# The Walking Dead; 3.15 "This Sorrowful Life" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 25, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864 "2013-03-25T00:10:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![stegon66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@stegon66](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stegon66)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/41 "2013-03-25T18:17:32Z")
> [@](#): > > This is becoming a real problem. If the zombies are not dangerous… Once again, individual zombies or even a couple of them are no real match for seasoned fighters like Merle and Michonne. But those two had the sense to bug out when they saw they were soon to be outnumbered. Have you seen the original Dawn of the Dead? Same thing happens when the motorcycle gang invades the mal. They even go so far as to PLAY with the zombies. Pie, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![EMCEE\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5ac83/32.png) [@EMCEE\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EMCEE_98)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/42 "2013-03-25T18:25:41Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Wow, I totally missed that. That should set up some tough decisions for Tyreese to make, because naturally Ben’s dad will be screaming for vengeance. > > \*\*Agreed; Taylor’s slow, flat delivery reads as “laconic”, Lincoln’s as “kinda stupid”. \*\* > \*\*Overall, I think they’re about the same, but Longmire gives its lead character much better material to worth with than TWD does. \*\* > Hell yeah! In a perfect world, though, the Motorhead track would have been “Overkill”. That drum track alone would have pulled in every zombie in a three-mile radius. Completely agree with the bolded. TWD gives less to work with for the “main” characters, with the opposite being true for Longmire. And yes, “Overkill” would’ve been awesome. ---
**Author:** ![EMCEE\_98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b5ac83/32.png) [@EMCEE\_98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EMCEE_98)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/43 "2013-03-25T18:31:12Z")
> [@stegon66](#): > > Once again, individual zombies or even a couple of them are no real match for seasoned fighters like Merle and Michonne. But those two had the sense to bug out when they saw they were soon to be outnumbered. Have you seen the original Dawn of the Dead? Same thing happens when the motorcycle gang invades the mal. They even go so far as to PLAY with the zombies. Pie, anyone? One of my favorite scenes in the original Dawn of the Dead is when Roger starts to get a little loopy when they are moving the semi trailers in front of the mall entrance, then it slowly dawns on him that he’s fucking around with death all around him. I could just see someone slowly losing it like that, living such a crazy existence. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/44 "2013-03-25T18:44:48Z")
> [@stegon66](#): > > Once again, individual zombies or even a couple of them are no real match for seasoned fighters like Merle and Michonne. Even when they are on foot, and in Merle’s case, totally reckless (working under the dash while an alarm blares), and in Michonne’s case, bound at the wrists and tied to a pole? Setting aside the thematic issues with ineffectual zombies, if they’re a mere nuisance, why waste so much time on the characters destroying them? If the writers are unwilling to make the zombies more dangerous, then at least spend less time on them. > [@stegon66](#): > > But those two had the sense to bug out when they saw they were soon to be outnumbered. A light jog for a hundred yards or so would have sufficed; anyone can bug out successfully against these foes. > [@stegon66](#): > > Have you seen the original Dawn of the Dead? Same thing happens when the motorcycle gang invades the mal. They even go so far as to PLAY with the zombies. Pie, anyone? I have. That sequence is the weakest part of an otherwise great film. Slapstick has no place in post-apocalyptic horror. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/45 "2013-03-25T18:50:17Z")
> [@Tangent](#): > > Also, this was episode 3.15, not 3.14. Whoops. :o I’ll ask a mod to change it. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/46 "2013-03-25T18:51:18Z")
I usually try to avoid the previews, but based on Rick’s speech where he declares an end to the ricktatorship and proclaims the new beginning of a dumbocracy(?), I was already guessing that… _(very mild and slightly obvious speculation and commentary based on an ambiguous scene in the preview which implies a possible major plot point: )_ [spoiler]…they were going to vote to leave the prison, which the preview only sort of implies, I guess. And to that, I say AMEN! When they secured the prison, I think I was the first person to comment on how totally non-threatening and lame the zombie menace had now become. And I knew that as long as they stayed there, the story would become less about zombies and more about (mostly tedious and contrived) intra/interpersonal relationships. I don’t care how the story goes in the comic books, this show is best when they are out there on the road, exploring how the zombie apocalypse has affected everything. I realize that there are logistics and budget concerns that can make that challenging, but I see no reason why it can’t be done. If a much lamer - and presumably tighter-budgeted show - like _Falling Skies_ manages to do it, TWD can do it, too. They need to get out there and mix it up, instead of aimlessly hiding in farms and prisons. I want to learn more about how the larger world is dealing with the circumstances, not just a small part of Georgia. I want them to touch more on the backstory of how the zombie virus came to be, and on the possibilities of reversing it (in the unafflicted) through an antidote of some sort. If I don’t see at least hints of some of this in the first few episodes of the next season, I think I may have to finally and regretfully abandon this show. [/spoiler] ---
**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:** [March 25, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/47 "2013-03-25T19:19:00Z")
> [@SuperNelson](#): > > I’d forgotten who Ben was, but he was identified by name in the _In Memoriam_ section of Talking Dead, along with a slow motion replay of a bullet hitting him. > > We never really see who Merle was eating, although I suppose someone could sort of identify him by his clothes. I do not remember this shot/camera angle specifically but the photo in this article gives you a very clear view: [Walker Merle enjoys a light snack](http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/03/25/17457969-walking-dead-shocker-horrifying-heartbreaking-death-and-redemption?lite) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/48 "2013-03-25T20:40:25Z")
The real pity about Merle’s last desperate act was that probably nobody will ever know how much he redeemed himself. Though I still can’t condone his drinking and driving. 😉 I totally didn’t realize what Glenn was doing chopping off fingers until he gave Maggie the ring. I hope she doesn’t have to exchange it for another size. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/49 "2013-03-25T20:42:16Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The real pity about Merle’s last desperate act was that probably nobody will ever know how much he redeemed himself. Why not? Daryl is smart enough to realize what happened. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/50 "2013-03-25T20:47:50Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > Why not? Daryl is smart enough to realize what happened. He’ll know that Merle took down a few in a fight, but that could mean he was ambushed while trying to re-join or parley with Woodbury. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/51 "2013-03-25T21:06:44Z")
The Governor will let Daryl know what Merle did. Merle’s last stand going unrecognized is too subtle for this show. ---
**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:** [March 25, 2013, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/52 "2013-03-25T21:08:47Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > He’ll know that Merle took down a few in a fight, but that could mean he was ambushed while trying to re-join or parley with Woodbury. It doesn’t help that Merle kidnapped Michonne and originally planned on bartering her either for the group’s safety or (much more likely) readmission to Woodbury. Daryl will infer whatever he wants from Merle releasing Michonne. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/53 "2013-03-25T21:15:47Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > He’ll know that Merle took down a few in a fight, but that could mean he was ambushed while trying to re-join or parley with Woodbury. After freeing Michonne and telling her there was something he needed to do? no way, if he had been ambushed he would have taken out none of them. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/54 "2013-03-25T21:16:59Z")
On some level Daryl probably has to be relieved. He loved Merle, but even Merle admitted he was untrustworthy and had little to no impulse control. That blade should be kept, though, in case somebody ever loses an arm again. I hope that whatever happens next week ends the Woodbury plotline for good. It’s had its moments but I don’t think it’s compelling enough for a season ending cliffhanger. OTOH, even if the Governor is killed, short of a total massacre somebody will be left in the colony. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/55 "2013-03-25T22:18:48Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > After freeing Michonne and telling her there was something he needed to do? no way, if he had been ambushed he would have taken out none of them. Yeah, specially after his lecture to Daryl about having balls, and that since Rick and the rest of their group didn’t have the stomach for turning over Michonne, someone with the balls (him) had to do something. His primary goal, of course, was to kill the Governor, in which case he actually would have had a decent shot at making peace with Woodbury. So, it was a high-risk/high-reward mission, but not necessarily a suicide mission, IMO. It was the perfect mission for Merle, not only to demonstrate the extent of his balls, but if successful, it could have simultaneously brought about peace, saved lives in the long-run, and helped rehabilitate his poor reputation. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/56 "2013-03-25T22:20:15Z")
> [@EMCEE\_98](#): > > One of my favorite scenes in the original Dawn of the Dead is when Roger starts to get a little loopy when they are moving the semi trailers in front of the mall entrance, then it slowly dawns on him that he’s fucking around with death all around him. I could just see someone slowly losing it like that, living such a crazy existence. That one guy in the first season was kinda like that, but they blamed it on heat stroke. In the clip they showed on Talking Dead for next week (not a plot spoiler, so not gonna box it) the Gov looked like a total badass. Eyepatch, long dark coat, mussed hair. He’s had a hell of a transformation from when he first showed up where he seemed like just a normal nice guy (though obviously he wasn’t ever very nice what with all the zombie heads in his closet and army guy gun downs). ---
**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:** [March 25, 2013, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/57 "2013-03-25T22:32:44Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > After freeing Michonne and telling her there was something he needed to do? no way, if he had been ambushed he would have taken out none of them. I wonder if he took her so that Rick wouldn’t turn her over to the Governator. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/58 "2013-03-25T22:43:46Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I wonder if he took her so that Rick wouldn’t turn her over to the Governator. I think his original plan was that she would be bait for the Governor. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/59 "2013-03-25T22:48:27Z")
I’m pretty sure his plan was to just turn her over like they wanted and he changed his mind when he thought it trough. Like he told Rick, he doesn’t actually think about the things he does. ---
**Author:** ![SuperNelson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@SuperNelson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuperNelson)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864/60 "2013-03-25T23:13:18Z")
> [@MeanJoe](#): > > I do not remember this shot/camera angle specifically but the photo in this article gives you a very clear view: > > [Walker Merle enjoys a light snack](http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/03/25/17457969-walking-dead-shocker-horrifying-heartbreaking-death-and-redemption?lite) Wow - thanks! I guess I was so focused on the shock of seeing Walker Merle, guts pouring from his teeth, and that intense close-up of his eyes that I didn’t notice who he was snacking on. And I watched the whole episode twice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-3-15-this-sorrowful-life-open-spoilers/653864.md?page=4)