Monthly Archives: November 2013

Herculean Hershel: Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5

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Scott Wilson as Hershel Greene in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5

Scott Wilson as Hershel Greene in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5

With the prison’s fences caving in and walkers swarming through, somehow Rick and Carl manage to mow them all down near the end of The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5 (Internment). Their father-son heroics are impressive, however they aren’t nearly as remarkable as Hershel’s Herculean determination in the face of intense adversity.

Many people believe that Hershel is fighting a doomed battle against the super flu, which is picking people off one by one at the prison. Even Dr. S has lost hope, so he smuggles some shotguns and shells into his cell. Although Hershel refuses to give up on anyone or to let go of his hope that the group will pull through. You might call it sheer stubbornness or arrogance, but either way you have to respect his incredible strength of character and ability to keep everyone going.

During a horrific moment in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5 opening, Hershel, Glenn, and Sasha are trying to shove a tube down some convulsing guy’s throat to help him breathe. During the commotion, Hershel bravely tries to lighten the mood with jokes like “Some council meeting, huh?” and silly suggestions such as starting “Spaghetti Tuesday.” As if that wasn’t enough, he also insists on dealing with dead patients outside the cell block. By killing those walkers out of sight, Hershel smartly preserves a sense of order and stability among the people still combating the illness. Kudos to him for shouldering that emotional burden.

Unfortunately Hershel can’t be everywhere at once. Everything finally spirals out of control for him once a walker get loose and start biting people. Hershel risks life and limb, almost getting bit himself, to kill the zombies and to save Glenn from the brink of death. Thank god Maggie ignores Hershel’s command to stay away from the area. If she didn’t break in to help her dad, poor Glenn would be a goner.

What’s amazing about Hershel is that he gives selflessly without expecting anything in return. That’s what easily makes him the most admirable character on The Walking Dead. You can really sympathize with him, so when he bursts into tears toward the end of the episode, you’re right there too. He gets a good cry in for all of us. Here’s to hoping the show’s writers keep him alive through this season.

Another crazy part of The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5, is that Rick and Carl manage to kill all those zombies swarming in. Not only is it huge that Rick let Carl assist in such a dangerous situation, but it’s a big deal that they survive. When the fences started falling, I thought for sure the whole group would be forced to leave the prison. I was impressed when the episode cut back to them mopping up the corpses. Rick and Carl must have used their ammo efficiently with some well-placed head shots.

Did you think that the prison would fall in this episode? Also, were you shocked to see The Governor lurking outside at the very end? Is he coming in war or in peace? And finally, this week’s poll: Were you worried that Glenn might get killed off?

Glenn’s Health in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5

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Warning: This Walking Dead Season 4 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further.

Glenn’s health is pretty touch and go in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5 (Internment). He comes very close to the verge of death toward the end of the episode. He might not have even made it if Maggie wasn’t there to help Hershel give Glenn a breathing tube.

To talk more with me about The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 5, check out my full post on the episode, to let me know what you think.

Talk it Out: The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4

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Melissa McBride and Andrew Lincoln in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4

Melissa McBride and Andrew Lincoln in The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4

An alternate title for The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4 (Indifference) could be “Everyone Stops Feeling Sorry for Themselves,” since the entire thing is a series of conversations where individual characters realize they’ve been stupidly dwelling in their own issues. By watching these people talk it out with others, we’re privileged to witness the remarkable moments of clarity that they each achieve.

The episode’s opening is slightly ominous as we see Carol conversing with Lizzie through glass before she and Rick depart on an emergency supply run. This dialogue gives us a window into Lizzie’s mental instability, when the girl admits that she’s fine with dying because “at least she gets to come back.” Maybe another hint that she was feeding the walkers? For a moment you’re feeling inspired while Carol gives Lizzie a pep talk about staying strong and fighting, but that’s short lived. The wind gets knocked right out of your sails after Carol says in the most cold-blooded way, “Don’t call me Mom.”

From there, The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4 alternates between two search parties: The Daryl/Michonne camp and the Rick/Carol one. Both narratives have unique events, however the characters follow similar emotional arcs.

Daryl and Michonne pal around in a cute way, especially when he teases her “Stay in one place more than a couple of hours, [you’d] be surprised what you pick up.” Almost seems like the show’s writers are setting them up for romance. Any Daryl/Michonne shippers out there? There have to be.

On the other hand, Tyreese acts like a real pain in the ass for that group, lagging behind, whining, and being dumb about chopping the vines with zombies behind them. Thankfully Michonne straightens him out, “Anger makes you stupid. Stupid makes you dead.” In the process of chastising Tyreese though, you can see on her face, that she decides to give up hunting The Governor for the same reasons.

Also during this portion of the episode, you find out that Bob Stookey has a drinking problem because he’s a “witness” to destruction. It’s awesome how Daryl supports Bob by reminding him that he’s not on his own anymore. It’s less awesome when Daryl has to get in Bob’s face later on though, after his pursuit of booze almost gets them all killed. The group’s mission is successful, but you’re left wondering if they’ll get back to the prison in time to actually save lives.

Rick and Carol get some much needed time to chat during their outing as well. Carol seems really intent to justify herself about burning Karen and Dave, which you can tell makes Rick uncomfortable. He really doesn’t want to talk about it, yet she keeps pushing the issue and eventually Rick is forced into a decision. After their depressing cul de sac supply run, Rick shocks us by sending Carol packing. He knows that Tyreese will never forgive her for what she’s done and her presence will cause more trouble than they need at the prison.

Talk about a bombshell. Didn’t see that coming. Did you think Rick would make Carol go like that? Tell me your thoughts and be sure to take this week’s poll: Did Rick do the right thing by forcing Carol to leave?

Rick’s shocking decision in Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4

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Warning: This Walking Dead Season 4 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further.

Toward the end of The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4 (Indifference), Rick realizes that he must force Carol to leave his group at the prison, because if everyone finds out that she burned Karen and Dave, it will create chaos. Plus Tyreese would never forgive her.

To talk more with me about The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 4, check out my full post on the episode, to let me know what you think.

Walking Dead ‘Honest Trailer’ and Robert Kirkman Plays ‘Zombify This’

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Walking Dead Honest Trailer by Screen Junkies

Honest Trailers by Screen Junkies

Apparently Screen Junkies has a series called Honest Trailers where they lampoon television shows and movies by creating fake trailers for them. Recently I found out that they did one for The Walking Dead, so naturally I decided to watch it. The verdict? It’s actually pretty funny.

There are some obnoxiously humorous lines like “From the network that brought you Breaking Bad, a show you couldn’t stop watching, comes a show so inconsistent you have to keep talking yourself into watching.” And annoyingly honest comments such as “A leader who stands by his decision…until he doesn’t.”

In fairness, I can understand their beef about the show’s vacillating pace, especially in Season 2. Hence why I laughed when they emphasized how boring things were on the farm, “…f*** that farm.” Also they raise a decent point about Rick’s flip flopping. I think that has more to do with circumstances constantly changing though, than Rick’s weak will.

The folks at Screen Junkies make some hilariously astute observations about the weird faces Dale makes, Shane’s nervous tick of rubbing his head, and the number of times people call themselves “the group.” However for my money, it doesn’t get any funnier than when they do a montage of character deaths. What’s your favorite part of the trailer?

Robert Kirkman on Speakeasy with Paul F. Tompkins

Robert Kirkman on Speakeasy with Paul F. Tompkins

I also learned that comedian Paul F. Tompkins (Open Mic Host from Tenacious D) has a web show called Speakeasy for Mademan.com where he interviews celebs over their favorite cocktail. In one of his recent episodes, he plays a fun game called “Zombify This” with Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman.

Although Tompkins is slightly awkward as an interviewer, this amusing segment is worth watching. First Tompkins gives Kirkman a piece of entertainment, then Kirkman has to say how he would integrate zombies into that property. Kirkland choices? Sesame Street, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Mad Men.

Kirkman actually does a great job coming up with ideas on how zombies could be part of those properties. His take on Temple of Doom is probably the best, because he can’t remember the villain’s name, so Tompkins has to keep correcting him. Which zombified piece do you prefer?