Walking Dead (No Comics! No Spoilers Beyond What's Aired)!

Isn't it amazing how much more likeable a character becomes when they're given, like, lines and stuff, and not just relegated to glowering with occasional bursts of insane action undertaken for nebulous reasons?

Fantastic episode! It was about time they got back to that storyline. Something tells me it's not the last we'll see of him either.

That little bit with the guy on the side of the road was just great story telling. The rule of three just plain works. Love it!

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Isn't it amazing how much more likeable a character becomes when they're given, like, lines and stuff, and not just relegated to glowering with occasional bursts of insane action undertaken for nebulous reasons?

Yes, Michone sure did come out of her shell. I'm happy that Carl approved of her and that she told Rick of her crazies. I see a bit of a Carl/Michone camaraderie on the horizon?

Yes, nice to see some interaction between people, and someplace with a story, other than the prison.

In fact, nice to see someplace we knew, and what happened to it, even just a little.

The places are interesting to me. The shopping mall in Atlanta, the farm, Ricks home town, the CDC..
The places really make the zombie universe.
This has to somehow tell the stories of the people without losing the zombie universe, which I think the start of this season did.

It would be awesome to find somewhere like the farm that was a sanctuary, for totally other reasons, more so than Woodbury.
I just want to think about, what could survive a zombie apocalypse. Where are the survival nuts saying, "Told ya so" from his underground tunnel network. Where's the guy living on a boat? Where is the bridge with the land connections blown away?

That kind of thing. I want to get back to a little of how the world moves on.
It felt like the first two seasons were the onset. Now the zombie apocalypse is entrenched. It's going to have to jump the shark because there is significant lack of hope right now.

Ghostship wrote:

I want to get back to a little of how the world moves on.
It felt like the first two seasons were the onset. Now the zombie apocalypse is entrenched. It's going to have to jump the shark because there is significant lack of hope right now.

The lack of hope is by design. The Walking Dead is supposed to be bleak and depressing, because the world can't move on while everyone's still infected with whatever is causing the zombies. As Morgan pointed out to Rick the latest episode, there is no safe place, because if it's safe from zombies, it's a target for other survivors who will try to take it for themselves. If it's unappealing to other survivors, it either offers little protection against zombies or has its own host of problems (lack of food and water being the most likely one). We're not likely to hear more about the rest of the world until the Governor situation is resolved. The Walking Dead is about a specific group of individuals, not the world in general. So while there may very well be large pockets of civilization elsewhere in the world, we won't ever hear about them unless they become relevant to Rick's group (like how we didn't learn about Woodbury until Michonne and Andrea were brought there). Due to his bad luck with people so far, I rather doubt that Rick is going to feel like looking for more people who might try to kill them for their stuff.

This is one of my favorite episodes so far.
Great seg way story.

I didn't remember how good an actor Lennie James (Morgan) is.

I guess I want them to have a purpose again. A purpose that arcs over the whole season.

It's kind of a flies in a jar situation right now. Rick is too together to believe he's crazy. And too off the deep end to believe he's competent. It might be realistic mental illness, I don't know, but I feel like his character is broken. Maybe I'm supposed to feel that, but I have nobody to follow.

The baby should be a huge motivator too, but its like they're pretending to have a baby. Probably because of production challenges.

Carl has actually started to interest me, but I don't know if the actor is up to it.

It would be cool if Rick started turning on the radio in the morning to coax the guy back, but there was no indication of how far they are from ricks town. You'd think a cop would know where the prisons are; even out of state.

Spoilers in case tonight's episode hasn't aired in some places.

Spoiler:

I felt quite a bit a tension tonight. I liked the buildup and I was so worried that Glenn or Maggie was going to die when they were outside and they started making out.

I liked a lot of the character development in the episode. I have a problem with how easy it was for Daryl to relax around the Gov.'s number 2, whose name I can't remember.

Oh god, right in the feels.

Even by the rock bottom standards of this show, that required a lot of people to be duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumb.

You could see it coming from a mile away, but I still appreciated the effort. Mostly I am just glad to be done with that character. Annoyed the crap out of me.

Gaald wrote:

You could see it coming from a mile away, but I still appreciated the effort. Mostly I am just glad to be done with that character. Annoyed the crap out of me.

Are you talking about last night's episode or the week before?

I posted in the Spoiler's thread, but here's a spoiler-free version, still wrapped in spoilers in case not everyone had a chance to see yesterday's episode.

Spoiler:

The episode, like the one before, felt like filler to me. I'm disappointed with the writers decision to martyrize Merle. He was a very interesting character that started showing some depth on the episode he dies. Feels like the little depth he got was only created to manipulate viewers into sympathizing a bit more with him and make his death feel like an actual loss.

For me, Shane represented ethics and morality as a line in the sand. With such a big change in social context, Shane defended that the existing set of morals needed to adapt to their situation, while Rick defended that moving that line would only sacrifice their humanity. Merle seemed like the perfect candidate to take Shane's place in this discussion.

Using Merle, with his new-found depth in Season 4 would have made a great addition to the cast and Rick's gang.

Not sure why this hard for some to figure out. If the episode has aired, there is no need to spoiler tag. People should know better then to step into the thread if they are not all caught up. The only exception is the sneak peak for next weeks episode. It is not part of the episode and thus still a spoiler.

If you still want to spoiler tag some of the info from the most recent episode feel free I guess, just don't expect anyone else to bother.

So in answer to your question Hobbes, I was talking about this weeks episode.

I think the small amount of depth they showed in Merle this week, was to show us why his brother felt like he was worth saving, and taking in as part of the group. Up until this past episode we had yet to see why Daryl thought Merle was worth the time and trouble.

In the end Merle pretty much got what he deserved, he was a broken man, and probably beyond all redemption. Hell even Merle thought of himself that way. I didn't feel bad for what happened to him. However we did get to see a little glimpse of what Daryl saw in his brother, and thus helps us feel sorry for Daryl in the end. I think that was the what the writers were trying for.

I don't think the writers were very successful at it. They had plenty of opportunity before this episode to show us hints of Merle's better side, and didn't, or at least didn't succeed. Merle always came off as an ass. By the time they got to this most recent episode they had to rush it.

Gaald wrote:

Not sure why this hard for some to figure out. If the episode has aired, there is no need to spoiler tag. People should know better then to step into the thread if they are not all caught up. The only exception is the sneak peak for next weeks episode. It is not part of the episode and thus still a spoiler.

I prefer to err on the safe side. I wasn't 100% sure what you meant. I'd rather wrap in spoilers and add one click to those interested than to save myself the button click and ruin someone's enjoyment of the show.

Gaald wrote:

I think the small amount of depth they showed in Merle this week, was to show us why his brother felt like he was worth saving, and taking in as part of the group. Up until this past episode we had yet to see why Daryl thought Merle was worth the time and trouble.

I hadn't thought about it this way, and it makes a lot more sense. That last scene with Daryl was great. Just seeing him dead would have been very anticlimactic.

Gaald wrote:

In the end Merle pretty much got what he deserved, he was a broken man, and probably beyond all redemption. Hell even Merle thought of himself that way. I didn't feel bad for what happened to him. However we did get to see a little glimpse of what Daryl saw in his brother, and thus helps us feel sorry for Daryl in the end. I think that was the what the writers were trying for.

I can't say I agree 100% with this. As I've said before, there is a new world order. In our world, "playing it safe" meant working toward a good interest rate for your mortgage. Those days are long gone in Merle's World. While he's broken and a psychopath by our standards, I did see redeeming qualities what could have made him a functional member of society. A new society that is; that involves killing zombies, sleeping with one eye open, foraging food and shelter and killing people in bars when they ask you for the location of Hershel's farm.

Gaald wrote:

I don't think the writers were very successful at it. They had plenty of opportunity before this episode to show us hints of Merle's better side, and didn't, or at least didn't succeed. Merle always came off as an ass. By the time they got to this most recent episode they had to rush it.

I consider these last two episodes "filler". Not enough has happened to justify the screentime or the production costs associated with making them.

A much smarter use that time and money could have been used to create the personal dilemma around Merle's character realizing he can't make it out on his own (check), debating with Daryl to go back to Rick's group (check) and then trying to fit in with Rick's group (half-assed attempt in my opinion), their rejection, Merle not being able to outrun his past (before zombies, back in season 1 and finally Glenn and Maggie's abduction) and finally taking the only option available, not making a sacrifice that only helps the audience sympathize more with Daryl, a crowd favorite.

RE spoiler tags. You can't have it both ways. Adding them is a courtesy. It takes one click to see. So, thank you for doing it regardless.

Yeah, and damn. I've been wanting to be interested in Merle all a long.
I was like, "holy sh*t, they're going to ride this horse". Then... Booo.
He had a great set of flaws, and a really long history. It was just about redemption gold.

Hopefully they can deepen Daryl now because of it; but honestly, anything they could do with Darryl after this is going to be melodramatic tropy BS.

I'm still shocked that they presented the whole Daryl's scars thing, and just threw it away.

It's like they opened the bathroom door, stoned, and just decided that it was too big out there. Or maybe you've never been there. Not that I have.

Ghostship wrote:

RE spoiler tags. You can't have it both ways. Adding them is a courtesy. It takes one click to see. So, thank you for doing it regardless.

I agree with Gaald in principle, but that's because we're of a like mind on the treatment of spoiler courtesy and its expectations. However, I'll say I'm grateful for people choosing to err on the side of caution. I've got no issue with an extra click when I know I've seen the episode. There's been a few times I've accidentally opened a thread without realizing an episode aired, especially with the networks' habit of putting in breaks.

LiquidMantis wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

RE spoiler tags. You can't have it both ways. Adding them is a courtesy. It takes one click to see. So, thank you for doing it regardless.

I agree with Gaald in principle, but that's because we're of a like mind on the treatment of spoiler courtesy and its expectations. However, I'll say I'm grateful for people choosing to err on the side of caution. I've got no issue with an extra click when I know I've seen the episode. There's been a few times I've accidentally opened a thread without realizing an episode aired, especially with the networks' habit of putting in breaks.

I agree, I like that people are erring on the side of caution. I just get the impression some people are still confused as to what is and isn't a spoiler, and can't for the life of me figure out why. I think it's pretty simple. But it's certainly not something I think needs discussing again, especially when people are being good about it all.

So... if we assume someone's gonna die in the big finale, who's it gonna be?

I actually have no idea. Fan faves like Michonne or Daryl are too easy. If they want to go for the biggest emotional punch, it would have to be Maggie. Given how Glenn's character has changed, it'd be interesting to see how the death of Maggie would affect him.

This season has been great, although I feel as though they've artificially pitted Rick and the Governor against one another simply because they're the "leaders." Andrea, Michonne, Milton (actually he's probably toast), Glenn, Maggie and now Daryl all have a personal motivation to kill The Governor. I have a feeling though it's going to come down to Rick vs. The Governor.

How about Glenn? Maybe they'll off Glenn instead? Would be interesting to see how his death would affect Maggie, maybe she'll get tougher.
I myself have a feeling they'll have Darryl kill the Governor, but maybe that's just a vibe I'm getting from last episode's final scene...

Eleima wrote:

How about Glenn? Maybe they'll off Glenn instead? Would be interesting to see how his death would affect Maggie, maybe she'll get tougher.
I myself have a feeling they'll have Darryl kill the Governor, but maybe that's just a vibe I'm getting from last episode's final scene...

Good call; either Glenn or Maggie would have the biggest emotional toll. They seem to be the most fleshed out characters and also the most relatable; lots of drama and trauma, but are still able to enjoy life with one another.

Hobbes2099 wrote:
Eleima wrote:

How about Glenn? Maybe they'll off Glenn instead? Would be interesting to see how his death would affect Maggie, maybe she'll get tougher.
I myself have a feeling they'll have Darryl kill the Governor, but maybe that's just a vibe I'm getting from last episode's final scene...

Good call; either Glenn or Maggie would have the biggest emotional toll. They seem to be the most fleshed out characters and also the most relatable; lots of drama and trauma, but are still able to enjoy life with one another.

They are by far the characters I am most afraid for. They both have something to live for. I sometimes feel like death would be a release for some of the others.

It's pretty much got to be Herschel. At some point losing a leg has got to cost him. But he will go down like T-Dog.

I think Rick, Carl, Glenn, Maggie, and probably Darryl and Michonne, are safe. Everyone else could go. I think the baby dies.

Of course, contract negotiations and new found star power can really take anyone out. All things being equal, Maggie and Glenn are great to build upon. But they might have other stuff to do.

I always assumed Carl would get it, but by moving the show forward in time to skip the winters, they avoid the age problem. But it also makes me think they move into Woodbury and take over. In year four, the world ought be getting a bit more civilized, and they need a solid fortress to break into a new storyline. Obviously, Woodbury could burn, and they find another one. But moving into Woodbury saves production costs and makes a lot of sense.

T-Dog!

My money's on Maggie's little sister being next to go. Young and sweet for emotional punch, but not someone the audience is fully invested in.

The BeBee.
It's gonna git et.
a zombie's gunna put it in its bellee!

Amoebic wrote:

My money's on Maggie's little sister being next to go. Young and sweet for emotional punch, but not someone the audience is fully invested in.

And she sung us a song, so you know... those were her 3 minutes in the spotlight.
Yeah, I say Beth Greene should start updating her imdb page. (man, I'm a jerk).

I'm not going to take any guesses, because the deepening of character remains this show's kiss of death, and that affliction could strike any of them, at any time they're asked to talk about their history.

Strange question but did anyone else notice how clean and well groomed everyone looked this past episode? Daryl in particular looked like every strand of hair had been professionally, meticulously styled. My wife noticed it and then I couldn't help not seeing it.

LockAndLoad wrote:

Strange question but did anyone else notice how clean and well groomed everyone looked this past episode? Daryl in particular looked like every strand of hair had been professionally, meticulously styled. My wife noticed it and then I couldn't help not seeing it.

Didn't notice it with anyone else, but Daryl did look a little off. I assumed some of his scenes were reshoots and the continuity person didn't get it quite right.

Gaald wrote:

Not sure why this hard for some to figure out. If the episode has aired, there is no need to spoiler tag. People should know better then to step into the thread if they are not all caught up. The only exception is the sneak peak for next weeks episode. It is not part of the episode and thus still a spoiler.

If you still want to spoiler tag some of the info from the most recent episode feel free I guess, just don't expect anyone else to bother.

Heh- that reminded me of this for some reason.