The Walking Dead; 2.02 "Bloodletting" (open spoilers)

[alphaboi867]

Rick discovers a possible save haven; Shane goes on a dangerous mission to get medical supplies.

[Willcross]

So when they pulled the baggie of drugs out of Merle's bike, was that some of Walt's blue meth from Breaking Bad in there? They are both AMC shows, if so, what an awesome reference.

[Folacin]

OK, first I liked this episode.

That said, as they continue beating the bushes for Sophie by standing very close together at all times - how did Andrea get that far away from the group? Hopefully, what we're seeing is them pulling back together occasionally to count heads - but I doubt that very much.

As I recall, they were (of course) all together and decided it was getting dark and time to head back. Andrea kvetches about something, sounding like she is talking to someone in the group, who turns out to be a walker. Much screaming/running/stabbing ensues (followed by my new favorite sport - zombie polo) and then the rest of the group shows up.

[Don Draper]

How did the blonde (is her name Andrea?) get so far away from the rest of the group so fast? One moment, she's in the same shot as the rest of the group and then not ten seconds later she's beating off the "walker" and the others are rushing back to her from like 100 yards away.


That's my one (minor) gripe about the episode. Did like it better than the premiere. At least it had an actual plot, the vet & the hunter seem like they could be interesting characters (maybe they can live and replace a few of the more annoying secondardy regulars), and the search for medical supplies (and the resultant chase) was genuinely suspenseful.

But please wrap up the plot with the missing girl little already.

[Fubaya]

Wow, what a terrible exit-from-the-medical-trailer plan. Does no one think ahead on this show? Don't keep a road flare for the return trip. Don't look out to see what's going on, just barge on out and get their attention, then wait for 5 seconds to make sure they see you.

[John Mace]

Wow, what a terrible exit-from-the-medical-trailer plan. Does no one think ahead on this show? Don't keep a road flare for the return trip. Don't look out to see what's going on, just barge on out and get their attention, then wait for 5 seconds to make sure they see you.

Yeah, that was bit :rolleyes: in this episode. But at least it had better pace than last week. Still, I wanted the vet to say: Lady, if you got a better option, bring it on. I'm trying save you're kid's life, but if you don't want me to, I'll back off.

And I'll put odds on Merle and Sophie hooking up.

I liked this ep OK. I want to see them on the move, but I like the idea of introducing some new characters, as long as they don't get left in the dust next episode.

[Sampiro]

So when they pulled the baggie of drugs out of Merle's bike, was that some of Walt's blue meth from Breaking Bad in there? They are both AMC shows, if so, what an awesome reference.

I totally think it was a wink; most street meth isn't blue after all.

[Harborwolf]

Wow, what a terrible exit-from-the-medical-trailer plan. Does no one think ahead on this show? Don't keep a road flare for the return trip. Don't look out to see what's going on, just barge on out and get their attention, then wait for 5 seconds to make sure they see you.They figured that the zombies would stare at the flares for a few minutes, and then try to pick them up and spell their names with them like a kid with a sparkler. Then they would burn their hands and run around comically trying to find a puddle of water to shove their smoking hands into. Seemed like a solid plan to me. Not Shane's fault that zombies don't behave like cartoon villains.

I really liked them running around every corner, finding more zombies, and yelling "Nononononono" or "Whoa." Funny as hell. Half expected him to pull a Three Stooges around a corner.

[Ian D. Bergkamp]

I wanted the vet to say: Lady, if you got a better option, bring it on. I'm trying save you're kid's life, but if you don't want me to, I'll back off.

That grated on me, too. I get that she's distraught over her son, but still, show a little appreciation for the one guy who might be able to actually help him.

Overall, though, I'm enjoying the new season.

[enalzi]

I really liked them running around every corner, finding more zombies, and yelling "Nononononono" or "Whoa." Funny as hell. Half expected him to pull a Three Stooges around a corner.

Yeah, they showed that same clip on "The Talking Dead" last week. I can't stop giggling at the little shuffle move he did.

[Cat Whisperer]

<snip>

And I'll put odds on Merle and Sophie hooking up.<snip>Sophie's the little girl, isn't she? Either you have a low opinion of Merle, or you're a little mixed up. :)

It occurred to me this morning that apparently we have been following the stupid bunch of survivors on this show. The new bunch seem to know their asses from a hole in the ground.

[Spoke]

I really liked them running around every corner, finding more zombies, and yelling "Nononononono" or "Whoa." Funny as hell. Half expected him to pull a Three Stooges around a corner.

Me, I was waiting for him to yell "Zoinks!"

[limegreen]

I'm not going to say much, but I kept waiting for someone to go to the barn!!!!!!

[enalzi]

Is there anyway we can refrain from comic book talk in these topics? They're not necessarily spoilers, but it's like watching a movie with someone who's constantly going "Oh, wait til you get to this part!" Wasn't there a seperate Game of Thrones topic for people who discussed the book as well?

[UncleRojelio]

So let me get this straight. The kid gets shot and then, all of a sudden, there is a fully staffed medical triage unit within running distance? I know it is just a show about zombies and all, but jeez, that is a little far to stretch my disbelief suspension bridge.

Yeah, and the missing Sophie bit is already a bit long in the tooth.

Blue Meth. Snerk!

[cerberus]

If you want to avoid book spoilers, the series is bringing in material from
"The Farm" story arc. Having said that, the guy driving the show's story arc is the author of the book (good frakking riddance to Darabont), and he's verbally
committed himself to screwing with us - that, and the first season deviations
have made the book storylines impossible to use properly.

So even if you're all read up, you're still not clear on the story trajectory.

[Odesio]

I enjoy the show but they need to pick up the pace and have a little bit more happen each episode. I had the same problem with the first season of Carnival of HBO. I like the show, but get the plot moving or I'm going to lose interest.

[UncleRojelio]

I enjoy the show but they need to pick up the pace and have a little bit more happen each episode. I had the same problem with the first season of Carnival of HBO. I like the show, but get the plot moving or I'm going to lose interest.

Yeah, but at least Carnival was not interrupted by 15 minutes of commercials every 3 minutes. It's a good thing I DVR TWD or I'd never stay awake long enough to see an entire episode.

[Hypno-Toad]

Me, I was waiting for him to yell "Zoinks!"

Wait until the end when some meddling kids show that the zombies are really just old man McCreedy.

[Spoke]

So let me get this straight. The kid gets shot and then, all of a sudden, there is a fully staffed medical triage unit within running distance?

I don't understand your beef. They were within running distance of the hunter's home base, which makes perfect sense. There happened to be someone there with some medical training (a veterinarian), which certainly doesn't strain credibility. Nor does it strain credibility that this group (including, as it does, someone with medical knowledge) would have made it a point to stock triage supplies, given the nature of the threats they are facing.

Stop nitpicking, sez I. ;)

[Push You Down]

I agree.

The only too convenient thing is that they were able to find EVERYTHING they needed at the medical trailer and that everything seemed to organized.

[Labtrash]

I agree.

The only too convenient thing is that they were able to find EVERYTHING they needed at the medical trailer and that everything seemed to organized.

Yeah, I was expecting at least ONE walker in the trailer, or at least some blood (although it was nice they didn't stoop to the "hidden zombie" cliche).

;)

[Quimby]

Speaking of blood, the bloody car seat may have been the most chilling image of the entire series so far...

[YogSosoth]

FUCK FUCK FUCK! I missed it! Please somebody tell me they replay old episodes!

[alphaboi867]

I don't understand your beef. They were within running distance of the hunter's home base, which makes perfect sense. There happened to be someone there with some medical training (a veterinarian), which certainly doesn't strain credibility. Nor does it strain credibility that this group (including, as it does, someone with medical knowledge) would have made it a point to stock triage supplies, given the nature of the threats they are facing.

Stop nitpicking, sez I. ;)

Yeah, and they cleary don't have a "fully stocked" unit; otherwise there'd be no need to detour to the local high school. And, yes Lori should be down on her knees thanking whatever god she worships that they found a veterinarian. Most of humanity is dead. I think it's safe to assume that actual medical personel (like people doctors & nurses) suffered the highest casualty rates and very few of them are left alive. Places like hospitals, those makeshift "shelters", and the like are the last places on Earth that any sane person would want to set foot in on this show.

[Spoke]

Speaking of meddling kids and their dog, where are all the dogs? Did the zombies eat them all?

[ExTank]

I can give Lori a pass for being upset (and maybe not as grateful as she might otherwise be); it's her boy lying in on that bed bleeding internally.

Big shout out to Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes) for his acting during the surgery. Made me believe they were really cutting into a conscious 12 y/o.

My beef: it's been several months since the outbreak. Yet "T-Dog" almost loses it (panic) at seeing the bloody baby seat, and Andrea goes ape-shit panic-mode at the Walker in the woods.

You'd think that they'd be just a little more inured to their new environment by now.

You'd also think the women would've adopted more sensible clothing, instead of capri pants, summer blouses, and tennis shoes. And dangly bits of jewelry in their ears and around their necks for Walkers to grab onto. With several dozen stopped cars full o' loot, I'd be willing to bet they could find something more practical to wear to a Zombie Apocalypse.

Best bits so far this season:

Walker: "Uhhhhhhhh!"
Daryl: "Shut up." :Twang/Splat!:

And the Blue Meth shout out to Breaking Bad. It makes me feel good to think that Heisenberg, Cap'n Cook, and Hank (think of the dialogue possibilities with Hank!) may be alive and well in ABQ and cooking up some some righteous Walking Dead chemical smack-down.

[salinqmind]

FUCK FUCK FUCK! I missed it! Please somebody tell me they replay old episodes!

I see in what passes for the tv guide in the newspaper it will be re-shown this coming Friday at 10 p.m. (If I watch something else on Sunday night opposite TWD, I know it will be re-run at least twice after the 9 p.m. showing.)

AMC replays episodes of just about everything it shows, including movies. I know I watched several replays of the same episodes of The Killing.

[MaddyStrut]

The farm looks too pristine to me. Heck, it looked like the lawn was recently mowed. You'd think one of your lower priorities in an apocalypse is lawn care! And how do they keep horses? We know zombies eat them. Wouldn't a grazing horse be a big zombie attractor?

I'm trying (and it's hard) to be charitable to Lori and assume her anger wasn't so much directed at the veterinarian as much as being furious at the situation in general. (Eh, I'm trying really hard here because I really dislike her character and am trying to not recoil every time she's on my screen.)

I do like the show, but I'm a bit tired of the focus on the Lori/Shawn/Rick relationship ALL the time. There are other interesting characters we don't see because of a Lori flashback revealing a less than perfect marriage. I already knew their marriage wasn't perfect before the zombie apocalypse, and I don't really care about the details. I'd like to see more of the others.

Odd choice to use up their "kid in peril" trump cards at the start of the season. One kid is missing and the other has been shot. I don't know if I like that decision or hate it. I'm not a fan of kid in peril story lines, so maybe this means we won't have any more when they're resolved. That would be nice!

[alphaboi867]

The farm looks too pristine to me. Heck, it looked like the lawn was recently mowed. You'd think one of your lower priorities in an apocalypse is lawn care! And how do they keep horses? We know zombies eat them. Wouldn't a grazing horse be a big zombie attractor?...

Now that you mention it; yes it's very strange that the lawn would look freshly mowed. As for the horses we can only assume that the zombie population density is much lower in rural areas (which makes alot of sense). A horse should be able to flee from 1 or 2 zombies pretty easily (possibly doing alot of damage to one in the process). It's a swarm of zombies (like in Atlanta) they can't handle.



PS, did anyone else take that "Which Character Are You?" test on the official AMC site? Aparently I'm Andrea.

[Baker]

I took the test, and it told me I'm Rick.

[salinqmind]

I'm .... Old Man McBeard???

[John Mace]

I'll put odds on Merle and Sophie hooking up.

Sophie's the little girl, isn't she? Either you have a low opinion of Merle, or you're a little mixed up. :)

:smack: I meant the lady with the long blonde hair, whatever her name is. The one who wanted to die last week.

[alphaboi867]

:smack: I meant the lady with the long blonde hair, whatever her name is. The one who wanted to die last week.

Too bad. An offscreen relationship molestation of Sophia by Merle would be far, far, more disturbing than any gore they could possibly show. It would also be interesting to see how creative Carol can get re a punishment if he's captured alive.

[Glory]

My beef: it's been several months since the outbreak. Yet "T-Dog" almost loses it (panic) at seeing the bloody baby seat, and Andrea goes ape-shit panic-mode at the Walker in the woods.

You'd think that they'd be just a little more inured to their new environment by now.


I feel the opposite, they seem incredibly blase, moseying casually through the deserted cars in the traffic jam. These folks survived a zombie apocalypse. Unlike Rick, they didn't sleep through it, they lived it, seeing friends, family torn to bits and the undead rising. Shouldn't they be...jumpier? Where's the PTSD?

Totally agree about the clothes. I find Lori's long hair particularly troubling. It's HOT in Georgia. I would have to put my hair up.

[Lightnin']

The farm looks too pristine to me. Heck, it looked like the lawn was recently mowed. You'd think one of your lower priorities in an apocalypse is lawn care!

This year I started letting my neighbor pasture her three horses on my yard (I've got two acres). As a result, I mowed my lawn three times, as opposed to last year's weekly mowing. It's saved me a ton in gas and maintenance. They even keep the vines from growing in the hedges.

The only downside is lots of horse poop.

And how do they keep horses? We know zombies eat them. Wouldn't a grazing horse be a big zombie attractor?

Well, you got me there. They've got a big field with long sight distances- if there are decent fences surrounding the property, it could be that the walkers just weren't being given enough incentive to climb over/through the fences. They're not curious at all unless given a possible snack- I imagine that if they couldn't see or hear the horses, they just wouldn't be very inclined to enter the property.

[Odesio]

These folks survived a zombie apocalypse. Unlike Rick, they didn't sleep through it, they lived it, seeing friends, family torn to bits and the undead rising. Shouldn't they be...jumpier? Where's the PTSD?

You mean like when T-Dog almost had a panic attack at the sight of the bloody baby seat in the back of the car? Or the guy from season one who was digging all the graves or the people who opted for suicide at the end of the season?

[limegreen]

Well, apparently, according to the AMC quiz, I'm Dale. I'm not sure what I think of that. Probably pretty accurate. I tend to sit back and watch the drama.

[D_Odds]

Well, you got me there. They've got a big field with long sight distances- if there are decent fences surrounding the property, it could be that the walkers just weren't being given enough incentive to climb over/through the fences. They're not curious at all unless given a possible snack- I imagine that if they couldn't see or hear the horses, they just wouldn't be very inclined to enter the property.
A singular zombie is a manageable menace, even a group of 2-3. It was why, earlier in the episode, they could discount Rick or Shane firing a single gun shot to take down a stray walker. Hordes of zombies (some who seem to be a little quicker than the comic book ones, and especially the one in the first season who could climb fences) are a different story. As long as the farm does not get swarmed like they did on the highway, they can manage the threat. And keep horses alive.

However, where in hell did they get the OJ? Even if it was just Tang, how much of that stuff did they have stockpiled?

As for Lori, I was never fond of her character in the comics. When I heard who was the actress, I was hoping she would die the same death she did in Prison Break, only that this time it would stick. The combination of disliked character and disliked actress make me actively hate her now.

[DigitalC]

If i didn't hate her before the combination of the "I'm mad at my husband because he's being reasonable" flashback and the way she treated the doctor would have made me despise her for sure.

[The Evil Prince Zorte]

Next week on an All New Walking Dead-

The group from the highway finds the farmhouse and they enjoy the first regular meal in forever and feel almost normal.

Sophie's mom is sad they haven't found her daughter yet.

Daryl shoots a zombie who tries to eat the horse.

Shane and the other guy return with supplies and they prepare to start the operation on Carl..

The end, stay tuned for Episode 4!

They had better let some time pass in this story, because at the rate of 1 episode = 1 day, they can cover barely more than 2 weeks in the life of a zombie apocalypse survivor, and how much progress can they really make in that amount of time? Carl would spend the rest of the season on bed rest at the farm, or in the RV if they had to leave suddenly.

[Push You Down]

Kids are always the hard part... it's why Walt had to go on LOST.

Carl already looks much older than he did in season 1. There are going to need to be some time jumps.

[Cat Whisperer]

If i didn't hate her before the combination of the "I'm mad at my husband because he's being reasonable" flashback and the way she treated the doctor would have made me despise her for sure.
But she's STRONG! You can't believe the STRENGTH of her! Right now she's looking kind of bitchy, but I guess we're just not seeing it yet.

[John Mace]

According the test, I'm Sophie.

No, just kidding. I'm Rick. But I could see how you play the game, and I could easily have purposely picked the answers that made me Merle.

[ExTank]

PS, did anyone else take that "Which Character Are You?" test on the official AMC site? Aparently I'm Andrea.

I'm T-Dog. Kinda appropriate, actually. I may change my username.

[Cat Whisperer]

I'm Glenn, baby!
You are Glenn. You are fast and resourceful and have no trouble finding your niche in any group. You would rather live on the sidelines though than star in the spotlight. Recently circumstances have changed for you and have made you rethink your dangerous forays into the fray.

[The Evil Prince Zorte]

The Walking Dead has been picked up for a third season. I'm a little annoyed, because I was hoping it would be picked up for the second half of a full 22 episode season but it looks like it will be 13 episodes and then wait until next fall. Still it's better than the 6 episode test run we got last year.

After looking at IMDB I see that if I had been watching Mad Men or Breaking Bad I would know that AMC only ever does 13. Hopefully the show will stop dragging its feet and make better use of its limited time.

[alphaboi867]

Thirteen episodes a season is about right for a cable program. Very few shows really warrant 20+ episodes a year; even the best shows end up putting out alot of filler.

[Erdosain]

Hmmm, I guess I was the only one who was dissatisfied with the pace of this episode. I mean, another 60 minutes and all they did was keep looking for Sophie and hang out with Colonel Sanders for a bit.

It's probably a bad sign for me that I actively want Rick, Lori, and Carl to become zombie Hamburger Helper, the sooner the better. I may have to stop watching.

[Isamu]

Yeah I'm with you. Not enough zombie exterminating, too much soul searching angst from Rick. "I have to go tell my (cheatin' bitchy) wife that our son has been shot vs. stay to give him blood transfusions". It's not even a close call Rick - go find some zombies to kill.

[Fubaya]

After the episode aired they had the writer or director or someone on and he said it was going to be pretty bloody next week.

I've downloaded the episode and I'm not sure the yard looks mowed. The grass is obviously short and very thin near the house, but in one shot where the camera is facing the house you can tell it's high and weedy. Although it looks mowed in some shots, I think it's consistent with not having much rain and not being mowed in a while. I imagine they told the owners not to mow it for a month before filming but they had no rain before the shooting day so it never grew much and they got stuck with a yard that looked maintained on film.

As far as horses, they would probably be kept in the barn at night and parts of the day. I suspect a couple zombies are no match for a horse. It would trot away or kick the hell out of one that got too close. Assuming the horse is skittish of them, it would be nearly impossible for a zombie to get close enough for a bite.

[salinqmind]

Lori may be bitchy but she hasn't 'cheated'-she thought Rick was dead.

[mhendo]

For some reason, i really liked seeing a zombie in a FEMA jacket.

And it always cracks me up when Daryl puts an arrow casually into a walker's head.

[Isamu]

Lori may be bitchy but she hasn't 'cheated'-she thought Rick was dead.

Hmm, I guess that's technically true. I can't remember from the first season though - how many days passed before she gave up on him? It can't have been that long because he couldn't stay alive in the hospital for more than, say a week, without food/water after the zombie apocalypse, could he? So when the apocalypse happened she just up and left with Shane?

[Folacin]

Shane told her Rick was dead, IIRC - which, while not technically true (and types of dead is a problem in zombie-land), was not an unrealistic assumption.

[Kolga]

Hmm, I guess that's technically true. I can't remember from the first season though - how many days passed before she gave up on him? It can't have been that long because he couldn't stay alive in the hospital for more than, say a week, without food/water after the zombie apocalypse, could he? So when the apocalypse happened she just up and left with Shane?

It's not clear how long Rick was in the hospital before he came out of his coma to find The End Of The World As He'd Known It. That's a plot hole that a lot of people can't get past, especially since

Morgan, in the first episode, makes a statement about the gas lines having already been down for more than a month.

In the CDC episode,

Dr. Jenner refers to it being something like 163 days since the disease went global, so it's clearly not just been a weekend.


I don't necessarily think that Lori's involvement with Shane is completely out of the question in the circumstances. She knew Shane for a while as Rick's partner, she had every reason to believe that her husband was dead (and I believe that Shane himself truly believed that Rick was either going to die or was dead), the world has turned into a nightmare - I can see her simply wanting to be with someone for the comfort and the support, even if it's not been more than a few weeks since they became refugees.

I don't know what to spoiler and what not to, so I apologize if I didn't spoiler something that should have been.

[amanset]

I don't know what to spoiler and what not to, so I apologize if I didn't spoiler something that should have been.

Nothing there needed spoilering, it was all stuff from previous episodes.

And for what it is worth, I agree with you regarding her actions.

[simster]

Nothing there needed spoilering, it was all stuff from previous episodes.

And for what it is worth, I agree with you regarding her actions.

yeah, its Shane that is the problem here - he may have been honest at the first, but his actions since Rick have returned are at issue. Lori's actions before/since have been overall reasonable.

[Kolga]

yeah, its Shane that is the problem here - he may have been honest at the first, but his actions since Rick have returned are at issue. Lori's actions before/since have been overall reasonable.

I agree with you to a certain extent, but at the same time, put yourself in his shoes. He probably felt like he abandoned his partner, even while recognizing that he couldn't take Rick out of the hospital successfully. He (and Rick) would have been shot by the military, just like it was shown in the flashback that other patients and hospital personnel were gunned down. So he's got that guilt, plus the natural survivor guilt that a lot of people have when they survive something that others didn't. And he feels that he's the reason Rick's in the hospital in the first place.

Then, he got Lori and Carl to leave for legitimate reasons, to take them to safety. He knew Lori from before, MAYBE he had feelings for her, maybe not, but he probably wanted to save them to try to atone for feeling that he'd not only abandoned Rick at the hospital, but had been responsible for Rick getting shot in the first place.

THEN, he and Lori start up a relationship, again probably just to have some comfort in a situation that nobody could handle without some emotional trauma.

THEN, Rick shows back up, and Lori still loves Rick (remember that Shane was aware that Rick and Lori were having problems). And now Shane's got guilt because he loves Lori and Carl, he genuinely loves Rick and has all that guilt, and he realizes that he DID abandon Rick hastily, and Lori now sees him as scum.

I honestly do not know if Shane could act any differently than he is, given all that. Even the rape-y behavior at the CDC when he was drunk could be seen as a part of that emotional turmoil (although I do not forgive him for that, because that is no excuse).

I'm probably overthinking what is in reality a ridiculously contrived story anyway (zombies, really?), but it's what I do.

[simster]

I agree with you to a certain extent, but at the same time, put yourself in his shoes. He probably felt like he abandoned his partner, even while recognizing that he couldn't take Rick out of the hospital successfully. He (and Rick) would have been shot by the military, just like it was shown in the flashback that other patients and hospital personnel were gunned down. So he's got that guilt, plus the natural survivor guilt that a lot of people have when they survive something that others didn't. And he feels that he's the reason Rick's in the hospital in the first place.

Then, he got Lori and Carl to leave for legitimate reasons, to take them to safety. He knew Lori from before, MAYBE he had feelings for her, maybe not, but he probably wanted to save them to try to atone for feeling that he'd not only abandoned Rick at the hospital, but had been responsible for Rick getting shot in the first place.

THEN, he and Lori start up a relationship, again probably just to have some comfort in a situation that nobody could handle without some emotional trauma.

THEN, Rick shows back up, and Lori still loves Rick (remember that Shane was aware that Rick and Lori were having problems). And now Shane's got guilt because he loves Lori and Carl, he genuinely loves Rick and has all that guilt, and he realizes that he DID abandon Rick hastily, and Lori now sees him as scum.

I honestly do not know if Shane could act any differently than he is, given all that. Even the rape-y behavior at the CDC when he was drunk could be seen as a part of that emotional turmoil (although I do not forgive him for that, because that is no excuse).

I'm probably overthinking what is in reality a ridiculously contrived story anyway (zombies, really?), but it's what I do.

perfectly reasonable explanations - his actions up until Rick's return I have no issue with - his pointing a gun at Rick with the intent in his eyes to kill his competition, not so much.

Of course, they are all shell shocked, him with more baggage (him and his then wife were definiteily on the outs, he was jealous of Rick/Lori's relationship, he definitiely had the hots for her, etc) - I honestly don;t think he blames himself for Rick getting shot - but he definitely had no issues taking advantage of the situation.

[conurepete]

I am certain that we are watching the "dumb" melodramatically emotional survivors. But it is like in Shawn of the Dead, if we follow the competent group, it will get pretty dull.

[Hentor the Barbarian]

Odd choice to use up their "kid in peril" trump cards at the start of the season. One kid is missing and the other has been shot. I don't know if I like that decision or hate it. I'm not a fan of kid in peril story lines, so maybe this means we won't have any more when they're resolved. That would be nice!I was going to say just this. I think the kid in peril stories are indicators of poor writing, so I'm a little worried that we've already gotten two different kids in peril, overlapping, during the first two episodes. This is what they were able to come up with during the break?

[Fubaya]

Shane had to get ass deep in zombies, the group has to remain split and has to go back in the woods because of the kids. Although I don't care about the kids or their storyline, I'm hoping they make the rest of the situation more interesting.

[marshmallow]

Maybe it's just me but I feel like this series has weak and almost 1950s cliche overly emotional female characters/dialogue. The farm girl on the horse has promise though.

[Joey P]

Wow, what a terrible exit-from-the-medical-trailer plan. Does no one think ahead on this show? Don't keep a road flare for the return trip. Don't look out to see what's going on, just barge on out and get their attention, then wait for 5 seconds to make sure they see you.

1)When Otis (that was his name, right) mentioned that they had to get to the medical trailer, I thought that instead of wading through the sea of zombies that Rick would grab the Hummer (Humvee?) that was sitting right that and attempt to just hitch it up and just drag the whole thing back to the farm.

2)If that was blue meth, it was a lot, he must have been dealing. Hell, I thought it was Adderall, but if it was any kind of drug in that bag, it was a lot of it, so I suppose it could have been blue meth.

3)Rick, IRL, I noticed has a British accent. Also, his father in law is Ian Anderson.

4)When Lori was pulling up on the horse, I was half expecting Rick to warn everyone that she's going to be uber pissed, especially at Otis.

5)When they found the tent in the woods (I think that was last week), did it bother anyone the way they went about looking in it? Kind of sneaking up on it? ISTM in 'this day and age' they really need to be announcing their presence since zombies can't talk. I'd think that if I was sitting in my tent and something opened it without telling me they were about to do it, they'd likely meet the business end of whatever weapon I had in my hand. I know they eventually had Carol call out for Sopie but Merle had already been poking around in it and if there had been a non-zombie human in there he very well might have started shooting. I'd think by now any time they are entering something unknown and there isn't an obvious zombie presence that they need to keep quiet about they need to be saying something, anything, even a simple "Is there anyone here?" Along those same lines, it also seems like when two people approach each other instead of attacking a quick "Hey, say something or I'll kill you" would resolve a lot of problems.

(I just caught up, watching all of S1 and 2.1 in the last 2 weeks or so.)

Lastly I watched last week's Talking Dead and I'm about to watch this weeks. The asked the writer about one of the plot holes and he gave, IMO, a really bad answer. As I've seen discussed in all these threads (which I've skimmed as I watched the episodes) and noticed myself, there's a lot of plot holes. I hope that if they're not going to try to close them up, he keeps his mouth shut about them since it makes it sound like they're not even trying. Especially when AMC also has Breaking Bad. A show which seems to go out of their way to close up almost every single plot hole they can find. They almost seem to look for them just to sew them up (save one major one, but the jury is still out as to if they left it open on purpose).