I thought it was a good direction, but the pace was a touch slow. However they are clearly trying to develop the character of the governor and to do that, I think one slower paced episode was required. I just hope things pick up next week.
Aside from the burning woodbury to the ground to background music montage, not really seeing much that was cliche (but that scene was pretty darn cliche). I guess the girl being the thing that anchors and restores him is a bit cliche but it is also the only thing that really fits based on his history and personality. I found this much more interesting than just having him continue straight down the stalin course. There had been glimpses of his humanity in season three, and he went so far by the end of it, that seeing him possibly go down the course of redemption is more intriguing than him just gunning people down. And I like that we still had glimpses of the governor in some of his interactions this episode. I also like that we dont really know where the governor will end up.
That said, this was a bit slow. I didn't mind it, but my wife was bored. So I think they do need to pick up the pace if they don't want to lose people.