Roger's behaviour a script flaw?

[rawrOTD]

Roger was my favorite character I thought his facial reactions were complete and utter insanity as time went on like someone else said above me I think he was getting a bit too caught up in how easy it all seemed how easily they took the mall how easily they walked past the zombies how easy it was to kill them he was so fast and they were so slow him so smart and them so dumb he had everything at his disposal, a dream that materialistic 1970s america (not that its changed much) was obsessed upon the dream of owning it all it seemed he was a god so he got lax less aware of the danger while flyboy really got greedy roger simply got cocky while the world slipped into the grip of mass hysteria and chaos roger and his friends had found a palace they had found it, in Rogers mind maybe he took this as a sign that they were better than the rest smarter than he rest of the world as they died in houses and city flats they were better off than most of the world, barricaded with supplies and tools more wealthy than they had been in normal life it was roger and the rest who were not only surviving, but living the good life the slow hints at his mental state and psychological fatigue show in his reactions and face sure hes got the energy but when he ran past all those zombies didnt it seem like roger was just playing games? he didnt expect to slip up and when he did and Peter blew the zombies brains all over him it was shattered his bravery and skill was shredded so I took his going back for the bag as an attempt to demonstrate to himself that he still had it he could still beat them all, outsmart them all and so he went even harder to prove that his luck,finesse, and instincts were still intact desperate to recreate his illusion of control but he didnt pull off the stunt and so he died ps. anyone else think "we got this by the ass " is a really bizarre thing to say?

[Philly_SWAT]

ps. anyone else think "we got this by the ass " is a really bizarre thing to say? Yes. I dont think that was even a "catch-phrase" or anything even back then.

[Maitreya]

Yes. I dont think that was even a "catch-phrase" or anything even back then. Yea, but apparently the word "man" was... Jesus did they say that a lot in that movie. Actually, after reading this thread I think I'm gonna go watch Dawn right now...

[OddDNA]

Yes. I dont think that was even a "catch-phrase" or anything even back then. Ive heard it said growing up.

[Suicycho]

I always thought of it as a gradual madness and the sheer danger of blocking the entrance made him crack under pressure. Not only that but earlier on all four of 'em nearly got killed at the airport so the importance of the team's survival must have been playing on his mind. I also see shades of madness in him beforehand when he flashes that grin while offing zombies or the odd close-up where his facial expression changes strangely. There are a few scenes in the movie where Roger is not a happy bunny. For example when he shares a smoke with Peter in the 107 basement (seems confused and desperate to run) or when they escape from the airport, he is biting his nails and looking sketchy as Peter and Flyboy bicker in the helicopter. I'm rambling now but I say it was a gradual thing. I agree. When he is first introduced, he almost seems to be enjoying the structured process of the raid, smiling and joking about the chiefs canned plea with Martinez over the bullhorn. The Other two SWAT members in that scene, Tucker and Wooley, are almost symbolic representations of Rogers dual personality. two other SWAT members prominent in that scene. On one hand is the timid, frightened Mr. Tucker. On the other is the wild and wooley Mr...Wooley. Thats reading waaay to much into it but hey, we are discussing Rogers descent into madness.

[MikePizzoff]

I'm sure there would be plenty of people that'd crack like Roger did. All the pressure and horror of dealing with zombies and having to not only take care of yourself but also look out for 3 other people would be sure to make some people go insane.

[coma]

Yea, but apparently the word "man" was... Jesus did they say that a lot in that movie. Actually, after reading this thread I think I'm gonna go watch Dawn right now... People didn't really say dude or guy or whatnot then. It was man all the way, with an occasional Bro. 60s /70s that was definately the word of choice. And people did say "i got this by the ass" or "they got me by the ass" Maybe it was a northeast thing, or fell out of favor in the early 80s. I'm sure there would be plenty of people that'd crack like Roger did. All the pressure and horror of dealing with zombies and having to not only take care of yourself but also look out for 3 other people would be sure to make some people go insane. People crack under way, way less pressure. Some people wig out over basically nothing.

[triste realtà]

What I wanna know is: when John Harrison is on top of Roger, why didn't the other 2 just pick him up? They were right there. Why would you even think about shooting him? They were 5 feet away!!!

[Philly_SWAT]

Presumably because they didnt want to get bitten themselves. Why grab a zombie when you have a gun in your hand? Either way there was a risk to Roger, why risk themselves as well?

[red max]

I don't think you can rationalise this bit dramatically. George realised he had a continuity problem with Roger's sweater no longer being around his waist, so added this scene to explain it. The way Peter stands there pointing his gun then looking unsure, that's pretty unconvincing. With the benefit of hindsight he and flyboy should have kept on running, unaware of Roger's situation. Of course they could have dealt with it, it's a clumsy moment

[Philly_SWAT]

With the benefit of hindsight he and flyboy should have kept on running, unaware of Roger's situation. You dont think that Roger falling to the floor would have created noise? And dont you think if they had kept running, they would have realised quickly that Roger was no longer with them? And you dont think Roger would have called out to them if they had kept running? A better question would be, why was that zombie standing totally still with a bunch of manequins, and then lashed out at Roger, who was third in line?

[triste realtà]

A better question would be, why was that zombie standing totally still with a bunch of manequins, and then lashed out at Roger, who was third in line? This was my next question (that occurred to me last night). But I think he lashed out at Roger cause he wanted that sweater.

[capncnut]

The mannequin zombie lashed out at Roger 'cos he knew it would make the popcorn fly.

[MissJacksonCA]

I didn't think it was purely so someone 'good' would turn into a zombie. I felt he was the kind of person who puts up a brave front but eventually stuff eats at him so bad that he began to lose it. I mean coming close to death that first time in the trucks and having lived he felt he was impervious to death. Welcome to the real world Roger, when the floor falls out and you dont fall too far beware... you never know when its going to fall out again... he got cocky and lost his marbles

[coma]

I didn't think it was purely so someone 'good' would turn into a zombie. I felt he was the kind of person who puts up a brave front but eventually stuff eats at him so bad that he began to lose it. I mean coming close to death that first time in the trucks and having lived he felt he was impervious to death. Welcome to the real world Roger, when the floor falls out and you dont fall too far beware... you never know when its going to fall out again... he got cocky and lost his marbles "Do you think it's right to run?" Roger asks Peter in the basement. Sometimes people with trauma and survivors guilt put themselves into suicidal situations on purpose. They dont want to die, but dont want to live so they put themselves in dangerous positions. He was a Swat team police officer and was , I believe, supposed to have been a marine so it wasnt the first time he was in harms way.