When does this show actually get good?

ixoy

I watched the first season of 'The Walking Dead'. The pilot was pretty good but I thought the rest of the first season wasn't good, wasn't okay, but actually quite bad. I found the characters flat, the acting weak, and the story not much better than a soap opera with the occasional guest appearance by a zombie.
I was so underwhelmed I couldn't be bothered with the second season and, from hearing others speak of it, it apparently was quite weak as well (they also dropped it after the first, or halfway through the second, season).

And yet.. this show is very popular. Is there some sort of switch around? Does it suddenly get good? Or, seeing as I didn't rate the first season at all, will I probably never like it?

For what it's worth, I loved the Telltale games and am currently on Volume 12 of the comic book series which I think is excellent and I've found far more compelling than the TV show. It also means I've a good idea of the main story arcs I reckon for the next few seasons which is further dampening my enthusiasm (I know we've got the likes of Daryl, not in the comics, etc but I imagine broadly we're on the same track).

So really should I just ignore the TV version if I've found it as weak as this?

NUTZZ

To be honest if you haven't liked Season 1 you're probably not going be to be a fan of the series, it could be just a show you don't take to.

solomafioso

Read the comic instead. Personally it's far better.

marco_polo

Yep I would say if you didn't enjoy the first season, I don't think there will be much in later seasons that will change your mind. Its a fairly slow paced show, and varies wildly in quality between the best and worst episodes. I do enjoy it myself but can totally understand why others find it frustrating (OH bailed out after 2.5 seasons as she hated almost all the charachters immensely ). Each season has just enough high points to keep me watching though.

5starpool

Keep going with the comic just I'd say. I like the tv show too, but if you don't like it now you probably won't. If you are on volume 12 in the comics you've probably covered all the tv show plot anyhow so far although they are quite divergent in some places as well, but the broad strokes are similar.

ixoy

Thanks - will stick with the comic books then and the games. I reckon they're going to have a bit more leeway to be hard hitting anyway and make some choices that they wouldn't do for TV (thinking of one in particular). Plus I love the artwork in it.

AlanS181824

I love the first and second series, the third was way too stagnant IMO and the fourth was awful.

The fifth is very good so far though!

Liamalone

Series peaked at series one, comics have went to pish but were superb for about 100 editions.

Comics > TV

easily.

Padraig Mor

The show is definitely wildly inconsistent - when it's good, it's very good, but when it's bad, it's...well not bad - but bland. So season 1 good, season 2 treading water, season 3A excellent, 3B more treading water, 4A pretty good, 4B OK.

Steer clear of the TV show if you don't like it already. Its cliffhanger nature keeps me coming back.

Paddy Cow

Personally I thought season 1 was by far the best season, probably because it was so short. In season 2 they doubled the number of episodes and dragged it out an awful lot. They could've probably done a much better job if it was only six episodes. If you don't like season 1, then the rest probably won't hold your attention.

You should watch the last episode of season 4 (for context) and the first of season 5 (for brilliant gore).

obriendj

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Personally I thought season 1 was by far the best season, probably because it was so short. In season 2 they doubled the number of episodes and dragged it out an awful lot. They could've probably done a much better job if it was only six episodes. If you don't like season 1, then the rest probably won't hold your attention.

You should watch the last episode of season 4 (for context) and the first of season 5 (for brilliant gore).

Its a real shame that when a show is successful in the States they just increase the number of episodes in the next season

in the UK if the show worked with 6 strong episodes in season 1 then that format is retained.

rob316

I started watching about 2 weeks ago, just finished off season 2. I really like it and I'm looking forward to starting season 3.
I do feel season one was the best so far, there was an awful lot of filler in season 2 and I felt it dragged to a pretty obvious ending.

AlanS181824

rob316 wrote: »

I started watching about 2 weeks ago, just finished off season 2. I really like it and I'm looking forward to starting season 3.
I do feel season one was the best so far, there was an awful lot of filler in season 2 and I felt it dragged to a pretty obvious ending.

Get used to it.

It's 70% filler, 20% talking, 10% OMFG ZOMBIES!!!

Agricola

I liked season 1 the most because it had a concise impactful, film type feel to it. There was little to no filler. The characters were trying to get to the CDC and everything was focused on finding out what happened, getting to safety and finally the potential for a cure.

While later seasons have been good, there is just way too much dragging out going on. The time spent on the farm, with week after week passing by with little happening was just ridiculous. I suppose purists could argue its more realistic, but it doesnt necessarily make for entertaining TV.

The major thing that bugs me about the show is how the characters never discuss what could have happened to bring about a zombie apocalyse. There are no storylines wherein this might be explored. It's a pretty big talking point you would think. Also, apart from this season where they have some momentum to go to Washington now, they never discussed what might be happening as regards a cure, should they be trying to go somewhere or do something. It was just all so directionless.

NUTZZ

Agricola wrote: »

I liked season 1 the most because it had a concise impactful, film type feel to it...

I think you should spoiler parts of, if not all, of that post. This thread will attract people who haven't seen the show or are contemplating watching it for the first time and you've mentioned some big details in it.

Hyzepher

Agricola wrote: »

Also, apart from this season where they have some momentum to go to Washington now, they never discussed what might be happening as regards a cure, should they be trying to go somewhere or do something. It was just all so directionless.

For the most part everyone is just trying to survive. There is no responsibility on them to find a cure or even set off to find those who are interested.

The inclusion of Eugene has changed this somewhat. They are homeless and going to DC is as good a plan as any.

All things being equal most would have preferred to stay at the prison, grow crops and be safe for the rest of their lives. All except Carl who just wants to kill everything.

pc7

I wonder does binge watching it effect the enjoyment. There have been weeks I cannot wait until its on again, never mind the mid season break last year, that was some episode, I was counting the weeks until it was back. Really enjoying season 5 now, only 2 in but its been really strong.

pc7

pc7 wrote: »

I wonder does binge watching it effect the enjoyment. There have been weeks I cannot wait until its on again, never mind the mid season break last year, that was some episode, I was counting the weeks until it was back. Really enjoying season 5 now, only 2 in but its been really strong.

Its a strange show. I way prefer Boardwalk Empire but I'd usually watch Walking Dead first on a Monday. The cliffhangers get me every time.

Sephiroth_dude

I Found season 1 and 2 good enough not great, I've enjoyed season 3 and 4 way more.

charlieharper

I'm barely hanging onto the show now. If you didn't like Season 1 then you'll hate it.

In my opinion:

Season 1: Brilliant with good stories and cliffhanger ending

Season 2: Absolute Rubbish, a whole season set on a farm dedicated to finding a character whom you know is already gonna be dead and killing off the shows best character near the end

Season 3: Faith restored, The Governor comes in and he is electrifying.

Season 4: The worst by far. We are introduced to a dozen new characters of which all but 1 are killed off (what's the point?)

Season 5: The Cannibals, yes great these guys are crazy I can't wait.......oh hang on they're gone by the 3rd episode I think it was and now we're back to the same old sh*te

I haven't read the comics but it seems like they're worth a go because unless the famous Negan comes soon I'll be deleting this show from my planner.

Bacchus

Season 1: Fantastic, albeit the CDC stuff was a bit random.
Season 2: Boooooring. It was way too dragged out and only properly picked up in the last 2 or 3 episodes of the season.
Season 3: The Governor was a great villain and the prison setting was an improvement over the farm. Definite improvement in the quality of the show but it still meandered a bit aimlessly at times. Again, it picked up to a great finish in the last few episodes.
Season 4: Continued the good form of season 3 and ended the Governor plot. It also finally broke the show away from the "1 location" setting of the previous 3 seasons with the group split and working their way to Terminus. This produced probably some of the best material of the series to date and ended on a brilliant cliffhanger.
Season 5: The show is finally hitting it's stride IMO. The characters are on the move and they are a lean mean killing machines. The writers seem to have cracked the code of managing a big cast and keeping the zombies threatening too. The episode with the B team was a bit weak IMO but other than that it has been great.

mzungu

Bacchus wrote: »

Season 1: Fantastic, albeit the CDC stuff was a bit random.
Season 2: Boooooring. It was way too dragged out and only properly picked up in the last 2 or 3 episodes of the season.
Season 3: The Governor was a great villain and the prison setting was an improvement over the farm. Definite improvement in the quality of the show but it still meandered a bit aimlessly at times. Again, it picked up to a great finish in the last few episodes.
Season 4: Continued the good form of season 3 and ended the Governor plot. It also finally broke the show away from the "1 location" setting of the previous 3 seasons with the group split and working their way to Terminus. This produced probably some of the best material of the series to date and ended on a brilliant cliffhanger.
Season 5: The show is finally hitting it's stride IMO. The characters are on the move and they are a lean mean killing machines. The writers seem to have cracked the code of managing a big cast and keeping the zombies threatening too. The episode with the B team was a bit weak IMO but other than that it has been great.

Agree with this.

Season one benefitted from being so short, no room for any fillers. Season 2 and the first half of season three were not up to much at all. In fact I stopped watching midway through season 3. Then I watched the second half of season 3 and all of season four in a two week period. Binge watching suits this show a lot, I should have done that with season 2.

Season five now has a mix of action and drama. The creators have a settled on a formula now, I'm hoping it goes from strength to strength from here.

NIMAN

Have watched maybe a dozen episodes ever, just when I flick on to them.

Never enticed me enough to watch it every week, lately seems to be all about how graphically you can kill a zombie. Gets more gruesome with each one.

As someone who read that comics, the governor was a mess

tommy2bad

Yeah it's not everyone's cup of tea. I loved S1 hated S2, S3 had promise but didn't deliver, S4 much better and S5 is almost the best one, I say almost because we haven't seen it all. Come to think of it since a certain character of the female persuasion got dead'ed the show improved dramatically. ironically because of the loss of 'drama'.

Bacchus

Deleted User wrote: »

As someone who read that comics, the governor was a mess

He was toned down a bit for the show (and his story was extended) but I really enjoyed the TV show interpretation of the character. They could have gone a little bit darker with him though.... but then certain other characters would not be the same either.

shinny

Binge-watched the show over the Christmas break. Agree with a lot of the comments.

The governor storyline was quite good (had potential to be better), but should't have continued into Season 4, in my opinion.

Season 5 definitely picks up the pace again and now I can't wait for it to be back.

Hank Scorpio

Shane was brilliant in season 1 and 2, those two seasons are probably my favorite. Wish he was still in the show, rewatching the old seasons lately reminded me of this

I haven't taken to season 5 at all yet. I'd say season 1 2 4 3 in that order

I preferred the smaller group where you knew everyone's name by hand and they had some good character development, in season 5 there's so many in the group now and I genuinely don't care for 90% of them

willmunny1990

I think its a show that needs to be binge watched.

Season one was good, season two was boring, it had some good dialogue at times but noting happened for most of the season.

My personal favorites were the first half of season 3, first half of season four and the start of season five, although the last couple of episodes were weak IMO. In between is okay but it can be VERY hit and miss and has huge dips in quality.

At the moment I think there are too many characters, most of whom I couldn't care less about. The size of the group needs to be cut down IMO, as when they dedicate episodes to some of the sub group/characters it can be very very weak, a lot of the characters cant carry episodes IMO.

Yakult

Only watch it because theirs not much (or anything at all) like it on TV. After every episode bar a few scenes, I question myself on watching it, then I realize theirs not much better on so I continue to watch. I really think something needs to happen and not the talking kind. Its getting stale.

charlieharper

Yakult wrote: »

Only watch it because theirs not much (or anything at all) like it on TV. After every episode bar a few scenes, I question myself on watching it, then I realize theirs not much better on so I continue to watch. I really think something needs to happen and not the talking kind. Its getting stale.

I've since watched Game of Thrones and there's no comparison. I'm only following TWD now just to see how bad they botch up the ending! American Horror Story got very interesting lately too.

Mr.Nice Guy

I binge-watched it over Christmas and found it a great experience. Also I must be in the minority because I liked Season 2. :pac:

I'm finding it tough to warm to Season 5. That season wasn't part of the binge though so perhaps that's a factor.

TheDoc

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I binge-watched it over Christmas and found it a great experience. Also I must be in the minority because I liked Season 2. :pac:

I'm finding it tough to warm to Season 5. That season wasn't part of the binge though so perhaps that's a factor.

It's actually much better binge watching the show as the drawn out stories don't feel so long and the cliffhangers are quickly resolved.

Unfortunately the show has a midseason break, and that's lengthy enough, before end of season is upon you and it's another six month wait.

Big problem with the show is when it starts to ramp up it cuts off for a break.

I've been watching it on release since the very first episode, and that's what I find with it. Friends I've recommended too have really enjoyed it but now are like " ugh". The barn story arc for example was tedious week to week, but relatively fine for continuous watching.

I enjoy it personally. I think a lot of people have come into it maybe after season 1 and expected what was a big zombie blowup action show, when infact its a show purely around people. This show could take place in a nuclear post apocalyptic wasteland or a world destroyed by global warming, it wouldn't make a difference, its all about the characters and their development and change.

I think there is enough on TV or in back catalogs to drop it if I did genuinely start struggling with it, but I'm content and happy for now.

tommy2bad

TheDoc wrote: »

It's actually much better binge watching the show as the drawn out stories don't feel so long and the cliffhangers are quickly resolved.

Unfortunately the show has a midseason break, and that's lengthy enough, before end of season is upon you and it's another six month wait.

Big problem with the show is when it starts to ramp up it cuts off for a break.

I've been watching it on release since the very first episode, and that's what I find with it. Friends I've recommended too have really enjoyed it but now are like " ugh". The barn story arc for example was tedious week to week, but relatively fine for continuous watching.

I enjoy it personally. I think a lot of people have come into it maybe after season 1 and expected what was a big zombie blowup action show, when infact its a show purely around people. This show could take place in a nuclear post apocalyptic wasteland or a world destroyed by global warming, it wouldn't make a difference, its all about the characters and their development and change.

I think there is enough on TV or in back catalogs to drop it if I did genuinely start struggling with it, but I'm content and happy for now.

Yes, it takes it's ques from The Road more than from Zombie Land, which is no bad thing. I think they have the mix of action and character exposition about right at this stage (though last weeks show was dubious for a season opener of sorts).

rob808

The walking dead to much like a drama now than a horror there to much taking,crying,and then a little action think it really need to come to a end with all them getting killed .

RDM_83 again

To be honest its now reached a point where its a show I binge watch on occasion because I've got it available, it has its moments but its seriously slow and each time it builds it slows right down again, also 5 seasons in and the plots are starting to feel repetitive and the oh we have killed of one of the likable optimistic characters SHOCK HORROR, now for a filler episode to follow about grief and long talks is utterly formulaic. I know its stupid but if they kill of

Daryl

I'm going to bin it.

Mugsy_P

It's the same thing over and over again, but I'm in too deep to quit now.

Capajoma

Should I give up with this show? Im after investing 5 seasons and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. I find its such a chore to watch, poorly written dialogue and characters who are frustratingly bad, is there going to be many more seasons and does anyone think season 6 will be an improvement?

rob808

Capajoma wrote: »

Should I give up with this show? Im after investing 5 seasons and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight. I find its such a chore to watch, poorly written dialogue and characters who are frustratingly bad, is there going to be many more seasons and does anyone think season 6 will be an improvement?

well the opening for season 6 was poor and the way they keep switching from colour to black and white was annoying as hell.

CramCycle

rob808 wrote: »

well the opening for season 6 was poor and the way they keep switching from colour to black and white was annoying as hell.

I thought season 6 (so far) has been the best since the pilot. The colour change was a nice way to tell time differences (although I have talked to alot of people who couldn't follow it, not sure why not).

This said I am expecting it to slow down very soon, which will be disappointing.

punisher5112

A few got dead last night I wasn't expecting also a certain long time character wasn't looking to be in a great position.


Some amount of live ones murdering others also.

TheDoc

CramCycle wrote: »

I thought season 6 (so far) has been the best since the pilot. The colour change was a nice way to tell time differences (although I have talked to alot of people who couldn't follow it, not sure why not).

This said I am expecting it to slow down very soon, which will be disappointing.

I feel this season has opened at a furious pace. The show dips between a season of high octance intensity, and a season of slower paced character development. Looks like this is shaping up to be a high paced season, which is obviously great. But the slow paced character driven stuff is just as crucial.

I've really only taken issue with the Barn season, other then that I've enjoyed the show entirely. So much so I started buying the graphic novel two months ago and reading that also. The differences and things are great along with it refreshing my memory of previous seasons.

Sofiztikated

rob808 wrote: »

well the opening for season 6 was poor and the way they keep switching from colour to black and white was annoying as hell.

I know opinions are subjective and all that, but sometimes they are just wrong.

rob808

Sofiztikated wrote: »

I know opinions are subjective and all that, but sometimes they are just wrong.

The opening wasn't great was OK and was kinda boring but it getting good now sorry you didn't like my opinion.

Sand

I like the series overall. The hate for season 2 reminds me of the hate for season 2 in Breaking Bad. I was the same way in that I annoyed at this stupid "family" and their petty banal concerns interrupting Heisenburg in his drug dealing power fantasy.

Season 2 is not slow - it takes place over maybe 3 weeks and there is a lot of issues dealt with over that time (Shane, the search for Sophia, the threat from the raiders and what to do with the prisoner). The leadership struggle between Rick and Shane in Season 2 foreshadow the struggles between Rick and anyone who is relatively sane in the remaining seasons. The end of the struggle between Rick and Shane is particularly brutal and is the introduction of the Rick who likes identifying threats and actively wants to kill them. You don't flip from small town cop to buttoned down psychopath just like that, and Season 2 is that story.

The only criticism I have for the show is that the overriding moral seems to be that humans are the greatest threat, and that as soon as the lights go out everyone will eat each other. When the characters meet someone, its taken as a given that the gear the person carries is more valuable than the person themselves. I don't agree with that. Not from idealistic grounds but from practical grounds. People are useful in a way equipment is not - I think it was most highlighted by the episode where Rick goes to get guns from Morgan. A live person they encounter on the road is abandoned to die, because people are threats - right? So Rick returns with dozens of guns and only a half dozen people to use them. There is a nihilistic, stupid, short term message in there which is expressed in the title, the walking dead. Without other people - they are all dead. Literally.

Rick has moved into the stage where he is either the villain, or at least an environmental hazard. He arrives at Alexandria, a seeming paradise. He is certain his group cant go back outside to savagery, but he looks down on the Alexandrians who have managed through a year of the zombie apocalypse by themselves with soft living and cocktail parties with no help from Rick. He wants to turn it into an armed camp with everyone carrying weapons, killing anyone who steps out of line and turning back any refugees seeking shelter. Eventually, under Ricks plan, the people in Alexandria aren't going to be able to tell the difference between being inside and outside the walls given the savagery and brutality.

I just don't know where the show goes with an underlying morality tale like that. The only ending true to the message of the show is for the devolved human savages outside the wall to overrun the town, kill Rick, his family and his community. The End.

Wibbs

I think that's an particularly American cultural undercurrent in much of their fiction. Utopia's are always bad, might and paranoia are to be trusted more. The cowboys and Indians circle the wagons type, the "other" is always out to do you in type stuff. It's a part of their mythology. Hell, zombies themselves are an example of it. You even see it in stuff like the original Star Trek. They would always interfere with any utopia they found(and there were a few, it's a repeating meme in that franchise), usually wreck it and then left them to fend for themselves. Cos struggle is all, it's the only way to grow and struggle always leads to progress. Very protestant puritan thinking and that's coming from Hollywood hippies… If Capt James T Kirk showed up to Alexandria he'd do pretty much the same as Rick, only he would have had his way with at least two of the local women. Actually he'd probably take down the walls. So yeah, utopias never last long in American fiction and they're always to be mistrusted.

storker

Sand wrote: »

Rick has moved into the stage where he is either the villain, or at least an environmental hazard.

I think you're being a bit hard on Rick. Look at the history. They had a good setup at the farm, but that was destroyed. They also had a good setup at the prison but that was destroyed too. The setup at Woodbury was a good one too, but that was destroyed. Alright, Rick had a hand in that the the governor's psychotic behaviour was ultimately the root cause. Rick & co tried the more enlightened approach at the farm and the prison, and look how well those worked out. And let's not forget that at the farm, it was his own best friend who turned on him.

I think Rick looks at Alexandria in two ways: (1) a place to settle and be safe and (2) a massacre waiting to happen. (2) needs to be addressed before (1) can become a reality. If it wasn't for Carol's presence, the massacre would have happened already.

I do think they should have stopped for that hitch-hiker, though. Even in the zombie apocalypse, it's possible to be too paranoid.

storker

Wibbs wrote: »

I think that's an particularly American cultural undercurrent in much of their fiction.

It might not be political or cultural, though, let's not forget that the struggle approach makes for a more dramatic story. There's more drama in Kirk seeing a utopia and wanting to fix its flaws than in him saying "..cool, we should do that too."

(The example that sticks in my mind was the nuclear war conducted within a computer, with each side being informed of how many casualties had been suffered, and the required number of civilians being rounded up for execution as per the rules of the game. The utopian angle was that the destruction and misery of war had been eliminated, and only death remained. You could see the logic of it, but bloody hell...)

sabhail

storker wrote: »

I think you're being a bit hard on Rick. Look at the history. They had a good setup at the farm, but that was destroyed. They also had a good setup at the prison but that was destroyed too. The setup at Woodbury was a good one too, but that was destroyed. Alright, Rick had a hand in that the the governor's psychotic behaviour was ultimately the root cause. Rick & co tried the more enlightened approach at the farm and the prison, and look how well those worked out. And let's not forget that at the farm, it was his own best friend who turned on him.

I think Rick looks at Alexandria in two ways: (1) a place to settle and be safe and (2) a massacre waiting to happen. (2) needs to be addressed before (1) can become a reality. If it wasn't for Carol's presence, the massacre would have happened already.

I do think they should have stopped for that hitch-hiker, though. Even in the zombie apocalypse, it's possible to be too paranoid.

Maybe they'd have stopped on way back? Weren't they heading out somewhere , possibly was it episode with crazy Morgan ? Can't see u picking up unknown person when heading out on a run. On way back, well they did right thing, picked up bag to see if it had anything theyd use.

Sand

storker wrote: »

I think you're being a bit hard on Rick. Look at the history. They had a good setup at the farm, but that was destroyed. They also had a good setup at the prison but that was destroyed too. The setup at Woodbury was a good one too, but that was destroyed. Alright, Rick had a hand in that the the governor's psychotic behaviour was ultimately the root cause. Rick & co tried the more enlightened approach at the farm and the prison, and look how well those worked out. And let's not forget that at the farm, it was his own best friend who turned on him.

I think Rick looks at Alexandria in two ways: (1) a place to settle and be safe and (2) a massacre waiting to happen. (2) needs to be addressed before (1) can become a reality. If it wasn't for Carol's presence, the massacre would have happened already.

I do think they should have stopped for that hitch-hiker, though. Even in the zombie apocalypse, it's possible to be too paranoid.

I think Rick took the wrong lessons from the farm and the prison and woodbury. Shane (an insider and the "realist") brought down the farm. The prison collapsed despite (or maybe because) of the "realistic" approach of Rick and Carol. Woodbury was thriving under the Governor by absorbing small groups of survivors, not driving them out - it collapsed because of the Governor fixating on the potential threat of other organised groups of survivors. A mistake he made the second time around too with similar results. Even Terminus survived the worst outcome of a naive open door policy. They didn't survive the worst outcome of a "realistic" policy (provoking outsiders like Rick to fight for their lives). I think as a character, Rick has more to learn from the Alexandrians than they have to learn from him. They have outlived all those failed survivor camps. What is Rick seeking for his family if not what Alexandria have achieved?

Lets remember Ricks leadership can be summarised by his group being starving, paranoid and insecure, living rough on the run when Alexandria scouts found them. Its not a long tale of success for Ricks realistic policies.

Alexandria by comparison was secure, well fed and confident and capable enough to scout outside their walls, find groups, evaluate their compatibility with Alexandria and make offers for them to join them. Their "enlightened" policies worked for them.

A lot is made of Ricks group being pros and the Alexandrians being hopeless newbies, but their dubious expertise (their casualty rate on runs is horrific) hasn't helped the Alexandrians. Since Rick has joined Alexandria they've got less safe, not more so. There has been a total of 9 Alexandrians killed in short succession despite the expertise and leadership of Ricks group. Rick executed one himself, and threatened to execute another. Another died indirectly due to how Rick handled a particular problem (violently), and the others died on runs with Rick, Glenn and Michonne.

The Wolves killed what, 4 additional people in Alexandria?

On top of that Rick has plotted an armed coup, is pushing for Alexandria abandoning a successful policy of scouting and inviting useful survivors into the community, and caused dissent and infighting with the Alexandrians by telling his own people to abandon them if things got hectic.

Its very poor leadership with Heath obviously annoyed by it, and its not much different to Aiden and Nicholas abandoning people on their supply runs. Rick has morphed into someone who lacks the leadership skills of the Governor but tries to be as ruthless, the worst of both worlds.

Rick is definitely the central protagonist of the show, but I think him being proven right is only possible when the underlying theme of the show is as nihilistic and short sighted as I think it is. I think the show setting up Morgans extreme policy of not killing anyone as a contrast to Rick's view is a real reach. It seems to be to try make Rick seem reasonable and successful by comparison.

sabhail wrote: »

Maybe they'd have stopped on way back? Weren't they heading out somewhere , possibly was it episode with crazy Morgan ? Can't see u picking up unknown person when heading out on a run. On way back, well they did right thing, picked up bag to see if it had anything theyd use.

Well, if you pick him up on the outbound trip you get to "interview" him before he ever sees the prison or knows where it is. There is an instant opportunity to see what he can do to aid the group. Any redflags you can ditch him with little or no risk to the group back at the prison. If you pick him up on the return trip, then you can only get a sense of him after he knows where the prison is and poses a potential problem if exiled.

I mean that guy in particular (it was the crazy Morgan episode), their car was bogged down in the mud and they were trying to push the car out of it. All this while trying to escape from an extra pair of hands to help push. I just found the whole logic the show was pushing there to be so foolish. The skills people have are far more useful than whatever equipment they might carry.