See everyone! Strand isn't so terrible! He's just trying to get to his boyfriend!
I thought the sequences where we see Strand's backstory was really, really interesting. It was very Lost-esque in that fashion and worked just as well.
I think it shows that Strand is a complex person who, while he may have an ulterior motive, is not necessarily sinister. Much like a chess player, he always has pieces in motion. He plans for contingencies, he has his hands in a bunch of pots. Strand's motives, without a doubt, are always for his gain. The question becomes moving forward, at what cost does he put his needs before others?
I thought the sequences where we see Strand's backstory was really, really interesting. It was very Lost-esque in that fashion and worked just as well.
I think it shows that Strand is a complex person who, while he may have an ulterior motive, is not necessarily sinister. Much like a chess player, he always has pieces in motion. He plans for contingencies, he has his hands in a bunch of pots. Strand's motives, without a doubt, are always for his gain. The question becomes moving forward, at what cost does he put his needs before others?
For example, what I found most interesting about Strand's dynamic with Ab is that I'm not convinced that Strand loves Ab, however, the relationship is more complex than a mere means to an end for Strand. It is not simply a use Ab and immediately dump Ab operation. In a way, Strand has a true devotion and respect for Ab.
Strand had some deals go bad in New Orleans and is now essentially broke. Ab can fix that and if that means a relationship, then Strand is okay with that. Again, I don't think that Strand is in the relationship in a mean, or completely "using" kind of way. In fact, I get the general sense that Ab knows this about Strand, but wants to be with him anyway because Strand isn't a creep about it. Strand is in fact committed to Ab.
This bodes well for The Rugrats. Strand seems to value "obligation". Perhaps he does not love very easily, but he does have his own moral compass, and his compass is obligation. He has obligated Nick to himself, and in a way, an extension has been made to all The Rugrats. It's a non-verbal binding agreement. I look forward to seeing how it plays out.
Strand had some deals go bad in New Orleans and is now essentially broke. Ab can fix that and if that means a relationship, then Strand is okay with that. Again, I don't think that Strand is in the relationship in a mean, or completely "using" kind of way. In fact, I get the general sense that Ab knows this about Strand, but wants to be with him anyway because Strand isn't a creep about it. Strand is in fact committed to Ab.
This bodes well for The Rugrats. Strand seems to value "obligation". Perhaps he does not love very easily, but he does have his own moral compass, and his compass is obligation. He has obligated Nick to himself, and in a way, an extension has been made to all The Rugrats. It's a non-verbal binding agreement. I look forward to seeing how it plays out.
Then there is stupid, stupid Alicia. See? This is where being so teenage love-ridden gets you -- a bunch of assholes on your boat and your basic survival threatened. Idiot.
What I did love was Chris. I loved his sudden dilemma. He is probably the third furthest along in The Rugrats of understanding the situation in regards to other humans, maybe even second. Yet, when confronted with the immediate and very authoritative manner in which the castaways board the ship, he hesitates. It's one thing for a fellow human to threaten with a weapon, I do believe Chris would be able to kill under those circumstances, but under this ruse, so early on in the apocalypse, Chris can't quite bring himself to kill. He knows he shouldn't let them board. He knows that it would probably mean he would have to kill them to prevent that -- to make sure. Yet, that's a big step.
I actually cut Chris some slack on this one. They truly got onto the boat in mere seconds, it was a tough spot for him to be in. I expect this will be a learning experience for all. If they all survive it, it should be a very, very necessary lesson to survive. It's only going to get worse out there.
What I did love was Chris. I loved his sudden dilemma. He is probably the third furthest along in The Rugrats of understanding the situation in regards to other humans, maybe even second. Yet, when confronted with the immediate and very authoritative manner in which the castaways board the ship, he hesitates. It's one thing for a fellow human to threaten with a weapon, I do believe Chris would be able to kill under those circumstances, but under this ruse, so early on in the apocalypse, Chris can't quite bring himself to kill. He knows he shouldn't let them board. He knows that it would probably mean he would have to kill them to prevent that -- to make sure. Yet, that's a big step.
I actually cut Chris some slack on this one. They truly got onto the boat in mere seconds, it was a tough spot for him to be in. I expect this will be a learning experience for all. If they all survive it, it should be a very, very necessary lesson to survive. It's only going to get worse out there.
Then there is our favorite, Nick. I am still enamored with the fact that his being a junkie prepares him for this new walker world. It doesn't phase him in the least to wipe the walker guts all over him. He has been the scrounge of the earth as a junkie, so walking amongst walkers, getting their blood on him -- it's not so unusual. It's just another topsy-turvy world -- a chaotic world is what he is used to. I just love it.
In particular, I loved the fact that Nick's junkie-mojo helps him so aptly convince Strand's liaison to go to the boat and get the rest of The Rugrats. He has so much experience manipulating people and situations because of his drug seeking behaviors. Nick knows how to get what he wants from people, this man included. It's seamless.
Nick is also unfazed by the liaison killing the castaways once on the boat. It had to be done, no need to dwell.
Perhaps my favorite part about Nick in this episode was the end, where he cradles Madison. Parents are the ones who are supposed to understand the world, and, therefore, can give advice to, care for, and protect heir kids. Nick is that person now. He is the one who understands, therefore can protect, and shelter his loved ones. Nick is the "parent" in this new world. This was so poignantly conveyed with the hug, Nick towering over a small Madison. Truly great visuals telling the story.
Unfortunately, I was not happy with the editing of this episode in regards to Nick washing up on shore. It was poor, poor writing to not let us know what he was doing. Remember, no one knows why Strand wants to go to Mexico. It's been a big plot point, duh, and the writers don't show us the interaction between Nick and Strand? I was very annoyed by this.
Overall, I thought this was a very good episode of FTWD.
In particular, I loved the fact that Nick's junkie-mojo helps him so aptly convince Strand's liaison to go to the boat and get the rest of The Rugrats. He has so much experience manipulating people and situations because of his drug seeking behaviors. Nick knows how to get what he wants from people, this man included. It's seamless.
Nick is also unfazed by the liaison killing the castaways once on the boat. It had to be done, no need to dwell.
Perhaps my favorite part about Nick in this episode was the end, where he cradles Madison. Parents are the ones who are supposed to understand the world, and, therefore, can give advice to, care for, and protect heir kids. Nick is that person now. He is the one who understands, therefore can protect, and shelter his loved ones. Nick is the "parent" in this new world. This was so poignantly conveyed with the hug, Nick towering over a small Madison. Truly great visuals telling the story.
Unfortunately, I was not happy with the editing of this episode in regards to Nick washing up on shore. It was poor, poor writing to not let us know what he was doing. Remember, no one knows why Strand wants to go to Mexico. It's been a big plot point, duh, and the writers don't show us the interaction between Nick and Strand? I was very annoyed by this.
Overall, I thought this was a very good episode of FTWD.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com