The Walking Dead midseason finale spoilers! Readers beware!

I wonder if baby Judith would have stayed alive if Rick hadn't kicked Carol out of the group. The Walking Dead Season 4 said a sorrowful goodbye to three pivotal characters. First to go was Hershel.

In an attempt to scare Rick and the prison gang away from their camp, the Governor captures the aging farmer and his arch-nemesis Michonne. Dragging them out in between the tank and the prison fences, he hopes Rick can convince his group to leave peacefully. Irritated by Rick's urge for co-existence between the two groups, Brian Hartline grabs Michonne's samurai sword and takes a swipe at Hershel's neck rendering him near dead. As shots fire from both sides, the Governor finishes the job by butchering the former farmer.

As the Governor's gang converges on the prison grounds, Rick jumps out from behind a car and tackles the former Woodbury leader. Eventually the Governor regains control of the fight and beats Rick nearly unconscious. Blinded by desire for revenge, Michonne makes good on her promise and spears the Governor square through the back. After witnessing the horror Brian has brought upon her and the camp, Lily delivers the final gunshot killing the ruthless villain.

Hobbling back to his feet, Rick searches for his son Carl and baby daughter Judith. He finds Carl but only an empty baby carrier, with no Judith in sight. Did she die or did someone help her escape from the prison under siege?

The Walking Dead Season 4 returns with the second-half of episodes in February.