# The Walking Dead; 3.01 "Seed" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 14, 2012, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726 "2012-10-14T23:12:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**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:** [October 16, 2012, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/101 "2012-10-16T21:30:35Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > From sitting in a car? 🙂 I just assumed it was a combination of car accidents and other non-zombies that came through before our crew showed up and knew how to deal with them. But it’s just something I heard or read somewhere, I didn’t really put that much thought into it. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2012, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/102 "2012-10-16T21:31:24Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > Are we supposed to have forgotten all about all the dead bodies in the automobiles along the interstate back in season one? I didn’t see any head trauma on them, or any sign of zombification. We’ve gone around and around on this one in several threads over the course of the last two seasons. [ul] [li]You get stuck in the traffic congestion of people fleeing the cities.[/li][li]A group of zombies shows up and starts reeking havoc, you have two choices - stay in your car or run.[/li][li]You stay in your car, closing the windows and locking the doors.[/li][li]Since zombies know you are there, they don’t leave. Ergo, you also cannot get out.[/li][li]Daytime temperatures on an asphalt freeway inside a sealed up car in the summertime, in the deep south… you quickly die and _maybe_ reanimate if significant brain damage hasn’t already occurred from the temperatures.[/li][li]Let’s give you the benefit of the doubt tho’, signficant brain damage had not occurred before you expired so now you are zombie… sealed in a car on an asphalt freeway… in the summertime… in the deep south. You will continue to slowly cook, suffering significant damage to all internal organs including the brain as you continue to become a dehydrated piece of zombie jerky.[/li][/ul] And that is how you get the dead bodies in the cars, starting in Season 1… Makes perfect sense to me. I like lists. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/103 "2012-10-16T22:52:23Z")
> [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](#): > > I had way more of a problem with them not double tapping every body they encountered, which of course led to someone being bitten. I don’t disagree, but ultimately it’s not nearly as dumb as bringing the only medical professional (who also happens to be 70ish) along on the mission in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/104 "2012-10-17T02:34:28Z")
> [@oft\_wears\_hats](#): > > …If I had to guess, this contagion hit, and infected people who died of non-zombie causes were the first seed zombies. They presumably reanimated at home, the hospital, or the morgue and the infection spread from there… Yeah, whatever pathogen that causes reanimate is completely asymptomatic (at least in the vast majority of cases) until the carrier dies of some other cause. This also means that during the intitial outbreak not every person was a carrier yet, so not every dead body reanimated. The time it takes to reanimate is also extremely variable. Andrea’s sister took what, 12 hrs to reanimate, while Shane reanimated in minutes. So some of the first victims would’ve died & reanimated before anyone realized they were dead, while others could’ve made it as far as the morgue or even funeral home. We don’t know what effect refrigeration has either. Some corpses could’ve sat for days in a cooler before reanimating during an autopsy or funeral. > [@DianaG](#): > > I don’t disagree, but ultimately it’s not nearly as dumb as bringing the only medical professional (who also happens to be 70ish) along on the mission in the first place. Yeah, that was really stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/105 "2012-10-17T03:38:49Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > **Sam** , the corollary is why were they so worried about the riot zombies and the respirator zombie? They’re not smart enough to get the face shield up or the respirator off, so just push them back, kill the ones that can actually harm you, and then flank the remaining and hit them as needed. No need to go courting trouble pulling off shields and respirators if the back of the head is an open target. Not saying they would be, but I think the group’s target selection skills still suck. Well, even if a face-shielded zombie can’t bite, it can grab you and slow you down, increasing your vulnerability to other zombies. Anyway, these guys have gotten less dumb, but they’re still not methodical enough, nor are they taking care to stay in communication when they split into smaller groups. Heck, if you’re going to clear an area with a lot of fences, stay in line-of-sight and if you see zombies, retreat to the last defensible position while trying to get as many as possible to follow you, and let the entire group break some skulls through the chain-links. Repeat at least ten times at every stage or until confidence is high, then advance the whole group to the next level. I gave similar thought to analyzing the recent _Dawn of the Dead_. Be more patient and less stupid, people! If you’re gonna be all dumb and impulsive, you may as well be zombies! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/106 "2012-10-17T13:02:34Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > nor are they taking care to stay in communication when they split into smaller groups. You’d think they’d acquire radios, especially from a prison. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/107 "2012-10-17T13:26:32Z")
The two guards at the spot they were going to release the kid last seasion (that led to the fight with SHane and Rick) had no signs of external trauma. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/108 "2012-10-17T13:43:18Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I don’t disagree, but ultimately it’s not nearly as dumb as bringing the only medical professional (who also happens to be 70ish) along on the mission in the first place. Before it was clear he was going my girlfriend kept asking “They are not bringing Herschel are they?” I agree it made no sense. I liked the fact that they seemed to be using good tactics in clearing the prison. Until I saw that their reaction to contact battle drill came from Monty Python, “Run Away!” They really should have thought that through. Clear small sections at a time kill off manageable numbers of zombies. I have no idea how the zombies got behind them. It looked like they had cleared that area. It still annoys me that no one uses the “Z” word. Ok fine Walkers is the popular term. But it’s not like they have never heard the word zombie before. ---
**Author:** ![Luk3112](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a9adbd/32.png) [@Luk3112](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Luk3112)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/109 "2012-10-17T14:28:04Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > I loved everything except the sappy musical interlude. Not the sweet song around the campfire, I liked that, but the one that played on the soundtrack once they were in the prison. I hated it when the weepy song happened around the 54-55 minute mark in just about every single episode of “House” and I’m sad to see it invading this show. The fact that I know it’s there for cross-promotion purpose (“Download music from tonight’s show at [iTunes.com](http://iTunes.com).”) doesn’t help matters. > > I’m not on Dish but my sister-in-law is. Anybody know a free legal way for her and others to be able to watch the upcoming episodes? [REMOVED LINK - Gukumatz] This is for pretty much any movie and tv show. click tv shows and search the walking dead. Normally the new episode comes on one day after its initial release 🙂 ---
**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:** [October 17, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/110 "2012-10-17T14:28:50Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > It still annoys me that no one uses the “Z” word. Ok fine Walkers is the popular term. But it’s not like they have never heard the word zombie before. A valid criticism, but it’s a common convention in zombie fiction that there are is no zombie fiction and so the whole concept of zombies is new to the characters. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/111 "2012-10-17T15:00:36Z")
One minor problem I have with this show. All this time and no walkie talkies around? That would come in mighty useful for a group that is always splitting apart like they are. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/112 "2012-10-17T15:05:39Z")
> [@Luk3112](#): > > [REMOVED LINK - Gukumatz] > > This is for pretty much any movie and tv show. click tv shows and search the walking dead. Normally the new episode comes on one day after its initial release > 🙂 Do NOT post links to illegal file-sharing and streaming sites. - Gukumatz, Moderator ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/113 "2012-10-17T15:12:39Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > I really do not get the confusion about the scarcity of ammo. > [/LIST] The confusions probably stems from videogames like Resident Evil, Dead Rising, Left 4 Dead, Dead Island and DayZ that leaves one with the impression that if you scrounge long enough, you can find any weapon from a laser sighted Glock 17, M4 carbine with reflex sight, Barett M99 .50cal Big Motherfucking Gun to a man-portable “Old Painless” style M134 minigun. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/114 "2012-10-17T15:19:30Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > … leaves one with the impression that if you scrounge long enough, you can find any weapon from a laser sighted Glock 17… You have obviously never been to Levy, Arkansas. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/115 "2012-10-17T15:22:35Z")
Thank God for rednecks! ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/116 "2012-10-17T15:38:15Z")
> [@Shakes](#): > > One minor problem I have with this show. All this time and no walkie talkies around? That would come in mighty useful for a group that is always splitting apart like they are. My thoughts on this : Walkie talkies are almost always stored on a charger. It’s been dang near a year…there’s no more electricity. No electricity means no chargers. No chargers means dead walkie talkies. They could use the cheap store bought ones and regular batteries, but even that supply (just like ammo) is a rare commodity and eventually going to run out. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/117 "2012-10-17T15:50:30Z")
Heck, just using a long thin rope, like army paracord, would be useful. The “expeditionary” group (which as other posters have pointed out, should include neither key medical personnel nor anyone over 60) can trail it behind them, leaving a path they can easily follow if they need a quick retreat, or the reserves can easily follow if the expeditionaries need rescue, or either side can tug repeatedly in the event of emergency. I dunno about looking around for spray-painted wall arrows in a moment of crisis. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/118 "2012-10-17T16:41:50Z")
What I don’t get is that after 6 months they completely missed the huge prison complex that was practically a stone’s throw from their camp at the end of season 2. This episode showed that they are now very proficient at using maps, and have been scouting the area enough that they’re actually tracking herds of walkers. We’re also led to believe from the first scene that they’ve been moving house-to-house scavenging all winter. They’ve been actively exploring the area in a somewhat organized manner for at least half a year, and yet they end up exactly where we last saw them, having missed the largest building (and possible safe-haven) in the area. I’ve also been wondering about just how many survivors there are out there. Since they left the greater Atlanta area (basically all of season 2) Rick’s group has only encountered other survivors twice: Herschel’s group at the farm, and the group they had the shoot-out with. The prisoner claimed their group was large, 30 or so members, but I he would have been motivated to inflate their numbers for obvious reasons. So in a few weeks we’re introduced to maybe 20 people, with anecdotal evidence of maybe 20 more. Within that time almost half of the group dies (Amy, Ed, Sophia, Otis, Shane, Jimmy and Patricia die, there are 10 people in the current group). So even a relatively competent group, with a wide range of skills, strong leader, decently armed, etc experienced roughly a 40% mortality rate in less than a month. Given this impressive body count, and the fact that they encounter HUNDREDS of walkers but only a few people, I’m thinking that there really isn’t too much competition for resources like ammo and food. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/119 "2012-10-17T17:15:54Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Heck, just using a long thin rope, like army paracord, would be useful. The “expeditionary” group (which as other posters have pointed out, should include neither key medical personnel nor anyone over 60) can trail it behind them, leaving a path they can easily follow if they need a quick retreat, or the reserves can easily follow if the expeditionaries need rescue, or either side can tug repeatedly in the event of emergency. I dunno about looking around for spray-painted wall arrows in a moment of crisis. They could also really use some “crybabies”- devices that will make noises either on a timer or by using a remote. Would be very useful for distracting the walkers, and they wouldn’t have to leave half their group behind whenever they’re going into an infested area. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726/120 "2012-10-17T17:26:13Z")
Well, assuming electricity and batteries are a problem (and they shouldn’t be for as long as they have working vehicles and gasoline, since they can use a car’s cigarette lighter and a simple inverter for rechargeable batteries), having whistles would be useful, too. Heck, whistles have been used for simple battlefield communications for a few centuries, wot? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-01-seed-open-spoilers/637726.md?page=7)