When last we saw the survivors of the zombie apocalypse, they had weathered a long, long season at Hershel’s farm and were on the verge of discovering the prison where, we imagine, much of the third season of “The Walking Dead” will take place. Andrea, meanwhile, has been rescued from walkers by a mysterious woman with a sword and two zombies in chains.

The woman is, of course, Michonne, a fan favorite from the comics, here played by Danai Guirara. She’s only one of the changes in the new season.

Tonight’s third season premiere of “The Walking Dead,” “Seed,” opened with Rick leading the others into a a house, cleaning it of zombies. Months have passed. We can tell because Lori is pretty far along into her pregnancy. The group has turned to foraging in a big way. Carl rustles up canned food and Daryl shoots and plucks an owl. (Sorry Hedwig.)

The group comes across the prison and it seems like a natural hunkering-down place, complete with two sets of fencing to keep walkers out. The survivors set about cleaning the inside of the prison of zombies. Because they’re low on ammo, that means hand-to-zombie-hand combat. There’s some funny, innovative stuff here, including how you kill walker prison guards in protective riot gear.

While the prison assault – yeesh – is taking place, we meet Michonne, who is a badass. She and Andrea have formed a bond over the past few months as well. I’m looking forward to their getting to Woodbury, the town overseen by the Governor.

Aside from the gleefully gory walker extermination scenes, a lot of tonight’s episode left me oddly unmoved until near the very end, a nicely claustrophobic inside the prison that seems to seals the fate of a major character.

Random thoughts:

I know Daryl looks cool on it, but I wouldn’t be riding a motorcycle with zombies lurching around. Same for Maggie’s strappy tank top, hot as it is. I’d be wearing heavy Carhartts or something.

New opening credits. Still pretty creepy.

Lots of walker wasting tonight.

Daryl wields a crossbow and gives backrubs? He’s dreamy.

Still can’t bring myself to care about Lori. Just can’t.