If there was some sort of contest, I too, missed the memo.

I just like how it sounds and figured I'd class up the joint a bit. ;)

fucking lawyers
and Red Wing fans

My only knowledge of "picayune" prior to this thread was:

Unless my eyes deceive me, baaaaaad editing as the gore flies onto Maggie's sign weapon well after she hit the walker.

Otherwise, an okay episode I guess.

edit to add: I'm also kinda miffed with the fog scene, how dumb would you have to be to not go to higher ground (which appeared to be available) before getting caught in that mess?

I'm enjoying these episodes so far.

Looking forward to the reunion at Terminus (I guess).

OMG, was that some major foreshadowing in next week's preview or what?

I like the direction right now. I'm a little iffy on "Terminus" though. Reminds me a whole lot of "The Prison" or "Woodbury".

Basically, I enjoy the journey more than the destination.

FINALLY SOMEONE USES AN EFFIN' SPEAR. THANK THE LORD.

I knew that one guy was way too much of a known actor to only have that minor bit part.

I'm confused - was that or was that not Glenn and Daryl picking up that guy on the road at the beginning? Sure looked 100% like it was to me...so was it a flash-back? A flash-forward??

flashback

That's what I assumed (it was the Ben guy hmm?), but unless I looked away or something I didn't see anything pointing that out.

That was how Bob came to join the group. The purpose of the flashback was (apparently) simply to establish his character's loner phase.

Bob...Ben...yeah.

That's what I assumed - just wasn't sure if I missed some sort of like...text subtitle indicating it was a flashback.

Nah, we just have to figure out whether it's flashback or dream or foreshadowing ... kinda like Breaking Bad ;)

Great episode.

I really enjoyed it.

I am liking these episodes more than the first half of Season 2, BUT... (you knew there was a but right?)...

...the long awaited arrival of everyone at Terminus is starting to feel like being on Herschel's farm. I mean, they're all moving, sure, but context wise, everyone is "trapped" on a journey to Terminus, much like they felt trapped on Herschel's farm.

I'm pretty much ready for less travelling to Terminus and more getting to Terminus.

I don't mind it.

Perhaps this half-season's plot arc is: The Journey to Terminus. So long as this journey remains compelling and tense, as it has for the most part thus far, I'm in.

The show really isn't about "getting to Terminus." It's about surviving in the zombie apocalypse. Once they get to Terminus that will simply be a new set of issues to deal with and then everyone will be complaining about how they need to move the plot forward and how being stuck in Terminus is like being stuck on Hershel's farm or in the prison...

The problem with a lot of the episodes in season two was that they just weren't that interesting. They kept playing through the same story line - Lori/Rick/Shane - over and over again. There was very little in terms of character growth and there was very little in terms of action.

Looking at last night's episode, we got to learn a lot more about Bob and Sasha. Characters who have been around for a bit, but we didn't know much about. The opening sequence Bob alone was great. The zombie attack on Darryl was one of the most tense we've seen. You had Beth get kidnapped by mysterious evil people in a hearse or something. Darryl get picked up by that band of ne'er do well ruffians.

All in all, solid character development, good zombie action, some tense run-ins with dangerous (not so good) people. It's what this show is about. The show is not about the group's journey to Terminus, their journey D.C., their life on Hershel's farm, or their life in the prison... It's about the characters and how they survive, or not, in this world.

Oh I definitely get all that, and this is certainly better than Season 2. It just already feels like this walking about has been going on forever. And while the episode long lookins with particular groups have been good for character development, I don't like that I am waiting weeks to see what is going on with other characters. My favorite episode this half season so far was the second one, where we had four succinct 15 minute checkins on four different groups from the prison. That was perfect, IMO.

I wonder how Rick and Coral and michonne are doing.

It seems like no one can be pleased in this thread.

I get what you're saying here. It just seems a little too obvious that not seeing characters every week (for the checkin) is being done for money reasons. And that seems a bit tacky for a show that has this level of popularity & budget.

I do like where the show is going, though. Much more interesting to see them survive without cars, reliable shelter, food, and even weapons at times.

I'm sure we'll find out!

Dola,

As a side note note...and I have no idea what the comic story is...but Terminus seems like an awfully peculiar name for a city. I'd check it out but I'd be on extra alert when getting anywhere near that place.

I keep thinking that too, like a place they take in survivors and process them for food...

Terminus does not exist in the comics.

I just wonder if since we don't know anything about it and nobody has heard of it maybe it's been overrun at this point? Sets up for another massive season break.

At least on the surface it's an Atlanta reference.

from Wiki

The zero mile post marker now sits adjacent to the entrance of Underground Atlanta.

Comic book spoiler-ish:



PM, that is not entirely true. We did hear the radio broadcast at one point about survivors. That is actually pretty well written on the writers part.

On another site I read, they were speculating that Terminus was Macon, GA. You would think everyone in the group would know better than to head anywhere near Atlanta.

To my eye though that map is pretty clearly showing Atlanta (best I can tell) because of the way the various railroads are coming into the city.

It's a point that has bothered me since we first saw the map since, well, we know what condition Atlanta was in the last time we saw it.

IIRC the Macon speculation is based on where the crew is actually at in real life(landmarks they have passed, etc) vs where terminus actually is located at in real life. No way they'd go back to Atlanta willingly

fwiw, my own speculation about what the Terminus storyline is

I agree 100% with the gentleman from Middle Georgia

Can anyone figure out why Maggie was lying down in the parking lot before Sasha knocked out the window and alerted zombies to her presence? Maggie was lying with several dead bodies. Was she knocked out or something?

I think she may have been trying to hide from other walkers. The way Michonne used those two neutered walkers to blend in with the horde.

Speaking of Michonne's walkers...that never made any sense to me why they stopped trying to eat her.

We see zombies in all sorts or rough condition and they all continue to push their chomping forward relentlessly. Even zombie heads that have been severed.

Now at first I thought, "Gee, maybe there is some intelligence leftover and those 2 zombies sorta (in their own weird way) remember Michonne & dont want to eat her". But that went out the window (at least as the main reason) when she recently made 2 more zombie guides.

IDK...I have just not seen an explanation that is satisfying, even if it requires some (purposely) unknown element to it.

This was eluded to I think in the dialog between Maggie and Sasha.

Well, they couldn't bite her because their jaws were cut off.

Also, zombies aren't intelligent creatures. I think she took the two walkers and pointed them in a certain direction and off they went.

Also, do we know for sure Beth was kidnapped? She could have just got in the hearse.

But that still doesn't explain why they don't try (unsuccessfully of course since they have no jaw) to make a meal out of her.

It was alluded to by the geeky science guy back in Woodbury, a small throwaway comment about how if you take away their ability to eat then it takes away their desire to eat ... but that sort of implies some bit of intelligence.

Now, we don't know. It's possible she could have just gotten into the hearse. I guess the fact that she dropped her bag and it sped away so quickly and didn't stop for Darryl or even kind of wait for him, as am I sure Beth would have asked them too if they were friendly, would seem to imply that she was taken against her will. Also, all the foreshadowing of Beth talking about "good" people would seem to imply that these people were, in fact, not good, like... Colorado Avalanche fans living New Hampshire not good.

Then again, maybe she just dropped her bag in a panic because of zombies and they didn't even see Darryl.

Right, this is what I'm getting at. They stop trying, which would mean they have the self-awareness or intelligence to know that they cannot succeed in eating without their jaw. If they can understand or rationalize this, that opens the door to more questions than answers imho.

I do recall the Woodbury comment. But I can't seem to rationalize that against the idea that a zombie head (with no neck, body, stomach, etc.) would still attempt to eat you even though their food would effectively go nowhere.

yeah, it's just laziness really. Even my wife noticed how dumb that was, and she's even more of an apologist than HB :cool:

Yep ... but then again, maybe that's intentional too?

It's not intelligence, it's just learned helplessness, like when someone gives up when there are too many bats in their house.

It all really has to do with the simple details and sciences, and not scrutinizing it too much. The idea is (as Milton stated in season 3) that by removing their arms and jaws. They essentially lose their purpose. If a walker can think, even the most basic primal instinct driven thoughts, then all it thinks is it wants food. (hence the mindless walking for eternity) Take away the arms so it can't reach out after you. Take away the jaws so it can't even bite you, then it's only purpose is totally stripped away and it's just a thing, walking wherever it is led.

This is a sound theory. It explains the first set of walkers Michonne had. When she created that second set of "pet walkers" at the beginning of this season, I did note that they became "tame" too fast. It should take a while before they realize on that base level that they can't do anymore and then just become walkers.

how many examples have we seen of walkers chained up or otherwise incapacitated that still tried to bite? or the ones who continue to push at fences or scratch at closed doors? all those zombies can't learn but Michonne's can?

sorry, I don't buy it at all. it's just lazy writing (in the comic and the show). no biggie, but let's call it what it is

Maybe it's because they still have jaws? The clacking of their jaws must be the key. It gives them purpose!

I somewhat seriously considered this, not the sound per se, but something about the presence of the jaw.

It makes as much sense as anything else. I mean really...it's a show about zombies...let's not get overly scientific with it.

THey did specifically say several times that someone has been living in that house recently because it was so clean. They wouldn't have done that if there was no payoff to it. I'm guessing that's the payoff.

I didn't have my contacts in so I had no idea it was a hearse.

The next episode apparently leaked. There are some photo heavy spoilers out there.

what the fuck. I read the spoilers but this is even worse than i expected.

Pretty crazy episode (literally, I suppose).

well that was a light-hearted romp

Now that was a top 5 episode.

Possibly the best of the season, and right in the vein of the whole series.

It's funny cuz you think the older girl would be the more badass when it comes to zombies, but she's like...totally damaged.

Watching on DVR, yeah umm...obviously didn't see that coming.

I wasn't as shocked as maybe I should have been ("I know what I have to do now" clearly was not in response to what Carol was telling her about walkers being bad), but it still hit the mark pretty damn well. Also, I was really happy to see Carol's confession, as opposed to some big deceit thing as Tyrese gets closer and closer to her and finds out what happened once they met back up with Rick.

This is the closest Walking Dead has come to delivering a half season without doing something ridiculously bad to piss me off(the governor like 5 times over), or to have me fast forwarding through parts (ie Lori on the farm). Hopefully they can stick these last few!

The smoky walkers probably came from where Daryl and Amy did that dumb shit and set the house on fire, right?

Good point - that hadn't occurred to me.

My wife said that, but I doubt it. It just depends on how far they have gone from the prison.

I caught the Fallout reference as well, even showed an old radio too in that shot. Thought to myself, "Nice placement".



This whole Terminus/Sanctuary thing totally reminds me of Logan's Run. In Logan's Run, the Runners were trying to get to Sanctuary, so they could live longer. However (and sorry to spoil it for anyone), come to find out, Sanctuary doesn't exist. Could Terminus not exist and it's a trap of some kind?

Probably not, as it seems like they are spending a lot of time on getting the group back together, so it would seem kind of silly if Terminus doesn't exist.

I was hoping the episode lived up to such an awesome opening and wow did it deliver. Definitely the best episode of the season IMO, really well paced and shocking.

Thats the most likely scenario I can think of. Wouldnt make any sense to be some "other fire" and it also gives a perspective of overlapping time between these mini-groups.

Wow...that episode was pretty well done. The girl that plays Lizzie did a great job with her role and has a pretty solid future ahead of her.

I think my favorite character is now Carol given that she makes the tough choices and decisions, when they need to be made, and I think that makes for compelling characters. A lot more than I can say for Rick.

That was a really strong episode. Probably one of my favorites of the show. Melissa McBride (Carol) was fantastic. She acted the shit out of all of that.

I enjoyed the episode.

TBH, if I was Carol, I would have done it when she was asleep or drugged up with whatever was in the drug cabinet.

Yes I think it was supposed to show that decisions like that have consequences as you could say the little girl was murdered as a result of the burnt zombie attack on the house.

Agree on the show being one of the best. I have complained about single group episodes (and will stick by it with the Bob group and the Daryll one) but this one was done exceptionally well.

There has to be some payoff to keeping Judith alive, right? They've now missed out on at least 2-3 easy chances to kill her. Wasn't there some talk of how she was important and maybe uninfected? Maybe all babies are uninfected? Would make for a great boning montage as they create a new world of babies.

It is also the main star's daughter so I would think it will also payoff when the groups eventually meet back up.

I assume this.

It wouldn't surprise me if this was the case...

How would they know unless she dies and does not turn?

Maybe she gets bit and doesn't turn?

Maybe they find a secure hospital with a doctor who does a biopsy on some brain tissue of hers?

I dunno.

My speculation on Judith being kept alive is purely to cement the friendship & loyalty between Rick & Tyrese.

Wouldnt surprise me if she is taken away as soon as she is back with Rick, but I think she satys alive until reunited with Rick & Carl (at least).

Pretty good episode, Steinbeck meets Fallout.

Yes, I was very pleasantly surprised. I can't really complain one bit about the episode other than Sunday needs to hurry and get here.

The episode was really good at most parts. The acting by Carol was amazing and she really carried the episode. By far the best character in the show at this time.

Overall though, season has been mostly a miss for me. Way too much pointless meandering and backstory. That may work in a comic medium but it's just not good tv.

I know its 100% subjective, but its funny to see such a polar opposite.

This is exactly why I think its the best half season of Walking Dead to date. The lack of backstory and character development is by far the weakest part of the show over the last 3 years IMO. What they're doing now is actually making me care about some of these people literally for the first time in the entire run of the show.

This x1000

of the 3 or 4 show runners(wow), this guy is not as good as Darabont but he's better than the last 1 or 2. Darabont was the only one who really dared to give us a larger world and did a good job of crafting some really cool original characters. I really worry that we're still just on rails to another prisonfarm here.

yeah, I love the attention given to character development. it is so long overdue.

There are pretty much two options when it comes to this sort of thing for the characters: be on the move or try to hole up in some location.

Either of these things can be interesting. The farm wasn't interesting because the characters just kept going around in circles both literally, in their search for Sophie Anne, and in terms of character development, which was largely focused on Rick-Shane-Lori with just a sprinkling of some other characters.

I thought the time in the prison was fine. They had new challenges and some different things for different people to do. The second half of last season dragged a bit because it felt like they were stretching the Governor story a bit thin - the worst episode being the one where he was tracking Andrea down like some sort of villain in a slasher flick. That wasn't very good.

Overall, I've been pretty pleased with this season. A few episodes haven't quite worked, but largely I've been pretty happy with it.

I guess I'm alone with not liking this episode. Yawn. The girl had to go and it wasn't a heart wrenching moment because Carol wanted to off Lizzie the entire episode. In the beginning when the kid goes berserk after Carol kills her "friend" Carol has "Oh, you must die" written all over her face.

So crazy that NBC has resorted to running ads during The Walking Dead just to promote that silly Crisis show.

Is terminus literally the exterior of the prison set with a different coat of paint?

I'll say no here but only because -- IIRC -- I've heard talk about the destruction of most of the prison set.

Presumably the similarities were highly intentional, meant to evoke the safety of The Prison, Part Two.

Terminus seems...eerie.

Definitely don't have a good feeling about it (no surprise).

Don't eat the bbq.

Jus sayin.

Yup. That seemed like the most likely scenario IMO.

I'll make you a plate.

Literally.

Man, I must be really dense here. I didn't recognize that the people Daryl is with are the ones that were in the house with Rick until I read a review. Even when they were talking about the one guy that got a look at him (when Rick was hiding under the bed), it didn't click.

As for Terminus, I'm thinking the same thing you all are it looks like... but I did watch this week's Hannibal right before Walking Dead, so I may have been predisposed towards the "BBQ IS PEOPLE" assumption. :D


Also... this scientist dude isn't seriously saving the world is he? Only problem I have right now is he comes off as *so* dumb that I can't actually believe that he fooled military action hero dude into taking up this cause for him. I dunno, I'm mildly curious at this point, but those two dudes and the stripper girlfriend are basically caricatures at this point to me and barely actual people. Perhaps that's a nod to the comics, but as someone who hasn't read them, that's my read on them so far.

how dumb was that asian chick on hannibal. At least she can spend time getting ready for the summer season of Big Brother.

Yeah I get the vibe it is like the one house in The Road. Human's locked like cows in the basement for food.

Is it possible that Terminus is just some brief stop off point and the next season will completely go in some other direction? Like i think there was some serious maggie/glenn forshadowing during the episode. I wonder if one or the other will die. Also, why was there so much food available at that place that Daryl and Beth were at? Is it possible that they had developed a taste for other types of meat? Maybe we'll see Beth this week?

Daryl's biker gang friends need to die quickly-preferably eaten alive by the zombies

Claimed.

Sorry, dude. That's my thought now. Please come up with another.

Oh, and... your Beloved Cards? Claimed! :D

The thought that Eugene is actually aware of the epidemic causation breathes way more life into the show for me. I assume he's lying but some actual "hope" type arc would serve this show well. I know this is in contrast to the hopelessness of the comics but that is a totally different medium. I'd be fine with 6 seasons and some movies.