wow. what a great season finale. I was surprised to see so much action + interesting human drama. I think TWD has finally gotten closer to capturing the magic of the comics - that was a great cut scene of the new, hooded character

also the shot with the prison. I am kinda disappointed in that this show threw both the hooded character and the prison right at the end of Season 2. however, it's a good thing that this show is using comic book-like cliffhangers... about damn time
Daryl's lines and execution were the best this episode - I won't forget that image of him riding on that motorcycle, shotguns and all. they finally fleshed out T-Dog a bit as an outsider. Andrea finally transcended her formally annoying character. Rick emerged as the natural leader once again, with the full approval of Hershel, this time. although I do think the show paints some of Rick's decisions in a contradictory light - meaning that some of his decisions have been shown to not be that good
the characters that died were mostly (or all?) of Hershel's kids, they really torture Hershel in the comics with this sort of thing and it was nice for them to finally follow suit. those characters simply HAD to die
and word up once again to TWD's make-up and effects guru, Greg Nicotero. all the human deaths were brutal, I especially liked that RV one with the splattering blood on the windshield and the lady turning into a human smorgasboard
over all, it seems that this season simply set up the fans for a brilliant Season 3. "the Prison" arc is the red letter, defining arc of TWD story. it's such a pivotal point, as these characters have been struggling to figure out how to survive in this post-apocalyptic world. the hooded character is most certainly a foreshadowing personification of the things to come
... I just wish the first part of Season 2 didn't drag its feet so much. over all, I can't wait for next year (if there is one - IF THERE EVER IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME FOR ZOMBIES; THIS IS IT

)