# The Walking Dead; 2.08 "Nebraska" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 12, 2012, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643 "2012-02-12T23:33:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/101 "2012-02-14T17:21:42Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Anyone else find it fishy how those Philly dudes questioned them about the farm? It almost seemed like they pretended to guess at where they were staying, but then they brought up “Farm? Are you staying on a farm?” and wouldn’t let it go. I don’t remember Rick, Herschel, or Glen visibly reacting in a telling way when they got to “farm.” > > It just didn’t come off as a random guess to me. ## Nah, he was feeling them out. And it was his questioning that piqued Rick’s suspicions. Where are you holed up? Here? -no Your car? It doesn’t look lived in. -no Outskirts of town? -no a farm? ah a farm ---
**Author:** ![LurkerInNJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ed655f/32.png) [@LurkerInNJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkerInNJ)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/102 "2012-02-14T17:22:18Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Next question. Where is everyone? ISTM, that the amount of dead+living+walkers should be the total of the living population before this all started or close to it, right? You need to minus the amount of people the walkers have devoured, which would be significant by this point. I’m still wondering what killed all the people in the cars and why they didn’t reanimate though. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/103 "2012-02-14T17:26:13Z")
> [@FlightlessBird](#): > > ## Nah, he was feeling them out. And it was his questioning that piqued Rick’s suspicions. Where are you holed up? Here? -no Your car? It doesn’t look lived in. -no Outskirts of town? -no a farm? > > ah a farm Right. Also, in that part of the world, a farm would be a perfectly logical place. It doesn’t look like there’s very much else around there anyway. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/104 "2012-02-14T17:55:49Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > I see Rick obeyed [Zombieland Rule 25](http://www.zombielandrules.com/) - Shoot first! I really want a “Rick Shot First” shirt now. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/105 "2012-02-14T17:59:10Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Right. > > Also, in that part of the world, a farm would be a perfectly logical place. So would a suburban condominium. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/106 "2012-02-14T18:01:43Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > I thought the business about The Farm was very bad writing. “So, where are you guys staying? At The Farm, perhaps? Tell us more about The Farm. How many people are at The Farm? This Farm sounds pretty sweet. Any chicks at The Farm? Okay, let’s all head for The Farm.” Maybe the bad guys were psychic. > > The other thing that still bugs me is how IMPORTANT the farm seems to be to everyone. These people have the choice of living (surviving)\* anywhere in the entire world\*. Yet they seem fixated on this one location in rural Georgia. They were fishing for where they were staying. When they said “maybe a farm?” Glenn gave up a tell, so they knew they were on the right track. That’s when they started focusing on it being a farm. The farm is important because it’s the first place they’ve felt safe and secure. No daily attacks, food and water, a roof over their head… ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/107 "2012-02-14T18:03:58Z")
> [@markm](#): > > They were fishing for where they were staying. When they said “maybe a farm?” Glenn gave up a tell, Did he? I didn’t notice. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/108 "2012-02-14T18:54:51Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > Did he? I didn’t notice. Yeah, when the guy said “a farm?” Glen kind of glanced at Herschel and Rick. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/109 "2012-02-14T19:01:30Z")
> [@markm](#): > > The farm is important because it’s the first place they’ve felt safe and secure. No daily attacks, food and water, a roof over their head… Heck, they could have all that many places. The countryside is filled with such farms. Me, I’d head for New York and chill in Donald Trump’s penthouse. Bottom line, it’s cheaper to film the series in one set location. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/110 "2012-02-14T19:07:13Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > Heck, they could have all that many places. The countryside is filled with such farms. Me, I’d head for New York and chill in Donald Trump’s penthouse. > > Bottom line, it’s cheaper to film the series in one set location. Well, yeah, of course it’s cheaper to film in one location, but in-series, the reason is because it is the known and it is safe and secure. People, as a rule, prefer what they know versus what they don’t, and they don’t like change. They’ve found a place that’s safe, secure, and they know it. ‘This’ versus ‘maybe finding another place that’s just as safe and secure’; they’re going to choose ‘this’. ---
**Author:** ![MeanJoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanjoe/32/5693_2.png) [@MeanJoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanJoe)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/111 "2012-02-14T19:33:04Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > I’m still wondering what killed all the people in the cars and why they didn’t reanimate though. I posted my theory on this in a previous thread but here is my take: You’re in your car, trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic as everyone attempts to flee in the same direction on the same highway. A roaving hoard of zombies shows up and panic ensues. You can’t drive off in your car as it is blocked in front/back/side by other traffic. You have two choices: [ol] [li]Get out of your car and run.[/li][li]Stay in the perceived safety of your car, lock the doors, and wait it out.[/li][/ol] The problem with # 2 is we already know zombies will stay in a location where there is food. You are in your car, they know you are there, and they surround your car. You are now stuck and surrounded. It becomes a waiting game… [ul] [li]Some percentage will make a break for it and leave their car.[/li][li]Some percentage will die because zombies get into the car (unlocked door, break a window, etc.)[/li][li]The remaining who stay in their car will ultimately die of dehydration and heat. They’re trapped in a car, windows up and doors locked, on a Georgia asphalt/concrete freeway in the summer.[/li][/ul] To me, this last point explains the people we saw in the cars. I imagine after a few months cooking inside a car a dead person is going to look like a piece of Human Jerkey and not that unlike a zombie. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/112 "2012-02-14T19:39:09Z")
Why is the farm somehow safe? They don’t do patrols or have anyone on watch based on what we see so what is to prevent a zombie stampede from traveling through the area? They aren’t doing anything to limit their visibility like not setting off huge bonfires that would be visible for miles, or setting defensive perimeters with stakes and physical barriers. The farm being safe seems like a contrivance. I wouldn’t feel safe there one bit. It doesn’t even look like high ground. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/113 "2012-02-14T19:59:05Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > Right. > > Also, in that part of the world, a farm would be a perfectly logical place. It doesn’t look like there’s very much else around there anyway. And Rick made it pretty clear he want’s to stay at the farm so he has Herschel around to help deliver the baby. But I suppose the car accident/miscarraige is going to put them on the road again. We have to keep in mind that Herschel has proven that he’s pretty talented at keeping our crew patched up and healthy and that it’s worth a few arguments and maybe losing a few battles with him to stay on his good side. Yeah, they have to draw the line somewhere and the barn thing may be a deal breaker but up until then it just meant that they had to walk across the property line to play with their guns and they weren’t allowed to do anything with his kids or animals without his permission. As longs as they followed his rules, he seemed happy to extract arrows and bullets, clean up wounds and treat the sick. ---
**Author:** ![markm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@markm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markm)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/114 "2012-02-14T20:02:18Z")
It’s safe because it’s in a clearing, so you can see for a reasonable distance before the woods obstructs your view. They have the token references to Dale or someone doing watch from atop the RV. It’s far from main roads, where the walkers seem to really travel. Plus, again, it’s a matter of what feels safe. It’s a home, relatively untouched by the walker epidemic. It’s been safe, so subconsciously they feel it will stay safe. Sure, it’s more likely they’re just on borrowed time by staying at the farm, but a relatively safe known is preferable to any number of unknowns. ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/115 "2012-02-14T20:06:35Z")
Re Dale being psychic: Dale’s been watching Shane like a hawk and it’s not like Shane would be a great poker player. He’s been acting guilty as shit. I think Dale’s the only one that’s noticed\*, since he’s so suspicious of Shane. Dale also picked up on Andrea and Shane hooking up too, no one else seemed to. \*Lori doesn’t trust him either. So she’s smart enough to distrust Shane and stupid enough to make a solo run into unknown territory? :dubious: I think Shane is going to kill Dale. Too easy? I watched the AMC marathon (it was my first look the show), now it sucks to have to wait a week to see what’s going to happen next. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/116 "2012-02-14T20:18:27Z")
> [@markm](#): > > It’s safe because it’s in a clearing, so you can see for a reasonable distance before the woods obstructs your view. They have the token references to Dale or someone doing watch from atop the RV. It’s far from main roads, where the walkers seem to really travel. > Plus, again, it’s a matter of what feels safe. It’s a home, relatively untouched by the walker epidemic. It’s been safe, so subconsciously they feel it will stay safe. Sure, it’s more likely they’re just on borrowed time by staying at the farm, but a relatively safe known is preferable to any number of unknowns. I know this is part of the plot so nitpicking these things is just what I do while I wait for the next episode. They couldn’t see very far from where Shane found Carol after she wandered in the woods. That location she was 20’ or so from where he was getting water? And Dale may be doing watches from on top of the RV, but no one was doing that before they got there? I don’t recall a good overhead shot of the location so I’m not sure about visibility, but I’d sure as hell want really long sight lines. There was that seen where the stupid woman (which one? Hah!) shot Daryl so that direction may be good. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/117 "2012-02-14T20:33:59Z")
I’m hoping that the resolution to the two groups on the farm is that they all decide to hit the road and find a good, defensible place to settle (or maybe a larger settlement that isn’t being run by Lord Humungus from “The Road Warrior”). I totally agree that the farm seems safe, but it isn’t at all. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/118 "2012-02-14T20:33:58Z")
> [@markm](#): > > It’s safe because it’s in a clearing, so you can see for a reasonable distance before the woods obstructs your view. They have the token references to Dale or someone doing watch from atop the RV. It’s far from main roads, where the walkers seem to really travel. Also, as we saw in the fall finale, there is the swamp that borders at least one side of the property that acts as a natural obstacle to walkers (where Herschel took Rick to bring back to the barn a couple of walkers that were stuck in the mud). ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/119 "2012-02-14T20:42:01Z")
The farm is safer than the road, and they don’t know when they’ll next happen upon a safe place. At the farm they’ve got food, power, and a guy who can patch them up. I really don’t get why it’s hard to understand that most humans would cling to that in their circumstance. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643/120 "2012-02-14T20:51:17Z")
I think that someone mentioned upthread that faced with the Jersey guys, Rick suddenly realized that’s how Hershel perceives his crew. I wonder if he realized that’s how Hershel SHOULD perceive them. They may not be actively threatening, they may not even mean Hershel and his people any harm, but he keeps telling them to leave and they keep not leaving, and while they can all keep “discussing” it, the fact is that they’re much more heavily armed than Hershel’s people, so he can’t \*make \*them leave. They are, at best, menacing intruders if not outright predators. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-2-08-nebraska-open-spoilers/612643.md?page=7)