The Walking Dead, Season 2 *spoilers*

That very well could be. I could see that.

Amazing end to the first half of season 2. I NEVER saw that coming. Brilliant writing. Amazing acting. This is easily the best show on TV.
 
I actually teared up at the end of tonights "Pretty Much Dead Already" ep. Horror writers take note. This is how to tell a story.

Ending was amazing. If only all the episodes were of that caliber.

kidgloves2


Amazing end to the first half of season 2. I NEVER saw that coming. Brilliant writing. Amazing acting. This is easily the best show on TV.

I actually teared up at the end of tonights "Pretty Much Dead Already" ep. Horror writers take note. This is how to tell a story.

 
My jaw is still on the floor with that ending! Although the shows this season have been pretty slow, I agree the storytelling has been fantastic! What a set up for the 2nd half of the season....c'mon February!

The slow, meandering pace of the episodes kinda make sense. At least those involved with going to look for the girl. Made the viewer become very invested in the search. Dead or alive, zombie or lunch, you wanted to find out what happened to her. So to get that ending was fantastic. I had the whole zombies in the barn pegged early on, but I NEVER saw last night coming.
 
And once again, Rick shows exactly why he is capable in this world and why he's the leader. Number of saves doesn't matter nearly as much as doing what needs to be done. And Rick stepped up once again to take care of the mess.

Yeah Rane...Rick completely nuetered Shane and any 'power' that he may have been building by stepping up and doing 'what needed to be done' by shooting Sofia. Another clear example of why he IS the leader and why Shane can never be.
Also, call me crazy but I have a sneaky suspicion that the 'thick' interactions between Carl and Shane are foreshadowing the fact that Carl is going to kill Shane...either protecting himself or someone else from Shane's sense of 'survival'. Their scenes feel 'tense'.
I thought the episode did a great job in bringing the group full circle in the aspect that they look at the walkers as monsters and non-human....and show them no mercy, but Hershal and his crew still viewed them as human. Then at the end, when Sofia came strolling out of the barn the 'group' looked at her like Sofia...not a walker, but the little girl they love and had been looking for. Very well put together and powerful....that's what made Rick's killing of Sofia even more authoritave to me as well. The fact he was able to seperate the fact she was no longer Sofia...not even Shane could do it at that moment.
Can't wait for Feb.....

I almost cried when I realized Sophia was a zombie. That's how you know this show is great. The characters have completely pulled me into it, and I could just feel the despair of all of them as if I were standing there with them in that scene. It's gonna be a long wait until February. Very curious to see what happens next. I imagine Herschel is gonna go apeshit and Shane pretty much ruined any chance of the group getting to stay on the farm permanently. I wonder if Rick will ask Shane to take his "leave" of the group as a result of his actions as well? He's clearly out of control and turning into a mad man. I was worried that he was going to kill Dale out in the woods too when Dale tried to hide the guns.

Rick doesn't know that Shane was planning to just slip away at some point, so he wouldn't ask him to take that leave specifically. I think Rick sees Shane as someone with whom he disagrees, but I don't think he sees him as having lost it.

WOW!  That was an incredible ending... looking back I don't know how we all didn't see it (Sophia in the barn).  I guess that's why it was so drawn out... to take our attention to the inner workings of the group.  Just awesome storytelling.
 
Shane actually got my blood-pressure up during the last 10-mins... I felt like I'd just played basketball!  His reactions are becoming more and more visceral and aggressive... and I think now that he knows Lori's situation and firmly believes he's the father (that conversation with her was just as intense as his conversation with Dale in the swamp), he may forget his "love" for Rick and maybe place his "sights" on him again.  After all, he believes that protecting Lori and Carl is his job because "Rick isn't made for this world"; now he feels double responsibility because he believes he's the father of Lori's baby.  Did you notice how his aggression increased 10-fold after Rick told him?
 
Put me down with gmillerdrake... I think that Shane is going to lose his cool with Rick and Carl will shoot him.  He may not kill him; but I think he will at least draw-down on him.
 
 

I know this is all speculation about what if's and what were they thinking...but it's fun....I was thinking about had the group not shown up and Otis and the gang kept throwing walkers into the barn how dangerous that is and would have become even a greater threat every time they put a new one in there.
I mean, when they introduced new captives to the barn, that would be the most dangerous moment obviously and sooner or later either due to a build-up of walkers or just complacancy....something would give and the next thing you know that farm is swarmed with 20-30 walkers.
Shane though his actions were out of line and not 'proper'...was exactly right in his vein of thinking. Just handled it wrong. In fact, his entire problem is the way he's handling things and trying to either force them or isn't communicating them properly. The ideas he lacklusterly expresses and his forceful yet proper suggestions themselves aren't the issue...they are dead on considering the world they live in....but I think the writers have done a good job in showing what the stress of that world..an innocent murder on your concience...and having things you love and care for taken from you in an instance (either when Rick showed back up and/or the utter hostility of that world)..where Shane has as a character found himself just reeling off track probably isn't far off from where a great deal of 'regular' people would be. Right on the brink of going absolutely crazy..just barely holding it together...for the sake of things and people who don't show any appreciation for your continual 'saving' actions and protection.
That dude is going to explode!!

Shane is the character that brings me back to the show week after week... because I identify with him.  After the episode in which he beats Ed close to the point of death, my wife said to me "that is how you would be".
 
To quote Deputy Givens: "I guess I just never thought of myself as an angry man..."
 
Every new episode strengthens my opinion that Mr. Kirkman wrote Rick and Shane as two halves of the same man... two different parts of the same conscience.  Each part is trying to break-through to the surface.

Great episode. The wife was tearing up during the final sequence. As someone said, THIS is how you do a horror story. I only caught the first couple minutes of Talking Dead, but the host was quick to mention that most horror stories don't make you cry, and this episode had that effect on many people.
 
I've read the graphic novels, but it's been a while, so i don't remember all the details of how Hershel's farm played out. It certainly wasn't like it was portrayed in the show, as there are several characters that were either dead already or never existed. I was frustrated when i first saw the show veering away from the "true" story, but now, i kinda like that we're getting this alternate take on the graphic novels. If they are intent on taking the main points of the graphic novels and building off those ideas, we're gonna have a hell of a season 3.

Hwangman

  I only caught the first couple minutes of Talking Dead, but the host was quick to mention that most horror stories don't make you cry, and this episode had that effect on many people.

 
It was great to have Kirkman in as the guest for the fall finale of the show.  He explained that Otis was the original wrangler for the walkers in the farm.  If he was still alive, the group would have not been searching in vain this whole time.
 
Someone asked him too if Michonne will ever make it to the TV series.  Kirkman was silent on that one and just hinted in his response to keep watching the show.
 
Another one asked about having Daryl's character cross over into the comic books.  Kirkman said that he may do it, but at this point in his books he's locked in all character trajectories and story arcs.

Who is Michonne? A character from the comics? What's he/she like?

Michonne is a badass katana-wielding killer of walkers.  Damaged, just like every other character in the book series.  No one will want to fuck with that woman.
 
She'll probably show up right around the time we get to see The Governor.
 
I have a feeling the neighborhood that Andrea and Daryl stumbled into may play prominently into what's happening later on in terms of story setting.

She sounds like a cool character! If you had your choice of
actresses...who'd you cast as her? She sounds very 'Michelle Rodriguez' to me.
I am tempted to begin reading the comic series, but don't know if it'd be
better just to wait until the tv series runs it's course then read the comics.
I consider myself 'lucky' that I haven't read the comics merely because I am
not forced to compare and pit the tv series and comics against one another. But
on the other hand....I heard the comics are incredible so I feel like I'm
missing out a bit.

I would say Tracie Thoms (from Tarantino's Death Proof).  Her attitude and willingness to do stunts would make her a great cast member down the road.

Unfortunately, I think the farm will be lost to walkers anyway as a result of all those gunshots taking out the barn walkers. I would expect to see walkers coming from all directions in coming episodes.

bring down the godhead


I would say Tracie Thoms (from Tarantino's Death Proof).  Her attitude and willingness to do stunts would make her a great cast member down the road.

Tracie Thoms would be perfect. And I hope they introduce her character the same way the comic does. I don't want to spoil it, but it's cool as heck.

I'm also really hoping Michonne shows up soon. Kirkman confessed that he was hoping to have her on the show in the near future, if only so people would stop asking him about it.

You guys are killing me now with this Michonne talk....as if I needed something else to anticipate about the show.

Watched the last episode tonight.
 
Superb ending! When they 'killed' the last walkers, and there was a slight pause, I finally realised that Sophia was about to emerge from the Barn. Very powerful, great writing and acting. The only thing I'm super pissed about is having to wait until February for my next dose! 
 
I can't stand Shane - for me, he's definitely a character that needs to be iced soon. His constant macho man bullshit is really starting to grate on me. I *think* I have an idea of what happens to him in the comics, and it will be interesting to see if he meets the same end in the show. 
 
The chick that plays Maggie is hot.

I'd almost written off this show until I saw that ending. I guess it's worth my time to check out the second part of the season.
 
I still think the first half of this season was wayyyy too slow. The characters for the most part are still completely unlikeable (minus Glenn and Daryl in my opinon).

Methinks I should stop reading this thread because of all of the graphic novel talk! Don't want to be spoiled by anything at all.

I've watched every episode.  The question I have is has any character in the show ever used the word "zombie"?  I've heard "walker", "geek", "freak", etc. but no "zombie".  I think if dead people were walking around town people would use the word zombie to describe them.  The characters in the show are really dumb and make stupid decisions at every turn, but are they really so backwards that they've never heard of "zombies" before?   

the one thing I found to be really stupid is when they put the asian dude in the well to get the zombie out. I felt stupid to keep watching that, it was almost embarrasing.
the last episode from this season was brilliant though.

I totally missed this thread. So reading it I loved agreeing with so many posts. Especially the fear of killing off Daryl. He is too my favourite character. No surprise cause I always liked the actor. Come on !  Boondock Saints man! 
Looking forward to Season 3.

UK date is the 17th February on FX.
 
I'm up to date with the comics.
 
Gotta say - much better than the show....if you haven't checked them out already, you need to.

Spiritus


I totally missed this thread. So reading it I loved agreeing with so many posts. Especially the fear of killing off Daryl. He is too my favourite character. No surprise cause I always liked the actor. Come on !  Boondock Saints man! 
Looking forward to Season 3.

Season 2 is being presented in two halves. The first half was what we already saw; the second half starts next month.

SeventhSon


I've watched every episode.  The question I have is has any character in the show ever used the word "zombie"?  I've heard "walker", "geek", "freak", etc. but no "zombie".  I think if dead people were walking around town people would use the word zombie to describe them.  The characters in the show are really dumb and make stupid decisions at every turn, but are they really so backwards that they've never heard of "zombies" before?   

I am pretty sure this is a nod to Romero (as is pretty much the world Kirkland has created to tell his story). If you watch Romero's zombie flicks, at no point do any of the characters utter the word "zombie" to describe the living dead, at least in Night, Dawn and Day. I can't recall if Land, Diary or Survival has characters using the term "zombie" at all.

I hate to disagree with you ShadowWalker. I actually just watched Dawn Of The Dead about three days ago... There's a scene from the film where the biker gang has broken into the mall and Peter is speaking with Stephen via walkie talkie... His exact words... "There's going to be a thousand zombies in here."

Progmetalman


I hate to disagree with you ShadowWalker. I actually just watched Dawn Of The Dead about three days ago... There's a scene from the film where the biker gang has broken into the mall and Peter is speaking with Stephen via walkie talkie... His exact words... "There's going to be a thousand zombies in here."

I stand corrected...

ShadowWalker

Progmetalman


I hate to disagree with you ShadowWalker. I actually just watched Dawn Of The Dead about three days ago... There's a scene from the film where the biker gang has broken into the mall and Peter is speaking with Stephen via walkie talkie... His exact words... "There's going to be a thousand zombies in here."

I stand corrected... 

 
But you gotta admit, throughout Romero's works, the term "zombie" is very rarely used. I seem to recall an interview where he said that was intentional that he avoided using that word... 

Bump! Season 2.5 started up and I think its going to get good. Some cool action at the end! I think it's going to pick up.
 
Anyone watch The Talking Dead after? Dave Navarro is pretty outspoken about what he likes and doesn't like. He makes some good points, but he seems a little impatient. I myself don't need zombies in every single ep. The writers are great and so are the characters. They bring interesting drama even without zombies. I do want to see more, but I'm not mad zombies aren't the focus of every ep. Clearly the writers are setting up the story and I believe doing a dang good job. I trust these final eps of season 2 are going to be great.
 
I did chuckle when dave said something about "all we need is another bed ridden character for a whole season." Touche! That would actually bore me.
 
 

It was a good episode. I still can't figure out why the hell Lori had to drive and get Rick and Glen back. They knew it was urgent to get back, yet she just had to go back for them? Just added an extra obstacle that won't lead anywhere but to some mindless zombie killing

I wasn't really able to devout my entire attention to the episode last night unfortunately as I don't have DVR to record with and I was trying to keep my daughter occupied in the other room with cartoons and watch simultaneously so I missed a few things. I'm confused on the whole deal with Rick shooting those two guys they met in the bar. I knew the situation was becoming tense and hostile as they kept pushing the issue of Rick and Hershel taking them in at the farm, which obviously they weren't comfortable with. Did those guys pull guns on Rick or something, or what exactly was it that made him shoot them?

Progmetalman


I wasn't really able to devout my entire attention to the episode last night unfortunately as I don't have DVR to record with and I was trying to keep my daughter occupied in the other room with cartoons and watch simultaneously so I missed a few things. I'm confused on the whole deal with Rick shooting those two guys they met in the bar. I knew the situation was becoming tense and hostile as they kept pushing the issue of Rick and Hershel taking them in at the farm, which obviously they weren't comfortable with. Did those guys pull guns on Rick or something, or what exactly was it that made him shoot them?

I just finished watching the episode, and had to rewind my DVR at this point as well. It went VERY fast, but you could see the dude (not the fat one) reach for the pistol that he placed on the bar, which prompted Rick to shoot them both dead.

Progmetalman


I wasn't really able to devout my entire attention to the episode last night unfortunately as I don't have DVR to record with and I was trying to keep my daughter occupied in the other room with cartoons and watch simultaneously so I missed a few things. I'm confused on the whole deal with Rick shooting those two guys they met in the bar. I knew the situation was becoming tense and hostile as they kept pushing the issue of Rick and Hershel taking them in at the farm, which obviously they weren't comfortable with. Did those guys pull guns on Rick or something, or what exactly was it that made him shoot them?

The the smaller guy reached for his gun first. It looks like a clean kill to me.

Thanks for clearing that up. Sounds like it happened so fast, I must've missed the dude reaching for his pistol since I was slightly distracted.