Spoilers and Speculation

[Peanut]

None of that sounds remotely interesting to me.  I might be out. 

[Morrigan2575]

Well it looks like I'll watch 2-3 episodes  (at most) in S7A 1, 3 & 8.

[mandolin]

On 9/18/2016 at 10:27 PM, SnarkyTart said:

Gimple is a freak.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. When I first began to see him, I thought he was a normal guy. Now, between his changing appearance, his tendency to use "big" words (like in his notes to Talking Dead), and some of the decisions he seems to love, I'm...flummoxed by him.

[nodorothyparker]

No, that doesn't sound like a badass season.  It sounds like more of the same how much awful can we get away with showing while we tell everyone it's roses.  My earlier notion that I'll probably hang in at least for the Carol and Morgan episodes feels about right.

[bmoore4026]

Well here's our first look at

Spoiler

Ezekiel and Shiva - http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/twd-newest-character-king-ezekiel-tiger-shiva-article-1.2725294

[NurseGiGi]

On 9/19/2016 at 8:16 PM, Peanut said:

None of that sounds remotely interesting to me.  I might be out. 

I feel the same way.  I'm beginning to think that Season 6 will forever be burned in my mind as the season TWD  jumped the shark.  I have no interest in seeing Negan routinely humiliate the Scooby gang and it seems like this will be the case.  I'll still be DVRing but I'm just not feeling it and am pretty bummed about it. I've never stuck with a show this long and I feel like I'm going through a grieving process.  Hell, maybe it's not the show.  Maybe it's just me turning into a prickly old fart.

[kia112]

At this point, I'm super basic and I just got some Richonne filming spoilers that are more than enough to keep me hanging in until 7x12. I don't anticipate this season being horrible, just tiresome.

[NurseGiGi]

3 hours ago, kia112 said:

At this point, I'm super basic and I just got some Richonne filming spoilers that are more than enough to keep me hanging in until 7x12. I don't anticipate this season being horrible, just tiresome.

I've been down on the series before and always picked up after 2-3 episodes.  I hope that's what happens.  I really am interested in finding out about Carol and Morgan and maybe their episodes won't involve any Negan.

[RedheadZombie]

On August 17, 2016 at 6:15 PM, peach said:

Wow.  This is why this show irritates the hell out of me.  Glenn gets killed, apparently, but Maggie doesn't show up again until episode 5, then gone again until the mid season finale.   Maybe she will just quietly whisper her feelings to Michonne in the background of some other character's scene again.  Same with Sasha.  Carol is in ONE episode until the MSF!  This pacing is infuriating, and I'm just reading it from a list.  

I really liked Stranger Things on Netflix this summer, and while watching it, I kept thinking, wow, they keep the pace going with multiple sets of characters and happenings in every episode.  Surely there's a television screenwriting book that covers this somewhere.  lol   

I will still DVR this show, but I think I'll just save it for a rainy day to binge watch it.  I'll be sure to read the comments of you fine folks as well.

And Enid has two to three times the episodes of Carol.  Enid!  And for being Maggie and Glenn's foster child, she won't be present at Glenn's death, nor possibly even see Maggie before she gives birth.  That obliterates her purpose on the show, other than to be Carl's future mate.  Someone needs to tell her the story of Beth. 

[SharonH58]

ugh Enid, or Beth Jr.  Boring whining character.

[ChipBach]

On 8/17/2016 at 6:15 PM, peach said:

Wow.  This is why this show irritates the hell out of me.  Glenn gets killed, apparently, but Maggie doesn't show up again until episode 5, then gone again until the mid season finale.   Maybe she will just quietly whisper her feelings to Michonne in the background of some other character's scene again.  Same with Sasha.  Carol is in ONE episode until the MSF!  This pacing is infuriating, and I'm just reading it from a list.  

I really liked Stranger Things on Netflix this summer, and while watching it, I kept thinking, wow, they keep the pace going with multiple sets of characters and happenings in every episode.  Surely there's a television screenwriting book that covers this somewhere.  lol   

I will still DVR this show, but I think I'll just save it for a rainy day to binge watch it.  I'll be sure to read the comments of you fine folks as well.

Well if it is true that two people die right off the bat maybe Maggie dies and her later scene(s) are of flashbacks or "ghost in a delusions".  Abe seems to have disappeared though...  If this is what we have to look forward to, I am getting a bit bored with the murder-porn stuff...  I am not sure what the alternative would be since it is a zombie apocalypse show about survival.  It would be nice to allow people we like actually survive.  I'd trade Carl for Abe and Glenn...

Edited September 30, 2016 by ChipBach

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎9‎/‎30‎/‎2016 at 0:02 PM, ChipBach said:

Well if it is true that two people die right off the bat maybe Maggie dies and her later scene(s) are of flashbacks or "ghost in a delusions".  Abe seems to have disappeared though...  If this is what we have to look forward to, I am getting a bit bored with the murder-porn stuff...  I am not sure what the alternative would be since it is a zombie apocalypse show about survival.  It would be nice to allow people we like actually survive.  I'd trade Carl for Abe and Glenn...

As much as I hate my favorites dying, it adds to the suspense because if only the minor characters died, it would be a soap opera.  I hated, HATED, when they killed Hershel and Tyreese, but I guess part of the reason I watch this show is the heartache.

And I would trade any of the following for Abe and/or Glenn:  Rosita, Aaron, Eugene, and even Daryl.  Maybe even Maggie or Sasha, because I can't bear to watch more of their suffering.  Not that I dislike the first four, but I like Abraham and Glenn so much more.  I'm really surprised that they're going with the obvious victim in Glenn.  I guess the twist is Abraham going down with him.  I'm noticing a trend.  The females in Rick's group with multiple sex partners and/or relatively hated by the audience are killed off.  But it's the most beloved, or kindest/gentlest who are killed off of the men - excluding Shane, and maybe Abe.  I know there're exceptions, but it's a definite trend.

[Christi]

On Friday, September 30, 2016 at 9:02 AM, ChipBach said:

Well if it is true that two people die right off the bat maybe Maggie dies and her later scene(s) are of flashbacks or "ghost in a delusions".  Abe seems to have disappeared though...  If this is what we have to look forward to, I am getting a bit bored with the murder-porn stuff...  I am not sure what the alternative would be since it is a zombie apocalypse show about survival.  It would be nice to allow people we like actually survive.  I'd trade Carl for Abe and Glenn...

"Die right off the bat" that sentence is EPIC

[Nashville]

3 hours ago, Christi said:

"Die right off the bat" that sentence is EPIC

SO glad I'm not the only one who caught that.  :>

[kia112]

On 10/1/2016 at 10:32 PM, RedheadZombie said:

I'm noticing a trend.  The females in Rick's group with multiple sex partners and/or relatively hated by the audience are killed off.  But it's the most beloved, or kindest/gentlest who are killed off of the men - excluding Shane, and maybe Abe.  I know there're exceptions, but it's a definite trend.

What other women have died in this group besides Lori and Andrea? Amy and Jacqui? I mean, Lori was always gonna die. And TVAndrea was a terrible character.

[indeed]

Awww, poor Beth.  Always forgotten...

[kia112]

7 minutes ago, indeed said:

Awww, poor Beth.  Always forgotten...

PFFTTTT!!!!!! Oh my gosh! I did totally forget about her!

[SnoGirl]

So are the flood of articles that are out right now to combat The Spoiling Dead's theories? I hate that they keep giving me hope that Glenn isn't going to get the bat, but I really honestly don't want anyone else to get the bat either.

[SnarkyTart]

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2016 at 5:04 AM, SnoGirl said:

So are the flood of articles that are out right now to combat The Spoiling Dead's theories? I hate that they keep giving me hope that Glenn isn't going to get the bat, but I really honestly don't want anyone else to get the bat either.

It's only been since the S6 finale that AMC started messing with TSDF website and facebook page.  Prior to that, TSDF were able to say that they had sources, and that what they posted were actual spoilers and not just theories.  Since the S6 finale, AMC has used corporate lawyers to threaten TSDF, and AMC got facebook to take down TSDF page more than once.  That's when TSDF had to start substituting the word "theory" for "spoiler", and they've had to stop saying they have sources.

What's interesting is that AMC hasn't taken the same heavy-handed actions against Fear The Walking Dead Spoilers, which consists of the same folks who run TSDF website.  Several days before Fear's big two hour season finale, the Fear Spoilers facebook page posted an article that detailed every single thing that was going to happen in the finale.  Their numerous finale spoilers were 100% correct, and they also claimed to have a "source."

All this to say that you could place a large bet on what TSDF say is going to happen in the S7 premiere of The Walking Dead, and going forward, and not be concerned about losing your money. 

[Gobi]

I'm resigned to Glenn and Abe dying in the season opener.

[SnarkyTart]

1 hour ago, Gobi said:

I'm resigned to Glenn and Abe dying in the season opener.

Me too.  Although I won't be tuning in to watch two of my favorite characters have their skulls beaten in repeatedly, graphically and brutally.  I believe it was Gimple who said they're going to spare nothing and are deliberately pushing the boundaries of what's allowable to network censors.  My guess is that's the real reason AMC cracked down (no pun intended) on spoilers for this episode.  How many fans would willingly, eagerly tune in to see a bloodbath made of the heads of Glenn and Abraham if given forewarning that this is what's going to happen? 

[peach]

1 hour ago, SnarkyTart said:

Me too.  Although I won't be tuning in to watch two of my favorite characters have their skulls beaten in repeatedly, graphically and brutally.  I believe it was Gimple who said they're going to spare nothing and are deliberately pushing the boundaries of what's allowable to network censors.  My guess is that's the real reason AMC cracked down (no pun intended) on spoilers for this episode.  How many fans would willingly, eagerly tune in to see a bloodbath made of the heads of Glenn and Abraham if given forewarning that this is what's going to happen? 

This is why I'm out.  I'm neither a sadist nor a masochist, so this holds less than zero appeal for me.  I don't even want to look at articles, etc related to TWD because the current theme image is Negan's bat with blood dripping off it, the blood of a person (albeit fictional) that I care about.  We live in dark enough times. 

Sorry to be a downer. 

[Anela]

Just thinking about it is making me sad (and sick). 

[peach]

I know it's a violent show, obviously, that I've watched for six years.  It's just weird to me how they glamorize Negan, plus I don't find him especially compelling in the first place.  Wow, he has a bat and a leather jacket.  Let's show you his bat some more.  It's NEGAN, you guys.  NEGAN!  Watch us humiliate all your favorite characters. 

[Nashville]

2 hours ago, peach said:

I know it's a violent show, obviously, that I've watched for six years.  It's just weird to me how they glamorize Negan, plus I don't find him especially compelling in the first place.  Wow, he has a bat and a leather jacket.  Let's show you his bat some more.  It's NEGAN, you guys.  NEGAN!  Watch us humiliate all your favorite characters. 

I'm assuming Negan is a surrogate for everybody who ever bullied Kirkman in high school.  :)

[peach]

4 hours ago, Nashville said:

I'm assuming Negan is a surrogate for everybody who ever bullied Kirkman in high school.  :)

Sounds like he has Stockholm Syndrome.

[SimoneS]

On 10/7/2016 at 11:56 AM, peach said:

Wow, he has a bat and a leather jacket.  Let's show you his bat some more.  It's NEGAN, you guys.  NEGAN!  Watch us humiliate all your favorite characters. 

I was on IMDB and there was a promo with a picture of Negan with leather jacket and that bat. The same picture is on the TV Guide that I use. I haven't seen any online promos with any of the regular cast. I find it strange that the highest rated television show would promote itself with a photo of a character that only got a few seconds of airtime last season. I am interested to see if it works and the ratings increase throughout next season. Are the fans are so bored with the show and its regular cast that they are fascinated with a new diabolical character as Gimple and Kirkman are? 

Edited October 9, 2016 by SimoneS

[kia112]

Anyone watch the sneak peak? Not gonna lie, I boo-hooed when Rick got dragged off.

[peach]

18 minutes ago, kia112 said:

Anyone watch the sneak peak? Not gonna lie, I boo-hooed when Rick got dragged off.

Well, send up a flare when he makes good on it.

[Glaze Crazy]

1 hour ago, SimoneS said:

I was on IMDB and there was a promo with a picture of Negan with leather jacket and that bat. The same picture is on the TV Guide that I use. I haven't seen any online promos with any of the regular cast. I find it strange that the highest rated television show would promote itself with a photo of a character that only got a few seconds of airtime last season. I am interested to see if it works and the ratings increase throughout next season. Are the fans are so bored with the show and its regular cast that they are fascinated with a new diabolical character as Gimple and Kirkman are? 

I suspect Jeffrey Dean Morgan was a big "Get" for this show. I know they have had some bigger "names" in basically walk-on roles, but he's had a lot of popular exposure in the last few years on different shows. Using his face in the promos for this season is understandable, to me anyway.

I just saw that promo clip on FB. That was some high tension, since Negan is holding a bat dripping in blood while Rick promises to kill him. And then getting dragged into the RV by Negan. Yikes.

[peach]

I kept thinking of Casablanca.  I guess Negan will regret it.  Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of his life.  Which will hopefully last as long as Gareth's at that point.

[Anela]

3 hours ago, kia112 said:

Anyone watch the sneak peak? Not gonna lie, I boo-hooed when Rick got dragged off.

 

I did. F**k Negan. 

[GaT]

I watched hoping it wouldn't be what I thought it would be, but it's exactly what I don't want to see. It another all powerful nutcase, that's going to torture & kill everyone until Rick kills him. What else is new?

[Haleth]

11 hours ago, peach said:

Well, send up a flare when he makes good on it.

Yeah.  I don't want to watch a season of characters we've come to love being beaten, abused, and killed.  I may skip the broadcast of the opener and wait to hear what you all say before watching later.  Or I may sit out until Rick fulfills his promise.

[JackONeill]

Maybe it's just me, but I find so much about the coming season of TWD offensive. (True, I haven't seen it yet. But...)

Some things that bug me: TPTB had Rick act so out of character when kneeling in front of  Negan. Yes, I know it was a horrible situation. And yes I can see that Rick was feeling responsible. But we've seen him in bad situations before. Terminus, anyone? Then, as he watched Carl about to be sodomised with the Claimers-- but he didn't give up. Yes, yes, yes, there is no denying the situation with Negan was no-win. But the old Rick would have said something. He would have been...defiant in some way. He would have made eye contact with Daryl or Michonne. He wouldn't have cried. Yes, he was scared shitless, but he wouldn't have cried. (BTW, I have seen the latest on FB. That is the old Rick. Of course, it looks like he may pay for that. Still...)

Then, to throw salt on the wound, TPTB have the character of Negan smiling in a smirking way in the ad for the new season. I really, seriously, honestly think TPTB prefer Negan over Rick, et. al. I think they get off on all that evil violence. They are like 13-year olds seeing their first Playboy. And now they know what that "feeling" feels like, they keep going back to it to get their rocks off again.

Look, I know our own world NOW is full of violence. Bad things happen to good people. And. I can accept without a doubt that the ZA is MUCH worse. I know that some decisions backfire, and sometimes there are serious consequences. 

But what really galls me is the perverse pleasure TPTB are taking with this.

Edited October 9, 2016 by JackONeill

[kia112]

1 hour ago, JackONeill said:

Some things that bug me: TPTB had Rick act so out of character when kneeling in front of  Negan. Yes, I know it was a horrible situation. And yes I can see that Rick was feeling responsible. But we've seen him in bad situations before. Terminus, anyone? Then, as he watched Carl about to be sodomised with the Claimers-- but he didn't give up. Yes, yes, yes, there is no denying the situation with Negan was no-win. But the old Rick would have said something. He would have been...defiant in some way. He would have made eye contact with Daryl or Michonne. He wouldn't have cried. Yes, he was scared shitless, but he wouldn't have cried. (BTW, I have seen the latest on FB. That is the old Rick. Of course, it looks like he may pay for that. Still...)

I can buy it. Rick was never as over the top arrogant with those other groups as he was with the Saviors. Randomly telling that guy, "Oh, how would you like to make this your last day on earth." Like, WTF, man? Not to mention how much he gloated when he was in bed with Michonne. Speaking of Michonne, he basically became undone when he found her hair. He was just on such a huge high to come down from immediately. And if he looks at Daryl or Michonne, then Negan knows, "Oh, these two are important to him. Let me save myself the trouble and just kill one of them." Truth be told, I'm actually surprised Rick is saying something now. Dude just beat in one (or two) HEAD(S) of your friend(s) and you're out here popping off at the mouth? Who's to say that someone else wouldn't have paid for that instead of Negan just dragging him off?

I do agree that TPTB have some kind of hard on for Negan that they think we share, but that's not the case. At all.

Edited October 9, 2016 by kia112

[nodorothyparker]

That promo is doing nothing to make me want to watch this.  Nothing.

[peach]

2 hours ago, JackONeill said:

Some things that bug me: TPTB had Rick act so out of character when kneeling in front of  Negan. Yes, I know it was a horrible situation. And yes I can see that Rick was feeling responsible. But we've seen him in bad situations before. Terminus, anyone? Then, as he watched Carl about to be sodomised with the Claimers-- but he didn't give up. Yes, yes, yes, there is no denying the situation with Negan was no-win. But the old Rick would have said something. He would have been...defiant in some way. He would have made eye contact with Daryl or Michonne. He wouldn't have cried. Yes, he was scared shitless, but he wouldn't have cried. (BTW, I have seen the latest on FB. That is the old Rick. Of course, it looks like he may pay for that. Still...)

Quote

 

 

Exactly.  Season 6 was just a massive fail to me, in that it ignored the past, and everyone acted out of character or like they had amnesia, in order to advance stupid plot points.  Capped off with Rick MF Grimes crying.

And I agree that they prefer their cheesy Negan over Rick and Co.

1 hour ago, kia112 said:

Truth be told, I'm actually surprised Rick is saying something now. Dude just beat in one (or two) HEAD(S) of your friend(s) and you're out here popping off at the mouth? Who's to say that someone else wouldn't have paid for that instead of Negan just dragging him off?

Right.  First he cries, then he makes the Gareth promise, knowing full well Negan knows Carl is his son.  Whatever. 

[Enero]

16 hours ago, SimoneS said:

I was on IMDB and there was a promo with a picture of Negan with leather jacket and that bat. The same picture is on the TV Guide that I use. I haven't seen any online promos with any of the regular cast. I find it strange that the highest rated television show would promote itself with a photo of a character that only got a few seconds of airtime last season. I am interested to see if it works and the ratings increase throughout next season. Are the fans are so bored with the show and its regular cast that they are fascinated with a new diabolical character as Gimple and Kirkman are? 

I don't find this strange at all. IMO the reason why they're promoting the hell out of Negan and his bat is because they're trying to keep secret who died. There are a ton of people who don't read the comics or spoilers (believe me I know some of them) and they are waiting in fear and anticipation to know who was killed. The Negan ads just adds to the anticipation and excitement. 

That said, I did see a TV ad today with Carol, Morgan, Tara and Ezekiel and his tiger. This did nothing to peak my interest. These are my least favorite characters and I have no desire to follow them around.

I also saw the clip of Negan dragging Rick around. I know the show is just trying to follow the source material but this show ain't the comics. As a result, I think the audience will not tolerate Negan being alive for several seasons, even becoming friendly with our heros after dragging Rick around and bashing in two of our favorites heads. I don't think he will be a character the audience loves to hate as they do with the comics. They'll just hate him, but we'll see. 

This really is a turning point for the show in more ways than than one. Reading the spoils it just doesn't feel like TWD anymore. CDB is fractured, all dead or scattered. Even the cast interviews and Cons for this season feel off. DG and AL have been traveling a LOT it seems, either home or away from set doing other stuff. Will they have as much screen time as in seasons past?

I too wonder if this will be the season when the show starts to lose momentum and begin to flounder? 

[Gobi]

Is it true that Meatloaf's song "Bat out of hell" is going to be the opening theme?

Can a shark jump over a bat?

Edited October 9, 2016 by Gobi
Spacing

[peach]

21 minutes ago, Enero said:

I don't find this strange at all. IMO the reason why they're promoting the hell out of Negan and his bat is because they're trying to keep secret who died. There are a ton of people who don't read the comics or spoilers (believe me I know some of them) and they are waiting in fear and anticipation to know who was killed. The Negan ads just adds to the anticipation and excitement.

I understand the concept, but it doesn't seem like anyone is waiting with "anticipation and excitement" but rather with dread.  It really didn't help them out that this great cliffhanger plan would accompany the most dreadful election cycle in history.  There's enough dread to go around at the moment (no matter what side you're on!).

25 minutes ago, Enero said:

That said, I did see a TV ad today with Carol, Morgan, Tara and Ezekiel and his tiger. This did nothing to peak my interest. These are my least favorite characters and I have no desire to follow them around.

Well, you're in luck!  Because they're only in one episode.  I do want to see Carol and Morgan, but this tiger thing is going to be a hard sell and would fit better on a show like Z Nation.

27 minutes ago, Enero said:

This really is a turning point for the show in more ways than than one. Reading the spoils it just doesn't feel like TWD anymore. CDB is fractured, all dead or scattered. Even the cast interviews and Cons for this season feel off. DG and AL have been traveling a LOT it seems, either home or away from set doing other stuff. Will they have as much screen time as in seasons past?
I too wonder if this will be the season when the show starts to lose momentum and begin to flounder? 

The most frustrating thing about the last couple years is they main characters have had less screen time than boring new people like Deanna, etc.  Further diluting it just spells doom, I think.  I guess they will still have big ratings, but newer, fresher shows are coming to the fore, like Westworld, for example, to be the next thing people want to talk about. 

7 minutes ago, Gobi said:

Is it true that Meatloaf's song "Bat out of hell" is going to be the opening theme?

Can a shark jump over a bat?

LMAO! 

[JackONeill]

4 hours ago, kia112 said:

I can buy it. Rick was never as over the top arrogant with those other groups as he was with the Saviors. Randomly telling that guy, "Oh, how would you like to make this your last day on earth." Like, WTF, man? Not to mention how much he gloated when he was in bed with Michonne. Speaking of Michonne, he basically became undone when he found her hair. He was just on such a huge high to come down from immediately. And if he looks at Daryl or Michonne, then Negan knows, "Oh, these two are important to him. Let me save myself the trouble and just kill one of them." Truth be told, I'm actually surprised Rick is saying something now. Dude just beat in one (or two) HEAD(S) of your friend(s) and you're out here popping off at the mouth? Who's to say that someone else wouldn't have paid for that instead of Negan just dragging him off?

I do agree that TPTB have some kind of hard on for Negan that they think we share, but that's not the case. At all.

I agree that the taunts made by Rick were over-the-top. Having said that, you want your leader to be confidant and, let's not forget, Rick is, at heart, a good old southern boy. (Think Daryl with better grammar and, slightly better, hygiene.)(Hygeine...not Eugene.) But, it's funny, when I first heard Rick say those things this season, I actually thought that it didn't sound like Rick. Yes, he can brag and get full of himself -- to a degree. In comparison to Shane, also a cop and a good old boy, Rick was always much more restrained. I think in Season 6 TPTB were deliberately trying to put a wedge between Rick and the audience. That way, the whole world will be open to loving on Negan. I just want to pinch his little cheeks.

Also, I don't think think the same thing that many people are thinking is going to happen to Rick in the RV. Yes, it's a possibility for all the reasons we know. But not one photo has surfaced showing this in any way. And you know people are looking for shit just like that. And please don't tell me how careful TPTB are. I put my money on paparazzi photographers any day of the week. I remember reading something a few weeks ago about how Negan takes Rick for the ride of his life in the RV. Now, I don't read the comics and I only sporadically look at spoilers. So, I don't know what that reference is, but I can see Negan handcuffing Rick in the Rv and driving like a maniac somewhere and then really getting into his face with Rick's own hatchet, threatening and yelling and spitting. Playing super-duper torture MIND games.

[psychoticstate]

I'm a relatively new TWD viewer; I only started watching last season.  During the off season I marathoned the show from the beginning.  

Never saw a single comic; gutted to know that Glenn and Abe get it because they were in my top 3, along with Daryl, of DO NOT TOUCH.

That said, I think it would have been a more powerful season finale to show one of them getting struck down and return to this season, expecting to recover from that death, only to be delivered another.   The way the show handled it was all kinds of wrong. Seems like many viewers are just weary at this point. 

I love JDM but Negan is already walking a very fine line with me.  I don't really understand how killing TWO people is going to show Rick and make his group passive.  Seems like they would figure all bets are off and might as well try to take Negan out.

For the record, I fucking hated the Governor with the fire of a thousand suns.  He waaaaaaaaaay overstayed his welcome. 

I'm still in for this new season, provided they don't make it all about torturing Rick and his group.

[kj4ever]

After watching the show I read the comics, up until Negan's appearance.  I couldn't stand it after that, and it has me mourning the show because our 13 year old creators certainly didn't handle the Governor well, so I can just imagine how bad they will mess up a storyline that couldn't hold my interest in a comic book.

[ChipBach]

On 10/9/2016 at 1:32 PM, peach said:

I understand the concept, but it doesn't seem like anyone is waiting with "anticipation and excitement" but rather with dread.  It really didn't help them out that this great cliffhanger plan would accompany the most dreadful election cycle in history.  There's enough dread to go around at the moment (no matter what side you're on!).

Bingo Peach - There are definitely parallels - things seem to be simultaneously  spinning out of control in both the ZA and USA regardless of who wins the election, we seem to be set on some ongoing confrontational politics for the next four years.  I don't know if I need to be "entertained" by the same dynamic on TV...  

I also agree with those who are getting worn out from the sadistic routine of this show.  I am not sure what the show can do to continue to be entertaining with out bad guys, and the next bad guy always has to be bigger and badder.  I guess you wrap the show up once you have told all the stories you can or run it into the ground for the moola and we have to decide for ourselves when the show jumps the zombie shark...

Edited October 11, 2016 by ChipBach

[kj4ever]

1 hour ago, ChipBach said:

Bingo Peach - There are definitely parallels - things seem to be simultaneously  spinning out of control in both the ZA and USA regardless of who wins the election, we seem to be set on some ongoing confrontational politics for the next four years.  I don't know if I need to be "entertained" by the same dynamic on TV...  

I also agree with those who are getting worn out from the sadistic routine of this show.  I am not sure what the show can do to continue to be entertaining with out bad guys, and the next bad guy always has to be bigger and badder.  I guess you wrap the show up once you have told all the stories you can or run it into the ground for the moola and we have to decide for ourselves when the show jumps the zombie shark...

You know there can be plenty of drama wiht out all the big bads.  Hell look at normal life - there is always drama and gossip and all that jazz in a group of people that are close.  You have different communities surviving an Apocalypse.  Just that dynamic without some sadistic douche would be interesting, without even counting all the people that would start thinking "Well I could be a better leader than him".  People suck sometimes and they've have plenty of material without some cartoon character with a bat.

[peach]

3 hours ago, ChipBach said:

I also agree with those who are getting worn out from the sadistic routine of this show.  I am not sure what the show can do to continue to be entertaining with out bad guys, and the next bad guy always has to be bigger and badder.  I guess you wrap the show up once you have told all the stories you can or run it into the ground for the moola and we have to decide for ourselves when the show jumps the zombie shark...

It's their choice to make the show about fighting a succession of bad guys, and new characters still trying to "get it" that "it's a new world."  They've taken six years to tell 2 years of story.  Last year they used 8 episodes to cover one day!  The zombie genre is already getting played out, and they aren't bringing anything new to the table anymore.

2 hours ago, kj4ever said:

You know there can be plenty of drama wiht out all the big bads.  Hell look at normal life - there is always drama and gossip and all that jazz in a group of people that are close.  You have different communities surviving an Apocalypse.  Just that dynamic without some sadistic douche would be interesting, without even counting all the people that would start thinking "Well I could be a better leader than him".  People suck sometimes and they've have plenty of material without some cartoon character with a bat.

ITA.  When something interesting does happen, they zoom right past it, like Carl dealing with getting his eye shot out.  It's just eye patch and go.  Gotta get to Negan.  Z Nation is a sillier show, but those characters are all competing with each other trying to find a cure, which gives them some kind of purpose besides fighting the living and the dead.  And now

Spoiler

Murphy is trying to start his own zombie hybrid world order.   It's more sci fi than TWD but at least it's something original.

It's more sci fi than TWD, but at least it's something original. Even on that show, I'm starting to FF through the battle scenes. 

Meanwhile the momentum is moving to different paranormal shows like Stranger Things, or the new Westworld, which I'm already in love with.  

[RedheadZombie]

On ‎10‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 11:20 AM, kia112 said:

I can buy it. Rick was never as over the top arrogant with those other groups as he was with the Saviors. Randomly telling that guy, "Oh, how would you like to make this your last day on earth." Like, WTF, man? Not to mention how much he gloated when he was in bed with Michonne. Speaking of Michonne, he basically became undone when he found her hair. He was just on such a huge high to come down from immediately. And if he looks at Daryl or Michonne, then Negan knows, "Oh, these two are important to him. Let me save myself the trouble and just kill one of them." Truth be told, I'm actually surprised Rick is saying something now. Dude just beat in one (or two) HEAD(S) of your friend(s) and you're out here popping off at the mouth? Who's to say that someone else wouldn't have paid for that instead of Negan just dragging him off?

I do agree that TPTB have some kind of hard on for Negan that they think we share, but that's not the case. At all.

I love Rick, but by the finale, he needed to be humbled.  Not like this.  Not by watching his friends murdered, but something.  He was becoming dangerously arrogant, IMO.  And then he mouths off to Negan after seeing what he's capable of.  Carl is there.  It pisses me off.  I don't read the comics, but I know there's some sort of connection between Negan and Carl.   I wonder if it will be another way for Negan to punish Rick.  And Rick egged it on.  We know Negan will be at ASZ, and I don't think he'll have much interest in Judith.  But if so, it will be because of Rick's attitude.  

And unlike some folks above, I think Rick's breakdown was very believable.  He started out that episode strutting around like he owned the entire world, and each time they encountered Negan's group, he became more and more aware that his decisions led to this outcome.  He attacked another group, unprovoked, on the word of a third group.  A group he had no reason to truly yet trust.  A group that Rick had threatened to rob if they did not submit to his request.  Then they went in hacking away at sleeping people.  It turned out that Negan's group was bad, but it brought hell upon our group.  And they didn't even take out the leader, or his RHM.  And that was Rick's decision.  And I think we're seeing Rick's realization of this.  Maggie may be dying, his own child is in danger, and his closest friends are in immediate danger of being beaten to death. 

I'm hoping that the show runners' excessive build up of the violent bat deaths, is simply to build up expectations to the extent that it really doesn't seem as bad.  I've always thought that we would mostly see the faces of our group watching.  Maybe a blow here and there, and then that last scene of unrecognizable body parts.  I just don't see how they can get away with what they're indicating.  It would be torture porn.

On ‎10‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 7:45 PM, psychoticstate said:

I love JDM but Negan is already walking a very fine line with me.  I don't really understand how killing TWO people is going to show Rick and make his group passive.  Seems like they would figure all bets are off and might as well try to take Negan out.

It makes sense (to me) because Negan told them that although a large number of his people were killed, he would only kill one of Rick's group in punishment.  If they did as he said, and if no one attempted to interfere in the beating.  Assuming victim #2 interferes, Negan is doing exactly as he promised.  Which is probably why the victims stop at two.  They have been cowed.  I also think by splitting up the group, they'll obey for a while to protect each other.

The one thing I'm confused by is the whole right hand man comment.  Rick reacts as if his RHM has been killed, which I think of as Daryl.  He trusts Abe and especially Glenn, but Daryl is his go to.  At least he used to be before last season.

[Lady Iris]

On ‎10‎/‎9‎/‎2016 at 1:32 PM, peach said:

I understand the concept, but it doesn't seem like anyone is waiting with "anticipation and excitement" but rather with dread.  It really didn't help them out that this great cliffhanger plan would accompany the most dreadful election cycle in history.  There's enough dread to go around at the moment (no matter what side you're on!).

D to the r-e-a-d is exactly how I'm feeling about the first episode. There's no joy that its coming back, only a renewal of the utter anxiety and dread I felt at the end of last season. I'm not calling this hate watching but when did tv viewing (aside from real life news) become so uncomfortable?

[Nashville]

On 10/11/2016 at 7:57 PM, RedheadZombie said:

The one thing I'm confused by is the whole right hand man comment.  Rick reacts as if his RHM has been killed, which I think of as Daryl.  He trusts Abe and especially Glenn, but Daryl is his go to.  At least he used to be before last season.

Spoilered for comic book reference: 

Spoiler

Given Negan's (a) appropriating the hatchet before hauling Rick into the RV and (b) his string of "right hand" references, I'm expecting one discrepancy between GN Rick and TV Rick is about to get re-synchronized real damn quick.