The Walking Dead‘s latest episode, “Clear” has given fans an insight into the fourth season, with the first look at Scott Gimple’s solo work.

Scott Gimple, who joined The Walking Dead in 2011, has given his strongest indication of what The Walking Dead may be like in the fourth season judging by the episode “Clear” that aired this past Sunday.

Gimple’s work so far on The Walking Dead has been a collaboration on the episodes, “Save the last one,” “Pretty much dead already” and “18 miles out.” But “Clear” was his first solo outing, and if there wasn’t a clearer indication, then we don’t know what is.

“Clear” was by far the best episode of the current season to date, and possibly one of the best The Walking Dead has produced. The episode had a laser-sharp focus, and didn’t stray at all from Rick’s venture to his hometown with Michonne and Carl. In Gimple’s work, the strongest aspect of his writing is purpose. There wasn’t a single scene that was filler, and in every scene we learnt something new.

The inclusion of Morgan was the highlight of the episode, as Morgan was last seen in season 1, and definitely part of a storyline that was never fully cleared until now. But Gimple ensured there was purpose in bringing Morgan back for one episode, not only for character building, but definitely to bring power back to Rick’s camp in acquiring higher calibre weaponry as well as much needed supplies.

‘Scott Gimple has been involved for a while…the season finale will be a bombshell.’

What Gimple has brought back was high emotion, focus and direction. There’s been an obvious two-fold storyline this season, with the prison and Woodbury feeling like separate entities, and only in two occasions have the two been brought together. With Rick beginning to gain the upper hand, and seemingly beginning to get over Lori’s death by the aid of Morgan, Rick’s momentum is on the up. He’s got more guns, more ammo, and having a look at Morgan’s set up, he could well be inspired by his booby traps and zombie-proofing work.

Laurie Holden has been quoted as saying there will be dissent on the way in the Woodbury camp in the next few episodes, as pressure begins to mount on The Governor. Will Gimple be able to get his hands on the last few episodes of season 3?

This is a definite possibility as the outgoing showrunner Glenn Mazarra commented, “Well, the next guy, Scott Gimple, has been involved for a while. And Robert Kirkman and Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero, the creative team, were all producers on Season 3. There’s no material there that is surprising to them. That being said, the season finale will be a bombshell. We wouldn’t be The Walking Dead if we didn’t push the storytelling every week.”

The Walking Dead returns this Sunday at 9pm ET/PT over on AMC for the episode, “Arrow on the Doorpost.”