The "Walking Dead" Thread

[Mord]

 Ok, Christine, you can gloat. It was a crappy episode, for sure. Funny, that Glenn in the barn scenario went through my mind too. It will be the midseason cliffhanger.

[Mike Scott]

I knew they were gonna pull a "Who's Glenn?" this episode. Well, it was a good "What happened to Morgan" episode, anyhow, with "Norm" from FARGO.

[bromstaker]

I caught the replay of the Glenn death episode yesterday. I think he's really dead. There were walkers not just in front of the dumpster, but also at the sides and, most importantly, in the space behind. Even if Glenn managed to maneuver himself below the dumpster there was simply no place for him to go after that. I think the scene was deliberately filmed in such a way as to keep it ambiguous and have the fans discussing it, but I think it will eventually be revealed that Glenn is dead. The irony being that Glenn's decision not to kill Nicholas and to allow him the opportunity for redemption ends up leading to Glenn's demise.

[Mike Scott]

The irony being that Glenn's decision not to kill Nicholas and to allow him the opportunity for redemption ends up leading to Glenn's demise.

Which means that Rick will never die.

[Gory Glenn]

Personally I thought it was a great episode. You can complain all you want about leaving Glenn as a cliffhanger but getting the back story on Morgan was time well spent. You can also complain about the writing but I was too busy being enthralled by the great performances, especially by John Carroll Lynch who was the perfect actor to play his part. The big man with a big heart who found out how to be human again without being a victim who also saved Morgan from his own insanity. It's a tale that illustrates that we all need someone at some point in our lives. My only grievance with the philosophy of Aikido is that it's not always applicable in the world of the walking dead. There are consequences to be had with that philosophy as we saw when Rick was attacked by the wolves in the RV. But that's not a knock on the show, but a personal observation on that view. Still, this is my favorite show on television.

[ChristineBCW]

Glenn (by the way, I join the parade thanking you're alive.)

(You ARE alive, yes?  Glenn?  G-glenn - where'dya go?!!)

I don't think it was a crappy episode.  But it's one of the many Cheap Tricks that writers can pull to string an audience along instead of dealing with the issues THEY create, and then moving on. 

This forces creativity. 

"Sorry - we're too dumb for that - we gotta stall for a lotta time and think of all possible teases along the way.  What if we solved the Glenn issue?  Then our series is over, right?" 

Du-uh.  If THAT is the peabrain concept, then the series is dead anyway.  "Just give up and bail out.  Quit.  Give someone else a chance to write.   Like Christine.  She's got ideas!!"

And do I ever!  First, Kirkland is stumbled across in the paws of the few remaining cannibals, and Rick sits back and agrees, "Naw... let them chop him up - he did it to everyone else when HE had control - this is MY series now."

Second, I'd move those folks into a landscape of water and farmland, long growing seasons, short or no winters. 

"Hola.  ¿Departamento de Inmigración?  Estoy Ted Cruz..."

[zombiehorror]

Here's one possibility for Glenn being MIA/KIA; the writers wanted to tell Morgan's but knew shiners would complain about the "boring" episode or tune out half way thru.  The simple solution throw a cliffhanger in prior to the "time foiller" episode; it's not the first time they've used this method.

[jimm]

Geez what a surprising kick in the cajones no Glen episode for another week (at least) SMH

[jimm]

Lame way for Fargo to get bit as well... Some training

[Mord]

 I guess I have to take back my comment about this being a "lame" episode. I wasn't in a very sensitive or pensive mood when I watched it last night. I was so spoiled by three straight weeks of nonstop action that I just didn't have the patience for a Morgan origins story. I re-watched it this afternoon and fully appreciate it for what it is. I have a feeling that Glenn is gone for good (outside of flashbacks or zombie-Glenn). Steven Yeun's name did not appear on the credits for the first time since he started the series.

[Mike Scott]

Steven Yeun's name did not appear on the credits for the first time since he started the series.

I noticed!

[long live kong]

Just watched 'here isn't here'. Good episode, it was bugging me who the big dude was until I saw on here it's Norm from Fargo! I did find it comical how Morgan kept shouting Kill ME!! every time Norm put him down. I suppose after the Aikido Karate-kid style training sequences we won't get to see how Michonne learnt to use her un-bluntable sword.
The Wolf character being held by Morgan is a nasty piece of work. "Do you think I could change like you?" He asked with a creepy grin. "Yes. Yes I do, but I'm afraid the teeth are beyond redemption."
 

[Mike Scott]

. . it was bugging me who the big dude was until I saw on here it's Norm from Fargo!

Oh yah, you betcha!

[Gory Glenn]

I have a feeling that Glenn is gone for good (outside of flashbacks or zombie-Glenn). Steven Yeun's name did not appear on the credits for the first time since he started the series.

Excellent observation but I wouldn't put it past them to do this intentionally. 

[ChristineBCW]

And from the Damned-If-You-Do-Damned-If-You-Don't Department...

HERE'S NOT HERE was proof that these writers can deliver a solid standalone episode, and that John Carroll Lynch is a fine actor who'll join this production - even for just a single episode.  I appreciated learning that his so-called aikido skills came with "only about 5 days of working on it."  Good actors get by with the training they have. 

I've seen some formal reviews decry the "bait and switch" tactics of these producers, and I concur. 

Mord's early assessment, and his later refinement, displays that the producers are treading on thin audience-watching ice.  Bore us, bait & switch us too many times, and I know I'll drop off.  I think a larger-than-just-me group will, too. 

The crew is obviously capable of good writing and character development, but even sharks will tire of swimming thru only chummed up waters. 

"Where's the beef?" was popular in its time because that WAS an issue.  (Or is it, still?)
! No longer available

Does anyone really like continual teasing?