Triggerfinger (The Walking Dead)

"Triggerfinger" is the ninth episode of the second season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on February 19, 2012. The episode was written by David Leslie Johnson and was directed by Billy Gierhart. In the episode, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)'s actions initiate a standoff between his group, Dave (Michael Raymond-James) and Tony's (Aaron Munoz) men, and the walkers nearby. Meanwhile, Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) decides to save Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies), who has been injured in a car accident.

Plot
Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies), having gotten into a car accident while trying to find Rick (Andrew Lincoln), fends off two walkers and makes her way towards town. Back on the Greene farm, the rest of the group discover Lori's absence. Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) attempts to ask Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) go find Lori, but learns he was the one who let her go alone to find Rick, and no longer wishes to be anyone's "errand boy." Daryl berates Carol for not minding her own business. Carol leaves to find Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) and explains Lori's absence. Shane is able to find her, and lies to her that Rick has returned to the farm to get her to come back with him. When they return to the farm and Rick is not yet there, Shane admits to Lori he was more worried about her unborn child, inadvertently revealing her pregnancy to the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Andrea (Laurie Holden) consoles Hershel's daughter Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and tells her to be strong for her sister, Beth (Emily Kinney), who is still in a comatose state.

In town, Rick, Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson), and Glenn (Steven Yeun) prepare to leave after shooting down Dave (Michael Raymond-James) and Tony (Aaron Munoz), when a three-man search party arrives outside the tavern looking for Dave and Tony. Rick tries to profess self-defense, but the search party refuses to accept this, leading to a standoff. Rick's group escape out the back of the tavern, leading to gunfire between the groups that attract a nearby horde of walkers. The attackers cease fire and attempt to escape, but one, Randall (Michael Zegen), ends up impaling his leg on a fence. Rick's group decides to save Randall by yanking him off the fence.

They blindfold Randall and return to the farm. Hershel immediately operates to save Randall's leg, but he states he sustained nerve damage and will not be able to walk for a week. Rick's decision to return with Randall is met by skepticism from Shane who believes this to be a risky decision. Rick says that once Randall is well enough, they will release him far enough away from the farm to keep its location unknown; Hershel backs this plan up, telling Shane that Rick's group will have to leave the farm should they do otherwise. Glenn attempts to distance himself from Maggie, telling her that their relationship caused him to lose his focus during the shootout in town.

Dale Horvath (Jeffrey DeMunn) continues to ask the others about Shane, and is shocked that Andrea seems to side with Shane that Rick has refused to accept the reality of the situation. Lori speaks to Rick about what Dale has told her regarding Shane, including the threats he made towards Dale and his involvement in Otis' death. She also tells Rick that Shane believes her child is Shane's, and that their affair was not a mistake. Lori warns Rick that Shane is dangerous.

Critical response
Zack Handlen writing for The A.V. Club rated the episode B on an A to F scale. Eric Goldman at IGN gave the episode 8.5 out of 10.

Ratings
Upon its initial broadcast on February 19, 2012, "Triggerfinger" was watched by estimated 6.89 million viewers, down from the previous episode which reached 8.10 million viewers.