Thoughts On 'a New Beginning' Story Arcs So Far

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DHeav60

DHeav60

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Overall i've really enjoyed them. I like the dialed down pace and that we've gotten to see a little bit of how advanced communities can become over time in the ZA. The Zombies still are a major threat and ever present. At this point they still outnumber survivors, at least in this region of the world, significantly. But the development of ASZ, Hilltop, Kingdom, and Saviors thus far has been impressive. People contribute to society and have enjoyable, fairly safe lives.

Negan

I've said before that I'm glad he survived the war and his prison scenes have already reaped benefits.  Whether or not Magna would have broke Negan out isn't really significant.  It was a good head fake and a decent way to introduce us to Magna's character a little more.  Negan tells Rick that it's only a matter of time before he gets out and takes over... that's a very overstated bluff.  Even if Negan were to escape his cell - he would be a 9-1-1 alert to every person that saw him.  Rick may be famous across the Hilltop and other communities but you damn well know that Negan is infamous.  Every "Patrolman" in sight would swarm him, young or weak people would run and scream for help, and I think the average citizen would put a bullet in him rather than let him escape.  There are 2 ways that I see Negan getting out of jail.  One - a highly sophisticated jailbrake/coup involving multiple powerful allies who want Rick taken out or taken down.... or Two - Reform.  He convinces Rick that he's repented of his sins and ready to join civilization.  Both scenarios are highly unlikely. 

 

Magna & co.

She seems ok, it's obvious she is respected by this group, but at the end of the day - WTF do we really know about them, they could be morons.  She's going to get Kelly or Lucas killed.  I think Lucas is smitten with her and Kelly is just the tough guy of the group and gives extra security to the leader - so he'll be in the line of fire when Magna gets an itched that needs to be scratched and she goes to do stupid things like break in to see Negan.  She probably didn't have the capacity to break him out in the first place, but I think it's an incredibly stupid move jeopardize your acceptance into a seemingly great sanctuary on huge skepticism.  I mean, Rick told her that he would take her to meet Negan when he got back.  She can't wait a few days.   She's impulsive and decisive, can be a good quality but can also get you or your friends killed.  I wonder what the Yumko and other chick think about their own group putting them in risk with this kind of stuff. 

 

 

Carl & Andrea

Am I the only on that has the mixed feelings about the "mom" thing?  I guess this is kind of how it works in the ZA - Sophia calls Maggie 'mom', but Carol died a little earlier than Laurie and Carl was a bit more advanced or I guess you could say a little more equipped to deal with psychological trauma involved with general survival.  I mean Carl has fought his way through zombies and men from the moments he got his paws on a gun.  Sophia has been stuffed in a corner, guarded away by adults.  Maybe this is the best way - Carl may be Psychologically warped in other ways, and Sophia could be more stable...we will find out about that soon.  Anyways, Sophia had her mom, and then had whole new parents together immediately when Glenn and Maggie took over.  With Carl, Laurie died - and Rick and him lived for a long time before he even got together with Andrea.  And now years later he's almost and adult.  Also while both Carol and Laurie both died tragically, Carol took her own life.  Both scenarios would effect their kids - how they remember their own mother.  And also going from mom only to 2 parents, to one parent... and Carl going from 2 parents, to 1 Parent, and then back to 2.  I get the feeling that both Rick and Carl like it but Andrea is a bit weird with it. 

 

Rick

Rick transition into this phase of his life is interesting.  He's finally accepted his leader position, but he's having trouble accepting his physical limitations that come with general aging but also long term survival.  He's lost a hand, busted his leg up, and has plenty of wear and tear.  But in his mind - he's still the same old Rick, and thinking like that can get you in trouble.  I think that because Carl had to save his father in #129, the emasculation of not being able to deal with the Zombies alone and almost getting himself killed is party why Rick went off on Patrolmen Benjamin.  The message that Rick gave Benjamin - the importance of guarding the road - was right, but his delivery was skewed because he was overcompensating his own shortcomings.  He couldn't handle the Zombies himself, so he has to pull rank on the Patrolmen for not being there or clearing the area. 

Overall though, Rick has been through many dire situations with zombies and despots, and he's built the strongest civilization that we've seen yet.  It is kind of weird that he has developed a cult of personality, where ordinary folk are in awe of him, but it's kind of deserving.  Again - thinking back to what life was life for most people before Negan was taken out but also before vast improvements to security have been made recently.  Rick is the Governor 2.0.  Brian Blake was just pretending, Rick is truly leading. 

 

Talking Zombies

The cover of #133 suggests that indeed - humans have found a way to walk amongst the herd.  Just looking at the way that ASZ members corralled the herd, that means that if people were able to safely blend completely in with the undead, they could LEAD the herd wherever they wanted to go. They could use the herd as security escort and that would force any human contact to make themselves known. Any group of survivors who runs into a group of zombies is going to either try to neutralize them quickly or try to escape as fast as possible.  Anyways - I think this is probably members of a new group that is out scouting the area.  


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