Season three of AMC's hit horror series "The Walking Dead" has been such a successful study in defying TV conventions, that even when the series pulls back the reigns for introspection, it still rages hellfire intensity. Example: Episode six, "Hounded."

After the previous episode found Rick seeking catharsis via gruesome displays of violence on walkers, the phone rang near the boiler room where Lori died. But was the phone call just in his mind? One of the most satisfying episodes in a season already embarrassingly stacked with talent, episode six burrowed deep into Rick's shattered psyche to explore the aftermath of his wife's death on his humanity, only revealing the phone calls as imaginary in its final moments.

Teasing the reality of the phone calls until the end brought us inside the grief welling up inside Rick since the show began, and created a tremendous end pay-off.

Readers of the comics might remember that after Lori's death, Rick continued to talk to her through imaginary phone calls in his head. Episode six proved just another example how the TV version of "The Walking Dead" continues to build on the comic in fresh, unique ways, using some of its narratives to transform these characters into fully realized, everyday people.

"If you've looked at the comic book, the source material, we've gone in some pretty dark areas in that, and I don't think that we're ever going to be pulling any punches in the television show," Kirkman said. "I would say that while we do worry that killing a baby on TV is probably going to alienate some people, and it would be a pretty harsh thing, I don't know if that would keep us from doing that if we thought it was necessary for the story. So who knows what's going to happen, but it's certainly fun having a baby on set."

Creator Kirkman has confirmed the third season's 16 episodes will be split into two halves with the first eight episodes premiering every Sunday through Dec. 2, 2012, and the other eight episodes set to air in early spring 2013.

Episode six found Glen and Maggie kidnapped by Merle while out looking for baby supplies. Michonne is newly on her own, and - as the episode's final seconds revealed - is likely about to team up with Rick and the rest of the prison gang. With only two episodes left before the mid-season break, we're betting on an epic showdown between a newly unhinged Rick, Michonne, and The Governor and the rest of Woodbury.

Episode seven of season three, "When the Dead Come Knocking" airs Sunday Nov. 25 at 9/8c on AMC.