The "Walking Dead" Thread

[Mord]

Yeah, but he made another appearance a couple of seasons ago, where he was all crazy and such. I couldn't remember who all ran into him, at that time.

Yes, that's when he was grieving over the death of his son. I thought that episode was the last of him. I'm glad he's back (and sane).

[Mike Scott]

He set up all those traps and Rick, Carl and Michonne run into him, but not Carol.

Thanks for the memory jog!

[ChristineBCW]

I'm not sure about the "Carol f'ed in the head" analysis.  I'd argue that Carol The Battered Wife was more screwed up, and Carol The Cold Blooded Do'er of Hard Deeds is merely living out Rick's "insane thinking?  It's an insane world" strategy.  And making the tougher choices.  Killing off the two infected patients in the prison... executing the little girl who killed simply because killing had become common and normal... tough choices, and Carol did them. 

No one's questioned Michone's original 'watchdogs', by the way.  The ones where she'd methodically hacked off their arms... hacked out their lower-jaws carefully to not sever the neck muscles so the critters could still function with full senses.  For her protection.  Too bad she hadn't figured a way to keep them from snarling and growling when Waterbury types wandered nearby.  And the rather coincidental confession that she'd had to kill her husband (boyfriend?) and her brother.  Uh... hmmm... two watchdogs.  Two family members?  Hmmm... no one's brought up that calculated testing system of "What can zombies be good for?"

I think Carol's simply making astute observations and it's not like she hasn't had a life of observing closely.  It's just that few have noticed.  She made a comment an episode or two ago where a beaten-up, subdued Rick wondered why he should lie.  "Because these people are children, and children like stories."

And have these writers ever presented a more sinister character than Carol, telling the young lad who'd spied her sneaking into the armory, that he was due for serious harm?  Or threatening the latest battering husband, one hand on her knife, the other holding her latest casserole?  He's twice her size - literally... but also aware of the old adage, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight but..."

She played that perfectly.  Except... well... she didn't get her casserole dish returned.  Or cleaned.  C'est la vie...

F'ed in the head?  Or astute observer of human nature?  Well, at least she's not an oh-so-smart architect who sticks his neck out for some jackass with a sword waving around...

[Mike Scott]

"Because these people are children, and children like stories."

I liked that line!

[marsattacks666]

I'm not sure about the "Carol f'ed in the head" analysis.  I'd argue that Carol The Battered Wife was more screwed up, and Carol The Cold Blooded Do'er of Hard Deeds is merely living out Rick's "insane thinking?  It's an insane world" strategy.  And making the tougher choices.  Killing off the two infected patients in the prison... executing the little girl who killed simply because killing had become common and normal... tough choices, and Carol did them. 

No one's questioned Michone's original 'watchdogs', by the way.  The ones where she'd methodically hacked off their arms... hacked out their lower-jaws carefully to not sever the neck muscles so the critters could still function with full senses.  For her protection.  Too bad she hadn't figured a way to keep them from snarling and growling when Waterbury types wandered nearby.  And the rather coincidental confession that she'd had to kill her husband (boyfriend?) and her brother.  Uh... hmmm... two watchdogs.  Two family members?  Hmmm... no one's brought up that calculated testing system of "What can zombies be good for?"

I think Carol's simply making astute observations and it's not like she hasn't had a life of observing closely.  It's just that few have noticed.  She made a comment an episode or two ago where a beaten-up, subdued Rick wondered why he should lie.  "Because these people are children, and children like stories."

F'ed in the head?  Or astute observer of human nature?  Well, at least she's not an oh-so-smart architect who sticks his neck out for some jackass with a sword waving around...

That was articulate and thought-provoking . I never considered the alternative. But! She (Carol) may be making astute observations, based on her end-of-the-world, Zombie apocalyptic experiences. That does not negate the fact, she is _ _ _ _ING crazy. I guess I gauged my opinion
from previous seasons? Especially the scene with the young boy. Cookies or death? Was her threat towards the child to  protect the others, e.g. Rick, Daryll....etc.......

[ChristineBCW]

Mars, I didn't see that incredibly mean and sinister 'threat' as signs of delusion.  I see it as an accurate extrapolation of possibilities.

One, she had to make the child realize that grave dangers would proceed from HIS tippy-toe spying.  After all, didn't all of us kids spy and eavesdrop at some time or another?  Wasn't there a secret thrill of being so accomplished at "spying"?  Well... for that young lad, NOW he had to pay the piper.

And she told him what price he could pay. 

Now, it's his decision.

The fact that she maintained such a flat, even face, such a flat even tone as the most chilling words fell onto him had to make that experience even more profound.

For Carol, she could have flown into a rage and ranted, stomped and screamed.  But that wouldn't "make him hear what she needed him to hear".  She very rationally understood, "Children like stories so..." she proceeded like that.  And she told him a story of guile and horror that he obviously took to heart.  Did he believe her?  Well, every child at that age has probably been confronted with a "Who's gonna believe a kid instead of me?" horror at some point.

I thought that entire scene showed an absolute grasp of the reality as Carol foresaw - which was indeed a distinct uprising against her new arrival crew - and that Rick and others would fight and harm a great many. 

All because a kid loved to sneak around and spy. 

To me, Carol's reaction was perfect.  Completely rational.  Dead-on perfect.  No stomping, no twisted-face rants.  Calm.  Dead calm. 

Mars, truly - what other alternative could she have posed to him?  Stomp?  Scream?  Fly into a ian rage of twisted faces?  That would certainly frighten almost any child - but it would not 'make him hear what she needed him to hear'.  Her choice doesn't smack of looniness - it is the same chillingly distilled action as her awareness to execute a small girl. 

Now, if someone wants to argue that any of these experiences - being a battered wife for years, for killing infected, dying people, for executing a mere child - if someone wants to argue those alone wouldn't qualify ANY human as "insane", well...

I think the execution of the little girl was a stunning, Sophies-Choices caliber event.  Carol had to realize that, she either kills that girl now or risk everyone else's lives at the child's Bundy/Dahmer esque mentality.  Or, did Carol realize that, under the next zombie attack, there would be a time when she had to devote attention and energy to save that little girl and might hold back?  Might not give her all?  A true Sophie's Choice, therefore.   She bit the bullet and said, "Now is the time.  I'll do it."

[marsattacks666]

Mars, I didn't see that incredibly mean and sinister 'threat' as signs of delusion.  I see it as an accurate extrapolation of possibilities.

One, she had to make the child realize that grave dangers would proceed from HIS tippy-toe spying.  After all, didn't all of us kids spy and eavesdrop at some time or another?  Wasn't there a secret thrill of being so accomplished at "spying"?  Well... for that young lad, NOW he had to pay the piper.

And she told him what price he could pay. 

Now, it's his decision.

The fact that she maintained such a flat, even face, such a flat even tone as the most chilling words fell onto him had to make that experience even more profound.

For Carol, she could have flown into a rage and ranted, stomped and screamed.  But that wouldn't "make him hear what she needed him to hear".  She very rationally understood, "Children like stories so..." she proceeded like that.  And she told him a story of guile and horror that he obviously took to heart.  Did he believe her?  Well, every child at that age has probably been confronted with a "Who's gonna believe a kid instead of me?" horror at some point.

I thought that entire scene showed an absolute grasp of the reality as Carol foresaw - which was indeed a distinct uprising against her new arrival crew - and that Rick and others would fight and harm a great many. 

All because a kid loved to sneak around and spy. 

To me, Carol's reaction was perfect.  Completely rational.  Dead-on perfect.  No stomping, no twisted-face rants.  Calm.  Dead calm.

Respectfully, I have a different opinion and view of that particular scene.
Honestly If I we're that kid, cake would be much more appealing than cookies. Oh.....well.......

[ChristineBCW]

Marsy, you and yer steenkin' cakes... now this is what I'm pondering! 

Stiff cup o' coffee... Hubby and his minions fanning me as I waft down the Nile... ah yes...

[marsattacks666]

Marsy, you and yer steenkin' cakes... now this is what I'm pondering! 

Stiff cup o' coffee... Hubby and his minions fanning me as I waft down the Nile... ah yes...

Oh, my, Lanta!!! That cakes look yummy, Christine. Now I 'll have to take a trip to my local grocery store. Lol.
Btw......I really do see and respect  your point about Carol.

[ChristineBCW]

Marsy, it's a bit late to give you much warning, but TCM's playing LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN starring one of the most beautiful women, Gene Tierney, in a role that should make every salivatin' male think twice about beauties.  Now GENE should get your attention for crazy.  As in Norman Bates crazy.  As in "anything and I mean anything's fair as long as I get what I want" crazy. 

Carol's got nuthin' on Tierney. 

[marsattacks666]

Marsy, it's a bit late to give you much warning, but TCM's playing LEAVE HER TO HEAVEN starring one of the most beautiful women, Gene Tierney, in a role that should make every salivatin' male think twice about beauties.  Now GENE should get your attention for crazy.  As in Norman Bates crazy.  As in "anything and I mean anything's fair as long as I get what I want" crazy. 

Carol's got nuthin' on Tierney.

Christine, thank you for the recommendation. I'll check-it-out. :  )

[Mike Scott]

Gene Tierney, in a role that should make every salivatin' male think twice about beauties. 

There's no classic era actress that I have a bigger crush on than Gene Tierney! THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR is probably my favorite GT movie.

[ChristineBCW]

Gee... I wonder if Mike is too old to be taught some new tricks?  Hmmm...

Janis Carter who spelled doom for Barry Sullivan and almost for the town drunk, Glenn Ford... if it wasn't for that sharp-eyed ol' coot, Edgar Buchanan in 1947's FRAMED.

Hedy Lamarr... Mary Beth Hughes... Frances Gifford... Binnie Barnes, a total lark in the early '30s, a great singer, too. 

Rhonda Fleming, leading so many men astray in CRY DANGER.  Almost Dick Powell, too. 

Yes indeed, some serious lessons to be passed along.  Who was it that said "testing, testing, testing"?  No wait.. that was "practice, practice, practice", wasn't it?

[Mike Scott]

Gee... I wonder if Mike is too old to be taught some new tricks?  Hmmm...

I'm too old for pretty much everything.

[Mord]

 Last night's episode was phenomenal. The humans become more & more menacing as time progresses. You barely notice the zombies. They have become more of a nuisance (like buzzing mosquitoes) than an actual threat. Anyone who wishes to over-intellectualize the show and miss out on the fun...your loss. People have done that to the Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, X-Files etc.. I'm just glad that there's an enjoyable, successful horror show on the air.