AMC's The Walking Dead

Because zombie bites cause a fatal infection.

It's just not the same infection that turns you into a zombie after you die.

 

Over the past 11 hours, I've replayed the birth/death scene in my head at least 20 times. I had a dream about it, but it wasn't a nightmare. There's a coolness to the whole thing. Carl keeps his gun out throughout the delivery. He puts it away only after shooting his mother.

Zack Handlen at The A.V. Club says the show didn't earn that moment. I disagree. The show did a great job of developing Lori Grimes. She was distinctly human in her flaws, a whiny shrew with a lot to whine about. I complained as loudly as anyone last season, but the best characters often are the worst people.

I think that's the case with Lori Grimes. I think we should remember her as a voice of necessity, the constant counterpoint. She gave Rick a purpose at first and a burden later, and she made the show much more interesting. The writers did a lot to humanize her further this season, in a short span developing the character without making her likable. The cruel death was earned because of moments like her conversation outside the prison with Rick, where she says she hasn't been a very good wife or mother. He corrects her, halfway.

Lori Grimes was a terrible wife, but she defined herself instead as a mother. She put the interests of her children first, even at the expense of the group and others. Carl rebukes her earlier in this season, shows his frustration with her later when he gets medical supplies and she yells at him. Lori Grimes was a shrill bitch, but she cared about her son. And she cared about her baby. She defined herself as a mother, knew the most she could offer this death-infested world was life.

Rest in Peace, Lori Grimes.

 

What made the Lori death scene so powerful was the flashback at the barn of Carl and Rick. That was good stuff.

 

The Lori Grimes death was going to happen. It's the best way to add depth to our protagonist.

It was earned, but let's not kid ourselves - Lori Grimes was a poorly written character for most of her run. People hated her differently than they hate Skylar White, Betty Draper and Kate Austen.

Let's not forget that halfway through last season she was whispering in Rick's ear about killing Shane to protect his family and a few episodes later was a complete bitch to Rick because he killed Shane. That's not good character actions; that's inconsistent and contrived writing.

I do, however, give much props to Glen Mazzara and the creative team building her this season. These four episodes are the best the show has ever been (save for a lot of the pilot) and it goes to Mazzara and his team.

 

I disagree. I could see a Betty Draper-type acting the same way. Womenz iz indecisive, yo.

 

T-Dogg got shafted for sure. Finally the audience gets some small insight to his thoughts and who he is and he's clipped.
The Gov. is turning on the charm with Andrea too. She's going to fight to stay in that creepy "town."

 

I disagree that Lori Grimes was a good mother. Half the time, that dummy didn't know where her fucking kid was. Especially on the farm.

"Hmmm, let me sit here and ponder how awful my life is and what I'm going to complain about next. Hmmmm, let me see how I can annoy everyone even more than I already have...[cries a little bit].....[30 minutes passes]....OH MY GOD WHERE' S CARL?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

 

No one said she was a good mother.

She was a caring mother, though. She also was a fucking idiot. Caring doesn't imply intelligence.

 

Fair enough. Although I'm not sure I'd 100% agree on how "caring" she was. She had her moments, I suppose.

How long till what's her name is knocked up? Bet that tower sure is a cozy place to get carnal with a babe.

 

Maggie and Glenn are awesome. Can't believe I forgot to mention that. Awesome. Exactly how I'd want to spend my zombie apocalypse.

 

Andrea is horrible. She's the new Lori Grimes.

 

She's nowhere near Lori-level bad.