Blogging TV, one show at a time

The Walking Dead: Cherokee Rose


The Walking Dead
Nov. 6, 2011

“What did Dr. Jenner whisper in Rick’s ear?” may be the burning question on The Walking Dead, but others arise with each new episode. Help a blogger out in the comments if you can…

(PLEASE USE SPOILER ALERTS if an answer comes from the graphic novels.)

8 Questions – Some New, Others Lingering – About The Walking Dead

1. What does 22 signify? I don’t recall seeing Shane’s necklace – a “22” charm and chain – last season, but it’s gotten plenty of screen time these past few episodes. In this one, we first see it accessorizing an oversized plaid shirt and denim overalls previously owned by Otis. Thank goodness Shane changes into better-fitting clothes for the remainder of the episode; he was looking a bit Sling Blade.

The number 22 adorning Shane

2. Who was that? During the funeral for Otis, a random guy steps forward to place a rock on his grave. Granted, I haven’t paid too much attention to Hershel’s People, but I half expected him to be red-shirted later. Alas, that did not happen.

3. Hershel’s People don’t carry guns? Really? When Shane brings up the need to provide gun training to their fellow survivors, Hershel balks at turning his property into an “armed camp.” How are these people still alive? Do the zombies just bounce off the barbed-wire fencing and shuffle away?

4. OK, then where do they get the fuel? Last recap, we discussed multiple theories regarding how Hershel powers his house. My favorite, from Matt: zombie-mice wheels. When pointing Dale toward the various wells on the property, Maggie mentions the “generator shed.” Question answered, part one anyway. But where does the seemingly endless supply of fuel come from? Maybe Random Guy spends his days searching for fuel. That would explain his absence up until now.

5. Huh? When Daryl sets off again to search for Sophia, Rick urges him to wait until they all can do so in a more organized manner. He says to Daryl, “It lets you off the hook. You don’t owe us anything.” Wait. What? Daryl wasn’t responsible for Sophia getting lost. And since when do the survivors “owe” each other anything. They stay together because they believe it gives them a greater chance for survival. Did I miss something?

You leave Daryl alone, Rick! (Gene Page/AMC)

6. Was that the most disgusting zombie scene of the season, or what? Consider this one a rhetorical question, as it most certainly was. Watch a behind-the-scenes video about the making of the swimmer. (Note to self: Eat dinner before The Walking Dead from here on out, not during.)

7. What is Hershel hiding? When discussing the search for Sophia, Shane asks the question, “What happens if we find her and she’s bit?” Rick answers, “You do what has to be done.” Maggie counters, “And her mother, what do you tell her?” Hershel shuts her up with a subtle shake of his head. Later in the episode, when Rick makes a case for allowing his people to stay on at Hershel’s place, despite already having been told not to get too comfortable, Hershel tells him, “There are aspects to this, things that I can’t and won’t discuss.” Are Hershel’s People hiding zombie family members elsewhere on the property?

8. Don’t pregnancy tests take longer than 10 seconds? Another rhetorical question.

Other stuff that happened during this episode: Maggie asks Glenn to go with her into town to stock up on pharmaceutical items. Lori hears and asks Glenn to “discretely” pick up the item in question above. While there, Glenn and Maggie have an awkward conversation about sex, thanks to Glenn, that actually turns into sex, thanks to Maggie. Right there in the feminine hygiene aisle of the drugstore! Carl continues to rest comfortably. Daryl come across a Cherokee Rose during his search for Sophia and brings it back for Carol. He tells Carol the story behind the flower and says, “I’m not fool enough to think there’s any flowers blooming for my brother, but I believe this one bloomed for your little girl.” Have I mentioned lately, how much I love Daryl. Rick takes off his uniform and tucks it away in a dresser with his badges. The pregnancy test reads positive.

Glenn, I need you to pick up something for me in town. I won't tell you what it is, but I did write down on this piece of paper the exact brand name of the item that, of course, you will find. (Gene Page/AMC)

Pamela Mitchell