Welcome everybody to The Walking Dead 9 Deuce Discussion blog. We are the only blog out there that asks 9 episode specific questions and then asks 2 (or multiples of 2) bonus questions for fun. I’d like to introduce you to my brigade of people who will be answering my questions this week: Raylene, Bob, Teddy, Cece, Briana, Jess, Brian, and Bits. We are missing a few people, but we have a new contributor in Teddy, and Bitty is back after her one week hiatus. Anyway, welcome to the show. This week, we were treated to an 85 minute long episode entitled “Service”. So sit back, pretend you are Negan and open up an orange soda, and enjoy. Any Comments in BOLD writing will be my opinion.
I want to quickly like you to the hilarious parody that was done on Saturday Night Live with Dave Chappelle. I know that a lot of you have already seen it, but just in case, here you go.
Walking Dead Chappelle’s Show – SNL
The 9
The Walking Dead S7 Ep4 9 Deuce
- Was Rosita unfair to Eugene in the beginning of this episode, in regards to her remarks?
Raylene: Rosita I feel is just full of rage, which she should be, sigh my poor Abe, but has to realize everyone is dealing with the shock and grief in their own way.
Bob: Nah, I think everyone is sore about this so the dark side will be coming out a little more…
Teddy: I don’t believe she was, but I understand his feelings and him doing what is needed to help in
Cece: I mean, I think so. She’s turning out to be quite annoying to me.
Briana: In a way, yes. In her mind, everyone is just sitting around waiting for Negan to come back and kill more of them, Eugene being the most apathetic. However, Eugene was right. He has a certain skill set and he’s using it to help the group just like he always has. Just because she’s frustrated by the situation and knows Eugene was the closest to Abe besides herself, she can’t take it out on him. (That’s the thing, is that Eugene is the ONLY person in this community with theses unique skills, and ability to learn and utilize that knowledge. It’s like high school all over again with her being a demeaning girl.)
Jess: Rosita is angry it’s understandable and Eugene is an easy target. (Do you think that she even knows that Eugene was the brave soul to take the RV on his own, knowing the likely consequences? As it was. he already stepped it up when he bit Dwight’s tallywhacker. I never get to use that term.)
Brian: Rosita needs to be more thoughtful of the mindsets of others. She seems to have her own agenda. (But Brian, Rosita is a special, unique, strong individual snowflake, and she deserves to be treated like a princess, damnit!)
Bits: Rosita wasn’t unfair. Everyone is going to grieve in their own way. Seeing and living with Eugene is going to be a constant reminder of Abraham. Rosita has her own agenda and she is going to show her dark side soon i feel.
Kent: Yeah, obviously. I understand that she sees more importance in going to retrieve a gun and whatnot, but Eugene’s importance to the group is 20 times greater. If she dies, yeah it sucks, but if Eugene dies, Rick’s group loses. Eugene’s ability to read and understand books and how to put things together is the biggest advantage that Rick has over Negan and the Saviors. Then she comes back at the end and asks for a bullet, like how fucking rude. For the people making excuses for her actions, such as grieving, I should say that just because somebody is sick or sad, it doesn’t give you the right to lash out at somebody. Just my opin…I mean, Fact.
- How do you see Father Gabriel’s role in the group evolving?
Raylene: I see Father Gabriel becoming somewhat of the moral compass of the group and we all know how that ends. He also can be a bad ass when the time comes he has really grown as a character. (Father Gabriel may end up being the closest character to Herschel as a moral compass and a bad ass. I know, that’s sacrilege, but it’s possible.)
Bob: I don’t know man – he is far too double-tongued for me to have any belief or faith in what he is doing. This episode made me think he was probably going to lose his mind. (He had that crazy look going for him, which I found endearing.)
Teddy: If Spencer doesn’t meet his death like in the comics I could see it going to father Gabriel. (I think that Spencer needs his death to give the fans something to cling to and be happy with. With that being said, and September or October’s issue, I can’t remember which, I could see them switching shit up.)
Cece: I was actually just talking about this. I really like how he’s progressed. I also like his uplifting attitude. (It’s like all of the words coming out of his mouth is the lyrics to Easy Street.)
Briana: I think he is beginning to take Carol’s lead by becoming the invisible, trustworthy person that no one suspects. The grave was an extremely clever idea, but I’m afraid of what might happen when Negan goes back to the Hill Top and finds Maggie. So if that is the case, he may evolve into being dead! Lol! (This, I love the comparison to Carol, and it could be a similar arc. Carol was pretty much helpless for 3 seasons, and then she started getting her shit together, and figured out how she could be most useful. Well done!)
Jess: I see him being more supportive to his community and more loyal to Rick.
Brian: Father Gabriel is trying to keep spirits high and I can see him leading a rebellion from the sidelines by encouraging others.
Bits: First of all Father Gabriel freaks me out! He’s the WD equivalent of a scary clown. Looks all sweet an innocent and is supposed to make people feel good but in reality is just weird and bizarre and has an entirely different motive. I do not trust Gabriel and i’m not sure i ever will.
Kent: Well, Glenn and Abe are dead, Daryl is captured, Carol and Morgan are off at the Kingdom, Maggie is pregnant with Sasha protecting her along with Jesus, and Heath and Tara are out somewhere (forget about them yet?).. Who the hell does Rick have left? He has Carl, Rosita, Eugene, Spencer, Tobin, Enid, Michonne, Kent, and Gabriel. Eugene will be busy. I don’t know how else better to say this, but Spencer is short on time from my perspective. Gabrielle is suddenly one of Rick’s top 4-5 people. Not only that, but Gabriel may be the one that gets through to Rick in a weird way. Rick sees in Gabriel a man capable of defending, but still week and reliant. Rick sees the rest of Alexandria’s population in Gabriel in a way, and Rick won’t let his people suffer forever. Once everybody comes back to Alexandria, well then Gabriel’s role will probably be greatly diminished, but for now, after Michonne, Eugene, and Carl, the next tier is Rosita and Gabriel for 2 very different reasons.
- What did you make of Spencer during this episode? Do you agree that they should have made a deal to begin with?
Raylene: Spencer really has no clue in how this world is now, since the Alexandrian’s were sheltered, they wouldn’t have made it if Ricks group hadn’t come along. I do think that instead of Maggie making that deal with Gregory they should’ve talked with Negan perhaps some people would be alive. (So you do agree that they should have made a deal? You’re on team Spencer. Interesting, but reasonable.)
Bob: Spencer, having not been in the “event” was far too much of a cocky punk. This ins’t a time for “See I told ya so”. No preemptive deal would have worked as there still have been bashed heads because too many of Negan’s people were killed. (You’re right because even if after the group found out about the Hilltop’s arrangement with the Saviors and wanted to make a deal, by that time Daryl had exploded Little Timmy and The Dick Brigade.)
Teddy: I mean if someone has a gun to your head you would make a deal, it’s just natural. Honestly, though Spencer fucked himself. Survival isn’t always pretty but it’s still survival. (I dig that last line.)
Cece: Spencer is a silver spoon fed prick, just like his brother. (Awww, his brother had a really bad death. You’re right though. He had no reason to be anything else either though, in all fairness.)
Briana: As always, Spencer is a big dummy. I find him to be very arrogant. Hoarding food and guns in a situation like this is one of the worst things you can do to the people who live with and put their trust in you. Then to question Rick was absolutely out of line. Do I agree with how Rick is choosing to handle this? Nope. Not even a little, but Spencer’s outburst was completely emotional and childish and didn’t help anything. And I don’t see how making a deal sooner would have changed anything besides Abe and Glenn MAYBE still being alive. They would still be taking all of their stuff. (Abe and Glenn would still be dead because Abe still would have volunteered and Daryl would have over reacted, and Glenn would have been looking oblivious. Abe was supposed to get killed by the Dick Brigade before Daryl exploded them.)
Jess: Spencer needs to go. He’s going to get someone killed…hopefully himself. (Just keep watching and drink it in.)
Brian: Spencer is saying what others feel. Rick has been leading and doing only what helps his personal agenda. Rick has no desire to seek the counsel of others in regards to the direction of the whole group. (At what point do you think Rick stopped caring to seek out counsel? I think it was Herschel’s death.)
Bits: Spencer is a brat. His Mother never gave him the time of day and for good reason. Spencer should leave and join the Saviors and i’d be ok with that. No they shouldn’t have ever made a deal, however i’m not sure why the Saviors have waited so long to approach Alexandria. Why didn’t Deanna ever talk about them? Spencer and Rosita will get together, then disagree about Negan and they will split up. One to the saviors and one stays with Alexandria. (Wonderful question! Logically, how is it possible that the Saviors have all of these mini groups roaming the area, and yet never met up with anybody from Alexandria, like Heath or Nicholas? It strikes me that they ran into one another, but that simply makes very little sense based on the size of The Saviors. Logical paradoxes are fun.)
Kent: Spencer, is not to be trusted. That was the whole point is that he is a spineless coward, who had it all when Reg and Deanna were running this place. Now he still wants to be treated better, so he steals and hoards. He’s like a whiny protester trying to make waves in the most meaningless way possible (Not any particular protest, so leave that alone). He wants the control that Rick has and he clearly wants to work out a deal with Negan, but Rick is standing in his way, so what does he do? He plays mind games with Rick, and Rick shuts him down in an incredible manner, but it further cements Spencer’s mentality that he is led by a brute, when he thinks that he could have made a better deal with Negan. Spoiler alert: If this is anything like the comics, Spencer will in fact try to execute a plan, and it will be glorious!
- What will it take for Rick to start considering a rebellion towards Negan? Give me a hypothetical situation, if any, that will force Rick to plot and rebel.
Raylene: The next time Negan comes to collect and he feels there was nothing that surprises him or he finds out Eugene is making bullets also that Rosita has a gun. Negan either gives Lucille to Judith, Michonne, or makes Rick hurt Daryl that’ll be his breaking point. (I advocate giving Judith the old Lucille treatment if they want to make Negan the all time hated character in television, but I think that may get censored.)
Bob: In the deep recesses of Rick’s mind he is rebelling. That’s why he isn’t immediately obedient with everything. Right now he is always calculating on how to save lives. Killing Carl would trigger Rick for sure but I also think that taking Michonne away might have that impact as well. (You and I agree in that he is already rebelling. Good pick up on the delayed obedience. Negan is definitely a guy that wants something immediately, and Rick is absolutely messing with him.)
Teddy: Like in the comic it comes down to him fucking with Carl. (I honestly feel that he was already rebelling before that point, but kept it to himself to sell everyone.)
Cece: I think if Negan legitimately comes after Carl or Judith. Maybe even Michonne. I’m not honestly sure at this point.
Briana: My first instinct is Maggie. As I said earlier, I feel like Negan is going to find Maggie at the Hill Top. I think when he does he’s going to take her and try to convince her to marry him. I could see that triggering something in Rick. He couldn’t let Glenn die just so his wife and child could become Negan’s property. Maybe? No? Who knows! (Good point in that aside from Carl and Judith, he has a very tiny inner circle of Daryl, who he can’t help at the moment, Carol, who he one once abandoned, Morgan, who has his own issues, Michonne, who he considered sending to the Governor, and then Maggie. With Glenn’s death, I think Rick has made up his mind to protect Maggie at all costs as trying to do right by Glenn.)
Jess: I see it coming down to either something to do with Judith or Carl.
Brian: I don’t think Rick will rebel. I think he would be happy rejoining the saviors and becoming Negan’s number 2. (Rumor has it that if you replace Rick with another beloved character’s name, you may be right. Alas, the rumor is from an article with so many errors that I can’t take it seriously, but read it if you like. It’s definitely clickbait at it’s finest. Article link)
Bits: Food and Territory. Once Negan has taken the furniture and weapons he will start to want more territory. And with territory comes food. At this point I feel Rick will make a stand. Only when Alexandria’s walls start closing in. Although, once Negan finds out Maggie is alive Rick will want to save her then. (I’m surprised nobody else really touched at the territory aspect. If Negan just takes Alexandria, and considering how complimentary he was with that place, this seems incredibly doable, I think that would really be a huge thing. Negan has people who know how to garden and live in tight quarters. Alexandria with some better security could be incredibly safe with teh right leader in charge with enough supplies.)
Kent: He already has from the moment he drove away in the RV in episode 1 of this season, in my opinion, but if there was any doubt, Gabriel’s talk was the finishing nail. Rick just needs to execute his plan and make everybody believe it, EVERYBODY. Or maybe they play it where something happens with Carl, Michonne, Rosita, Enid, or Daryl and they claim that to be the turning point. But nah, my first premise is the truth.
- Was Negan smart to take all of the guns? What about the beds?
Raylene: Yes and No with Negan having all their guns then when they come to collect there will be no surprise guns to the face. When the group has to go out scavaging they don’t have any long range or herd control now.
Bob: From this group? DEFINITELY a smart move. Rick et al have shown that they are proficient with the guns. As for the beds, hahaha I mean what a slap in the face. I found it quite amusing… What better way to say your easy days are over and whatever comfort you have is Negan’s!
Teddy: Stress can make people susceptible to brainwashing. Negan wants them to be his worked bees so to speak so I guess it’s an easy way to train them. On the note about the guns, honestly he would be stupid not to take all the guns.
Cece: He was smart by taking the guns in a way, but, it gives the group more ammo (no pun intended) to come back with more of a vengeance. And the beds, yeah. He is breaking people down this way.
Briana: It really irritated me but of course it was smart. If you’re trying to take over a group and they have more guns than they know what to do with, they’re going to fight back eventually. Of course you have to take their guns. The mattresses I also understand. It was a show of dominance. You sleep on the floor to know your place.
Jess: Guns yes, beds..wtf?! Typical Negan.
Brian: Negan is truly a great leader and is protecting his own by not only taking away the means of a rebellion but making the lives of his enemies miserable.
Bits: Negan is an amazing asshole. He was smart to take the guns, why would he not? He left the town with knives and other weapons they can use to stay alive but removed the direct threat for him and his Saviors. When Negan started taking the beds and the furniture i was so mad at him but then when i saw the burning pile of mattresses i thought this man is brilliant. He takes and takes and has the audacity to burn shit his people may need in the future just for the sake of burning it… wow. A++
Kent: I didn’t comment on anybody’s stuff, not because I didn’t find it well written or some great points, but I simply disagree. You’ll be shocked to find out that I am absolutely disagreeing with a Negan tactic, as I am an adamant Negan supporter. These people already know that you mean business. If your whole goal is to have people work fo you, you want to provide them with the tools to be as successful as possible. Whether their spirits are high or not don’t matter, it’s about productivity. In this case, a good night’s sleep on a bed vs sleeping on the floor will help many pople be more productive. Leaving them to fend for themselves without guns leads to the possibility of losing members of your workforce, and it’s free F’N labor. You don’t want to lose free labor. These were both colossal botches on Negan’s behalf, and although he tends to be ahead of the curve most of the time, this is a misstep. I totally get where everyone is coming from, and I know that most will think that I’m a dumbass, and I accept that. I just know that with the man power, and the whole premise being productivity, that’s what I based my opinions on.
- Should Rick have tried taking out Negan in the garage or anyplace else during this episode?
Raylene: No it is not the right time to take out Negan there was way too many of Negan’s men around them
Bob: Nope! Many would have had to die…
Teddy: I mean he could’ve but he wouldn’t be alive if he did. Rick needs to bide time.
Cece: Yes. I think there were plenty of times SOMEONE could have. But then again, there’s always repercussions. (I’m not entirely sure what you accomplish if you do, unless you feel that the Saviors would crumble without leadership, but it seems like Dwight or Arat would take over with a huge axe to grind.)
Briana: Absolutely! I was even thinking he and Carl should have just went ahead and taken them out when they were arguing over “taking half”. It actually really made me mad they didn’t have any sort of plan. If they’d have just shot him through the gate when he knocked, they could have done it! There were so many opportunities and I feel the way Negans group is set up, taking out the head would have left them in chaos. (The beginning was the best time to launch an attack if they wanted to do so. Granted, wave after wave would have come and eventually overwhelmed Alexandria, especially with Glenn, Abe, Sasha, Maggie, Heath, Tara, Daryl, Morgan, and Carol. Yikes, they would not have survived as Michonne has no aim. Could have been a cool what if fantasy episode.)
Jess: Hell no it would’ve costed more lives.
Brian: Rick admires Negan on some level and is jealous that Negan can protect his people better than Rick can protect his own. Rick knows any attempt on Negan’s life would end badly for Rick and his band of roving murderers. Off the wall theory. Rick has been a savior since he beginning and has been searching for Negan since the start. Negan was the leader of a group Rick belonged to before his coma. (Ahhh, this is what I always encourage, wacky theories! Not likely, but what a game changer that would be, right? I do think that Rick is pissed off/jealous that he isn’t in Negan’s position.)
Bits: Nope. Negan will die. He will die in an epic way i’m sure however its just not time. Every time Negan and Rick are in the same frame I get nervous, angry and excited. Its perfect. I want Rick to kill him and scream and yell and lose it but we’ve seen that before. This kill/death will be different. Very different. (Mayhaps your right, mayhaps it will be so different that you will be pissed, happy, or totally unsatisfied. I do love every time that we see both men’s faces in the same frame, which isn’t often.
Kent: to answer this question correctly, we must determine Rick’s loyalties and priorities, which we know is Carl and Judith, then his core group, then Alexandria. That’s how the tiers of priorities work. In this case, killing Negan assure him of Carl and Judith’s deaths, and probably his own. So, I think that would have been an egregious error. With that being said, the writers missed a great opportunity for an amazing scene. Imagine if in the garage, Negan is rambling on, turns his back, and Rick just destroys Negan. We see him take out Negan and then go find Carl and Judith, and you see a mini war over the course of 5-7 minutes, and then Rick watches everybody die, as he kinda did in the first episode, and then he gets killed. Suddenly, we have Negan snapping his fingers in Rick’s face in the garage telling him that he needs to pay attention, or he will unleash his men on his family. Fans would have lost their shit. They love doing a bait and switch, and this would have been crazy.
- Did you like the opening or did you find bland or boring?
Raylene: I liked the opening I was starting to think that I really like how Jeffery Dean Morgan plays Negan he has a lot of great lines and is comical but then he mentioned killing a gingered haired person it’s toooo soon for me. (I assumed that is where you would have had your issues.)
Bob: Frankly, except for the end, the whole episode is boring… But yea, I was thinking, “and then???” (I strongly encourage watching up to the opening credits again. They crafted it quite nicely with plenty of hints.)
Teddy: I don’t think it was too boring but not super exciting.
Cece: meh. Sort of in the middle. (Did you like listen to Stuck in the Middle during the commercial break and do the Michael Madsen dance?)
Briana: It was definitely a little boring but it also seemed pretty necessary to show the demeanor of the group. It showed even Michonne thought they were going to try and fight.
Jess: I enjoyed the whole episode even the opening. (I think that we are in the minority, but I thought that this episode was very good.)
Brian: At first thought i thought it was boring but rewatching it i noticed several subtle foreshadowing type of items. (There you go! I re-watch every episode one or two times before I write up the questions because I miss so many things the first time through. The opening was very clever.)
Bits: The opening was needed. I did not find it boring or bland. Michone knows her weakness and is prepared to learn and teach herself new tricks to stay alive. She will survive with or without Rick. (As long as she is done with her tricks by 1AM, Rick and crew will be fine.)
Kent: First of all, did you notice the first words out of Spencer’s mouth to Negan? “Uhm, who are you?” Well, remember that last week, the question “Who are you” played a big role. That wasn’t by accident, trust me. Hell, the whole opening was incredibly subtle. Think about it, Michonne doesn’t agree with Rick’s decisions at the moment, and how are they laying in bed? Oh, yeah, they are in a bed, so that is foreshadowing. Rosita’s attitude towards Eugene was important as it shows where she stands and her evolution throughout the episode. Then you also have to note that Eugene is hurt and is playing ball until he sees an opportunity to help. Yeah, how much of that did you not take notice of?
- Are you surprised that Rick verbally acknowledged that Judith is not his?
Raylene: Not really who hadn’t already come to that conclusion that Judith wasn’t his
Bob: Not in the least. The trauma that has occurred makes this small to him and it is something he can actually hold on to that is virtuous and worthwhile.
Teddy: I mean not really but I mean I understand Rick coming to grips with it
Cece: No. He knows it and if he truly loves Michonne, I think it’s good he came clean about some of his past.
Briana: That was actually incredibly shocking for me. Once she was born and we saw her, I assumed she was his. Shane had an ethnic look to him and Judith is the whitest baby possible with her almost red hair. But I am glad they finally told us one way or another. (Judith looks more like my baby than Shane’s, that much is clear. I was pretty surprised that he actually came out and acknowledged it.)
Jess: Somebody call Maury! You are not the father! (Maury reference? Sold!)
Brian: I am surprised that Rick admitted it .. but more surprised that knowing that Judith was not his, why would he do everything to protect her? (Do you think it has to do with Rick trying to hold on to a piece of the past prior to the zombie apocalypse? Like, it just felt like the right thing to do, and people tried doing the morally right thing in the before time. That’s how I looked at it. In the comic, it is very, VERY different.)
Bits: Yes. I was such a fan of this moment. I always love the nods to previous characters and seasons. I loved to hear Rick talk about his friend, Shane. And YES, FINALLY he admitted that Judith wasn’t his. However, that’s just how it goes now, its Rick’s daughter just the same and he will defend her till the end. (Yeah, I pretty much had a raging clue at the mention of Shane, and I wish they would have had him on Talking Dead this week. It would have been perfect.)
Kent: I usually feel like I have a good grasp of things on this show, but this one did catch me off guard. I understand that Rick is realistic, I simply didn’t think that there was going to be a time when he would be talking about it. I miss Shane.
- Does Negan view Carl as an asset or a threat?
Raylene: I think Negan is intrigued by Carl I think he sees the fighter in him and would like to have him as another right hand man or even taking him under his wing which would truly make Rick break. (Bringing Carl to the dark side would be the biggest boon for Negan in so many ways.)
Bob: Carl is an asset to Negan and a threat to any of Negan’s men. Carl is the X BOX ONE controller and Rick is the X BOX. (No offense to anybody else, but Bob wins the point here for involving video games. Just saying.)
Teddy: Negan will later view him as a son but right now I see he is amused by Carl and that is gonna lead toward the comics. (I don’t know about you, but that’s actually the plot that I look forward to most of all providing that they keep things remotely similar to the comic.)
Cece: An asset, for sure. (I feel as if Carl is the prize and Rick is the consolation prize realistically.)
Briana: It has to be a little of both. He has to recognize the defiance and be cautious of it but if he is capable of channeling his rage and skills, he could be an amazing asset to Negan. (So are you suggesting that Negan is Palpatine and Carl is Annakin. I hope you get the reference. Some of you will. Star Wars.)
Jess: Definitely an asset. He knows he can use him against Rick at any given moment. (Isn’t that what Negan is best at, psychological warfare, up to this point?)
Brian: Carl is an asset to Negan. As mentioned before Rick and Negan have known each other in the past and Negan sees his friend’s child as someone he can trust and use to protect the Saviors. (Still sticking to the theory. I like it.)
Bits: Carl is a badass. Carl is an asset. He is the only character that we have met that is a product of the Apocalypse. This is Carl’s norm and he knows no different. Carl had to kill his Mother, shoot his Dad’s best friend, he’s been shot twice, he’s lost an eye and he’s survived. Carl is key to the future. (I wish we could get a clip of Christopher Walken saying “Carl, you are the man.”)
Kent: Is this my favorite question of this week’s blog? Well, for the first half it is. While he knows that in a pinch, Carl is growing up to be a huge threat, in his eyes, he sees a boy who is young enough to be trained and coerced into being one hell of a soldier for the Saviors. So technically, the answer is both, I don’t like to answer with that indecisiveness. By virtue of all of the qualities that make Carl a threat, they are the reasons plus others that lead Negan into believing Carl to be an asset. I just can’t wait for what’s in store later on in this storyline. I am not looking ahead with comic book fan’s perspective, I’m trying to answer this from Negan’s perspective.
Bonus Deuce Deuce
- Rick and Negan have very similar facial hair. Do you think it is just a coincidence or are they trying to draw leadership parallels or something else?
Raylene: They made it that way looking very similar yes to show the comparitives in their leadership but I have a feeling Negan will shave himself just by is comment this episode. (He is clean shaven in the comic.)
Bob: I think the show is portraying both as leaders and one of them changes their appearance, expect something to go down or go limp. (There we go! When something happens with the facial hair, it will signify something I think.)
Teddy: I do not see it being any kind of coincidence at all. I feel like they liked Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s look and said let’s go with that. (Do you prefer it to the clean shave from the comics?)
Cece: Maybe so? I never thought of it that way. I mean, I pretty much think they’re both so high with tension that they’d just fuck and get it over already. Ha. (That may have been the least expected answer, so well done. Haha.)
Briana: I’m not sure if it’s meant to draw parallels necessarily but I think that style of beard is considered to be a sign of masculinity but also civility. A big bushy beard would still be “masculine” but would show a lack of keeping up appearance. Negan and Rick both have the luxuries of razors and such so yeah I guess I’d say it could be a sign of leadership. (Are you suggesting that I am not masculine? Haha. I think you are right in that leaders in the apocalypse are likely to have a well groomed facial hair.)
Jess: Who seriously has time to shave during a zombie apocalypse?? Rosita why are your legs so smooth? ( I was wondering the same thing, but was wondering about the other area…her arm pits. I’m very glad that you brought this up.)
Brian: We see Rick with the long hair and beard in the past. I believe Rick is attempting to look like the man he wants to be. (I hadn’t considered it that way, and this is why we do the blog. Good point.)
Bits: Ha! Love this! Its November… no shave November. (THAT is the response I was hoping to get from somebody. Kinda shocked it didn’t come from a dude to be perfectly honest. Good job!)
Kent: As I’m watching, I noticed the color, length, and density of both men’s facial hair, and it is very different. Negan even talked about Rick’s bushy beard from the video. Ezekiel is a darker, not greyed facial hair, and Gregory’s has some similarities, it simply isn’t the same. Yes, they have 2 men with dark hair and similar facial hair standing that close to each other to help subconsciously let the viewer know that these men are very similar and evenly matched opponents. Nothing is sheerly coincidental on this show, in my opinion.
- Compare Rick and Negan to 2 other people/characters.
Raylene: (Rick)= Jon Snow who has also fought for everything he has and Jon also is very protective of his family and his group he considered his family. He has fought against all odds and many foes to get what he has. (Negan)= Cersei Lannister she is the head of the most powerful family and forces. If you don’t bend to her will then you are taken out of the picture plain and simple. If she has a use for you then you are treated very well. She does make deals with other families but the deal always benefits her more. (I also went with Jon Snow, but went with Ramsay for a lot of similar reasons. He used blunt methods to get what he wanted.)
Bob: Rick – Peyton Manning – a winner and leader with character, then falls away for a bit only to resume his awesomeness in the end.
Negan – Alex Jones – someone you can agree with and follow and then you realize that the person may be a little crazy…or a lot. (As I told you, I had to look up Alex, but yeah, this one was really good.)
Teddy: I feel like Rick was Shane in season 2 and Negan is like Psycho Rick from the Terminus Season. (I can totally get behind that. Rick has slowly become more Shane than Rick in many ways.)
Cece: I’m honestly not even sure I can think of anyone off the top of my head. They’re definitely two types of leaders though. So, I’ll go with Rick being somewhat of fair, democracy type leader with Negan being closely tied to Hitler. (I’ll say this, Hitler and Negan were very smart in how they worked their way to the top. The question is, will Negan’s empire eventually tumble in a similar manner?)
Briana: This is the first time you’ve stumped me to the point of no answer. I just honestly can’t think of anyone in the show they could possibly be compared to. (In all fairness, I worded this question terribly originally, as I didn’t clarify that the comparison could be to anybody real or fictional, so my bad.)
Brian: I have two theory’s on this subject. First.. Negan is Clay and RIck is Jax.. every time Negan gets carried away Rick leaves to find a higher moral ground but in the end Rick realizes that he is just like his boss. Second is a plot twist from The Departed where Rick is the Matt damon figure that is bred and trained to be an active mole for the Mob Boss Negan. Only the Walkers happened and RIck is attempting to rejoin his father figure without exposing the relationship. Also it explains the Death of Abe. Abe knows Rick secret and has to die to protect. Their relationship. (Here we go with the theories. I see theory and get locked in. I totally had written down Jax and Clay before I got anybody’s answers, so you are not alone. Oddly, I enjoyed the second comparison more because it’s a great reference.)
Bits: You can compare Rick and Negan to Mufasa and Scar. They are the same person at the core. Two men/ Lions born the same but have to adapt to their surroundings. They both are given the same road to take growing up but at the pinnacle moment of survival one takes the high road and the other the low road. In the end they both know they are the same but one must die. (I can’t even tell if you mean this or if you said it to mock me. It is a good comparison. Just so everybody knows, Lion King is one of the most overrated films in my opinion, and so it’s funny either way that she brought it up. Kudos!)
Kent: Batman and Joker is a very easy comparison on the surface. Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock also work. I wanted to use Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage, but that was more Rick and Shane fighting over Lori/Miss Elizabeth. How about Jon Snow and Ramsay Bolton, although that will make more sense next season in TWD. I can make a claim for Heisenberg and Gus on Breaking Bad. Clay and Jax from Sons of Anarchy clearly fit the bill. Superman and Darkseid could potentially work. I am really hoping to get some fun responses. I really spent a lot of time coming up with other viable options but these were the easiest ones to explain.
- If given the option, would Maggie have agreed to be a bride of Negan?
Raylene: I think Maggie would have had to be talked into it but I think that she would’ve then perhaps a plot to kill him during sex like Andrea was supposed to do with the Governor. (Yeah, if you read my answer, you will see that we were on the same wavelength.)
Bob: She would resist but rethink it and go with it in hopes of killing Negan. (There we go! The answers are very split here.)
Teddy: After Glenn she would def take the bat over being married to him
Cece: Hell no. She’d die first. (Maggie is tough to predict, because she is often incredibly stubborn, but she typically has the foresight to think long term. With Glenn’s death, she may have not had any foresight and prefer to join Glenn in the afterlife.)
Briana: Not a chance. I can understand some women may feel obligated or Stockholm type emotions but not our Maggie. Not after what she’s just been through. She’s ready for blood, not love! Lol! The bond she and Glenn had was the stuff of fairy tales and Negan shattered that for her while she’s pregnant no less. There’s no way she’d do it willingly. (You mention Stockholm syndrome, and it made me think about how different things would have played out if Maggie had also been captured along with Daryl, or in place of Daryl. If the story follows the comic, obviously it wouldn’t have worked so well, BUT I think it is a fascinating what it.)
Jess: Hell no.
Brian: Maggie would have done anything to keep the group safe. (I agree with that sentiment, or at least that’s how I think it would have been written.)
Bits: Yes. If she had the opportunity to save Glen and become a bride of Negan she would have. However while being the bride of Negan she would’ve plotted to kill him. (Bitty is on board the kill train!)
Kent: I full expect a lot of no’s. I will offer the idea of her pulling an Andrea with The Governor, except actually going through with a kill. Yes, she would sacrifice herself, but she may consider it worth it to avenge Glenn and maybe in her mind, help the group. In her mental state, I think if she was offered it, I think she say yes with intentions of revenge.
- Seeds have been planted. Who will be the first character to rebel against Negan, if any?
Raylene: I think its going to be Michonne who rebels against Negan first. She’s having a hard time getting on board with this situation and she sees Rick broken and feels that if Negan is eliminated then the problem is solved.
Bob: Daryl is already rebelling. Dwight. (Nodding my head.)
Teddy: Rosita or Spencer. Maybe Daryl if he gets another shot (Do you think that Rosita may get Holly’s story arc from the comic?)
Cece: Rosita. And she’s being a dumbass too. (Straight up dumbass. Maybe Eugene can talk sense into her, or maybe another death could help get her head out of her ass.)
Briana: If I’m basing my answer off of tonight’s episode, I’m going to say Rosita, Eugene and Michonne. Rosita will convince Eugene to make her bullets and now that Michonne saw the mattresses, knowing they took them simply to take them, she will be ready to fight back too. (Is Michonne possibly getting too aggressive, like Rick has been known to do, or do you feel that is just a big protective emotion?)
Jess: I think it’ll be a group effort. Or so I hope. (Strength in numbers!)
Brian: Spencer and Gabriel are going to rebel. Spencer with start rebelling against Rick and Gabriel will encourage him to build a rebellion against the Saviors. (It would be oddly satisfying to see Gabriel help start a rebellion, of all people. Hopefully Kent will support him along with Tobin.)
Bits: Daryl already hit Negan, Carl held a gun so they have set the tone. I think that Father Gabriel will try something stupid and get caught and killed. (2 people going with Gabriel. It does tantalize me.)
Kent: My answer would normally be Carl, but I have to consider the other possibilities. Richard from The Kingdom is a bad ass and may want to. Maggie clearly has the desire, but doesn’t have the physical capabilities, but that doesn’t mean that Sasha wouldn’t, especially after losing Abe. Plus, next episode is at the Hilltop and could prove to give more fuel to Sasha’s already burning desire. Jesus could be a candidate after next week, but I shall say no. Still, I can only properly answer this based on what the TV has provided me, and that leaves 5 candidates. I will eliminate Michonne for now as she can’t shoot acurately, and clearly doesn’t know how to adjust her scope, so down to 4. I will eliminate Daryl because he’s playing the long wait game, so down to 3. Rosita is a darkhorse, as she wants a bullet, has all of the incentive in the world, it would potentially fulfill somewhat of a throwaway side story in the comic that doesn’t remotely involve her, but she could be a good alternate, plus she’s with Spencer who is due to have a bad time. My issue with picking her is that it will take time for the bullet to be made and for Spencer to potentially have his bad time. So that may prevent her from being first if she even does, despite all the build up for her this week which tells me that she is going to die soon, and then there were 2. Enid is clearly leaving to go somewhere if you watched the preview. She is pissed, but she is more of a survivor than a hot head. If she gets captured though, I could see it. I honestly see her going to find Maggie if she is to go anywhere and play the Sophia role from the comics, but she would be at least a 30% chance. That leaves my choice, and yeah, it’s Carl. He’s at a weird age, he’s seeing his dad being humbled in a way that he’s never seen before. He saw how he was talked out of not taking the shot on Governor resulted in Herschel’s beheading. Carl may just say that he wants to try to do things his way, especially if his dad isn’t going to step up.
Thank you to everybody who contributed. Thanks for reading, and if you enjoyed this, share it with your friends on whatever social media platform that tickles your taint.
All of the pictures are the property of AMC, the producers, Robert Kirkman, and all of the other people who helped make this. I am simply using the images for review purposes.