Monday, November 12, 2012

Walking Dead Review: Say the word

governer's daughter
Well this episode was a little slower than the last one but that's to be expected since everyone is coping with the events from last weeks shenanigans. Finally we are starting to see the weird side the Governor. How about that awkward moment when he was brushing his zombie daughters hair and a patch rips out of her scalp and that tender moment when he kisses her on the head after he puts a bag over it. This guy is highly unstable.



Speaking of unstable, Rick seems a little off his rocker. He pretty much spent the entire episode all alone on some personal mission to kill every zombie he can find. I can't say I blame him considering he just lost his wife and all but lets face it, they didn't really care much for each other anyway.
With the arrival of the new baby, Daryl steps up his game and decides to go out for some baby supplies with Maggie. The find what looks like an abandoned day care where they find a stash of diapers, formula, and other goodies.

Meanwhile back at Woodburry it's all sunshine and rainbows. Everything looks almost too good to be true. They've got food cooking and ice cold lemonade. Andrea is eating this all up like one big sucker. Personally I think she is just blinded by the Governor. Michonne on the other hand is not so convinced. She goes snooping around and finds a bunch of walkers caged up which she quickly dispatches. I have to say, I think that was the first time I saw her smile. Apparently she's had enough because she decides to leave against  Andrea's wishes. She seems completely in love with this place, that is until she attends the Zombie Gladiator night. Everyone else in town loves it but Andrea has her doubts about it's safety and whether or not it teaches people that the walkers aren't dangerous.
One thing that left me a little confused was the graves they were digging. Daryl shows up with one of those Cherokee Roses and lays it down on a grave leading me to believe that it's Carols but we never actually saw what happened to her after last weeks episode when T-Dog sacrificed himself for her to get away. Is she actually dead. Hopefully they will cover this in a little more detail next Sunday.

How about Daryl, this week we got to see a softer side with him holding babies and all.  I'm sure women all over the world are swooning over the kind hearted  bad-ass.  I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to see more arrows going through zombie skulls.  Put the baby down and get back to work...


Lets not forget Rick's random phone call at the end where he gets to say the one word he had this entire episode.  Those of you who read the graphic novel know all about the phone. Poor Rick is definitely starting lose his marbles.




Sunday, November 11, 2012

Zombie Preparedness...REI style


Last week I had the pleasure of attending REI's Zombie Preparedness Class at their Cary, NC location and it was a blast.  Employee Si Wilson and his two zombie visual aides did a fantastic job teaching this full class how to have the upper hand when the SHTF.

This class follows the same train of thought as the CDC, Homeland Security, and the military.  That is if you're prepared for the zombie apocalypse then you're prepared for anything.  All major disasters were covered, whether it's a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, disease, nuclear, terrorist, or zombies. 

Anyone who preps for anything probably knows the basics and I'd like to think that I know a pretty good bit about surviving on my own but I definitely left the class with some new knowledge.  Take maps for instance.  Most people probably have a map and a compass included in their bug-out-bag and can probably read a map fairly well but do you know how to give someone actual grid coordinates to your location using only a map and compass?  What about food?  Eventually all the food you brought with you will run out and you will be forced to find other means of nourishment.  No matter where you live there will be plenty of plants that you can use for food and medicine and probably and equal amount that can kill you.  Do you know which plants in your area are usable and which ones to stay away from? 

Do you have a plan for where you are going in the event of a zombie apocalypse or any disaster really?  I do and I'm sure most people do but what I didn't take under consideration is how my plan relates to the situation.  You should have multiple plans for different situations and know all these plans inside out in case you have to implement them at a moments notice..

If I had to take one thing away from this class it would be to have a positive mental attitude.  Finding something positive about everything you do can make the wost situations seem not so bad and you are always at your best performance moral is high.

Thank you Si and the Cary REI store for and awesome class.

http://www.rei.com/stores/cary.html


Monday, November 5, 2012

Walking Dead Review: Killer Within

Man oh man, S3E4 of The Walking Dead was one for the books.  Not only did we lose one, but two main characters that have been with us since the beginning.  Glen Mazzara is definitely keeping it moving this season and no one is safe.


Lets take a look at the first one to punch out for the last time, T-Dog.  When I found out a main character was getting killed off in this episode I immediately thought it would be T-Dog.  This guy was definitely behind the scenes since the show started.  He might get one or two lines per episode and that's if he even has any air time.  At first, when I found out season 3 was going to be in the prison, I thought maybe T-Dog was going to play a more dominant and "bad ass" role kind of like Tyreese from The Walking Dead graphic novel.  Perhaps they are saving that for the x-convict, Oscar.

Even though T-Dog didn't have much of a role I was glad they made him go out like a champ.  The selfless act of sacrificing himself to save Carol was just right touch to portray him as the hero of the episode and get him a bunch of last minute fans.  The twitter feed was blowing up with positive comments about T-Dog and whether or not you liked him you have to admit, you were sad to see him go.

The second one to exit the show was Lori Grimes.  I have to say, this was a pleasant surprise.  I never would have guessed they were going to off Lori with so much unfinished business between her and Rick.  At least they let her go out with a little dignity. giving her life for her unborn child and all.  I think deep down she knew she was never survive the pregnancy anyway.

If by some off chance you were a Lori fan then there might be some good news for you.  We never actually did see if Carl had the guts to shoot his own mom in the head.  Who knows, we may get to see zombie Lori walking around... wondering... where's Carl?