Well, well, well - there's an episode and a half.
Very sad indeed to lose Dale, moreso because of the behind-the-scenes reason why his character was killed off (the rumour we heard a while back, as reported in the Darabont getting fired thread, did indeed turn out to be true ... there was only really one person it could have been considering the description that was given at the time from news sources. When it comes to casting decisions to existing cast members, I think we need to use spoiler tags in future situations if they arise, as you can figure out plot twists from casting changes).
Anyway ... here we go:
1) Despite, as Neil has said, the iffy staging of the zombie appearing behind Dale, and the ease of ripping into his stomach (but when has that ever been a problem for zombies, let us remember  ), I thought writer Angela Kang did a bloody good job of making narrative sense out of a shitty behind-the-scenes situation that necessitated the killing off of one of the main characters. Dale was given lots of meat to chew on in this episode (having been used much more sparingly in recent episodes), and he played an important role - defending the humanity of the group, which is an extremely important thing to consider. Otherwise they'll just become feral beings no better than who they're trying to guard against.
The truth is though, that they're in a right old pickle with Randall - they should have put him down when he was stuck on that fence, but as you can see, their humanity caused them a problem, but it hasn't yet cost them their souls - morally speaking they shouldn't kill him because of the toll it will take on them as a group, and individually - but then what on earth do you do with him? You can't turn him loose at the gate as he'll definitely know where he is, the last attempt to get rid of him didn't work out, but perhaps you could just follow the road for as long as you can and then leave him on the road side ... but then conceivably he could just follow the road back, so that's not so clean cut. He's a danger in both situations - killing him, and getting rid of him.
I also liked how Kang worked in the issue of Carl's worry state of mind regarding the lives of others - his cavalier attitude - to have him goad Rick towards killing Randall was a wise choice narratively, to maintain Rick's decency, but also pose a father/son setting of examples. Then, having unstuck that zombie in the marshes when messing around, Carl has brutally seen the consequences of his dimwitted, childish actions - so hopefully that puts an end to his recent silliness (a result of this harsh and cruel world where there is no moral black & white anymore, and where death is ever present anc cheap).
Really sorry to see Dale go, as I said the behind-the-scenes reasoning makes it a much more bitter pill to swallow, but I do hope that DeMunn walks straight into a major role in Darabont's new show L.A. Noir. DeMunn rocks - I'm very sad to see him leave the show, but he certainly went out on a high note narratively speaking.
As for it showing on FXUK - here's what happened - Daryl says "sorry brother", shoots Dale, it cuts to black, and in a split second - totally undercutting the resonating tension - the dozy bint voice over woman blurts in with "up next, True Blood!" ... erm, excuse me 'continuity woman', but FUCK OFF. ACTUALLY FUCK OFF. One of my favourite characters has just been killed off in a shocking way, and you're sticking your ruddy oar in telling me about a show I know is up next anyway, but have sod all interest in watching. 
I did think it was also good to have Daryl be the one to do it - Rick's been through the ringer today, and having Daryl do it brings him right back into the group. Indeed "sorry brother" as his parting words to the man illustrates that inclusion into the group that Daryl's seeing once again, after the tragic failure of his long search for Sophia.
2) KNB once again rock their talents - the zombie in the episode was really nicely done. Those exposed chompers, and particularly the wide and ever-so-dead eyes, was just wonderful.
3) I do have some theories as to where the show might be going in the next couple of episodes, but I won't speculate on them here - rather I'll address them as-and-when they happen or don't happen in the next couple of remaining episodes.
4) As for the poll, I voted to take Randall much further out ... but I'm extremely torn between the first two options ... letting him go, even much further out, does still possess the inherent risk of something extremely horrible happening to the group. Mass slaughter and rape, as Randall alluded to in the shed (there's something intrinsicly untrustworthy about Randall at this stage ... I hark back to the last episode when he was dealing with that zombie in the parking lot) ... but then what do you become by executing him? It's a catch 22 alright ... I guess at times like these a loose cannon really does come in handy. Someone to do the dirtiest work you wouldn't want to do, take the resultant flack, and then manage to stick around ... i.e. Shane ... but again, you'd still be complicit as a group (it was telling that it was only Rick, Shane, and Daryl present at the execution before Carl turned up to watch), so the loss of morality and humanity could be just as devestating in the long run.
Keeping him under guard would just be delaying a decision ... but on the other hand, it could result in an opportunity, but on the other other hand, it could play to Randall's advantage if he is indeed a tricksy little bastard and not just someone who was picked up by the wrong group at the wrong time.
They do need a longer term plan, but I assume that they'd be seeking to stay there anyway. Indeed Lori does say of the days getting shorter and the nights getting colder, and they need to do something - so Rick is going to ask Hershel if they can stay inside. So they do seem to be wanting to stay long-term (which makes sense).
5) I don't know about others, but I'd have asked "where's Carl got to?" Sure there's a lot on your mind at that point, and it speaks to the sense of perilous calm they have being somewhat removed from the shit here on the farm, but at least when he turned up I'd have said "boy, why's your trousers all muddy - Mum just washed those for crying out loud! Where've you been?!" ... Carl would have lied, naturally, but they do need to keep a tighter leash on him ... but, again, with people having so much on their mind, being spread out over the area, and everyone thinking everyone else is keeping an eye on Carl, then it's bound to happen sooner or later ... kids do get into these scrapes routinely in the real world, so there's no reason it wouldn't happen on a day like that in TWD land.
6) Nice to see Hershel warming to Glenn. The scene with the watch was quite nice - a good counter-point to all the impending execution stuff.
7) Nice to see in this episode that Andrea was warmer with Dale. Indeed her coming out for his side in the debate was a nice touch - an echo of what could have been (as seen in the comics - I'm up to Volume 10 btw).
8) Just watched The Talking Dead, connected with this episode, and they address the gutting of Dale. Their theory is that zombies have hardened finger tips - the flesh has rotted away mostly and so the tips are very bony and sharp (along with uncut nails), so that's how they theorise a zombie could tear open a person's stomach like that (which was made out of chicken breasts, among other things).
|
Posting Permissions
Originally Posted by AcesandEights
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks