I watch this show because I want to see zombies. I didn't see any the first half of this episode and that is a problem. A zombie show with great characters is awesome. But just a character show with some zombies thrown in isn't really worth my time. That's just regular TV and I'll eventually stop watching. Might as well be shopping at the mall to see as much social and family drama played out as the melodrama we had to wade through here.
The move from Carl getting shot last episode to getting medical care and introducing new characters took all of ninety seconds. Well done. Most it played out nicely between the episodes actually, and that was fine. Moved the story right along. And then it hit a brick wall in the form of Rick's continued weird parenting decisions. Your kid needs Type A transfusions and you're the only source. Even if you could leave, why would you? Stay by the bedside in case he wakes up again. I get he's concerned and overwrought but seriously that makes no sense. Nor does Lori whining to the only medical man available, "have you done this before?" Does it matter? Carl is either dead or has a slight chance. So an idiot shot your son. You let your son go wander off into zombie infested woods instead of staying in a cleared area. Who, really, is the idiot here? It was a mistake to cram all of that into a single episode. Drawing it out over two or more would have been better, substituting in some flesh eaters instead.
On the other hand, I must say I like the flashbacks to the day Rick was shot. Said it before and I'll say it again, I want to see how exactly society broke down as zombies, or "the epidemic" if you prefer, overtook these peoples' everyday lives. To me that's the key where TWD can distinguish itself from others in the genre. Not a small pocket of resistance (Night of the Living Dead) or well after the fact (28 Days Later); show us the play-by-play of reality crumbling into this funky new surrealism. On that note, when T-Dog saw the car seat splattered with blood, MAN, that was the most disturbing image I've seen in awhile. Speaking of him, thank you, writers, for illustrating his moniker (Theodore Douglas) and spelling out in his fever-induced delirium what we've been wondering since last season: what are the long term survival prospects for this group, anyway?
Lastly, here's a freebie of common sense. Two guys need to clear an area of walkers to search it. They drive up in a pickup. Just send one guy driving in slightly faster than a zombie can shamble to lead them away. They're not intelligent, they'll follow bait; they don't need to be tricked. Certainly two guys with no armor don't really need to risk themselves searching when one driver can just draw off the pack. It's like no one in this show has actually had a group discussion on survival techniques. Brainstorm! Instead, it always goes this way: we need something, you couple of people will go for it even though these people over here oppose the idea for sound and rational reasons. Take only one weapon each and under NO circumstances discuss the best approach to the problem on the way there--absolutely no strategy or tactics--and if at all possible leave a clear and easy trail back here for as many walkers as possible to follow you. We'll be here, not making any more defenses.
Notice how there isn't really any deterrent to keeping walkers away from the farm house. That wire fence won't do much...
The move from Carl getting shot last episode to getting medical care and introducing new characters took all of ninety seconds. Well done. Most it played out nicely between the episodes actually, and that was fine. Moved the story right along. And then it hit a brick wall in the form of Rick's continued weird parenting decisions. Your kid needs Type A transfusions and you're the only source. Even if you could leave, why would you? Stay by the bedside in case he wakes up again. I get he's concerned and overwrought but seriously that makes no sense. Nor does Lori whining to the only medical man available, "have you done this before?" Does it matter? Carl is either dead or has a slight chance. So an idiot shot your son. You let your son go wander off into zombie infested woods instead of staying in a cleared area. Who, really, is the idiot here? It was a mistake to cram all of that into a single episode. Drawing it out over two or more would have been better, substituting in some flesh eaters instead.
On the other hand, I must say I like the flashbacks to the day Rick was shot. Said it before and I'll say it again, I want to see how exactly society broke down as zombies, or "the epidemic" if you prefer, overtook these peoples' everyday lives. To me that's the key where TWD can distinguish itself from others in the genre. Not a small pocket of resistance (Night of the Living Dead) or well after the fact (28 Days Later); show us the play-by-play of reality crumbling into this funky new surrealism. On that note, when T-Dog saw the car seat splattered with blood, MAN, that was the most disturbing image I've seen in awhile. Speaking of him, thank you, writers, for illustrating his moniker (Theodore Douglas) and spelling out in his fever-induced delirium what we've been wondering since last season: what are the long term survival prospects for this group, anyway?
Lastly, here's a freebie of common sense. Two guys need to clear an area of walkers to search it. They drive up in a pickup. Just send one guy driving in slightly faster than a zombie can shamble to lead them away. They're not intelligent, they'll follow bait; they don't need to be tricked. Certainly two guys with no armor don't really need to risk themselves searching when one driver can just draw off the pack. It's like no one in this show has actually had a group discussion on survival techniques. Brainstorm! Instead, it always goes this way: we need something, you couple of people will go for it even though these people over here oppose the idea for sound and rational reasons. Take only one weapon each and under NO circumstances discuss the best approach to the problem on the way there--absolutely no strategy or tactics--and if at all possible leave a clear and easy trail back here for as many walkers as possible to follow you. We'll be here, not making any more defenses.
Notice how there isn't really any deterrent to keeping walkers away from the farm house. That wire fence won't do much...