THIS EPISODE IN A NUT SHELL:
So Glen Died. Yup. That happened. Suffice to say, I called it. Not the death, but the false-death trope. I'm surprised (but thankful) they've not used this gimmick in awhile. I've watched the last few episodes with a guy who doesn't care much about the characters or plot, but enjoys my off hand commentary as a writer/director/script-editor. I won't dwell on how awesome I am, because certainly the nod to the pilot was enough to hint/foreshadow his death to most anyone who pays attention to that stuff. But for those who missed it, "Good luck, dumb ass" is a direct foreshadow to a death, because it nods back to the pilot. I looked to my friend and said, "Oh. So Glen is gonna die." And he said "Which is Glenn? Yo, pass the bowl."
Truth be told, I thought this episode was pretty weak and "on the nose". Don't get me wrong, it was exciting, but it wasn't much more than a smorgasbord of sound clips we've seen and heard before in old Marine movies. The zombie action is just a distraction from that weakness. The "leave no man behind(TM)" stuff is a prime example of this.
"I can't think of another chapter on cable TV who has gone through so much without devolving into platitudes or a moralistic oversimplification. But the show isn't over yet." -- some smart girl on my friend's FB.That's pretty much what seems to be happening, though it's still hidden under the bombardment of action, and honestly I think that makes up for it. This is a zombie thriller, after-all. Far and away better than the soap opera season 2 and 3. This series holistically is by far and away the best Zombie show the world has ever and perhaps will ever see. I'm a die hard fan.
As for Rick, I'm still a big fan of him this season. As a character in general, I'm not really that empathetic, but that's because I don't have kids or really even like Carl. Again, I could paraphrase, but I found this comment on reddit:
Seeing the fear sink in onto Rick after dealing with the two wolves and then seeing the baby food on one of the dead wolves was terrifying. Especially when he tries starting the RV after, you could see how scared Rick is. The man who has been ruthless and brilliant is feeling totally helpless and it sent shivers down my spine. -- /u/o3mo
This sums up my thoughts about Rick. I think he's going to run to that other building and get away. I liked that Glenn brought Rick back to the first season by calling him Dumb ass. He's been militarized and normalized and traumatized and I think we can all agree it's starting to show.
As for Michonne (finally got her name right!) she's really become a great character lead, as well as group leader. Ever since that last episode where she first met Morgan with Carl I knew those two were destined to travel together. They're so similar. When Morgan finally returned this season with bow-staff skills, I was like "YES! It's happening!" Though this week, I wasn't a fan of her decision (good writing though) to not put that poor guy (letter to wife guy) out of his misery. I wished she had, but the writers know that. You morally ambiguous bastards!
As for Michonne (finally got her name right!) she's really become a great character lead, as well as group leader. Ever since that last episode where she first met Morgan with Carl I knew those two were destined to travel together. They're so similar. When Morgan finally returned this season with bow-staff skills, I was like "YES! It's happening!" Though this week, I wasn't a fan of her decision (good writing though) to not put that poor guy (letter to wife guy) out of his misery. I wished she had, but the writers know that. You morally ambiguous bastards!
I'm extremely thrilled for the Morgan episode next week. I know a lot of people are unhappy, but I think he's one of the best characters, and literally has been since the first season. I've always wondered when (not if) he would become a main character and now we're finally getting to see the other side of the ying-yang and what he's been through. Is he a killer? We'll find out next week.
Okay, obviously I wasn't going to leave you all hanging with my opinion on Glenn and whether I think he's really dead.
The honest answer is I don't know. And that's what they want. . .
The awkward camera angle (could not be his guts) as well as the tribute speech seen in the image at the top of this page, DOES leave open the option that he does in fact somehow survive. It is plausible that a huge noise will shock the hoard away from him just in time. Equally possible, the writers will show him as a zombie in the season finale. So while the possibility is open, that could just be the writers way of messing with us into denying it. I think it's a great way to build empathy for Maggie. We feel her denial before we've even seen her reaction. But we've seen their dynamic apart and truthfully, the show (even if we're butthurt) can absolutely survive without Glen or Maggie. We'll have to wait.
Okay, obviously I wasn't going to leave you all hanging with my opinion on Glenn and whether I think he's really dead.
The honest answer is I don't know. And that's what they want. . .
The awkward camera angle (could not be his guts) as well as the tribute speech seen in the image at the top of this page, DOES leave open the option that he does in fact somehow survive. It is plausible that a huge noise will shock the hoard away from him just in time. Equally possible, the writers will show him as a zombie in the season finale. So while the possibility is open, that could just be the writers way of messing with us into denying it. I think it's a great way to build empathy for Maggie. We feel her denial before we've even seen her reaction. But we've seen their dynamic apart and truthfully, the show (even if we're butthurt) can absolutely survive without Glen or Maggie. We'll have to wait.
Edit: After rechecking reddit today, I found a ton more things I hadn't even noticed. Check this gap out: It is now (in my mind) more likely Glenn lives, but perhaps got bit?
So. Does anyone think Judith is okay? Did the wolves take her? Will Carol continue her rampage? Will Rick's group splinter? I'd say let me know in the comments, but this isn't youtube :)
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