# The Walking Dead; 4.11 "Claims" (open spoilers)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [February 24, 2014, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057 "2014-02-24T01:52:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/41 "2014-02-24T19:16:24Z")

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I thought the house scene was tense and tight; it held my interest while waiting for the next tedious people-in-the-truck tedium. “It’s classified”: how about I UN-classify it with a butt stroke, motherfucker? :rolleyes: I like the dude from Southland, though.

Hey, new clothes for Rick and Michonne! Maybe the writers are finally reading comments from viewers, as in “why are these morons still wearing the same rags where there’s a world full of clothing to pick from?”

Why the hell would Rick give his only means of protection to a kid who can barely lift the damn thing? I know, plot device, but lame.

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**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:** [February 24, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/42 "2014-02-24T19:31:52Z")

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re: the guy on the toilet - he just wanted some alone time -

re: “It’s Classified” - I have this big army guy convinced of sometihing, my relative value is in this information, and the only way I maintain not being left behind is by not sharing it. By the way - I really don’t know anything.

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**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/43 "2014-02-24T20:04:00Z")

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> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> I thought the house scene was tense and tight; it held my interest while waiting for the next tedious people-in-the-truck tedium. “It’s classified”: how about I UN-classify it with a butt stroke, motherfucker? :rolleyes: I like the dude from Southland, though.
> 
> Hey, new clothes for Rick and Michonne! Maybe the writers are finally reading comments from viewers, as in “why are these morons still wearing the same rags where there’s a world full of clothing to pick from?”
> 
> Why the hell would Rick give his only means of protection to a kid who can barely lift the damn thing? I know, plot device, but lame.

And as I said up thread, Carl is a crappy shot anyway, and that’s with a 9mm Betetta 92 (M9?) that has a softer recoil and higher capacity…

The .357 Magnum Colt Python is heavier, louder, and has a more powerful recoil, full house .357 loads would make it hard for Carl to stay on target for the inevitable follow up shots he’d invariably need…

At least he’s not using that stupid “broken wrist” grip Rick insists on using (yes I know it’s a more camera freindly grip, but it’s thoroughly impractical otherwise

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**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:** [February 24, 2014, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/44 "2014-02-24T20:51:38Z")

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The Python’s double-action, as well, and Carl didn’t cock the hammer, so in addition to trying to point a 3-pound handgun, he’d also be contending with a 9-pound trigger pull.

The kid would be better off with a steak knife duct-taped to a broom handle.

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**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 24, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/45 "2014-02-24T21:04:23Z")

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> [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](#):
>
> My favorite episode for a long time. I LOVE the ‘scientist-guy’. I thought he was going to get himself killed while the others fought, and I laughed the whole time. The one guy who can save the world gets needlessly killed minutes after we meet him. There’s gotta be some trope for that.\<snip\>

Maybe soon - that would be like the moment in “World War Z” when the guy who can figure everything out falls down getting out of the air transport and blows his own head off, first thing. (big spoiler from the movie - seriously, don’t look if you haven’t seen the movie yet).

> [@Lightnin](#):
>
> Man, that sure is one hell of a popular house, ain’t it? First Rick and Carl find it, then Michonne, and then the random bad guy scroungers. Don’t they know there are other houses in the area?
> 
> When Glenn asked the scientist guy, “Okay, so what caused all of this?”, I kinda cheered. All too often in shows like this they drag out the explanation, instead of doing what every real, live human would do when presented with someone who knows what’s going on. Then my spirits were crushed with the reply: “It’s classified.”
> 
> What? What the hell? Are you afraid the walkers are going to hear your super-secret plan to save the world? :rolleyes:

That was my response, too - just fucking TELL THEM! The world is OVER; the military is OVER.

> [@DigitalC](#):
>
> I was surprised to find out that at least until a few weeks ago there were still some big shots running things in washington.

I think that’s the first indication we’ve had of any government or anything still being around since the very start of the show.

> [@Human\_Action](#):
>
> Didn’t we hear the other scavengers shouting, and shooting, as Rick escaped? I assume that means the guy Rick strangled reanimated as a zombie, since it was the clear the first guy to be choked didn’t die. I think we even got a shot of Rick opening the bathroom door a tad to let the zombie escape the room and rampage, but I’m not positive on that.

Yup. As **simster** said, Rick went out the window after opening the door for the zombie to get out. Cold, man. Not the worst plan ever, but cold.

> [@Folacin](#):
>
> \<snip\>  
> My plot-hole of the week is why the guy who saw Rick under the bed while he was getting choked out didn’t say anything after he woke up. I guess he thought he was hallucinating?

I thought the choked guy was dead.

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**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/46 "2014-02-24T21:05:18Z")

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I think mullet man shot the truck on purpose to delay them getting to DC. I think he’s full of crap and is just using this story as a means of survival. ie - if they think he’s important, they’ll protect him at all costs.

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**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:** [February 24, 2014, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/47 "2014-02-24T21:09:16Z")

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> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#):
>
> I thought the choked guy was dead.

I thought he might have been, but then two people came out of that room later. But maybe I missed someone actually coming upstairs to wake up the winner of that fight.

Plus, this far in, the fight winner should know that the dead rise - so (even in the general stupid level of this show) he wouldn’t have laid down for a nap without destroying his brain.

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**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 24, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/48 "2014-02-24T21:17:20Z")

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> [@Folacin](#):
>
> I thought he might have been, but then two people came out of that room later. But maybe I missed someone actually coming upstairs to wake up the winner of that fight.
> 
> Plus, this far in, the fight winner should know that the dead rise - so (even in the general stupid level of this show) he wouldn’t have laid down for a nap without destroying his brain.

Oh yeah, good point. You don’t nap in a room with a dead body (well, not for long, anyway).

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**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/49 "2014-02-24T21:33:17Z")

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Assuming they know that everybody is already infected (though in a group with such casual violence you’d think that is a quick lesson learned).

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**Author:** ![MacTech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MacTech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacTech)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/50 "2014-02-24T22:00:19Z")

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> [@Human\_Action](#):
>
> The Python’s double-action, as well, and Carl didn’t cock the hammer, so in addition to trying to point a 3-pound handgun, he’d also be contending with a 9-pound trigger pull.
> 
> The kid would be better off with a steak knife duct-taped to a broom handle.

At least a SNATABH doesn’t need to be reloaded…

Up the blade to at least a Ka-Bar fighting knife on a stick, or maybe Michonne could hook him up with another katana, or at least a machete

Of course, with my evil sense of humour, if I was stuck in TWD-verse and for some improbable reason, was limited to bladed weapons, I’d at least try to find a decent heavy duty blade…and a hockey mask 😉

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**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/51 "2014-02-24T22:00:41Z")

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> [@SykoSkotty](#):
>
> I think mullet man shot the truck on purpose to delay them getting to DC. I think he’s full of crap and is just using this story as a means of survival. ie - if they think he’s important, they’ll protect him at all costs.

I agree with this. In fact, I think the marine (or whatever he is — Abraham?) is a little Slow. “We’re going to save the world! Yup, yup, yup!” Come now. Who thinks there’s any world left to save at this point? And a mullet? What is this, 1989? He looks like was plucked out of an audience at a Jeff Foxworthy concert when the Zombocolypse was going down.

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**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/52 "2014-02-24T22:21:41Z")

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At this point the only thing they could do is prevent more people from rising up as zombies, and there are so few left that it doesn’t really matter.

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**Author:** ![wedgehed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8edcca/32.png) [@wedgehed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wedgehed)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/53 "2014-02-24T22:33:15Z")

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> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#):
>
> I agree with this. In fact, I think the marine (or whatever he is — Abraham?) is a little Slow. “We’re going to save the world! Yup, yup, yup!” Come now. Who thinks there’s any world left to save at this point? And a mullet? What is this, 1989? He looks like was plucked out of an audience at a Jeff Foxworthy concert when the Zombocolypse was going down.

Professor Mullet probably impressed him with his knowledge of scientific wrestling.

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**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/54 "2014-02-24T22:36:42Z")

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> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#):
>
> I agree with this. In fact, I think the marine (or whatever he is — Abraham?) is a little Slow. “We’re going to save the world! Yup, yup, yup!” Come now. Who thinks there’s any world left to save at this point? And a mullet? What is this, 1989? He looks like was plucked out of an audience at a Jeff Foxworthy concert when the Zombocolypse was going down.

I still see some pretty epic mullets here in Arkansas on occasion. I’m not proud to admit that but it’s true.

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**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/55 "2014-02-24T23:06:06Z")

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I tried looking up his character and all I could find was a wiki on the comic book. It says he has a very high opinion of his intelligence, but he claims to have a mullet in order to look less smart than he really is.

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**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/56 "2014-02-25T00:00:00Z")

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They focused on the “scientist” sort of wryly smiling as his final scene. I assume that was a nod to the audience that, yes, this guy is full of shit, correct?

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**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/57 "2014-02-25T00:00:25Z")

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> [@Sauron](#):
>
> I was amazed by the suspension of the bed Rick was under … that had to be the flimsiest bed I’ve ever seen. What were those supports made of, rubber bands?

I was amazed that he chose to hide under the bed. What is he, 8? Okay, he is weak and maybe it was just a poor decision made out of haste. But there’s 0 chance of defending yourself if someone looks under the bed.

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**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:** [February 25, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/58 "2014-02-25T00:03:14Z")

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> [@Superdude](#):
>
> IIRC, Glen asked Herschel for his blessing. He gave it, Glen put a ring on Maggie’s finger, and they just kinda started calling each other “husband” and “wife.” No real ceremony. For obvious reasons.

I always imagined they just quietly exchanged vows w/ Hershel presiding off-screen.

> [@Nobody](#):
>
> …Also, something occurred to me at the end of the episodes. In a world where razors and scissors are scarce, you’d expect to see more men with at least 5 o’clock shadows and men and women with long hair. Not mention dirty and worn out clothes.

True, and I highly doubt any of the women are still waxing or shaving their legs & armpits.

> [@DigitalC](#):
>
> I was surprised to find out that at least until a few weeks ago there were still some big shots running things in washington.

Yeah, it’s really odd that they’d be heading towards DC itself and not someplace like Mt Weather or the Greenbriar.

> [@Human\_Action](#):
>
> …And Tara, who doesn’t know this guy from Adam, is apparently fine with that plan.

To be fair Tara think she deserves to die, and is following Glenn as a form of penance for her sins.

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**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/59 "2014-02-25T00:03:41Z")

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> [@Nobody](#):
>
> I tried looking up his character and all I could find was a wiki on the comic book. It says he has a very high opinion of his intelligence, but he claims to have a mullet in order to look less smart than he really is.

If that’s his goal, he undermines it by telling others that he is smarter than they are. They seemed to be playing him as some kind of Hollywood version of autistic. Or it could just be the acting. On this show it’s hard to tell.

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**Author:** ![GreedySmurf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a698b9/32.png) [@GreedySmurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreedySmurf)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2014, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-4-11-claims-open-spoilers/682057/60 "2014-02-25T00:25:09Z")

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I didn’t mind the episode.

Couple of things for mind,

“I know what the cause is” and “It’s Classified” - I was waiting for Glen (or wanting him to) to break out with something along the lines of, oh you know do you? Well I’ve been to CDC HQ, I already know what causes this. (kthxbye)

I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed that smirk from the scientist as they started to follow Glen.

The action in the house I thought was good, some nice tension was created once I got past the whole, they just happened to pick that house. And how the hell does a group like that even survive if a minor disagreement about a full sized bed turns into a fight resulting in someone being choked out.

I didn’t have a problem with no one checking on Rick’s fight in the bathroom. As no one bothered checking on the fight in the bedroom between two of the group. Obviously a group used to casual violence.

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