"Walking Dead" Cable Series

[RickOShea]

If Rick knew everyone has the virus already, I'm surprised he didn't pop Shane in the noggin right away, knowing that Shane would zombify in a moment or two.

Yeah but Rick wasn't really in his right mind after he killed Shane..Think about it, former partner, past best friends...yeah he was insane, and he wanged his wife, but still had to be somewhat tough to do. Plus TV had to have more suspense!

If it'd been me, I would have waited around for Shane to turn so I could "Double the pleasure, double the fun".

[yale]

I think Rick's hesitation in "pithing" Shane was simply him wanting to be sure of what he suspected and what Jenner told him in the CDC. Up unitl this point Rick had not actually SEEN anyone who had not been bitten, die and then return. Sure he head shot the fat guy in the bar, just to be sure, but this was different. This was his buddy/cop partner, Shane, who Rick had hopped he could redeem.
After he stabbed Shane to death, Rick had to deal with the emotions from that and in the back of his mind was probably hoping that Jenner was wrong. That Shane would not reanimate. If Shane reanimated then Rick would have to accept the fact that Jenner was right and that everyone was infected. He would also have to then do what they had been forced to do to all of the walking cadavers they had encountered thus far. He would have to head shoot his former friend/cop buddy. This is hard enough to do on strangers who have reanimated. It would be torture to have to do to family or someone you were once close to. Remember Andria having to shoot her reanimated sister in Season 1? That sort of thing can turn a survivor down right suicidal. Rick was holding on to a small sliver of hope that he would not have to deal with Shane reanimateing. He was wrong.
At least that's how I saw it.
Now Carl also knows and I'm pretty sure that Daryl and Glen have figured out the truth too. Eventually the group would find out that everyone reanimates after death. What this will due to morale is yet to be seen.

[angelofwar]

Jenner telling Rick that everyone carries the virus would seem to be the best guess. Although, I can't figure out why Officer Friendly is keeping it to himself.

My guess would be, (not that I agree with it by any means) is that considering at least half the group is ready to crack, giving them that sort of news might cause them to lose what little hope they have left. In ordinary circumstances I might agree but in this case, not having the knowledge could get someone killed.

EDIT: It would certainly be in character for Rick.

I think Andrea (and the girl that tried to off her self) might have benifited from that info. What if the girl decides a reattempt and succeeds...and then comes out the room as a ZED

[Nycene]

anyone who knows that people reanimate on death and is keeping it to themselves is a moron. while that knowledge could have a negative impact on moral, not having that knowledge could have a negative impact on everyone's continued existence. ignorance, in this case, will almost certainly result in death.

[majorhavoc]

anyone who knows that people reanimate on death and is keeping it to themselves is a moron. while that knowledge could have a negative impact on moral, not having that knowledge could have a negative impact on everyone's continued existence. ignorance, in this case, will almost certainly result in death.

I think I agree with you Nycene. Normally I cut Rick a ton of slack because he's concerned about preserving the morale of a group of scared, untrained survivors. But in the same vein where he admited to his son he wasn't going to have any more childhood, that kind of benign withholding of info is a luxury these people can't afford. Zombie-Shane very nearly got the jump on Rick, and it's all but certain Rick *knew* what was going to happen. Leaving the rest of the group for long stretches (as Rick is wont to do) without proving them with that critical information in case someone dies in their midst is just plain foolish.

ILswatcop, that's a VERY interesting theory you have about the zombies having some sort of collective consciousness. I had intepreted those flashes of zombies tearing into flesh as deceased Shane's personal zombie consciousness starting to jumpstart, but I like your idea MUCH better. Creepy.

[ninja-elbow]

I liked it, thought it was well done. Weaving in and out of the GN storyline. Also, love the whole:
"You said no more good guy shit!"
"Yeah, so why don't we just slowly put our guns down..."

Makes me think that Rick knew that "Randall's escape" was a set-up from the very get-go.

Just a couple of hours before, Rick pretty much put Shane in "time-out" and promoted Daryl to be his side-kick (which probably helped to push Shane over the edge just as much as Lori's apology).

And yet, when the four of them decide to split into two groups, Rick automatically paired up with Shane......Was that a spur of the moment, force of habit decision for Rick, OR had he already figured out what Shane was up to and was trying to keep Glenn and Daryl out of harms way?

Would totally play off the "No more good guy stuff Shane, starting with you." If that is true, I think it is poetic.

[RickOShea]

If a bite turns you, then why wouldn't an open cut the virus got into turn you as well?

A "bite" will kill you, but it doesn't "turn" you. Apparently there's some sort of heavy duty bacteria/venom in a zombie's mouth (sorta like a komodo dragon).

As far as their senses go, they seem to have the same, albeit at a diminished capacity, as regular humans. Their hearing is their long range sense, with vision being mid-range and their sniffers are good for really close contact.

The whole "everybody carries the virus" thing is something those of us who have read the GNs have been waiting to be revealed for a loooong time now.

If you think about it, most of your zombie flicks never delve into how the zombies "operate", so it's not something I get bent-out-of-shape about. YMMV.

True most movies don't. Although in Romero's original, a meteor or spy satellite allegedly brought some weird radiation and brought the dead back to life. That I can get behind. I just think they're changing the zombie type on a whim to serve their writing needs. As for the horde not hearing the shot before, I agree. A weak theory is that the previous chatter and shot drew their attention, but the last shot helped to locate the group.

I still don't get what your problem is.

The TWD walkers are essentially the same as the classic Romero ghouls from NOTLD:

-Something is causing the recently deceased to reanimate.
-A bite causes a debilitating, and fatal, illness.
-The zombies will eat animals, along with humans.
-Brain trauma is the only way to de-activate them.
-They can perform simple tasks such as turning a door knob and using a rock to smash a window.

The only thing we haven't seen yet is whether the walkers can be repelled with fire, like the Romero ghouls.

[nathat]

Well hot damn! I thought that was a strong episode. I am sorry to see Shane go however. Even though I've read the GN and knew it was pretty much inevitable, I'm truly gonna miss the sociopathic, delusional, egocentric galoot. And truth be told his demise was handled with more subtlety than the GN.

I for one enjoyed Ricks eulogy for Dale. Especially how his voice-over carried over into the scenes of the group walking the fences and (belatedly) attending to the obvious dictum of perimeter security. And I don't care who you are; if you could watch that scene with Andrea and Glenn at Dale's RV with a dry eye, you ain't got no soul, brother. I do appreciate that about the series; you do get the sense that the characters feel true, lingering loss with every person they leave behind. Hell, they're still talking about Sophia.

Why did Shane lead Rick all the way back to the open field, previously established to quite close to the house, as the place to off Rick? Because that field, with the mists rolling in and the cold autumn moon rising over the treeline made for an awesome backdrop, that's why. Of course it would have made more sense to do it way out in the woods, as far from witnesses as possible. But this is TV, and sometimes strict logic has to take a back seat to arresting visual imagery. I for one applaud the director's decision.

So, I guess the group might have missed a spot on their perimeter inspection, huh? What with that zombie flash mob organizing at the wood's edge, a scant 100 yards from Rick and Carl sharing that poignant father-son double tap moment over poor Shane's corpse. Looks like the season finale is going to be a true slaughterfest. And I agree with others who have pointed out there's some serious redshirt material in the Herschal farmstead. In fact, those obligatory shots of Herschal's "other" son and daughter dutifully fortifying the house were probably to reacquaint the viewer with those characters, so they can then promptly become zombie-fodder. I predict at least one major character buys the farm (so to speak) in the finale though. My money's on Herschal himself.

Finally, anyone else notice that Glenn, "cry-me-a-river" Glenn, put a serious beat-down on zombie-Randall? Way to go, little guy. Yeah, if not for that approaching zombie horde, you were totally gonna get some that night.....

Don't forget, Rick was the one leading the two when they went into the open field. I think he wanted people to see him if he was killed. Hoping his kid was watching (barn scene where he said he was on watch).

[MVegas]

And yet, when the four of them decide to split into two groups, Rick automatically paired up with Shane......Was that a spur of the moment, force of habit decision for Rick, OR had he already figured out what Shane was up to and was trying to keep Glenn and Daryl out of harms way?

Would totally play off the "No more good guy stuff Shane, starting with you." If that is true, I think it is poetic.

That was my take. I saw it as Rick finally accepting that Shane was beyond redemption, and when he showed up with another fairy-tale, thought back to the Otis thing and had an "Okay, d***head, if this is how it goes down, so be it. Lets go 'find Randall.'"

I know those that think Rick is a moron, or weak, won't buy that, but after Shane's outright admission to him about Otis, and particularly the motivation (in Shanes twisted-up logic, he's rationalizing murder in the name of protecting the family he now sees to be his), Rick has to know that if Shane isolates Rick, his life is in danger.

[Yeti]

Fifty head of cattle make a lot of noise.

Herchel talking about stocking up supplies for a couple of days if needed.
Good Lord man, you live on a farm, I don't know any farmer that doesn't have a larder with enough for at least a month.

Daryl makes the statement he wishes he knew where his gun went. So I don't think we will see the 'where the f*** is my gun moment we were thinking about".

Zombie Randall got the jump on Daryl, but Glenn saves the day. Why didn't Glenn give it a skull bash while it was attacking Daryl? Instead he goes hand to hand with it, not even a full day after his friend was ripped open by one.

Zombie hoard zeroing on Carl's shot, but not thunder. I think the gun going off might have been slightly muffled with the press of bodies there. Whereas Carl's shot rang out true with no real sound barriers. That is why they went from aware to zeroing in on. Yeah a stretch but plausible. Course you could reach back to your 'Red Dawn' lore. Legend has it if you fired twice they knew where you were. Remember the hunting scene.

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Other series thoughts.

Why hasn't the Rolling Death Wagon (aka the RV)gotten a few Mad Max mods yet? Think about it, it's the one vehicle large enough to fit everyone in during an emergency. Why not fortify it a bit?
Heck a slide bar on the door, they use it as a guard look out, why not expand the bathroom vent to climb in and out of it quickly so you don't have to go outside and around back to go up the ladder.
Than you could park it under a 2nd story window for an escape out.

Who lives and dies:
I think Maggie and Glenn are surviving. Her and Glenn have plot immunity right now for their character development.
Daryl lives because honestly people like him. I'd say he's good at least for 3 more episodes.
Rick lives. Cause he is Rick.
Carl lives. Troubled but living forced to grow up fast.
Lori lives. If nothing more than her pregnancy can cause some drama in itself. I think she dies in 7th month.
Carol survives finale, but not sure about off season.
T-Dog, either he survives with two lines next week or he goes out in a blaze of glory holding them off so all the others can escape.
Herschel survives but broken. He loses his farm and the blond daughter.
Blond Daughter is pulled through broken window/door. Maggie forced to shot her.
B.D.'s boyfriend, looks to survive but is taken out by suprise as the group thinks its safe again.

[HuntingBow96]

Sorry to come off topic, can somebody give me a run through of what happened in the last episode I missed it :/

[jor-el]

Rick appoints Daryl as his wingman, replacing Shane.

Shane kills Randall under the guise of escape. Shane tricks Rick into confrontation. Rick shanks Shane. Carl boomheadshots zombie Shane. Army of dead zero in on the gunshot heard around Georgia.

Zombie Randall ambushes Daryl and Glen using the latest tactic; teleporting behind them.

Growing realization that Randall and Shane were never bit for them to zombify.

T-Dog says " OH, HELL NO!" and "If neither of you want the bed, I'll take it.".

It occurs to me, why are the lights still on at the house?

[UndeadInfidel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... tI-n2Hd-sI

Funny I was imagining this song as I was watching that scene on Sunday.

[OTTB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ntI-n2Hd-sI

Funny I was imagining this song as I was watching that scene on Sunday.

So glad I wasn't the only one lol

[Gun_Nut_2k1]

Just watched Office Space again so yeah that song works.

[Zpocalypse_GBG]

I am not counting T-Dog (the no line wonder) or Hershal as main characters.

I have a feeling T-Dog could take on Tyrese like qualities, specially since this last episode had him wielding a hammer, if only for just a minute.

See this The Walking Dead office spoof video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntI-n2Hd-sI&feature=share

at 39 seconds he's holding a pistol in his left hand and a hammer like object in his right.

could just be coincidence, but I dunno. T-dog, could only properly buy the farm if Daryl's brother Merle were to do the deed.

[HuntingBow96]

Rick appoints Daryl as his wingman, replacing Shane.

Shane kills Randall under the guise of escape. Shane tricks Rick into confrontation. Rick shanks Shane. Carl boomheadshots zombie Shane. Army of dead zero in on the gunshot heard around Georgia.

Zombie Randall ambushes Daryl and Glen using the latest tactic; teleporting behind them.

Growing realization that Randall and Shane were never bit for them to zombify.

T-Dog says " OH, HELL NO!" and "If neither of you want the bed, I'll take it.".

It occurs to me, why are the lights still on at the house?

Thanks, but did Daryl and glenn get bitten? Or are they ok

[Bubba Enfield]

...an excellent synopsis..

Thanks, but did Daryl and glenn get bitten? Or are they ok

They're fine, and now they know that a)Shane took Randall out and killed him, and 2)you turn when you die, even without a bite. However, the show ended with a prairie fire of walkers bearing down on the farm. Not sure when theyll have a chance to tell anyone, or who will be alive to hear it.

Anyone think it was funny that Darryl was gummin' Shane about getting owned by a "hundred and twenty-five pound soaking wet" Randall, and then it actually happens to Darryl?

I say T-Dog will live, but Jimmy and Patricia are toast, maybe Herschel too. I look for Lori's death to be a big element of season 3. I also expect Darryl to last a while, as there's lots of writer's milk to be had from the Rick/Darryl relationship ie. conflict etc.

[RickOShea]

Anyone think it was funny that Darryl was gummin' Shane about getting owned by a "hundred and twenty-five pound soaking wet" Randall, and then it actually happens to Darryl?

Nice catch.

[kdalton]

http://couchpotatoprepper.blogspot.com/ ... -dead.html

My review is up.

[Velociryan]

I predict Glenn will do something heroic to save Maggie and prove himself to Hershal. Right before Hershal says "I'll hold them off, you take my daughter to safety" or something like that.

[Bubba Enfield]

Random thoughts:

T-dog has no trigger discipline.

Thirteen people left; I figure 9 or 10 will make it.

Blonde daughter may live long enough to interact with Andrea; writers will get some mileage out of them.

The "3 days' food in the basement" was referring to a fall-back position, not keeping 3 days total in the house.

The walker visions Shane was having resemble what happened to Jim as he was succumbing to the bite.


Nerd alert: Has anyone read Dune? In the desert communities, every exit had survival kits beside the door. If you had to head out in a hurry, you could grab a pack and stay alive for a while. I'd want a similar setup in this instance, as well as some food stashed in the barn in case of fire in the house.

[Offroad94]

To those talking about the zombies heading toward the gun shot, it wasn't a gun shot but rather "gun shots." Remember Shane shot when he was stabbed which is what got the notice of the zombies and the shot Carl let off was when let them zero in on the location. The one thing that annoyed me in the episode was in the beginning they break the barb wire fence to get to the zombie. Why would you do that to such a useful tool. Also should't they keep a better eye on the herd. The zombies were chomping on a fresh steak when the group showed up. If it was me I would of cut the usable acreage down dramatically. Then took the barb wire and set up a perimeter closer to the house. You could also set traps, digging trenches along the fence line or setting up trip lines. Because the bones of the zombies have to be brittle at this point, if you could break the ankle/legs of some it would make it a lot easier to repel an attack.

[Paladin1]

Rick appoints Daryl as his wingman, replacing Shane.

Shane kills Randall under the guise of escape. Shane tricks Rick into confrontation. Rick shanks Shane. Carl boomheadshots zombie Shane. Army of dead zero in on the gunshot heard around Georgia.

Zombie Randall ambushes Daryl and Glen using the latest tactic; teleporting behind them.

Growing realization that Randall and Shane were never bit for them to zombify.

T-Dog says " OH, HELL NO!" and "If neither of you want the bed, I'll take it.".

It occurs to me, why are the lights still on at the house?

Very good recap!

And the house lit up like a xmas tree every night has been pissing me off ever since they got to the farm.

They should have had the farm prepared weeks ago, it's just lame that they are just now checking fence lines and stockpiling etc.

Of course, they want the horde to overrun them, so from a advancing the plot line point of view it works.