All right, fine. I’m going to stop mentioning how I think that The Walking Dead is slow. I’ve accepted it now, and just see it as part of the show. They could intentionally fill the show with fast-paced zombies and chases and any number of things to affect the tone and plot, but I’m getting a sense that the more personal and intimate stories are what the show runners really want to tell. I just find myself wondering if the show really is slow, or if I’ve just been spoiled by TV shows with narratives that have been sped up out of desperation, in hopes of capturing viewers and being picked up for a full season. Maybe since AMC quickly renewed The Walking Dead for a second season, no one cares. They can do whatever they want.
The most recent episode, “Judge, Jury, Executioner,” kicks off with Daryl attempting to get information out of Randall, the group’s new prisoner. It’s a bit unsettling to watch. Yeah, Daryl throws a few punches and whatnot, but we can see he is really on the edge of using some full-on torture. With the information that he acquires, the group has to decide what to do with this kid. Do they try to integrate him into the group, all the while wondering if he will run away or hurt one of them, or do they…well…do they pretty much kill him? This creates a great debate about maintaining personal humanity in a world that has been so changed, and whether or not that is even possible.
And really, that’s the whole episode. The plot anyway. We get to hear everyone’s opinion and point of view regarding the matter, and it’s pretty well done. Surprisingly, when the situation is being discussed, Rick sides with Shane, and this causes Dale to think that the group is losing their humanity. But in my opinion, it’s what happens with Carl, and how we see him react to the whole situation, that is the most interesting. One one hand, it’s the most personal reaction shown, but it also ends up informing the entire outcome. It’s incredibly interesting watching some characters campaign and try to get everyone else on their side. In a group that’s broken, it’s not an easy task, by any means.
I give high praise to Angela Kang, the writer of the episode, as well as the actors. Kudos to Jeffrey DeMunn for his performance. I say that full well admitting Dale is not my favorite character. Neither is Carl, but Chandler Riggs deserves a little shout out, too.
P.S. Considering how many people told me they have given up on watching the show, my Facebook feed sure was blowin’ up with people posting about the shocking ending. Liars, the lot of you.
For more Walking Dead coverage on FBOTU, click here.
Terry Blas is the creator of the web comic Briar Hollow and cohost of The Gnerd podcast. 
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All right, fine. I’m going to stop mentioning how I think that The Walking Dead is slow. I’ve accepted it now, and just see it as part of the show. They could intentionally fill the show with fast-paced zombies and chases and any number of things to affect the tone and plot, but I’m getting a sense that the more personal and intimate stories are what the show runners really want to tell. I just find myself wondering if the show really is slow, or if I’ve just been spoiled by TV shows with narratives that have been sped up out of desperation, in hopes of capturing viewers and being picked up for a full season. Maybe since AMC quickly renewed The Walking Dead for a second season, no one cares. They can do whatever they want.
The most recent episode, “Judge, Jury, Executioner,” kicks off with Daryl attempting to get information out of Randall, the group’s new prisoner. It’s a bit unsettling to watch. Yeah, Daryl throws a few punches and whatnot, but we can see he is really on the edge of using some full-on torture. With the information that he acquires, the group has to decide what to do with this kid. Do they try to integrate him into the group, all the while wondering if he will run away or hurt one of them, or do they…well…do they pretty much kill him? This creates a great debate about maintaining personal humanity in a world that has been so changed, and whether or not that is even possible.
And really, that’s the whole episode. The plot anyway. We get to hear everyone’s opinion and point of view regarding the matter, and it’s pretty well done. Surprisingly, when the situation is being discussed, Rick sides with Shane, and this causes Dale to think that the group is losing their humanity. But in my opinion, it’s what happens with Carl, and how we see him react to the whole situation, that is the most interesting. One one hand, it’s the most personal reaction shown, but it also ends up informing the entire outcome. It’s incredibly interesting watching some characters campaign and try to get everyone else on their side. In a group that’s broken, it’s not an easy task, by any means.
I give high praise to Angela Kang, the writer of the episode, as well as the actors. Kudos to Jeffrey DeMunn for his performance. I say that full well admitting Dale is not my favorite character. Neither is Carl, but Chandler Riggs deserves a little shout out, too.
P.S. Considering how many people told me they have given up on watching the show, my Facebook feed sure was blowin’ up with people posting about the shocking ending. Liars, the lot of you.
For more Walking Dead coverage on FBOTU, click here.
Terry Blas is the creator of the web comic Briar Hollow and cohost of The Gnerd podcast.
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