Shannon Nutt

I don't know that the "A" has anything to do with the "W" - but the "A" certainly reminded Rick of the train car at Terminus, didn't it?

rw2516

I thought he was thinking of the W he had just seen that day.

Jason

Their distrust of Alexandria is bugging me for some reason. No, I don't expect them to put up their feet and return to suburbia right away, but after the initial distrust, they have accepted others. A good percentage of the group has only been around for a season or two. And something like this is what they've been looking for.

It really seems like a control issue. They can accept Abraham and company, but only after they prove themselves and and demonstrate that they are not a challenger to Rick's authority. In Alexandria, they will be assimilated into a larger group, and won't be in charge anymore. On the one hand, I can see it being an adjustment, but considering the endless nightmare they lived outside those walls, I don't think it would be a big problem for many people.

It also seems like there is some resentment of the Alexandrians because they obviously haven't had it as hard as Rick's group has. The area was evacuated when everything started, and they were sent to this planned, self-sustaining community early in the outbreak. They quickly erected walls, and have been living in relative safety with more creature comforts and amenities than Rick's group has had since Hershel's farm. Understandable to a point, but hardly fair.

I'm not a comic reader, so I don't know how this story ends, but I could see the core group either being banished or self-banishing themselves. It would serve to slim down the group (Gabriel, Eugene, Tara) without killing them.

I just hope they get some sort of redemption. I don't want them to be bad guys.

Mr. Cinema

They referred to Carol as "Scarol" on Talking Dead. That's a fitting nickname.

Abob Teff

/thread ... Fuck it ... /internets ... You win! ::

I still contend they haven't been "good" guys for quite some time. These shades of grey are fascinating to explore.

See above ... Had to make room for the black horse.

Line of the episode: "I am a large man and I have drank many beers to compensate for that fact."

Agreed. After so much repetition this is a welcome storyline. I wish they would slow down and spend more time exploring each character as they try to decompress and adjust. It would be appropriate to show us back stories in this process. Instead, it looks like Alexandria will be gone by the end of the season and we'll be back to the same routine.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Daryl make a 180. I figured he would never adjust or even want to be a part of this society. Remember his (still unexplained) reactions at the country club/golf pro shop? Take his pre-apocalypse life and add in resentment to the Nth power over Alexandria having it so easy this whole time.

So what is the endgame for Carol?

leeta

As for the "W"... maybe there's a crazed Woodbury survivor out there lol.

My real guess is that it has something to do with Morgan, but can't imagine what.

Jeremy517

I think the A is just a no-so-subtle Scarlet Letter reference.

sracer

I can understand where you're coming from... however, I think that there is a wishful thinking on the part of us viewers that Alexandria will be a safe oasis. If we consider the type of groups that Rick and Co. have encountered out there, it is unrealistic to think that Alexandria would be able to survive an attack from marauders. There's something else going on.

I think that as soon as the last hold-out from the group (Daryl or Carol) finally lets down their guard, the truth about Alexandria will be revealed.

It's certainly been quite an interesting season.

PhantomStranger

I can't believe it took this thread 57 posts for someone to come up with that not-so-subtle reference. Rick got stamped with the Scarlet Letter for adultery. I practically laughed out loud at how hokey that scene came off.

For a minute I thought Daryl was going to tame the horse. The horse getting devoured by zombies was intended as a omen or foreshadowing for Daryl's own plight if he struck out on his own.

madcougar

For a basic cable program geared for the masses, it was pretty damn subtle.

sq240

On the Talking Dead they said the horse was a nod to the comic as though it was an important reference for the comics. Can someone who has read the comic please explain without any spoilers for the show?

Neil M.

Not important. The horse is in the comic and his name is Buttons. Showing the horse's death was probably done for the dozen people who wondered what happened to Buttons.

Not to spoil anything in the comics, but the horse seemed to disappear after it went on it's killer rampage when Carl tried to feed him a chocolate bar.

bluetoast

Pretty sure they mean this: (very minor spoiler, equivalent to like...the pilot episode)

Neil M.

Different horse.

bluetoast

Neil M.

There's only two animals in the entire comic that have names. Buttons and .

bluetoast

Abob Teff

Honestly, after the issue where it's no wonder the horse disappeared.

Abob Teff

Off track rant ... I don't watch Talking Dead because of the crutch it has become for the show. However I was catching the rebroadcast of TWD Sunday night and caught the tail of Talking Dead. Did Chris Hardwick seriously end the show with (paraphrased) "we'll finish this conversation on the online post-show"?! WTF? There is a show talking about the show talking about the show?

TerryW

I was thinking when they saw the 'W' on the walker, they specifically showed it upside-down as though it was really an 'M' maybe for Morgan.

As Morgan was following the group he saw markings on trees so maybe he was marking where he had been too. The missing gun that Rick hid was probably taken by Morgan. It has a 'J' written on it so we'll know when we see it again.

It's probably a 'W' though as the other times we saw it they were on walker bodies with the limbs removed to keep them alive. I don't think Morgan would do that. Plus, the 'W' 'M' walker was still walking around until Carol shot him.

I hope we get a Morgan episode soon.

thebunk

I disagree completely.

First, even if members of the group have not been there since inception, only having gone through Terminus would be enough for anyone to be at the very least, super paranoid, let alone have a major case of PTSD. Being housed together in a box car waiting to die and get eaten?! Really?

Second, re: Abraham and company, their was initial distrust but even then, you are comparing a small group of 4 or 5 people vs. a small community within closed in walls (again, akin to Terminus). Not really a fair comparison at all.

Lastly, I think the perceived resentment that you see in some characters (not all), is really a combination of PTSD and what these people have endured. Again though, a perfectly reasonable feeling to have in my view, given what these characters have endured. You say it is hardly fair, but what is in this post-apocalyptic world? Regardless, I think it is a real emotion to have.

dhmac

After they had to put down Buttons the horse after the walkers gutted it, I was expecting them to use the horse for food. Given how hunting for food is so important for the group, I'm surprised they would let so much fresh meat just go to waste.

With that horse, they could've throw a big backyard party and grilled some steaks and hamburgers for everyone (horse meat reportedly tastes like a combination of beef and venison).

PhantomStranger

That show has morphed over the years. When it first came on, Talking Dead was nothing more than a promotional vehicle for TWD. They've gotten better about interviewing the cast and crew, though I have no idea why they continue to discuss future possibilities for characters with actors that are contractually bound to keep it secret.

DthRdrX

The question that should be going through their heads is, "given how long, and what we had to go through to survive, how has this unskilled Alexandria group survived and maintained their protection behind the walls. They have had it made the entire time. Paranoia is to be expected.

Jason

Well, I have zero experience with PTSD, for which I am extremely thankful, so I'll have to defer here. If it's anything like what's portrayed, it must be bad.