My thoughts on Carol. I don't mind that she is having a battle with her conscience, but not at the expense of Maggie and the others. If the show runners want Carol to let Paula go, to run ...maybe I could get behind that. However, the show has done too good a job of showing what happens when you let someone go. I think the show is making it too black and white. The Scooby gang does take people in, and does take risks with them (Jesus), but when directly confronted -- there is no room for error. The small group of Saviors took Carol and Maggie hostage. End of story. Were The Saviors justified? Absolutely. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, the stakes are raised, the Scooby members are hostages and what has to be done is protect your own.
In my opinion, Carol forgot her duty is to first protect the group (as Rick does, as Michonne does).
The difference is Michonne questioned some of the stuff that the group was doing, but when it came down to it, as with Carl, she first protects the Scooby group.
The fact that Paula is the mirror image of Carol is meaningless. This woman, Paula, has lost her humanity? Has she? The Scooby gang just took out the entire satellite group of Negans. I'm pretty sure we are just splitting hairs at this point.
Maybe the line (that the show runners are going for) is you don't seek out people to kill. Fine. But when confronted, yes -- you do what you have to. What is the Scooby gang supposed to do? They just got completely attacked by The Wolves and their whole camp almost destroyed. What happened when The Governor came? They lost the prison. It's like the show forgets its own history.
In my opinion, Carol forgot her duty is to first protect the group (as Rick does, as Michonne does).
The difference is Michonne questioned some of the stuff that the group was doing, but when it came down to it, as with Carl, she first protects the Scooby group.
The fact that Paula is the mirror image of Carol is meaningless. This woman, Paula, has lost her humanity? Has she? The Scooby gang just took out the entire satellite group of Negans. I'm pretty sure we are just splitting hairs at this point.
Maybe the line (that the show runners are going for) is you don't seek out people to kill. Fine. But when confronted, yes -- you do what you have to. What is the Scooby gang supposed to do? They just got completely attacked by The Wolves and their whole camp almost destroyed. What happened when The Governor came? They lost the prison. It's like the show forgets its own history.
As for Maggie, she does what is necessary to survive, for her and her baby. I think the whole viciousness is warranted. The question the show poses is whether or not Maggie had to kill her captives. Yes, she did. She doesn't get the luxury of hoping that they in turn will let her live.
That's what is so dumb about these plots. Again, Maggie and Carol were being held captive. It's not like they had a choice. Plus, the group made a decision to slaughter all of The Saviors, you really can't let those people report anything back. Plus, aren't we forgetting that the whole community only has one month of food left?
The show does a good job of introducing grey situations, but this isn't one of them. Plus, now that I think about it, we already went through this line of reasoning once before, with The Governor. When he killed those people at the camp because he felt they were a risk. Those people probably weren't a risk, but these Negans? Yes, they are.
As for Rick, I'm glad he shot the guy in the head. I know, it's supposed to represent the violence of Rick. However, what about his compassion? What about the fact that his Scooby gang took care of him when he had doubts, when he was struggling with his own conscience. He is really just supporting his group while they are struggling.
Finally, my thoughts on the Negans, The Saviors. The show is trying to paint them as possibly not warranting the sneak attack. Let's not be so quickly swayed. They have attacked many times, at least three that we know of. First, the people Daryl tried to save, then again when The Saviors tried to take out Sasha and company, then when they took the Hilltop gentleman hostage, and then sending a Hilltop man to stab the leader. These are not good people. These are aggressors. Our Scooby gang, despite the attempt of the show runners to tell us otherwise, still aren't necessarily the aggressors. Yes, it is a fine line. However, they don't kill to take from others. They are still trying to protect themselves from the worst type of monster, other humans. Proof is in the Hilltop colony. Rick doesn't kill everyone there, he works with them. He even puts his own people at risk in order to compromise. Yes, the lines are greyed, just don't be fooled.
That's what is so dumb about these plots. Again, Maggie and Carol were being held captive. It's not like they had a choice. Plus, the group made a decision to slaughter all of The Saviors, you really can't let those people report anything back. Plus, aren't we forgetting that the whole community only has one month of food left?
The show does a good job of introducing grey situations, but this isn't one of them. Plus, now that I think about it, we already went through this line of reasoning once before, with The Governor. When he killed those people at the camp because he felt they were a risk. Those people probably weren't a risk, but these Negans? Yes, they are.
As for Rick, I'm glad he shot the guy in the head. I know, it's supposed to represent the violence of Rick. However, what about his compassion? What about the fact that his Scooby gang took care of him when he had doubts, when he was struggling with his own conscience. He is really just supporting his group while they are struggling.
Finally, my thoughts on the Negans, The Saviors. The show is trying to paint them as possibly not warranting the sneak attack. Let's not be so quickly swayed. They have attacked many times, at least three that we know of. First, the people Daryl tried to save, then again when The Saviors tried to take out Sasha and company, then when they took the Hilltop gentleman hostage, and then sending a Hilltop man to stab the leader. These are not good people. These are aggressors. Our Scooby gang, despite the attempt of the show runners to tell us otherwise, still aren't necessarily the aggressors. Yes, it is a fine line. However, they don't kill to take from others. They are still trying to protect themselves from the worst type of monster, other humans. Proof is in the Hilltop colony. Rick doesn't kill everyone there, he works with them. He even puts his own people at risk in order to compromise. Yes, the lines are greyed, just don't be fooled.
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