Re: Theres a new show on AMC...
Ok so the conversation about to be had is a MAJOR spoiler alert to anyone who isn't caught up through last night's episode, so if you're still behind and don't want it ruined for you STOP READING NOW!
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, HOLY CRAP! Last night's episode started slow, but ended on a real high huh? Didn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out that Shane was gonna kill the prisoner once he had him out in the woods and I figured there would be another altercation between Rick and Shane, but I did not see that coming! I figured it'd go down eventually, but not so soon.
Killing the prisoner was a last ditch effort for him to assert some sort of power and, in his mind, in doing so he was protecting the group. As for what happened after that, Rick knew the whole escape situation didn't make any sense and that something was about to go down. What I found interesting is that Shane was purposefully walking in front of Rick as of he was testing his intentions. At one point he paused to look back and gave a smirk as Rick stared him down. To me it was kind of a "Well I guess you don't have the balls to do it to me moment" for Shane. Once in the clearing, both men grew tired of the cat and mouse game and finally faced off. The way it went down was pretty smoothe on Rick's part. Talk him down, become less threatening, close your distance, distract his hand and eyes, and bam. People take Rick's compassion, careful consideration, and calm demeanor as weakness, but when the SHTF he's one cold customer.
Here's my take on the whole situation. Shane knew he was losing it and was powerless against Rick, Lori, Carl, and the group as a whole. Lori's apology for their relationship sent him over the edge and he snapped. I really think he wanted to die. He leads the prisoner out into the woods and snaps his neck within minutes. Then with Rick he draws it out, first giving him the opportunity to make a move. Shane was not a thinker, he was the kinda guy who acted on snap decisions. If he truly wanted to kill Rick it would have been done and quickly. He knew he didn't have a future with Lori or the group if he killed Rick, and couldn't go on without her especially since there was a chance that the baby was his. His only option was to provoke his own death.
At least that's my take. In any case, it was a pretty exciting ending to the episode. How 'bout Carl plugging zombie Shane and then the hoard coming out of the darkness there at the end. Oh, and how are folks that haven't been bitten turning into walkers when they die?
Ok, I've rambled on long enough. Anyone else have any ideas or comments?