Yeah, that's ok with me, I'm glad to see the appearance is finally happening. We don't know details anyway. What a character, almost feel bad for Michael Rooker having to play such an a@#$hole. LOL Those roles always stand out though, definitely a strong character to bring back. The main thing will be how Daryl deals with it. Maybe T-Dogg will get some real airtime too.
This season is going to make up for a somewhat uneventful season 2. Helps to know they're being well received by the public.
I think part of the problem is budget. Since the show is now running more episodes per season staying put in one location will probably be the norm since it's cheaper then constant location changes. The Walking Dead it's more or less like a weekly soap opera with the gratuitous sex stuff pretty much replaced with Walkers (although like a soap opera the in fighting, backstabbing and charater conflicts are still there). and as such some episodes seem less then others but thats only to set the viewer up for the big shock episode (like the barn sceen and Shanes death/farm being overrun episodes) I know alot of fans wish the show ran longer through the season but I really hope it never goes this route as it would probably degrade the show. Also less episodes really gives Greg Nicotero a spotlight on his talents as head Make-Up/SFX artist, he's a hometown boy for us here in Pittsburgh Pa and studied at Tom Savini make-up/SFX school and work with Tom Savini and George Ramero on some of the Dead Movies. The walkers have been pretty unique, really well done and in most cases very memorable, how many movie zombies can make that claim?

But I'm sure if the show starts running more then 20+ episodes a year that will change for the worse as the walkers will lose their uniqueness and start being made cookie cutter style.