Though the whole concept of the group visiting the CDC was a complete departure from the books, after seeing this episode, I’m convinced it was a good idea to bring the CDC into the story … then right back out. The reason: There’s now here’s a lot less to occupy the mind of the viewer as the rest of the series goes on, and we can get down to being involved with what the story really is all about.
Jenner’s short story into TS-19 pretty much answered my question from last week, that the walkers do not carry memories; they are empty shells. That should make “killing” these things all the more easy for them going forward.
As I said before, in the books we never really get much in the way of an explanation for the zombie outbreak — just that it happened. At first my meddling mind wanted to know what happened and whether or not a cure of some kind was going to be found. As the series went on, though, I cared less about finding out what happened and what could be done to fix it, and more about what the group was going to do to survive and how they were going to go about doing it. Eliminating the CDC this early accomplishes the same thing without stringing on impatient viewers too long.
The one thing that throws a wrench into the works there, though, is with the mysterious whispered message from Jenner to Rick. That frustrated the hell out of me for several reasons, least of which is throwing a mystery into a story that doesn’t need one. Will we ever find out what was said? Should we care? Is this going to turn out to be another show with a list of questions in need of answering before it’s canceled?
For a season finale, though, the episode wasn’t all that captivating. Though it was big to get the CDC out of the way (and red shirt Jacqui as well), it left little in the way of “woah!” moments for us. I half expected to see a main group member killed (other than Jacqui, that is), or possibly seeing Merle Dixon pounding at the front door of the CDC. It would have been extremely unsatisfying to have been left without a season two after this episode. So, in a way, it was a bold move to leave it hanging without that classic season finale feel to it. It felt very much like any other episode thrown into the middle of a season.
A nice tidbit thrown into the story was the flashback to the hospital, with Shane taking care of Rick. Again, it was something not seen in the books, so we always had to take Shane’s word for what he did and saw. It was important for us to see it, so we get a sense of how Shane really felt — or feels — about Rick. Also, we get some idea of why Rick was spared from being a zombie’s meal … even if it was a lame gurney placed against the door. Why, though, didn’t the soldiers shoot Rick as he lay in bed, if they were taking out patients? The heart monitor was going, so why would that one soldier take a chance?
If The Walking Dead continues to not pull any punches with the violence, gore and deaths, there are going to be some members of Rick’s group wishing they stayed behind with Jacqui for that quick check-out. Many of them will also remember this CDC situation the next time they follow Rick’s lead into some new hell hole, because it was Rick who led them to the CDC and ultimately caused Jacqui to die.
As for next season, my guess is the group may fall upon the prison from the books, because it really was such a huge part of the story there and holds for some great storytelling and critical moments. If it doesn’t, though, I’m totally down with that as well.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Dec 06, 2010 @ 00:03 EST5EDT
I liked Jacqui! But I don’t feel it was a letdown at all. If this had been Rubicon, we wouldn’t even be talking about a second season so I think that this could have been a satisfying series ender as well. Not all endings have to come wrapped up with a bow. I’m glad it will be back, though I wonder how this would have ever worked had NBC picked it up!
I think Jenner whispered that someone was infected. This would explain the focus on the blood test… I think its the blonde as she has been ill. Maybe blood in the eye when she shot her sister.
That was also my first thought.
My later thought was maybe Rick’s wife is pregnant.
*POST AUTHOR*
Carla’s on the right track. Not sure why I didn’t think of that right away.
It can’t be the blonde one bro (Andrea). She is still alive in the original graphic novel, and she turned into a badass sniper that saved the group’s ass a thousand times over.
And yes, the finale episode was not in the graphic novel, however making the entire show different would be stupid.
And by the way… Carla’s may be right. Lory gets pregnant of a girl called Judy. Both get killed in the middle of the story.
Regards
C-Dog
Correcting the broken english on my previous post:
And by the way… Carla may be right.
Lory gets pregnant, however no one knows if its from Shane or Rick.
She has a little girl and they call her Judy.
Both, Lory and Judy gets killed by “The Governor”
Regards
C-Dog
*POST AUTHOR*
Let’s do our best not to spoil those who haven’t read the books. I’m holding off on deleting that comment, but just a warning that I might if it keeps happening.
That said, the Governor stuff doesn’t happen for a LONG time and may not happen at all on the show. It was the most gut-wrenching part of the comics to date, for sure.
Hey sorry Mister, I tought the point of this thread was to unsolve the misteries behind the show.
Should I add a tag before posting a possible spoiler?
By the way, I couldnt agree with you more on “The Governor” part. I strongly recommend for those who liked the show to read the graphic novel.
I think the show will be ruined without “the governor” part that is the climax of the story for sure.
Regards
C
I know that after the actor playing Rick read the scene, he tore up the only two copies of the script because he didn’t want any other actors on set knowing what was said. So, it could be a long time.
It doesn’t seem like it was something that would happen to only one person, though, as the other message was so dour. That they’d all be sorry they survived, basically.
Oh well. Long time before I will know anything, so here’s to Halloween 2011!
My guesses as to what was whispered:
– Your wife is __ months pregnant. (Allows Rick to figure out she did the deed with Shane.)
– You are all infected
– Rick you are immune
– Whatever Bill Murray said to Scarlett Johansen at the end of Lost in Translation.
The CDC worked as a good way of giving the group a fleeting moment of happiness and comfort before they returned to the grim outside world. It was also a good idea to state the scale of the zombie outbreak to better establish what is to come. There is no magical land of no zombies that can be reached by the end of the series. Its all just going to be people surviving at the end of the world from here on out.
I was wondering if there is an expiration date on these zombies … since they are dead … do the survivors simply need to wait out the zombies falling apart into piles of goo? or will the 6 billion or so zombies keep on coming at them
what I would like to know is why the folks didn’t collect any of the weapons strewed around the grounds of the CDC … nevermind why they didn’t take any of the army vehicles that were just sitting there … seems that they could all be of use
They didn’t really have the time to do so. Everything was really hectic and the CDC was about to blow up. At least they had enough foresight to grab their own guns.
Same with the vehicles. They ran out and the place blew up within a couple minutes. Unless the keys were left in the vehicles, don’t think they would have had enough time to escape the blast.
also … this episode was kinda an allegory for the whole series … just when things were getting good … it’s over … (well at least until season 2)
I hate to say it but I think the best leader for the group would be Daryl and Glenn as a team. Too much fighting between Shane and Rick for me. I am also glad they got the whole CDC thing out of the way but I am more glad that they don’t know exactly what happened. Never said meteor, alien or magic, ect.
Don’t worry my friend… Shane will get killed in time by Carl.
. . . . .
Hello … my name is Nit-Picky Michael. And here I go:
1) Escape. Escape from the CDC building. Rut roh: Bullet-proof glass. Hmmmmmmmmm … maybe this axe will do the trick. Nope. Hokay … maybe this even less effective chair will get the job done …
2) Escape. Escape from the CDC building. Seconds remain before you’re incinerated if you don’t get out of the building. Yet … still within ¼ of a mile of the site, nary a single window is cracked let alone shattered from the concussion of the explosion. Never mind that a heat signature was even felt by any of the escapees.
3) The aforementioned gurney blocking the door to Rick’s hospital room. Just a tad cheesy for me. Too easy to even accidentally move. *sigh*
4) So … infection renders the body a shell and nothing more, hmmmm??? I’m not on board with this. (I have to be, I know, based on what was said … but I’m not.) Why? Recognition, my friends. Case in point: Morgan’s zombified wife. There’s recognition there. What? Not good enough? Then why do we see zombies ‘resting’ on a bus? Familiarization. And familiarization – no matter how trivial – is triggered by recognition. And there are plenty of instances of this throughout the six episodes we’ve seen thus far.
Personally, I groaned when Jenner whispered in Rick’s ear. It can’t be something as simple as Lori being preggers, can it? Please let it be something hugely significant and episode rattling. No … I don’t want it to carry on for seasons and seasons … I just want some pop with the reveal along with all the blood and gore we see just about every week.
I’m in agreement with you Keith: Not your standard season ender.
Rather refreshing, I think …
Heya, holding myself not to spoil anything here, but I think that whisper will be to justify Shane’s ending (gotta read the books to understand that better).
I think Jenner told RIck that they were all infected. Earlier, when asked about the blood tests he said “no surprises.” He didn’t say that they were all clean. I think Jenner knew more about the virus than he let on about, and gave Rick some information about it before they left. I’m guessing they all have the virus laying dormant in their bodies.
What’s with all the spoilers?
I’ve read the comics, and I still think the people posting spoilers should be ashamed of themselves.
However, I’ve also read that Darabont isn’t going to go directly into the prison sequence (which begins with the third collected edition of the comics) because he said he’s “already done prison” (meaning “Shawshank”). My money is on the Governor storyline, which will further push the envelope for a major cable channel as far as graphic violence, and I’m going to guess that the Gov turns out to be Merle.
I agree with Tony regarding spoilers…lucky thing I’ve already read the books.
I’m not sure about jumping into the Governer storyline, however. Unless they change the whole thing completely. Here are my reasons:
Without a Prison there would be no need to worry about the Governor. If they were just drifters then once they got away from him (which presumably they do, and the show doesn’t end in season 2…) they could just run, and he’d have no reason to come after them.
On the other hand I’m entirely convinced that the Governor WILL happen: In the comics think what was the first incident that brought Rick and co. to meet the Governor…and then think back to the first episode…the chopper! That was a little nod for all the fans of the novel. If you don’t remember, go read the books to the point where the one and only chopper appeared and then remember where they said it came from. :)
For my long-term prediction, just to get it out there, I don’t think Meryl will be the Gov, but I do think he’ll be working with/for him.