a new community of survivors. As conflicts arise with their new acquaintances, a decision must be made.

S3·E4 Core

Killer Within

Nov 4, 2012 · 43 min

The group is severed and lives are put in jeopardy. In Woodbury, Merle has a request for the Governor.

S3·E5 Core

Say the Word

Nov 11, 2012 · 43 min

After another loss, Rick struggles. Michonne remains suspicious of the Governor as he throws a party with a unique twist for the people of Woodbury.

S3·E6 Core

Hounded

Nov 18, 2012 · 43 min

As Andrea grows closer to the Governor, Michonne makes a decision about Woodbury. Glenn and Maggie go on a run. Rick struggles.

S3·E7 Core

When the Dead Come Knocking

Nov 25, 2012 · 43 min

The Governor presses for information. A new guest arrives at the prison, forcing Rick's hand.

S3·E8 Core

Made to Suffer

Dec 2, 2012 · 43 min

Andrea steps up as the people of Woodbury are thrown into uncharted territory. At the prison, a new threat arises.

S3·E9 Core

The Suicide King

Feb 10, 2013 · 43 min

Rick tries to rescue a member of his group. Woodbury is in disarray after a recent attack. New guests raise concerns at the prison.

S3·E10 Core

Home

Feb 17, 2013 · 43 min

As the group debates their next course of action, Rick wanders after a lost friend. Daryl and Merle question their choices. The Governor restores order in Woodbury and makes plans

S3·E11 Core

I Ain't a Judas

Feb 24, 2013 · 43 min

Rick and the group must make a choice when security is threatened. With Woodbury in a police state, Andrea grows uneasy.

S3·E12 Core

Clear

Mar 3, 2013 · 43 min

Realizing they are heavily outgunned against the Governor's forces, Rick leads an expedition to get more weapons.

S3·E13 Core

Arrow on the Doorpost

Mar 10, 2013 · 43 min

In an effort to prevent any more deaths, Rick and the Governor meet to come up with a peace treaty.

S3·E14 Core

Prey

Mar 17, 2013 · 43 min

The Governor chases a dissenter who fled Woodbury. While the Governor is gone, a traitor tries to sabotage his upcoming plans.

S3·E15 Mytharc

This Sorrowful Life

Mar 24, 2013 · 43 min

Rick and the group are faced with a serious problem. If they want a truce with the Governor, they will have to make a huge sacrifice.

S3·E16 Mytharc

Welcome to the Tombs

Mar 31, 2013 · 44 min

Rick and the group have to seriously consider if the prison is worth defending as the Governor's impending attack looms over their heads.

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