A Truck Full of Zombies - The Walking Dead Episodes 9 & 10

This means war. I bet.

So let's sum up the last two Walking Dead episodes (The Suicide King and Home) this way: 1 hour and 45 minutes of DUMB and 15 minutes of such sheer BRILLIANCE that it makes up for previous stated DUMB.

Cray-cray

After lulling us into a state of aggravation and boredom with the dumb (seriously, I was getting Season-2-in-the-abandoned-church-in-the-middle-of-the-woods-looking-for-Sophia aggravated. Wait, that might not be fair... I don't think I was ever as aggravated as watching The Suicide King.), that single shot out of nowhere hitting Axel as he's talking to Carol was fantastic! We all knew The Governor was coming, although it seems like Hershel was a little slow on that concept, but I just love the suddenness of that scene. No forewarning, no long shots of The Governor driving towards the prison, just blam - Axel down! (Here is where we should talk about "why weren't they better prepared for an attack? why did they think they had so much time? why was no one on lookout?" etc. but that's all part of the dumb and I will save all that for my List of Gripes below.) And then it was blam blam blam - Hershel is in the grass! Rick is outside the gate! The Governor was gleefully just raining bullets onto them! And THEN THEY DROVE A TRUCK FULL OF ZOMBIES INTO THE PRISON! Two-fold terrifying awesomeness here because there's truckload of zombies in the prison but also the gate is now demolished. These last 15 minutes of Home hopefully will set the tone for the rest of the season and the pace will stay steadily manic, just how we like it.

Before we get to my List of Gripes (also known as The Dumb), let me assure you that I understand the context of where we are/were in the show as of last week: Even though we (viewers) got a big break, time hasn't moved on for our survivors. The baby is only a week old we're told! So, yes, I get it: in the context of the show, Lori JUST died, Glenn and Maggie were JUST saved and Rick probably hasn't slept in 100 years. But why come back to us with a sluggish, seemingly contrived character set-up for many of our friends (I'm looking at you Andrea!)? Hindsight is 20-20 I guess and you could argue that the entire The Suicide King episode was solely to set up the last 15 minutes of Home, but I must point out the following Gripes:

Andrea

Hear my words of inspiration! Even though
I have no idea what's happening! 

I mean, seriously... what the actual HELL is going on here? Are we to believe that she is so blinded by finding comfort in a walled community and in the arms of some dude that she will turn a blind eye (no pun intended) to the depravity that surrounds her at every turn? Let's take stock for a minute...  what does she know? By my calculations she has seen The Governor's zombie heads, seen the little zombie girl he locked up, she has Michonne telling her he's awful (and she SHOULD trust her more than anyone), she has witnessed more than one pit fight, including one that set Daryl against Merle...with zombies! She now knows that Maggie and Glenn and Daryl were all there and The Governor didn't tell her. So this all rolls up to "get me the hell out of here!" right? Somehow, no. Somehow this results in her immediately telling The Governor not to push her away and then becoming the worst soliloquy deliverer de facto spokesperson for the Woodbury community. Barf. I suppose it's telling that she didn't put a bullet in that guy's head before The Governor did. Old Andrea wouldn't have hesitated for a second. I know the show wants us to see that she's getting too comfy, and I could buy that if she was more sheltered from the shit she has seen, but given what we know, I have to interpret this as D-U-M-B. Andrea better wake up superfast, or is our kick-ass Andrea becoming the new *gasp* Lori?

Michonne

The  Glenn-Michonne plan was not to be

I am so frustrated by how the show is portraying Michonne. Yes, yes... she is soooo independent. She keeps to herself. She doesn't trust anyone. Okay already. Can she at least say three words? Like "I know Andrea" would have been helpful before Merle said it. And as I said before, I get that Michonne is still 'new' to the team in the context of the show, but haven't we spent enough time with her character that she can, you know, open up a little bit? Especially with Rick. I understand that Rick is "walking Crazytown" (Glenn's words), but he should be able to see by now that Michonne knows what's up. She brought baby formula! It's hair-pullingly frustrating to watch her not speak. And ridiculous at this point.  Get on with it! I have to say, however, that I was encouraged to see in Home that she talked about what she knew about The Governor (heads as trophies, etc.) and I was getting psyched for the Glenn-Michonne attack plan, but alas, The Governor beat them to it.

Rick's Psychotic Episode

Wait, I have to look at this now? BAH!

I just don't even know what to say about this one. I guess in hindsight maybe the show felt they needed this to get Rick outside the gates when The Governor attacks? But damn this is so contrived and for me, totally unnecessary (I mean he could have been outside the gates for some other reason). And as far as trying to show us just how damaged Rick is, yes, yes, Rick's mind is exploding. He has a new baby and a dead wife. Psychotic break and all that. We got that from the telephone. But actually showing us Ghost Lori in a white dress flitting about the forest? BAH! I say BAH! I mean chuck-something-at-the-TV BAH!

** End List of Gripes **

I haven't even talked about Daryl and Merle yet! The fact that Daryl chose to go with Merle broke my heart. Yeah I got it, he had guilt about leaving him on the roof and big brother stuff, but ugh... how horrible. So to see Daryl wake up to himself in the woods and give that nasty Merle what-for, that was solid character development there. Aside: clever visual clue that Daryl was starting to trust himself more when Merle is telling him that the river is not whatever river Daryl said it was, and then we see the sign that it is. So what are they going to do with Merle now, now that he's essentially helping to save Rick from zombies? My guess is lock him up in a cell, if they even let him in at all. I still think this is all part of The Governor's plan to get Merle into the prison and then Merle takes them out from inside.

Other Stuff: 
- I'm not sure how to feel about Glenn and Maggie. I am thoroughly enjoying raged-out Glenn and he has every single right to be. I don't get the Maggie part of making what happened with The Governor somehow come between them. But this all seems to be resolving itself anyway.
- I wonder if Tyrese and his clan hear the commotion and come back to help out?
- Poor Carol! This chick has endured some shit, amirite? Abusive husband, dead zombie daughter, Daryl chooses Merle over her (essentially), and the dude who's kind of into her drops dead right next to her (although she uses his body as a shield so that's good). I wonder how she'll respond to Daryl coming back? In her speech to Beth (aka the only one who takes care of that baby!), she says she feels like she's a different person, but if Ed came through the door, she'd like to think she'd kick him out but she's not sure. Is this foreshadowing that she is going to distance herself from Daryl? Or is this clever symmetry that Carol is musing over her abusive relationship at the same time Daryl is essentially coming to his own realization that the abuse he endured will not define him any longer? I hope for the latter and that these two will be BFFs again.
- Was anyone else hoping that Hershel had some sleepy drug up his sleeve that he would just inject Rick with to make him sleep. Don't they know that a nice nap makes everything better? No naps for these peeps for a long time now.

What do you think of Rick's psychotic break? Is Ghost Lori just too damn much? What will they do with Merle? Will Andrea wake up and start kicking ass or what? Does anyone even know/give a crap what Carl is doing anymore? Break it down for me in the comments!

The Walking Dead - Burning Down the House

Burning Down the... Barn

I think I will start this entry by saying at the :38 mark of last night's The Walking Dead finale, I said (out loud to the room) "It's only been 38 minutes?!?!" So now that we have established that it was a jam-packed episode, let's dive in to the awesome chaos (oh, and turn your speakers up for the soundtrack).

Herd is the word

LCT: AHA! So THAT'S where that gigantic herd of walkers came from!  This was such a revelation, because it pieces together a bunch of things: first, Rick saw that helicopter when he was in the city back in Season 1 Episode 1, so those damn zombies have been walking since then! Second, this means we are getting closer to potentially figuring out where that helicopter went (or where it's from, or both). This also raises the question, how long has it been since Rick woke up? Given that winter is coming (evidently) and it was hot and summery at the start, it has to be only 3 or 4 months, right?

KC: Yes, I loved how this episode started!  I thought it all made perfect sense and really, it was just damn bad luck!  I was so intrigued by the helicopter - I didn't remember Rick seeing it in Season 1.  You're thinking it was a flashback to the time he saw it and it's taken all these months for the walkers to make it that far?  Interesting: you would think they might repeat that scene of Rick seeing it the first time to remind us if that was the case, but I can still buy your theory.  I guess that means they were eating Rick's horse, no?  Great set up for whatever is coming up next.  By the way, is this the first time we've seen events that were outside the perspectives of our characters?  

LCT: I totally thought that was Rick's horse they were eating. Rick saw the helicopter and then tried to follow it on said horse, then turned and found the hoard of walkers in the street with the tank. So, maybe it's not from when Rick was there (we saw some stuff happening in downtown after that) but soon after? I don't know if we have had that "outside" perspective before, but I think they did it as a reminder of sorts as to Rick's journey. Now that he's the king.

In other news, RIP Herschel's Farm. That was a pretty amazing scene, and finally Carl is doing what his parents tell him (give that kid a cookie!)  Also, ewwwwww.... zombie brains on Herschel.

KC: Poor Herschel... I'm not going to miss the farm though, good riddance (of course, they'll probably be stuck in that prison we see at the end for the entirety of season 3).  So many disgusting/AMAZING gore-tastic moments in this episode.  It's hard to believe this airs on non-pay channel television.  Oh sad background characters who were just there to be zombie fodder.  I don't remember your names, but I'm sure you were lovely people.

Total crap

LCT: Fucking Lori...  never mind that all of a sudden she's crazed because "where's Carl? he was supposed to be upstairs!" (crazy eyes everywhere) and all that crap. I mean, I think I've beat that to death and I don't think there's a viewer left in the world who thinks she does even an okay job. But I wanted to leap through my TV and punch Lori in the face when Rick was telling her what happened with Shane. How dare she? HOW DARE SHE?!  Yes, fine, so "she's mad at herself" or whatever... but this is unacceptable. I can't even find suitable words to express how much I hate this character. I am so sick of her and her not-watching-her-kid-driving-off-by-herself-stupid-crazy-eyes-all-the-time. ALL.THE.TIME. 

KC: Agreed.  Her ridiculous freak out over Carl aside, her reaction to Rick's truth telling was mind boggling.  SHE GOT WHAT SHE WANTED!  Bad acting and terrible writing.

LCT: I don't know what they are doing with her character. The creative team seems to defend her actions and write her into ridiculous situations... how will they ever turn that character around if they are in denial?

I need a heroooooo...

Now let's talk about Daryl... racing off on his motorcycle to get Carol with the sounds of Bonnie Tyler's  Holding Out for a Hero blasting in the background! Oh wait, maybe that was just in my head. (Note: this was back when I wanted a Caryl thing to happen. Those days are long gone, my friend. long. gone. See further down for details.)

KC: Love it!  Although, I was hearing Total Eclipse of the Heart for some reason.  What?

Zombie, meet tree

LCT: Andrea - FREAKING BADASS SURVIVOR ANDREA! (insert Destiny's Child here). I kept telling her to climb a tree, but now I'm not sure that would have helped because, you know, those things walked all the way from downtown Atlanta, so they're not gonna let a little thing like a tree stop them. So she ran, she ran so far away... and then whoooopah! HOODED AWESOMENESS with 2 chained walkers (with no arms, and no jaws) and a machete!  For peeps who read the comics, you know who it is. KC - I am VERY interested to know what your reaction was to this scene. My reaction was to hit P's leg and yell "SHUT UP! SHUT. UP!" I couldn't believe she showed up right then!  Also, there's this about Andrea: she doesn't know Shane is gone, she doesn't know who this hooded character is, and she may or may not know that the farm is gone. Interesing.

DayyyyyUM

KC: Go Andrea!  I wanted her to climb a tree too, but then I figured that the zombies would gather around and trap her there.  I was not expecting mysterious hooded figure as I've been able to avoid any spoilers.  So intriguing!  Does she have pet zombies on leashes (chains)?  Most of the people we've met in this world are familiar types not that different from ourselves; but as we head more into dystopia land, I'm guessing we'll see more outlandish people shaped by this strange new world.  I can't wait!

LCT: The final scene with the group... lots to discuss here:

• LCT: Okay, when did Carol become such an asshole? Who the... what the...? What is her problem? Daryl said it best: "What do you want?" and she says "A man of honor" but she's looking to Daryl to be that person? Daryl is the greatest thing in the world for answering "Rick has honor."  See, Daryl gets it... why doesn't everyone else? Never mind... I take back all my Carol-Daryl (Caryl) musings. She doesn't deserve him.
• KC: I think the writers have trouble with Carol - they don't seem to have a handle on who she is from week to week (which is also a problem with Lori).  I could never get behind a Caryl situation I think because I pictured more as a mother figure to him.  Now, I just hate her... you need to be zombie lunch, Carol.
• LCT: So Rick knew they were already infected... SO WHAT? Why is this a big fucking deal? First, I don't think he explained very well that he wasn't sure about it. He starts to say "You know how crazy Jenner was" but never really gets to plead that case before everyone is all over his shit. Also, what would it have changed? Rick says this, but no one has an answer. What would it have helped at all?

You're all infected already. Maybe. Who knows, I'm crazy.

• KC: I do understand the group feeling somewhat betrayed that he didn't tell them even as I understand why he didn't.  The way it was revealed was party of the problem, during a high pressure situation when everyone is just about losing their shit.
• LCT: T-Dog! I like that they are making him this alternate voice, with him saying they should go to the coast. When he first said this, I thought that makes sense. I was thinking a boat would be the place to be, and P said go on an island. But now I'm thinking, none of that is good because everyone is infected soooo... it could be more treacherous in isolation? I don't know... everyplace is effed.
• LCT: Very telling after all that anger towards Rick that Rick lays down the Rick Law and says like it or leave it and no one leaves. Not even asshole Carol.
• LCT: Rick! RICK! Super badass RICK!
• KC: Rick rules!!!  Literally! 

KC: By the way, really liked the Glenn/Maggie scene when he told her he loved her.  Moving, I thought.  It was also so wrenching to have Herschel pulled away from his farm - I actually thought he was going down with it.  Love the actor and the character, so I'm thrilled he will be around for next season, at least for a little while.

LCT: With the introduction of Michonne and the very public casting for the character The Governor, Season 3 is shaping up to be epic! I am terrified of it. Absolutely fucking terrified. Full disclosure: I stopped reading the comics because of some stuff that goes down with these new characters. So disturbing. Like, couldn't-read-another-page disturbing. Who knows if they will stick to the comic or deviate, but whatever happens, it will be unlike anything you've ever seen on TV before.

Hit the comments, readers!

The Walking Dead - Judge, Jury, Executioner, Father

...OR "We Only Kill Some Live People, and Sometimes Only When We Vote On It" ...OR "How to Raise a Sociopath in the Zombie Apocalypse." There's many a blog title that comes to mind. I could hardly watch the opening torture scene where Daryl went all Sayid on Randall, and right afterwards I said "That might have been the most difficult scene to watch on this show yet." Foreshadowing! Because now I would argue that the scene with Carl in the woods and Dale getting ripped open like a pinata were equally as difficult. A few months ago I read that the team at TWD said the rest of Season 2 was going to be much darker and more violent. Darn tootin'.

Here's the riveting dialogue between myself and guest blogger KC:

KC: Well, that episode literally ended with a bang... and it took me completely by surprise, so good for you, "The Walking Dead" creators.  Poor Dale.  I went from liking him in Season 1 to finding him insufferable during the first half of Season 2.  But I found his efforts to convince the group that they're giving up on their humanity by killing the kid in cold blood to be pretty compelling.  The confrontation scene was fantastic, and I was glad Andrea backed him even though it was to no avail.  Talk about survival of the fittest - I should have known that bit was foreshadowing. 

LCT: I was so surprised! Especially since there had been an accidental spoiler by AMC on their website last week that did not have to do with this at all. And I was totally bummed out. Like him or not, Dale is the voice of conscience here and a strong character. This will shake things up for real. Will Andrea now become the voice of what's right and wrong? I doubt it, but it seemed like they were somewhat setting up for that with her ultimately siding with Dale during the debate. Side note on debate: Watching Dale go around trying to muster up votes was like watching the weak link on Survivor try to gain votes to make it through tribal council. Maybe Shane's right and the new apocalyptic motto should be Outwit, Outplay, Outlast. Only here when you get kicked off you don't go to a hotel and eat a buffet. You are the buffet. 

I am hearing on the interwebs that a lot of peeps are disappointed with the manner of Dale's exit on the show vs. what happens in the GNs. I would have to say that at this point, the stories are so different it's hard for me to compare. I do think Dale's death will set quite a few things in motion here on the show, not the least of which is how will Carl deal with his complex emotions regarding the fact that he could have offed that walker in the woods. That and his seemingly growing indifference to violence. And at the very least, we won't have to watch Dale and Andrea getting it on in a prison. 

What was Dale doing walking away from the farm at night anyway? Was he taking a walk to get away from the killing of Randall? Was he walking the perimeter for security? Was he fixin' to leave this broken group?

KC: Dale and Andrea getting in on in prison?  I'm not sorry we missed that.  I was never sure if Dale's interest in Andrea was romantic or paternal on the show although it was leaning towards romantic when Dale started to become jealous of Shane.  LCT, do you think killing Dale was a long term plan?  I'm thinking they came up with this on the fly but it's just a guess.

LCT: First, the story lines are so different from the GNs, so the reason for Dale to be around as a character is different. I'm thinking that through this season it was becoming clear that things were going to come to a head with this whole "how do we function in the apocalypse" thing. My guess is it became evident that Dale would become a broken record if he stuck around... in fact, he was kind of getting that way in the first half of Season 2. So give him his big hurrah speech and make his death meaningful. So, I don't necessarily think it was on the fly, but I do think it came out of how the story developed this season.

Don't get fooled by that cow, Dale!

KC: Carl: Was that Carl's walker that killed Dale? What the fuck is up with that kid? Creepy. 

LCT: Oh, you mean the walker that Carl taunted in the woods because where else should a ten year-old be during a zombie apocalypse? Oh yeah it was. I'd recognize those milky cateracts anywhere. I'll tell you what's up with that kid: he's watched many people he cares about munched on by zombies or shot or both, including probably his best friend in this stupid zombie world (Sophia) and he has a stupid mom who doesn't watch him. (More on parental neglect below.)  We rarely, if ever, see his parents or anyone trying to talk it out or help him cope. Which is fine. But it's all "go over there" or "don't listen"  or "roam freely however you choose because we 'say' stay where we can see you, but we're not really paying attention to you at all." Actions speak louder than words here, my friends. I'm not sure Rick's advice of "don't speak, just think" is helping this kid any either. In short, they are mixing up a recipe for creepy, nasty awfulness in this poor kid. He is the precursor to Randall (who took a little too much enjoyment in stabbing a walker last week):  do what you need to do to survive, laws and rules are for suckers and there's a nasty thrill in killing. 

KC: Lori MacBeth: she didn't do anything really stupid this week... except that she was NEVER WATCHING HER KID. I guess Rick is at fault too, but he had to, like, play executioner. 

LCT: ... and judge and jury, too! Rick has his hands full. But no matter who's actually "responsible" for Carl, I am here to tell you that as a mom, my kids would be full-on tethered to me every flippin' second. Aside: I fully expect this show to incorporate a running line every week à la Perry the Platypus on Phineas and Ferb: "Where's Carl?" Cue laugh track and zoom in on Lori's crazy eyes. Lori is always stupid. She sucks. 

"Where's Carl?"

KC: T Dog: when he popped up while they were waiting for the execution to happen I thought, "oh, he's still on the show?" I thought maybe he'd wandered off between episodes never to be spoken of again like Mandy on "The West Wing." And Ainsley on "The West Wing." But no, he's still around.  Maybe next episode, he'll get to say something. 

LCT: Oh, West Wing... sigh (looks out window, wistfully... and remembers this scene regarding Ainsley Hayes). They need to do something with T-Dog. I just hope they can give him something strong and not make him zombie feed.

KC: Andrea: I like that she gave Lori the smack-down last week, and, as I said before, I liked how she backed up Dale.  Excellent character rejuvenation.  I have a feeling that she'll have some good moments next week when they mourn Dale.  Have we always known that she was a human rights lawyer?  I don't remember it being mentioned before, but I'm sure I could have missed it. 

LCT: Ha! I said the same thing... did we always know she was a civil rights lawyer? If we both thought it, I bet we didn't know. I like that they're building some back story on Andrea so her actions and words have more context. I don't think the rest of the "broken group" will necessarily turn to her for advice on right and wrong, but she is definitely finding her voice, and that will probably continue. 

KC: Some fascinating questions raised tonight... really, the most important one the show has ever raised: what does it mean to be human now in the new world order?  Do the rules that governed society in the world before the zombie apocalypse still apply?  As much as I respect Dale's argument, the others may be right.  This IS a new world: the old rules don't apply anymore, and your only choice may be simply that you must do whatever it takes to survive and keep your family safe.  Dale was unable (too old?) to adapt and was therefore doomed.

LCT: I'll take this one step further and say, what does it mean to be human in the apocolypse right now? Meaning, at the start of the show these people were all thrown together and had to trust that things would work out. When they got to Herschel's farm, they had to learn to trust each other as strangers. Now all of a sudden this particular stranger is a threat. Dale was articulating this when he said "What makes us so much better?" Also, they save him from town, fix up his leg (miraculously, it seems) and were gonna let him go in the wild and now they are gonna kill him for something that might happen? Actually killing this kid locked and tied up in your barn because you saved him is way different than killing live people when they draw a gun on you. This is the genius of the show, because you feel like there should be another way. But maybe there's not. P.S. Why don't we hear Maggie saying she knows him or not? 

KC: I love what you said here... it does feel like there should be another way, but I certainly couldn't think of one.  Plus, like Dale also said, will killing Randall keep the other men away?  Probably not.  But they still can't let Randall go.  As for why Maggie didn't say whether or not she knew him -  didn't Randall say last week that he knew her, but she wouldn't remember him?  He's willing to say anything to survive though, so who knows what's going on?

LCT: Totally agree that Randall will say anything and he did say "she (Maggie) wouldn't know me." But here's the thing: they're in the middle of East Bum and I'm pretty sure everyone knows everyone. My guess is if they asked her, she'd say no way. But what does that get us? So they can drive him out 25 miles and drop him off now? Not sure. All conscience issues aside, you know this kid is bad news. Too bad they can't kill him.

Hodgepodge #2 - American Idol, The Voice, The Walking Dead, Downton Abbey

Here we are at Hodgepodge #2. So much awesome TV to talk about...

American Idol/ The Voice

Let's start here, since the Top 13 were announced just last night. I've been watching American Idol since Nikki McGibbon ridiculously outlasted Tamyra Gray. Oh, memories. Since then, AI has had it's share of ups and downs and has evolved into quite a legit singing competition. I have never been a fan of the whole spectacle of making fun at these poor people who can't sing a note. If you think about it, they probably had to sing for at least 10 judges before getting their shot in front of JLoTylerJack©, and were therefore validated in that process. So, I am the happy viewer that has seen AI getting further away from these in the past 2 seasons. Also, I think JLo is a fantastic addition to this team. While we do see her struggle sometimes to be truly critical (see: Brielle feedback last night), I think she delivers her feedback with poise and assurance and is even able to give pretty solid advice. Okay, I'm slightly biased because I wanted to kick Paula in the face every time she said anything. But truly, sitting between Steven and Randy, sometimes JLo appears to be the smartest one there, if not the most grounded.  In any case, way to go America for voting in probably the BEST TOP 10 in the history of the show. Yup, I said it. Every single one is a strong singer and there's some real showmanship (the good kind, not the kind that kinda makes me wanna puke. I'm looking at you Reed Grimm) and artistry represented, not to mention personality plus. I think I'm pulling for Heejun, Philip and Joshua Ledet, and I love that Gentle Giant, but I am so happy with this crop of contestants, I'm just looking forward to watching the show.

I have a feeling the success of The Voice has a lot to do with this recent evolution of AI drifting away from gawking at the poor bad singers and also with America voting in the best of the Top 24 into the Top 10. The Voice is a terrific concept and so enjoyable to watch. I love the way everyone is invested in the outcome on this show. While judges on AI are definitely rooting for their faves, on The Voice, the judges are just as involved with the competition as the contestants. The success of the contestants, once chosen, reflects on the judges ability to coach as much as anything else. The blind auditions make for some of the best TV around. In direct contrast with AI, the voice is the singular defining ingredient of success on The Voice. Although I do suppose the judges take their cues from the live audience as much as their ears, you still watch artists going through that you would definitely not see on AI.

The Shields Brothers wouldn't be getting on no American Idol 

P.S. Here is probably my favorite scene from AI this season and I now use "get down" as my standard response to everything, especially really emotional situations.

get down

The Walking Dead

I am telling you something... I am more and more impressed with how the writers are deviating from the GNs and this whole Rick v. Shane business is riveting. Riveting! Thanks to Lady Macbeth (who I guess had to drive off by herself, flip her car and *almost* get chomped by walkers only to survive with barely a scratch in order to tell Rick that Shane is no good), Rick is actually laying down the law, especially for Shane. At a literal crossroads almost 18 miles out, Rick tells Shane how it's gonna be. He also tells Shane he will kill for his family... anyone. We also find out that Rick knew about Shane and Lori way before Lori told him. Interesting. I thought the fight scene that came later between these two, generated by the question of what to do about Tied Up Kid, was epic. Brilliant story telling here, when the kid says he knows Maggie, now not only is it kind of personal, but this means he knows the farm and thus, Plan A of leaving him behind doesn't work anymore. Triggerfinger Shane wants to shoot him on the spot, Rick needs time to think, which Shane views as weak. Parts of this fight were hard to watch, truthfully. The genius of The Walking Dead is demonstrating how it's not necessarily 'how are these people going to survive the walkers,' but more 'how are these people going to survive with each other.' If Survivor has taught us anything, people are jerks. In any case, after bashing each others faces in for awhile, Shane awakens a pack of walkers and in the end, Rick and the kid save Shane and Rick says "you're just gonna have to trust me." Get down.

Other Thoughts:

• One of the most very interesting observations in the show was practically buried. Shane and Rick discussing a pile of dead peeps: no bites... maybe scratches? Take note! This will come up again.
• The Walker in the Field... is what this ep should have been called. Cool visual, but what does it represent? Just a reminder that they are everywhere? Is it symbolic of Shane feeling alone when he was once tethered to Lori and Carl? Or, I think I saw Shane instinctively reach for his gun upon seeing the walker way off in the field. Shane's level thinking about minimizing use of guns seems to register, as Shane ultimately doesn't shoot at the walker... or is it that Shane is seeing himself?

Shane? Is that you?

• Shane seeing his image in the broken glass of the building (after he threw a pipe at Shane and woke up all the walkers in the building and gave them a way to get out - way to go!) was another arresting visual. This very closely parallels when Shane is looking in the mirror when he shaves his head. This is what Shane is now... this is what he has become.
• Beth/Andrea/Maggie/Lori: so is all of this Beth suicide biz basically to remind us of hope vs. hopelessness? A lot less time could have been spent on this. The Lori v. Andrea showdown in the kitchen prior to the Beth suicide drama was pretty great: again, the brilliance of showing all sides. Andrea's "you have it all, Lori" speech was spot on. Sure Lori is saying someone has to cook and clean, etc. but Andrea is kinda right in saying why does it have to be all the women? This harkens back to one of my fave scenes from Season 1 where Andrea stands up to Carol's dickhead hubby Ed about "women's work" and then Shane beats the crap out of him (even though we know he's hitting Ed out of frustration over Lori having just told him off as much as dude's an asshole). 

• The kid in the trunk is doing everything he can to survive, and his very presence represents both sides to the Shane v. Rick conundrum. But the kid sure took way too much pleasure in stabbing that walker. I think he's some no good trouble right there.
• *Kinda Spoiler* I'm having a heart attack over casting for TG (new character to the TV show). It doesn't matter who they cast for this part, I am not looking forward to this story line. 
• *Spoiler* Don't read this if you're not into spoilers, but AMC accidentally let this one slip yesterday: major spoiler 

Downton Abbey

The season finale a couple of weeks ago did not disappoint. I have, however, been disappointed to read several reviews and reactions to the episode (such as this one) and Season 2 in general as contrived and not up to par with Season 1. Perhaps it's because I watched Downton starting with the end of Season 1 and all of Season 2 before going back and watching all of Season 1 from the beginning, but I saw no difference between the seasons and certainly thought the Season 2 finale was as good as Downton gets.  It does kind of make me smile when I hear people calling a scripted show such as Downton "contrived." To me, the whole appeal of the show lies the unseen twists and turns, the quicker paced resolutions to some story lines as well as the more drawn out plots. Otherwise, it would just be so boring. I think one of the greatest episodes of any season was when a badly scarred soldier comes to Downton to convalesce and reveals himself to Edith to be long lost Cousin Patrick. Then he DISAPPEARS. All in one episode. Fantastic! Others saw this as clear evidence that Downton had lost its way in pace and storytelling. I thought it was refreshing and interesting and clear evidence of poor Edith.

I just love the way they pack so much into each and every episode, and the drama of the twists and turns cannot be denied: Lord Grantham and the maid! Cora almost dies! Valinia conveniently does die. Branson and Sybil! Poor Mr. Bates and (now) Mrs. Anna Bates.

I will say this, however: I was getting on board with the whole idea of Mary going to New York. Imagine the adventures and suitors and dresses this girl would have! The dresses, people! Alas, just when you think Downton will zig, it zags and actually fulfills on the promise of Matthew and Mary together rather abruptly but awesomely.

Awesome

I look forward to seeing what drama will unfold in the next season, especially the fallout of Richard exposing Mary's secret. And I can't believe I am saying this, but are we rooting for an Edith love triangle with Cousin Patrick and Sir Strallan? (pause) Yes. Yes we are.

Other Stuff:

• After approximately a millenium off of TV, Mad Men is back Sunday, March 25. I.Can't.Wait. 
• The Killing is coming back April 1st.  God, I love this show. I am preparing my soul for its weekly crushing. 
• I have officially given up on The River. To sum up, just a few too creepy dolls on the tree for me. Oh, and it's not smart at all.
• One of these days I will dedicate an entire entry to the brilliance of Modern Family. This show gets life. Or, my life anyway.

Comment away on anything you want to chat about!

The Walking Dead - We're Shooting Live People Now, Folks

Woo-hoo! The Walking Dead returned last night and did not disappoint. Of course, that does not mean that it was without flaws (I'm talking to you, Lori), which we will explore. But as far as sustaining the intensity and emotional weight of mid-season episode (Pretty Much Dead Already), this episode, Nebraska, did not miss a beat and continued to move characters and plots forward. At one point, I said outloud "For a show about dead people, it's very emotional." Then I wiped a tear away, because, you know... poor Carol. And everyone.



Continuing with last week's back and forth with Guest Blogger KC, here we go again:


LCT: First impressions: whoa... literally picking up where it left off! Awesome. 


KC: Okay, so at the end of the episode I said  out loud (to my cats), "Fuck yeah, that's an episode of The Walking Dead!" Totally had the same thought as you at the beginning of the episode, whoa... picking up where they left off... and it was incredibly intense, no music, just the hum of insects, the blond woman (Herschel's stepdaughter? I have trouble keeping straight some of the supporting cast) going to her mother's body and boom! not dead!  Only to get a pick axe through the head, courtesy of Andrea.

"My little girl died a long time ago." *sob*

LCT: Poor, poor Carol. My heart breaks for her. I thought she was going to kill herself. Interesting that she didn't.


KC: Yes, poor, poor Carol - how interesting that Shane was the one to comfort her when she came back from the woods.  It was a beautiful scene and helped bring some depth back to Shane who I've found frustratingly one-note lately.


LCT: Hmmmm I think I might have had a different reaction to the Shane/Carol scene... I think it was comforting to him to get all that stuff of his chest and yes, possibly brought some humanity back to his character. But I don't think she necessarily was comforted by any of what he was doing or saying. She really is just letting him do his thing because she's so lost/grief-stricken/ out-of-her-mind. She doesn't give any indication that she is comforted... Well, I guess other than staying there. I think she's numb more than comforted. Also relating to this scene, P says "Is she like Jesus having her hands washed?" Damn. I have to think about that. My initial feeling is that the visual symbolism is more of Shane trying to wash away his deeds. This is more cathartic for him than her. But interesting point... are they going to set up Carol as some sort of leader of faith or something? She'll be the one character who doesn't give up on hope? Right now I think not. She's beyond despair.


KC: Yes, I agree that Carol wasn't actually getting any comfort from Shane during that scene (she almost seems catatonic?), but I appreciated it more for Shane trying to justify his actions and showing that he had doubts/complicated feelings about what he had done.  Love P's thought about the imagery of the scene.


LCT: Daryl.


KC: Daryl... rocks.  Does it get any better than Daryl calling Lori "Olive Oyl"?

Olive Oyl, why you so stupid?

LCT: I hate Lori so much that I was actively rooting for her to die. She's going into town BY HERSELF like an asshole? She deserves whatever is coming at her. Here's the question: better for her to just die in crash or become walker?


KC: Fucking Lori - OF COURSE she goes into town by herself because she's an idiot.  My prediction is that she does not die in the crash, does not become a walker, but does lose the baby.  I wouldn't put it past them if they did something more shocking though.


LCT: I'm pretty sure I want that walker to chomp Lori in the eyeball.


KC: The more I think about Lori driving off by herself, the more I think that it's just bad writing.  Her behavior was beyond ridiculous.  Why didn't she tell anyone?  Why put herself at risk that way?  It seems like the writers needed another dramatic event to happen rather than something the character would actually have done in that situation.  Die, Lori.

New livies spell Trouble with a capital T

LCT: Verrrrrrrry interesting about new livies (<-- what I am calling live people). I mean none of these peeps knew each other before they were thrown together. Not everyone that made up this group was a bag of roses... Carol's hubby? Also, they had gone back for douchebag on the roof (Daryl's bro) in Season 1. This was part of the whole dynamic of Season 1 - you can't really pick and choose with whom you're surviving. But now they are. Picking and choosing. Totally whole new dark awful world these days.


KC: New livies (like that nickname!) - my first reaction was, hey it's that dude who was the killer from Season 1 "True Blood".  Great scene. I thought it was fantastic how there was a growing feeling of menace as Rick starts to sense that these guys are trouble.  I was very surprised with his reaction - he's embraced this new dark awful world order.  I think what pushed him over the edge was hearing from the new livies that Fort Benning was gone.  Was it my imagination or did Herschel give Rick a look of newfound admiration after he did the deed?


LCT: Did I say there was a new Sheriff in town? Dude's even got a badass theme song by Clutch (The Regulator). Fucking shooting people, real life people. Damn. Those troublemakers were asking for it with the marking of their territory/pissing on the floor. Oh, and trying to shoot him. They got him on a really bad day.

The Regulator

KC: One thing we haven't talked about... the funeral scene.  I liked how the final shot was from above, sort of eye of God, as the characters all walked off in different directions.


LCT: This was another scene where I felt it was so emotional in its absolute absence of emotion. This show is amazing in its ability to juxtapose this battle of "are these people or monsters." I thought the shot being from above made it feel more distant/ removed from emotion.  

KC: One more thing, I laughed when the arm fell off the truck and Andrea had to go back for it.  Gallows humor.

LCT: Arm off truck... Hahaha! Here's the beauty of this show, I had to sit and think "can that arm grab her if not attached?" Let's just say I'm on edge when there's a pile of walkers around.

KC Additional Thoughts: 


- If looks could kill: you think Dale will go after Shane at some point?


- Just die, Lori, just DIE ALREADY!!


- My cats are also unhappy with Lori.

LCT Additional Thoughts:

- When new livies showed up I said out loud "Oh please tell me this isn't The Governor... I can't take it this early." Readers of GNs will understand. 

- Another thought on showdown in the bar... this whole thing is bringing to light that the bigger danger is probably NOT walkers, but other people. We know how walkers behave and how to deal with them, but people are unknowns. Danger, danger (*robot arms waving*)

- Will Daryl be Carol's reason for living now?

- Back to your observation last week about characters saying same thing over and over, this is true in spades in the bar with Herschel saying hope is gone. Over and over. And Rick saying yeah, but other peeps have hope still. Over and over. But they are supporting my awesome thesis of last week sort if, so I give it a thumbs up. ;)

Comments? Thoughts? Do you think Lori had any reason to be going into town by herself? What about Maggie and Glen? Have they found love in a hopeless place? Hit the comment section below with your thoughts!

The Walking Dead - Get Ready!

Trying something a little bit new today, folks! In anticipation of The Walking Dead returning on Sunday (yes!this!Sunday!), I have enlisted guest blogger KC to help recap Season 2 thus far and hopefully give some insightful opinions about the season, the amazing mid-season finale and where we think this zombie train is going. This first installment has minimal back and forth, but I imagine going forward there will be more. Here we go! KC kicks things off...

KC: So, LCT, I’m incredibly excited to doing a little back and forth with you over Season 2.0 of “The Walking Dead” in anticipation of the upcoming Season 2.5 (I’m pretty sure this is a continuation of Season 2, right?).  If I may be so bold to get inside your head, I think you’re approaching it from a different point of view than I.  You’re generally happy with the direction of this season has been going in?  While I’ve been a little bit less happy.  Also, you’ve read at least some of the graphic novels and know when the show deviates, while I do not.  I have some strong feelings about this season so far, so lets get this discussion rolling!

LCT: Yeah Yeah Yeah! This will be great, KC! Just to clarify, I was not completely happy with some stuff happening in Season 2.0, but probably less unhappy than you. My gripes were about dumb things like how all of a sudden laying under a car saves you from the undead. I mean, where's the gut necklaces? And just why is Glen in that stupid well? However, as far as pace goes, now having some time to reflect, I can understand a bit more the “why” of certain decisions to slow things down. Also to clarify, I have read most of the graphic novels… truth be told I came to a part where I had to put it down and never went back. Readers of the GNs will probably know what I am talking about. But certainly I have read up through and beyond what we have seen this season, and I imagine well after next season.

I call bullshit

KC: One of the problems I’ve had with Season 2 is that it’s noticeably less action packed than Season 1.  Now, I don’t have a problem with shows slowing down to have more character moments, but in this case, I think it’s revealed how one-dimensional most of them are.  Characters like Shane or Andrea who seemed to have hidden depths have morphed into, respectively, a mustache twirling villain and a trigger-happy hothead.

Haven’t you found all that time spent on the farm almost interminable?  There were too many clunky, two-character conversations that were poorly staged and written.  They seemed to be saying the same things to each other over and over again.

LCT: My love for this show runs deep, man. Way deep. So I will forgive a lot. The first season was as close to perfect as any TV show ever. It was much like the start of Lost, where ultimately it was about survival and learning to live with these people with whom they were thrown into this situation. As unrealistic (mayhaps?) as this situation is, the show makes you believe in it and the actions and dialogue of the characters were absolutely realistic, which is hard to find on TV (see: The River).  However, I was also disappointed with the stagnancy of the beginning of Season 2 as I was watching it. None of this Sophia-has-gone-missing business is in the novels, but here it served to keep everyone in one place and sort of gave everyone one goal, thus leading to this sense of complacency (especially, as you said, compared with Season 1). What bothered me most, was not so much the slowing down, but all the Jesus chats. At the time of watching, I had no explaination for church chats and they were so frustrating, but in hindsight I think all of those scenes were ultimately shown to position the opposing belief systems of Hershell and Rick & Co. By this, I mean sort of tee-ing up the notions of faith, belief and hope vs. what’s happening in this real life. Also, it laid some groundwork for some of these characters to eventually abandon religion and faith. Rick asks for a sign and his kid gets shot. Carol asks to spare Sophia and take her instead and, well, we know what happened there. Looking at the entire season through this lense, they were looking for hope, but in the end, this is a dark, dark world they are living in.

As for time on the farm, I think they did a good job of juxtaposing the temporary relief of Rick & Co at having found a sort of “safe-haven” with “whaaaaaat’s iiiinnnn theee baaaaaarn.” (<-spooky words spoken spookily.)  Or, as I said above, hope (for some normalcy) vs. (terrifying) reality. Again, while watching, it seemed slower paced and frustrating, but in hindsight, it was all necessary in order to set up this power struggle of viewpoints between Rick and Shane, and to some degree, Herschel. Though I totally agree they could have moved it along for sure.

I think this is a good place to point out that in addition to the Sophia missing plotline, the character of (mustache twirling) Shane does not make it this far in the graphic novels. I think this works for the TV show. It gives more depth to Rick’s eminent true rise to leadership. Or at least, it gives his character a bit more to overcome on his way to embracing his role as leader of the pack. Also, Shane is the representation of survival of the fittest, every-man-for himself, kill all them walkers. This is needed for the final showdown.

KC: As the pace as slowed down, some of the actors’ weaknesses have started to reveal themselves.  I just don’t find Sarah Wayne Callies’ Lori at all sympathetic.  Jon Bernthal’s Shane has gotten less interesting as he’s gotten more evil.  I think Andrew Lincoln (as Rick) is the only actor who’s really managed to shine this season (the scene when he finally breaks down after delivering a severely injured Carl to Herschel was pretty fantastic).

LCT: Agreed. I don’t know what the hell they’re trying to do with Lori. I hate her longtime. I feel that the show works very hard to make her seem like a good mom, but she really sucks. This has been a consistent complaint of mine, and one of TWD’s weaker areas: they have Lori say mom things, but her actions are very not mom like. It was not uncommon to hear Lori say things like “stay where I can see you” but then Carl would be wandering off taking knives off of dead guys in cars or something. In a zombie apocalypse my kids are tethered to me, just sayin’. The most blatant example is the barn scene at the end of last episode and Lori is saying to Carl “don’t look” but doesn’t cover his eyes or make him turn away or even take him away. Like, why does she have to be right there? Having said all of this, I am sympathetic to her pregnancy dilemma. I mean, that is a dreary situation. Just the prospect of actually having a baby without an epidural is enough to give anyone pause, never mind zombies. If American Horror Story has taught us anything, it’s that baby birthing ain’t no walk in the park without proper medical support. Also, I’m inclined to believe that Herschel will not be very helpful going forward, you know, since they wasted his family and friends in the barn.

KC: That said, there have a been a couple of things that I’ve liked, and they’ve been enough to keep me following the show, hopeful that it can turn itself around. 

Daryl somehow went from being a character I loathed to my favorite - I almost wish every episode focused on him.  

LCT: Yes! It will be interesting to see what the loss of Sophia does to him. He may go rogue. Or he may make out with Carol. 

Warrior

KC: And there were a couple of intriguing plotlines and some huge twists that took me by surprise.  Like poor little Sophia!  I didn’t think the show had the courage to go to that dark place.  I look forward to seeing how they follow up on it.

Shane’s transformation into a douche bag (is this a family blog?) isn’t something I thought was well handled, but the motivating event was: Shane shooting Otis and leaving him for dead so that he can escape with Carl’s medicine was chilling. 

I also liked how gracefully Rick took the news that Lori and Shane slept together when they thought Rick was dead (um, way to mourn, Lori).  I was sure they were going straight up soap opera with that storyline (like, Rick finding out at the very worst moment and getting into a big brawl with Shane or something like that).  And it seems like it could still develop into a big “Who’s the father of Lori’s baby?” storyline; but so far, it’s been handled well.

LCT: Yes, they handled this Lori telling Rick scene very well. I also think this scene was pivotal in moving Rick towards leader and sort of changes the balance of power between Shane and Rick. Not like Shane was the man with the power, but up until this point, Rick was the only one who didn’t know about the affair, so Shane sort of had that power of knowledge. Now that’s all changed because Rick is in the know and Shane does NOT know that Shane knows at this time. So if Shane thinks he has this knowledge bomb, he will find it is powerless. Rick’s got  tha powah!

I think Shane's transformation, while I am not in favor of his views, is necessary in order to get to where we are at the end. I actually think they make him a somewhat relatable character, with his sort of militant opposition and kill em all attitude. I can see that survival of the fittest viewpoint happening out in the zombie apocalypse (um, I bet?). Also, being all badass gets you a little nookie in the front seat, evidently.

KC: LCT, my wish for Season 2.5 is more zomb… er… “walker” attacks!  That will go a long way towards turning this ship around, I think.  What do you think? Did you think there was any justification for Hershel keeping his zombie family members in the barn?  Are you about ready to see the crew get off the farm?  

LCT: How are we not dissecting the last episode? I think the mid-season finale made up for everything that frustrated me in the previous episodes. That showdown at the barn was some of the best TV I have ever seen. It was the ultimate power struggle and this one scene was the culmination of everything Shane, Rick and Herschel had been touting the whole season. Here's how I see it from several angles:

Shane: So Shane is representing the kill-all-them-monsters extreme. Which, to be fair, is not so far fetched since it is pretty much what they have been practicing. (Although, historically when it came to people they knew, they were more lenient… anyone remember Jim from Season 1? I believe they left him tied to a tree to feel the breeze. But I think even then Shane wasn’t so happy about that.) So he finds out that there’s a bunch of walkers in the barn and he gets everyone on his side to shoot up all them monsters. But this is a tough line for even Shane to toe when it’s one of his own. So when Sophia walks out and he can’t pull the trigger and truly follow through and do what needs to be done, it’s ultimately Rick that steps up.

Rick: Poor Rick has been trying to balance all the personalities for so long – trying to keep the peace and make everyone happy - and also has been reluctant to assume full leadership and all that it entails. He goes with Herschel to wrangle a walker in order to keep the peace and along the way trying to understand all viewpoints. He is horrified that Shane & Co have taken it upon themselves to get rid of the walkers on Herschel’s property. And I’m not sure on which side he would have ultimately come down on (had he not walked in on this scene but was able to complete his chat with Herschel), but when someone needed to step up, in probably the most powerful scene ever, it was Rick who did the deed. Sheriff’s back in town!

Herschel: I’m convinced that he had to know that Sophia was in the barn, since we now know how they were getting them into the barn. But he kept it all a secret because he wanted the whole barn a secret. With Hershel asking Rick to help him wrangle that walker in the woods, he was working up to getting Rick to see his side. If Shane hadn't gone apeshit, Herschel would have told him about Sophia the minute they got that walker in the barn. This would totally support his view that they are people who are sick, not monsters.

 

No words

I also think the show made a conscious effort to make Sophia look more “sick” than “monster.” (See above.) The obvious reasoning would be that she hasn’t been undead all that long compared to the other barn dwellers, but in light of Herschel’s POV and Rick’s actions, it was all the more heart wrenching. It’s probably no surprise that I was sobbing, SOBBING, during this scene and for days afterwards. I'm tearing even thinking about it now, all these weeks later. Now that is awesome TV.

As far as what’s next for TWD, having read the graphic novels I think I know where they are headed. But this power struggle is going to be very complicated and they have deviated from the novels a lot. Rick is clearly ready to be the leader of the pack, but I am assuming Herschel is kicking them all to the curb pronto… which leads to many questions: will the team split into Team Shane and Team Rick? Will Maggie go with Glen or will Glen stay on the farm? Does anyone think Carol and Daryl will/should get together (and be Caryl?).

I know this, though… with the death of Sophia, I feel their hope is gone. This is going to be the darkest season of The Walking Dead yet. So KC,  I think you will get your wish for a lot more zombie chompin'.

KC's fave pic of this post, I bet