[S14.E05: The Tall Man]

I thought the actress playing young JJ was fine.  As for her being "emotionless" when she found Roz in the bathtub, I feel like that might have been intentional.  JJ told Prentiss that when she found Roz, she just froze and didn't know what to do for 10 minutes.  Her just staring at the body without a lot of emotion I can believe, as I feel it fits with the frozen comment JJ made.  Not everyone reacts to situations the same way.  While someone who sees a dead body/dead loved one might have screamed and cried hysterically, someone else might just be in such a state of shock that they can't react or move or talk.  We got the latter with JJ.  I also wouldn't be surprised if MGG told the actress to portray it that way.  As the director, MGG has a say in how people react, and I'm sure if he and Breen (the writer) wanted her to show more emotion, they would have asked her to be more upset.  I think it also fit in with the scene of JJ after he sister's funeral.  She was kind of just sitting there, alone, playing with her sister's necklace.  She was sad, but she wasn't crying.  

[S14.E05: The Tall Man]

27 minutes ago, RedheadZombie said:

 ETA:  The blonde friend looked like she played Lizzie on The Walking Dead. 

That was her!  

[S14.E04: Innocence]

8 hours ago, ForeverAlone said:

Hmmm....this episode seemed like the dollar store version of The Boogeyman. I mean, boy killer,  suspect father who is worked over by two male FBI agents and pressured to confess, father attempting to falsely confess to protect his son, innocent young girl final victim who is saved. Hell, we even had a personal trauma B story in the way of Penelope emotionally  melting down over past trauma. But this episode wasn't as interestingly written or engaging like The Boogeyman. I much prefer the creepy-fun Penelope of that episode to the weeping child of this episode. If she can't emotionally hold it together at work, she either needs to take some time off, or she needs some serious therapy. 

For me, the best thing about the episode was Tara and Reid. Those two should always work together. Yeah, this isn't the first time they've worked together, since they have been paired for most of this season. But they are usually the best things about this season's episodes, and I think there should be more of them. 

And I agree that the whole unknown father was some weird unresolved angle (I guess they needed more time for Penelope trauma). We have no clue if the father didn't know he wasn't the biological father. I'm going to guess no, only because Melissa was so tormented by this secret. Maybe the father will be inwardly relieved to realize that he isn't the bio dad of a murderous psychopath? Hell, I'd have loved to have seen that angle play out, rather than some fatherly forgiveness, just for something different in the storytelling. But we didn't see it either way, so we have no clue about the father's reaction to it all. 

It was nice to see some fresh angle being used to crack the case (the DNA website), though I think it would also be a good addition for a serial killer cold case they solve. It would be a nice change of pace to have that kind of storytelling some time. 

Your mention of Garcia and therapy just had me think of something: Prentiss probably should have insisted Garcia go to a therapist and take some time off.  I know Prentiss mentioned Garcia taking time off in episode 2 but Garcia said she was fine.  Either Prentiss should have insisted she take some time off and see someone then, or she should have told her to take some time off after this episode.  I can't help but think back to "Sick Day" when Hotch told JJ she was taking time off and it wasn't up for debate.  Or when he took Morgan off the case after Savannah was shot.  Since Prentiss just went with Garcia being okay in episode 2, after seeing how hard she was having it in this episode, Prentiss should really enforce that it's okay to take some time off, even if it means "ordering it" like Hotch has done before.  Unless they just briefly mention it in the next episode, like having Garcia briefly mention to Prentiss she saw the person she recommended or she was glad to be back after having a bit of time off, I doubt they'll do anything with it.  But I suppose Garcia just needs people she loves (Morgan and her brother) to come visit her briefly and she's suddenly a lot better and totally fine :/

I agree Tara and Reid work well together.

About the dad knowing if he was the biological father or not, at the end, JJ told the son that the dad knew he wasn't the kid's biological dad but he didn't care.  It's possible JJ was just saying that to get the kid to lower his weapon and surrender, but I took it as the dad knowing but still loving the kid as his own son.  Again, it's possible JJ just said that to get to the kid, but I feel like they would have maybe mentioned it again, like with someone saying to JJ "good thinking making him believe the dad knew all along." 

[Season 14 Spoilers, Speculation, & Anticipation]

For 200, the entire cast appeared on The Talk.  It's similar to The View but The View is on ABC and The Talk is on CBS.  On Wednesday, the cast are going to be on The Talk to promote the 300th episode.  Other than that though, I don't think there is any of TV show appearances and no individual talk show appearances.  I remember Joe and AJ going around together promoting 200 and Thomas did a couple promotions for 200.  Maybe some local news channels in LA might have someone on (Kirsten and Joe tend to do those often), but other than the cast appearing on The Talk, it seems like there isn't as much this time around

[Season 14 Spoilers, Speculation, & Anticipation]

18 hours ago, Danielg342 said:

Thanks @illdoc and groan to CM. We've already done the "Garcia turns to violence for the first time" angle with...whatever that was with Potsch Boyd's character (who seemed to die and go to Chevrolet heaven). This feels like a retread.

...and why can't Rossi just meet a whole new woman? Why must it be an old wife? Better yet, why not explore why Rossi likes his solitude- why insist on giving him a wife if the show won't commit to one?

Also, what happened to Lisa (I think that's her name) that Alvez played pool with? I guess she's gone now. Bummer...I liked her.

Oh, and will Reid get a girlfriend?

Actually, Lisa will be in the premiere.  I've seen people speculate that this could mean there are hospital scenes since she's a doctor.

Also, episode 6 is about Luke and is titled "Luke".  So we'll learn more about Luke and why he's a lone wolf (according to Erica).  It's possibly we could also see Lisa again in that episode or have her mentioned.

[Let's try to market this: media, articles and interviews]

Cory's mom has an interview with People magazine coming out on Friday.  The site has part of it up

https://www.today.com/popculture/cory-monteith-s-mom-remembers-moment-she-learned-his-death-t133572

 

In it, she says that she received a call from Lea screaming if "it was true", but she (Cory's mom) hadn't heard anything and then a minute later the police knocked on her door.

Kind of crazy and horrible that his mom wasn't one of the first people to be told of his death!

 

She also said that she didn't think Cory was hard enough for Hollywood.  He thought Hollywood was "plastic" and he didn't care about fame and fortune.

The article also mentions that Cory skipped kindergarten and first grade and usually associated with older kids

[Let's try to market this: media, articles and interviews]

Hard to believe yesterday marked 5 years since Cory passed away

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber, Harry, Jenna, Ashley, Heather and Romy liked Kevin's post.  

[Let's try to market this: media, articles and interviews]

Darren is nominated for an Emmy for his role in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story"

[Let's try to market this: media, articles and interviews]

12 hours ago, Hybridcookie said:

I genuinely thought Jacob Artist was Shemar Moore the first time I saw that group picture

I can kind of see it!

 

Now I want Jacob to play Shemar's son in something!

[Let's try to market this: media, articles and interviews]

Some of the cast got together for Kevin's 30th birthday

Although they're not in the picture, I think Darren and Harry might have been there as well.

Actually, Harry posted this pic which looks like it could have been from the party:

 

Darren, Chord, Harry, Becca, Jacob and Max attended the premiere of Billy Boy, which was written by Blake (he stars in it as well).  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF45joDaDsI (video of Darren)

[Spoilers and Speculation]

Some pics from the MSP/8B released

http://ew.com/tv/the-walking-dead-photos-season-8-carl/

 

Here are a couple:

[The Walking Dead in the Media]

Looks like Norman isn't too happy about Chandler's exit.

Norman Reedus Warns 'The Walking Dead' To Be Careful After Carl

Quote

Norman Reedus doesn't sound thrilled about Chandler Riggs' departure from The Walking Dead and now finds himself asking, "Who's left?"

The actor who has played Daryl Dixon on the AMC zombie drama since its first season opened up about Riggs' sudden exit while chatting with EW. "The people that started this show, to me, are the heart of the show," Reedus said. "When you lose those key members, it's such a big blow to the show, and to the fans, and to us that are there. Who's left? There's only a few of us left out of all those people. If you wanted to turn it into a totally different show, you get rid of those people. But if you want to hold on to what made the show special, you've got to be very careful what you do with those people."

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

Accurate recap of the episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSnWQPiN_Lc

[The Walking Dead in the Media]

On 12/24/2017 at 2:14 PM, icemiser69 said:

I wasn't really sure which topic this goes under, so I will just put it here.  There isn't much else going on.  Of course when the show was on air, their wasn't much going on either.

They talk about Carl's real life dad and Carl.  If this story is true, I wonder if it played any role in Carl getting bitten, and I assume will get killed off the show.

Could be considered a spoiler, so click at your own risk.

http://blindgossip.com/?p=80518

There wasn't much being done on the show with Carl anyway.  The cast really needs to be trimmed down by a bunch.  Of course if the Saviors ever get taken out, that can only help matters.  And oh by the way, someone needs to take out the trash (people) too.

I saw this.  I actually saw that post when it was first posted and before it was "solved".  You could tell it was talking about Chandler's dad.  

If this is true, it's kind of weird.  I could see AMC and the show and people in town being annoyed with Chandler's father because of the tours he does.  Maybe Chandler's dad is annoying on set.  But since Chandler was let go shortly before his 18th birthday, you'd have to think his new contract would apply to him being a legal adult now, right?  Once Chandler was 18, it's not like he'd need a parent with him on set since he'd be a legal adult.  So if Chandler's dad was really the problem, they could have just said "Hey, once you're 18, we'd prefer your dad not be around as much".  Maybe they did say this and Chandler didn't like it?  Maybe Chandler was a problem too?  I don't know a lot about Chandler, but from how Andrew Lincoln and other cast members talk about him, they always say he's very professional and mature and I know Andrew has even joked in the past how Chandler was more adult than most of the actual adults :/

[Spoilers and Speculation]

3 minutes ago, BasilSeal said:

I wondered if the decision is in part to do with the difference in time scales between TWD and the real world, Chandler was 10 when TWD started, two years or so has passed in the world of TWD and he's now 18. If he did another three years and say, 6 months passed in the show's time line he'd be 21 when he should be 13, but the baby sister born when he was eleven is still  two. As a viewer i don't really care about this issue but when he got into his 20's and the character he's playing is supposed to be a child it might look a bit daft.

I could be wrong, as I haven't read the comics, but I thought I saw somewhere that there's a two year time jump after All Out War.  I think Carl's about 14 on the show right now (I think he might have been playing a bit older when he first started), so if they did a 2 or even 3 year time jump that would put Carl at 16-17 years old, with Chandler being 18-19.

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

1 minute ago, Nashville said:

Yes, but all those actions were against Saviors - a bloodthirsty group Carl had watched bludgeon friends to death and kill people for teachable moments, a pack of murderers only interested in others for their utility as slaves for greater convenience.  

Siddiq is none of these; he’s scared, hungry, and on his own.  I think Siddiq reminded Carl of what CDB’s life was like pre-Alexandria - and how CDB would still be chowing down on fillet of Fido and grinding up acorns for Judith if Aaron and/or the ASZ had reacted to them the way Rick reacted to Siddiq.

Yeah, I totally get Carl wanting to help Siddiq.  I think the thing that's confusing people is Gimple and Chandler are saying Carl's death will be what keeps Negan alive and Rick showing people mercy.  It's one thing for Rick to not totally judge everyone as a bad guy, but why the heck does Carl dying and preaching mercy mean Negan has to survive?

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

1 hour ago, Smad said:

Is the whole 'keeping Negan alive' storyline also why they suddenly changed Carl's attitude this Season and put him on this 'all life is precious' path? I don't remember S7 well but wasn't Carl all for killing the Saviors? Wasn't he the one sneaking into the complex and killing them?

Yes, I think it was 7x07 when Carl hid in the truck and went to the sanctuary ready to kill Negan. 

And in 7x16, once they found out Sasha was dead and a walker, it was Carl who started shooting up the Saviors first.

So Carl's change in attitude occurred between 7x16 and 8x01

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

4 hours ago, FierceCritter said:

Watched a few YouTube channels I frequent re: comics, etc. about this episode. One of them said that Chandler flat out said yes, he dies. There's no immunity to the virus, etc. So that sews that up for me. I can move on from denial to anger and acceptance.

At least one of these YouTubers thinks this is going to kill the show. Supposedly they were shooting for TWENTY seasons. And he thinks without Carl being part of the journey, Rick has no real reason to fight as hard to go on. Yes, there is Judith. But said YouTuber pointed out - his whole thing from episode 1 was find Lori and Carl. Well, both of them are gone now. So... yeah. There's Michonne and Judith still. But it's not the same. If any piece of Officer Friendly still existed in Rick up until now, he can be buried with Carl.

I will probably watch the last half of this season. But I have a feeling I'll just find myself caring less and less and less, and then stop watching altogether. And you know, that makes me really, really sad.

Oh - by the way, watched at least one breakdown video of the ep 9 teaser. Pointed out that yes, Carl does appear in the "Old Man Rick" vision. From what I can tell now, I think that will be Carl envisioning what life will be like for the rest of them after he's gone. Reassuring himself that yes, they'll all be ok.

And damn if I didn't make myself cry just now.

Regarding Rick losing his reason to fight, Andrew Lincoln actually pretty much said everyone you have in your post that I put in bold.  Andrew has said that he was shocked by the death and said they took away his wife and kid, which were his reason for waking up from the coma and fighting.  He also said that while he has Judith, it's basically not the same and he doesn't know where there going to go with this because Rick just lost what he was fighting for.  

I never thought about the "Old Man Rick" vision being a vision from Carl's perspective.  That's an interesting theory and could work.  

4 hours ago, Smad said:

I don't know why but IMO all people need to watch are the A/B Premieres and Finales. Those are the only episodes that set up plot or have plot and that kills off characters. What's in between is predictable in that there is zero plot and zero character development.

Premiere: Sets up plot of the Season, maybe someone dies, new people added

Episode 2: focus on Community A, little or no plot, Character A does something stupid, Character B does something less stupid, Character C is completely OOC

Episode 3-7:  See Episode 2 but each set in another community

Finale: all the characters come together in a competition for 'who is the dumbest?' while red-shirts get killed and maybe a main character

Lather. Rinse. Repeat. And you have the B part of the Season.

This is pretty spot on.  I've only seen the premiere and clips of the finale, but I know some of what happened in episodes 2-7.  And while you do learn some stuff in those episodes, it mostly is the premieres and finales that move the plot along. 

Chandler wins the internet :D

Quote

Chandler Riggs @chandlerriggs

don't worry guys, i'll be in the 2nd half of the season.  in a white dress on a bridge. 

 

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

Just now, catrox14 said:

Ohhh. Thanks. I only watched that once. So yeah, that could be a time jump there. Huh.

The only thing is though that I'm pretty sure Carl was there too.  So either it's a fantasy of what could have been or Rick hallucinates Carl still being there 

Or Carl doesn't die and is there but again, that would be really hard to do now.

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

6 minutes ago, catrox14 said:

Wasn't Judith the age she is now in that sequence? I'm trying to figure out how that will work.

In the old man Rick sequence?  The girl in that sequence was probably around 6 or 7 years old.  Judith is probably around 2 in present time

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

7 minutes ago, Miles said:

They could pull a "Fear the Walking Dead" and say that he was bitten by a human.

Yeah, I've seen some people suggest that it could be a whisperer.  I mean, it looked like a walker, so if it was human they'd have to have some high quality walker disguising skills and materials

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

5 minutes ago, FierceCritter said:

I don't know. Like I said, I don't frequent these forums much at all, just when I need emotional support after a particularly life-shattering episode, lol. Last time was probably when Glen went under the dumpster.

But nearly EVERYONE who has posted here has done so with MUCH outrage over Carl dying. Not everyone, but most. I can't help but think this MUST be another major fake-out somehow, someway. They can't possibly be THAT out of touch with their viewers, can they?

I know what Riggs has said, what his dad has said, etc. But if this IS a major fake-out, then they'd HAVE to say things like that. Just like all the evasions and misdirections we got from Kit Harrington re: ?death? of Jon Snow on GOT.

I'm still gonna believe Carl really is a dead man walking. But part of me is sensing subterfuge.

I was also thinking there could be a SLIGHT possibly that all the actors and Gimple are saying what they are to throw people off.  Chandler's dad's post though makes it seem like that's not the case.  I feel like he would just stay quiet.  He doesn't have to say anything since he's not on the show.  But Chandler and Andrew and Gimple and the other actors would get asked about it in interviews.  Unless Chandler's dad really wanted to be involved in the cover up...

If Carl isn't dying, I'm not sure how they could work around what they just showed us.  I can't see them pulling an immune card unless Carl had been given something to take or injected with something when the outbreak began.  But I don't think they would do that.  I think the only way Carl could still live is if Rick had a nightmare and this was it.  As of now, it seems like the old man Rick flash forward from the premiere was not so much a flash forward but rather a what if/dream sequence of how Rick pictured life in the future since we see Carl there.  But I suppose they could make it so Carl being bit was just a bad dream/hallucination of Rick's.  They would also have to say that Carl didn't get bit when he was in the woods with Siddiq, so it would get complicated since we can see the walker come up on Carl.

I saw someone on Facebook jokingly say that maybe the pudding Carl ate in 4x09 was actually the cure/immunity.  :D :D 

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

7 hours ago, icemiser69 said:

Why can't the future of the world be Judith?  Yes, she is still very young, but there is nothing to say that she can't eventually be some sort of leader.

The dude that Carl saved and brought into the fold has to be a good guy.  It would really suck if Carl got himself bitten trying to save someone who ended up being a problem for Rick's group.

Since Carl is dying, I think it's safe to assume Judith probably won't die for this reason.  I think they should have some "hope" for survival and the future, and with Carl gone, that will now fall to Judith and Maggie's baby.  Judith didn't survive in the comics, so Carl is the hope there, and while I think Carl was/should have been the hope for the future on the show too, they could still do it with Judith.  

As for Judith being a leader, the thing is, she's still a baby right now.  I don't know how much time has passed but she's probably no more than 2 with the timeline of the show.  So it's still going to be a while before she can really step up.  Unless they do a time jump, but that would need to be a pretty big time jump.

 

6 hours ago, Madding crowd said:

I did think Carl was bit in the previous episode, but then he was acting normal, so I thought I was wrong. I do think it is OK for people to still get bit and die-otherwise why have the walkers at all. But there is no reason for the storyline to kill Carl. I thought the series would end with Rick dying and Carl taking over as the new leader. Now, I am expecting all of the people we knew from the beginning to die and we will be left with all new people. 

I think it was somewhere on here where someone said Carl dying shows that the walkers are still a threat.  And that's true.  With everything going on with the war and fighting, the fans and characters probably expect any deaths to occur at the hands of Negan and the war.  But there are still walkers out there that are still dangerous.  So in a way, Carl's death has that purpose of showing the walkers are still out there and playing a part in this show.  I just wish they could have done it a bit better.  Did Carl and Siddiq really need to stop and take out those walkers?  They were eating the deer, so Carl and Siddiq could have probably just kept walking.  Now, had the walkers noticed and come after them or they had stumbled upon a walker herd that started coming for them I think that might have been a better way to have Carl get bit.  I didn't see all this episode so someone correct me if I'm wrong if I got the details wrong.

Having characters get bit doesn't bother me, as long as it's done well.  And although we as fans can take this death as a "oh yeah, those damn walkers are still out there" it wouldn't surprise me if they don't address it at all on the show and just use it to focus on Rick, Negan and Michonne's story lines like Gimple and Chandler have said will happen as a result of Carl's death.

 

4 hours ago, CharethCutestory said:

This show has lost its way so profoundly that such an ending would not surprise me in the least and is actually not even the worst thing I fear Gimple could come up with to stick two big middle fingers in the eyes of the fans. Carl is (was) the future. That speech Lori gave him as she was about to die that he was going to "beat this world" symbolized so much and Gimple took a giant crap on, lit it on fire and fed it to the wolves. 

 

3 hours ago, ghoulina said:

So well put. And I'm also taken back to the scene in Better Angels, when Rick says "no more kid stuff". He explains how people are gonna die, they just are - him (Rick), mom......it was like a rite of passage speech. Carl wasn't supposed to die. He was supposed to see all those people die and be the one to lead the new generation. I can't even comprehend the turn this show has taken. 

Lori's speech to Carl and Rick's speech to Carl as well as what Michonne told him in the premiere were all examples of paving the way for Carl to be a leader and play an important part in the future.  Lori said Carl would beat this world.  Rick gave him the speech about growing up and needing to realize people are going to die.  Michonne said it was his show now.  Yeah, it was his show for one episode.  What a waste.

 

Quote

All build up for 7.5 seasons null and void. I can understand never having Carl take over leadership as part of this show. Chandler is still so young, looks like a kid, and while he's improved with every episode doesn't have the chops yet to pilot an hour long drama as its hero. Recasting and a time jump maybe it could've worked. But why kill him off for good in TWD (At least AMC) universe and eliminate all future possibilities where he's concerned? With AMC's frequently voiced hopes for the longevity of this series I suspected something like a Star Trek situation. Retooling, coming back. TWD: The Next Generation type deal with Carl at the helm. I guess it could be Judith but who is invested in that? I always saw the first, original show ending with Carl on the precipice of becoming a leader in the next phase of the new world and the closure of Rick Grimes' story.

Yeah, I could understand not completely following the comics and maybe not making Carl the full on leader, but he could have still played a big role.  Like you said, they could have done a time jump and recast.  Or like you also said, they could have temporarily sent Carl elsewhere which could explain why we don't see him much.  

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

Just now, Ohwell said:

Yes, I know.  Gobi gave me an answer about an hour ago and I responded.

I've only seen a few clips from the episode.  I think Ezekiel was captured by the Saviors, right?  I'm not sure where Morgan, Maggie, and Carol were.  Were they at the Hilltop or out on the road?

[S08.E08: How It's Gotta Be]

1 hour ago, Ohwell said:

Upon rewatch, I did like how Jadis and the dumpsters just basically said "Fuck it, my name is Bennett and I ain't in it" and just turned around and hightailed it out of there.  I wonder how many survived?  Not that I care.

I did find it odd that when Rick was walking in the tunnel and looking at the sad faces, Ezekiel was the only one who seemed to have a smile on his face.  He looked strange.

I put Enid on my ever-growing list of those who I want to die.  She shot grandma, who was minding her own damn business. 

As someone else said, they were showing everyone, whether they were in the tunnel or not.  

Daryl, Carl, Judith, Tara, Rosita, Dwight, some other Alexandrians and Rick and Michonne were in the tunnel.  Morgan, Gabriel, Eugene, Carol, Ezekiel and Maggie were not in the tunnel, but they were still shown.