The Walking Dead- CONTAINS SPOILERS!

[Crabs]

if the series continues after this new story arc and the group wanders aimlessly in the wild for a period of time before encountering another group, i think it should be a death cult. this post-apocalyptic world is like the dark ages with no technology or progress. i imagine it wouldn't take long for people to descend into superstition and mysticism. even before the destruction of civilization, people were joining various cults (jim jones, david koresh, ISIS, etc..) enough of these suburban utopias. with the dead roaming the earth, a lot of people would toss rationality out of the window and seek spiritual solutions. i could see a primitive, mayan-like culture forming, which makes human sacrifices to their tribal gods in order to seek protection from the damned. that's where i'd like to see next season go.

 

[Totenkindly]

my prediction for this new development: after everyone gets acclimated to the community, someone from the group is going to be exiled which will force the remainder of the group to decide if they're going to stay or leave with their "family."

It's possible. The thing is that I realize Deanna KNOWS that her little community is not going to survive. She's very aware of the dangers of Rick's group, but she sees them as a necessary infusion so that the current population will survive. She even hands them a lot of authority. She's expecting issues and yet hands them power. So I'm not sure what would have to happen for one person to be driven out.

The second half of Season 5 has been aimed more at framing the journey and "group" identity, it seems, than past seasons.

What I find interesting about the current arc is:

- We finally get a pretty clear litmus test of where the Rickites are in terms of competency, since often they've been fighting people closer to level. The Alexandrites are pretty laughable (clearly unable to handle themselves in the wild), and we see even in a non-shooting match that they don't even break a sweat with these jokers. It's like when you're a tenth-level whatever in an RPG and fighting tooth and nail against other tenth-level monsters, then you run across a band of level 1 and 2 adventurers and just mop the floor.

- Repeatedly the Rickites have found a community and then discovered that the community is made of monsters -- wolves dressed as sheep. In this situation, has the situation been reversed? So afraid to go inside, and now perhaps they are the wolves dressed as sheep, running free among the sheep? It's an interesting twist... as much as comparing the living humans to the walking dead themselves.

Glenn's come such a long way. I remember when he was the "rabbit" (in S1E2) who always ran, never fought. And then in Season 2, where the group lowered him into the well as the bait to lure a walker and almost got him killed. This episode frames even more how he has changed.

I also really laughed a lot at Carol's interview. Yeah, don't put all your cards on the table; it's best to keep some secrets.

Speculation:

I wonder if Deanna knows that there's a stronger force and/or if the Alexandrites have been threatened in some way. Which is why she invites a potentially dangerous group into the community and tries to integrate them quickly, so when the enemy shows up to fight, her group won't be massacred?

Wondering about the girl too. Is she a spy for this other group?

EDIT:
Interesting interview with Nicotero:
https://www.yahoo.com/tv/the-walking-dead-postmortem-producer-greg-112476375890.html

 

[EffEmDoubleyou]

Wow. I thought this was the best episode in a good while. It brought in interesting new themes, characters and challenges. I was about to give up on the show, and now I won't. I'm especially intrigued at whether Rick's last line means he's fundamentally changed or if he's putting up a front for the sake of his group.

Also, Carol's interview and subsequent conversation with Daryl were the first genuine laughs on the show for a long time.

 

[Totenkindly]

https://homes.yahoo.com/blogs/spaces/-walking-dead--zombie-town-for-sale-221319707.html

If you guys want to buy property on location from the episode with Morgan two seasons back... well, here is your chance.

 

[Mane]

Did our heroes just turn into the bandits?

 

[Eluded_One]

Did our heroes just turn into the bandits?

No. The ending quote was done to boost ratings.

 

[Totenkindly]

Good grief, Carol...

...I think you just made a little boy shit his pants. ZOMG.

- Not very subtle to have the woman's son stick a scarlet "A" on Rick's hand. I've been pretty much assuming where that's going for an episode or two. Wow.

- Sasha isn't depressurizing well.

- Look what happened to poor Buttons when humans got involved.

- Daryl doesn't know what to do with compliments.

- That guy offering to teach Carol how to fire a rifle. Oh, that will be interesting.

- So that's what Rosita looks like when she isn't dressed like an Army-fied lara croft?

- BeeGee's "Spicks and Specks"

Where is the sun
That shone
On my head
The sun in my life
It is dead
It is dead

Where is the light
That would play
In my streets
And where are the friends
I could meet
I could meet

Where are the girls
I left far behind
The spicks and the specks
Of the girls on my mind

Where are the girls
I left far behind
The spicks and the specks
Of the girls on my mind

Where is the girl
Where is the girl
I loved all along
The girl that I loved
She's gone
She's gone

All of my life
I call yesterday
The spicks and the specks
Of my life've gone away

All of my life
I call yesterday
The spicks and the specks
Of my life've gone away

Everybody
Spicks and specks
Spicks and specks, yeah
Ahh, spicks and specks

 

[Totenkindly]

Companion show (set in LA) gets a two-season order.

'The Walking Dead' Companion Series Lands 2-Season Order From AMC

AMC has placed a two-season order for the coming “Walking Dead” companion series, the title of which is still to be announced.

The upcoming series will be set in Los Angeles and revolve around new characters and storylines. The first season, consisting of six one-hour episodes, will premiere in the late summer, with the second installment airing next year.

Cliff Curtis (“Gang Related”) has been cast as the male lead in the series, which is being executive produced by “Dead” trio Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert. Series co-creator and co-writer Dave Erickson (“Marco Polo,” “Sons of Anarchy”) will serve as showrunner as well as executive producer.

Kim Dickens (“Gone Girl,” “Sons of Anarchy”), Frank Dillane (“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince”) and Alycia Debnam Carey (“Into the Storm”) are also among the cast...

Kim Dickens was in House of Cards Season 3 as the pulitzer prize writer who hangs with the book writer (Tim?), plus the detective in Gone Girl. Seems pretty tough-minded.

Don't remember if I mentioned Frank Dillane (he played the young Tom Riddle AKA Valdemort during his "student" years, in the Harry Potter series). He hasn't done a ton else, but I do remember him being kind of creepy in the half-blood prince.

I don't know Alycia Debnam Carey well -- I didn't see Into the Storm, and I could only stomach about 20 minutes of "The 100" silliness before I quit watching.

 

[Tellenbach]

It'd be cool if Gary Busey (or some other celebrity) played himself in the L.A. series.

 

[Totenkindly]

Wow. I'll wait until tomorrow after people see it to discuss it more, but... that was a heavy episode. On multiple fronts. I have a mix of emotions right now.

We've only two episodes left (including the 90 minute season finale) and i have a feeling it's really going to be messy and ugly.

But all that being said... I just really love this season overall and especially the second half. It's just been feeling pretty real.

 

[Eluded_One]

After watching last night's episode,

I'm guessing father Gabriel will be the most hated character for many future seasons to come. Every good show needs a Judas. These epilogue's are getting more and more misleading to promote ratings and to escalate a followup. We all know that Rick won't kill Peter to get with his wife.

The group has to meld into their new society, old positions need to be filled new; some may argue it's the same as a takeover, but in truth, nobody is usurping anybody. All in all, the show needed more drama (even if some of it is in pretense) compared to previous seasons. When you're living in a world of zombies and bandits, it's easy to forget about the more simpler emotions that's understated, such as envy (Rick) and cowardice (Eugene)

 

[Totenkindly]

After watching last night's episode,

I'm guessing father Gabriel will be the most hated character for many future seasons to come. Every good show needs a Judas. These epilogue's are getting more and more misleading to promote ratings and to escalate a followup. We all know that Rick won't kill Peter to get with his wife.

The group has to meld into their new society, old positions need to be filled new; some may argue it's the same as a takeover, but in truth, nobody is usurping anybody. All in all, the show needed more drama (even if some of it is in pretense) compared to previous seasons. When you're living in a world of zombies and bandits, it's easy to forget about the more simpler emotions that's understated, such as envy (Rick) and cowardice (Eugene)

Actually I think Rick will kill Peter because he's a wife and child beater, if anything. The hooking up will come later. So I'm not even sure what assumptions you are making here, you seem to just be purely cynical lately about anything that happens.

In a way, I find it disappointing he's a wife-beater because it gives him an excuse to be killed and thus Rick not being forced to really make choices. But maybe Peter won't die, and they'll let that weirdness drag out. So we'll see what happens.

Gabriel's a miserable <bleep>. I wanted to wring his neck. Is he forgetting the terrible things HE did before Rick and company showed up? Or is that part of what his driving his projection-- that his own guilt for essentially abandoning his entire congregation to die horrible deaths is being directed outward at others now? Despicable.

---

I do appreciate that Rick's group is being seen as the disruptive force this time, versus them being the stable group who outsiders disrupt. They are the outsiders. It's an interesting spin.

It's pretty clear the Alexandrites don't know WTF they are doing when it comes to being truly successful. if that wall came down, they wouldn't last a day. And now we get this committed 'every man for themselves' mentality that resulted in a number of lives being lost. Aiden was a complete idiot and got himself and potentially others killed; and in a situation where Eugene finally stepped up to the plate, you have another guy getting Noah killed in one of the worst imaginable ways -- it's been a long while since we've really seen a main character be T-Dogged, and it's definitely one of the most gruesome deaths I remember. If they had all just listened to Glenn, it's possible all three would have lived. Instead, Noah gets ripped apart, Glenn beats the other guy, and the stakes are raised even higher between the factions.

It also is looking bad for Glenn. It's unfortunate I'm generally aware of where the comic has gone. The show can be different; but Glenn's becoming more and more direct and aggressive due to his anger over things, and that just can't bode well.

 

[Eluded_One]

So I'm not even sure what assumptions you are making here, you seem to just be purely cynical lately about anything that happens.

We're still talking about the walking dead? Optimism doesn't go well with the theme of the show, and "in the middle" won't work too well either.

What assumptions are you speaking of?

Gabriel's a miserable <bleep>. I wanted to wring his neck. Is he forgetting the terrible things HE did before Rick and company showed up? Or is that part of what his driving his projection-- that his own guilt for essentially abandoning his entire congregation to die horrible deaths is being directed outward at others now? Despicable.

*WARNING* This is pure speculation. Nothing here is based on fact.

Gabriel probably is in denial or fooling himself that he hasn't sinned at all. While he "killed" his congregates with *inaction* by keeping the church doors shut, Rick's party took *action* by killing the cannibals. He's apparently unstable, and in his own mind, "thou shall not kill" is based on the physical means.

In my opinion, an inaction is action.

It's pretty clear the Alexandrites don't know WTF they are doing when it comes to being truly successful. if that wall came down, they wouldn't last a day. And now we get this committed 'every man for themselves' mentality that resulted in a number of lives being lost. Aiden was a complete idiot and got himself and potentially others killed; and in a situation where Eugene finally stepped up to the plate, you have another guy getting Noah killed in one of the worst imaginable ways -- it's been a long while since we've really seen a main character be T-Dogged, and it's definitely one of the most gruesome deaths I remember. If they had all just listened to Glenn, it's possible all three would have lived. Instead, Noah gets ripped apart, Glenn beats the other guy, and the stakes are raised even higher between the factions.

"T-Dogged"... as in the new term for getting disemboweled and chewed up by zombies alive for a whole 60+ seconds air time. That's quite an endearing homage for an early Tyreese replacement. He will be remembered and missed, only to be replaced by the real character shortly after the beginning of next season! Well done, AMC. Well done.

This episode was a special one, as not only one person got T-Dogged. But what do you expect, as it's 2 episodes away from the end of the season. I'm so cynical and lovin' it.

 

[Tellenbach]

Anyone else think Deanna resembles Captain Janeway? Very impressed with Steven Yuen's emoting after the incident.

I'm fairly certain Tara's going to make it because the actress was on The Talking Dead and she looked way too chipper to have been killed.

 

[Totenkindly]

Anyone else think Deanna resembles Captain Janeway? Very impressed with Steven Yuen's emoting after the incident.

Yuen was pretty good -- some of the best acting I've seen from him throughout the series esp in terms of facial emoting without having to say much.

EDIT: Oh yeah:

 

[EffEmDoubleyou]

This Alexandria plot is by far my favorite development in the show since maybe Season 1. It feels like a breath of fresh air - the exact opposite of the slog that was the farm or the prison. I love the idea of the group having to tame itself to fit in and yet keep the animal edge they've developed from all their time in the field.

This last episode in particular was perhaps the most emotionally grueling and physically gruesome of the entire series for me. I felt for Noah in a way I didn't even feel for Tyrese when he died, even though I liked Tyrese so much more as a character. They simply bungled his death. The way they lingered on both deaths was a trial to watch, and carried emotional heft.

My worthless prediction is that in the finale, a member or members of our group will decide to stay and take the side of Alexandria in the inevitable showdown, leading to the first time our group will be fighting itself, kind of like the Civil War. The resulting death will be horrifying.

 

[Totenkindly]

Do you have any suspicions about who that character might be?
(Well, aside from Gabriel, who is a threat to no one.)

I think the whole Gabriel thing was more stunning because in this very same episode we see Rick's group exuding goodness compared to the Alexandriates. To the audience, it comes off as a huge misrepresentation that could have horrific results considering Glenn's group is coming home decimated and without Aiden. The reality is that Rick's group are not TAME lions, but they're very loyal, very good lions. They don't leave their people behind, so once you're in their family, they are all willing to die to protect you and vice versa. (Here Glenn almost died for Aiden, for example, after Nicholas ran... and they're still in the process of integrating.) Meanwhile, the Alexandrites are very much "survival of the not-weakest" -- they seem to abandon people at the drop of a hat even when the risk is not great and have no courage or skill at survival.

So it's jaw-dropping that you watch the group risk their lives (and get killed) to save Alexandriates throughout this episode, yet then get broadly tarred by Gabriel... and circumstances are such that his charges could generate enough suspicion and anxiety to create the very kind of destructive divisive conflict that Gabriel thinks he is heading off.

And now I'm wondering why they have such a stockpile and why it is rationed so severely. It could just be that they suck at supply runs. But there's something that Deanna isn't telling them, and it's why she took the risk in the first place of integrating them so they all might view each other as one community (although it hasn't gone as planned and there is still a strong us/them view). She wants them around for something.

 

[EffEmDoubleyou]

Do you have any suspicions about who that character might be?
(Well, aside from Gabriel, who is a threat to no one.)

Well, Michonne makes the most sense, because her character has always been the one pushing hardest for a "home". But I really don't think they're gonna kill her off (as foolish as saying that about any character in this show is.) So my guess is Sasha. It's just a vibe I get.

 

[SensEye]

I enjoyed the episode but mainly because I figured we'd be in a couple of episode lull until a big season finale blow out. So I was pleasantly surprised to see a couple of red shirts go down (well, Noah might be considered a pink shirt I guess, he was sort of established but kind of expendable).

Preacher man already was easy to dislike (I don't like any of the characters I perceive to be whiny losers, although I am OK with Eugene since he's so upfront about it) so now yeah, everybody's going to hate him. Speculating now whether he will get his comeuppance in the finale or live to antagonize viewers next season.

I'm enjoying the season since I can't anticipate where it's going - does the gang get expelled from Alexandria or take over? I'm discounting an outside threat for now, but there is still the teaser relating to that other outsider kid who goes over the wall. So an attack from an outside group could still manifest as some sort of bonding event (i.e. if the gang saves Alexandria after a divide between them and the residents springs up).

 

[Stigmata]

*see Gabriel and Noah on-screen together within the first five minutes of the episode*

"Uh oh, this isn't going to end well. The theory of two hungers"

*30 minutes later*

"Yep. Saw that coming..."