# The Walking Dead; 5.01 "No Santuary" (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 12, 2014, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149 "2014-10-12T22:35:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/121 "2014-10-15T04:23:40Z")
> [@Klaatu](#): > > I didn’t know Mary was Denise Crosby AKA Tasha Yar from Star Trek TNG. Saw that online somewhere. Oh, Jumping Jehoshaphat, no wonder she was familiar. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/122 "2014-10-15T09:50:38Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Actually, they’re really not much of a problem. They’re slow and shambling, and they lack any discernable intelligence. They’re only problematic in groups and you kind of have to make poor decisions yourself in order to be vulnerable to them in any way. Can you clarify? At this point are you talking about the zombies, or the southerners? I live in the South, and could see it both ways. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/123 "2014-10-15T14:51:56Z")
I think it’s funny how walkers will walk right into and impale themselves on spikes but manage to shamble over railroad tracks just fine. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/124 "2014-10-15T15:24:57Z")
I think it’s funny how people nitpick _realistic_ things from a **TV SHOW** about **ZOMBIES** based on a **COMIC BOOK…** SMH :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/125 "2014-10-15T15:44:24Z")
> [@alphaboi867](#): > > That’s exactly what I was going for. Sure DC’s probably abandoned, but how long did Mt Weather or [insert secret undisclosed location] hold out? Are there any state or local governments still functioning? Is the entire world as fucked up as Georgia is, or is New Zealand limping along? One of the episodes set in the CDC building, the only surviving CDC scientist mentioned that the zombie issue was worldwide, France was mentioned by name. I think on the DVD or Talking Dead the show runners expressed regret at revealing it was worldwide, saying they wanted to retain the mystery. Whether this is plot relevant or not who knows. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/126 "2014-10-15T16:39:38Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Truth be told, I’m ready for some positive rebuilding-society arcs. If they meet another super-insane group of survivors, well, three time’s _not_ the charm. I’ve been saying that for a while now. The show needs goals. Always running gets boring fast. Time to change direction and work towards something rather than away from something. Heck, even the comic it is based on is about the fall and rise of society as much as it is about Zombies. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/127 "2014-10-15T17:54:35Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I think it’s funny how people nitpick _realistic_ things from a **TV SHOW** about **ZOMBIES** based on a **COMIC BOOK…** > > SMH :rolleyes: It’s about internal consistency. I can accept anything as long as it follows the ground rules set forth. For instance, if they were in a dire situation and Rick suddenly shot fire from his fingers, wouldn’t you be kind of annoyed? Why hasn’t he done that in all the other situations where he found himself in mortal danger? It’s kind of like that. We’ve accepted that people die and become zombies. That’s fact, we’ve seen it. Within the universe of the show, that IS reality. We’ve generally seen a pretty consistent portrayal of the zombies’ intelligence and behavior. When something happens outside of that portrayal, it takes you out of the moment. When these things start to happen more often, it gets annoying. It becomes hard to suspend your disbelief. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/128 "2014-10-15T18:08:32Z")
Scientist guy who supposedly knows the cure had a little speech in this episode, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Last season, I was convinced that this guy was just a parasite who figured out a cover story that would get people to put their lives on the line to protect him. But, was that speech supposed to indicate that he does have some knowledge, or did he just come up with a plausible enough speech (which actually revealed no actual knowledge or information) to keep the ball rolling? ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/129 "2014-10-15T18:22:54Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Actually, they’re really not much of a problem. They’re slow and shambling, and they lack any discernable intelligence. They’re only problematic in groups and you kind of have to make poor decisions yourself in order to be vulnerable to them in any way. I’m not sure that’s entirely true. I don’t think anything Rick’s group could have done could have averted the catastrophe at Herschel’s farm, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/130 "2014-10-15T18:24:00Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Scientist guy who supposedly knows the cure had a little speech in this episode, and I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Last season, I was convinced that this guy was just a parasite who figured out a cover story that would get people to put their lives on the line to protect him. But, was that speech supposed to indicate that he does have some knowledge, or did he just come up with a plausible enough speech (which actually revealed no actual knowledge or information) to keep the ball rolling? His speech could still be bullshit. He could have just fleshed out his lie a little bit. I think we the audience are in a similar place as the characters. Some believe, some WANT to believe, some think it is bullshit, some think it’s bullshit but seriously, what else to they have going on, might as well go along. I have to agree with the character that dissuaded Rick from going back to Terminus to mop up. Go back for what? The place was compromised and they had no reason to believe any of the Termites would still be there. Move on dot org guys. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/131 "2014-10-15T19:16:14Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I think it’s funny how people nitpick _realistic_ things from a **TV SHOW** about **ZOMBIES** based on a **COMIC BOOK…** > > SMH :rolleyes: Wow man, switch to decaf. It’s not like I wrote a thousand word essay about how I think TWD sucks because it’s so unrealistic. I actually thought this was a great episode and take most of the things people here complain about in stride. I just thought it was funny to see like 10 walkers flawlessly navigate crossing the railroad tracks and then a few minutes later see Carol come upon the walker impaled on the pike. It’s not like it would have been hard to have a couple of them trip. I also thought it was kind of funny because it is sort of the opposite of the [Broken Heel TV Trope](http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BrokenHeel), where if it was a fully able bodied protagonist racing to get away from danger they would surely trip on the railroad tracks or some other minor obstacle. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/132 "2014-10-15T19:21:39Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > I have to agree with the character that dissuaded Rick from going back to Terminus to mop up. Go back for what? The place was compromised and they had no reason to believe any of the Termites would still be there. Move on dot org guys. It was primarily Glenn who made the almost moral argument that going back to “mop up” was crossing the line, and becoming more like the Terminians than he wants to be. So, yeah, Glenn was right. At the same time, Rick would have also been right to go back and make damn sure that he wasn’t leaving an enemy behind them. Let’s be honest, do we really think that the rooftop shoulder shot really took the head bad guy out? Not me. I’m convinced we will see him again, and he is already a cold blooded killer. Now they have behind them a cold blooded killer with a real reason to seek out Ricks group and get some vengeance. Plot says: leave him behind, leave some mystery. Reality says: I would have made sure that fucker and his disciples were zombie-chow. ---
**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 15, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/133 "2014-10-15T19:39:43Z")
> [@Push\_You\_Down](#): > > His speech could still be bullshit. He could have just fleshed out his lie a little bit. I think we the audience are in a similar place as the characters. Some believe, some WANT to believe, some think it is bullshit, some think it’s bullshit but seriously, what else to they have going on, might as well go along. That is _way_ too artful for these writers. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/134 "2014-10-15T19:49:31Z")
I have issued a warning for this post: > [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I think it’s funny how people nitpick _realistic_ things from a **TV SHOW** about **ZOMBIES** based on a **COMIC BOOK…** > > SMH :rolleyes: For those who toss around the term “threadshitting,” this is pretty much a textbook example. Don’t do it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Joker_and_the_Thief)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/135 "2014-10-15T20:03:28Z")
Speaking of internal consistency, I’m still disappointed they showed zombies using tools in the first episodes and then promptly dropped that notion (When Rick was in a department store after escaping the tank, a zombie is shown breaking the glass with a rock). ---
**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 15, 2014, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/136 "2014-10-15T20:19:44Z")
> [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](#): > > Speaking of internal consistency, I’m still disappointed they showed zombies using tools in the first episodes and then promptly dropped that notion (When Rick was in a department store after escaping the tank, a zombie is shown breaking the glass with a rock). Perhaps that was a genius who became a zombie. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/137 "2014-10-15T20:26:33Z")
> [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](#): > > Speaking of internal consistency, I’m still disappointed they showed zombies using tools in the first episodes and then promptly dropped that notion (When Rick was in a department store after escaping the tank, a zombie is shown breaking the glass with a rock). Oh man, I totally forgot about that scene! And come to think of it, didn’t Morgan’s zombified wife use the doorknob to try to gain entry to the house where she expired? Also, I vaguely recall a small girl walker who was carrying a doll. I might not be remembering correctly, though… ---
**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:** [October 15, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/138 "2014-10-15T20:41:06Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I think it’s funny how people nitpick _realistic_ things from a **TV SHOW** about **ZOMBIES** based on a **COMIC BOOK…** > > SMH :rolleyes: A big part of my reason for watching the show is to come here for the dissection afterwards. ---
**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:** [October 15, 2014, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/139 "2014-10-15T20:43:03Z")
> [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](#): > > Speaking of internal consistency, I’m still disappointed they showed zombies using tools in the first episodes and then promptly dropped that notion (When Rick was in a department store after escaping the tank, a zombie is shown breaking the glass with a rock). Internal consistency has not been a strong point with this show - zombies are as hard to kill and as fast as they need to be for each particular scene. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e79b87/32.png) [@The\_Joker\_and\_the\_Thief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Joker_and_the_Thief)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2014, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149/140 "2014-10-15T20:54:58Z")
> [@gytalf2000](#): > > Oh man, I totally forgot about that scene! > > And come to think of it, didn’t Morgan’s zombified wife use the doorknob to try to gain entry to the house where she expired? Also, I vaguely recall a small girl walker who was carrying a doll. I might not be remembering correctly, though… Yup, both those things happened too (in fact, the girl with the doll scene is the very first one in the series IIRC). And then later on, the Governor’s scientist lackey said he couldn’t recover any of the zombies’ memories, so there’s a lack of consistency there too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-walking-dead-5-01-no-santuary-open-spoilers/701149.md?page=8)