MovieChat Forums > The Walking Dead (2010) Discussion > The Carl letters (spoilers)...

The Carl letters (spoilers)...

posted 7 years ago by replicant4 (219)
22 replies | jump to latest

Was anyone else a bit disappointed with the Carl letters? Don't get me wrong, I still love this show...and I find it pretty annoying when people constantly bash the writers and complain. I think the show is still very compelling to follow. But.....those letters....they were kind of a disappointment. Sure, I guess it DOES add something, having them read in Carl's voice. However, Chandler was overly dramatic in his reading, which felt forced and actually kinda wrecked the tone (rather than creating one). And, the content itself....was just sort of: ok. Nothing gut-wrenching or profound...like we were all kinda hoping for. I did like the scene where Michonne read the letter to Negan...but it may have been even cooler of a scene if Negan had granted her "safe passage" to come hand him the letter (out of his respect for Carl)....and, if we could see his face as he read the letter to himself. I think HDM could have really sold those emotions.

I really do like the Negan character.....and wow, when he choked Simon out, his outburst was diabolical.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

Yes, I agree. When Rick was reading his, all I could think of was "Okay okay, I get it!! Get on with it!"

JDM played a good episode last night. I enjoyed it. I hadn't really liked an ep this season but this one was aces.

[–] replicant4 (219) 7 years ago

Agreed. JDM doesn't get enough credit for the way he plays that character. He's menacing, evil, cruel beyond belief....and yet also can be charismatic, and at times, almost likable. That's not easy to do. Alan Rickman could've taught a clinic on it.

The irony with Negan is...he very badly wants peace, via superior firepower. Similar to Bhodi's philosophy in Point Break. With enough brute force present, the opposition will back down and submit. The last thing Negan wanted was to kill, or have battles. But he SO believes in his model....that he (unfortunately) then also concedes that the perception of superior force is diluted...if the Saviors are not willing to use it. Simon, on the other hand, was bad and angry to the core...and seemed to enjoy his role.

I still think seeing a brief glimpse of Negan's life pre-ZA would be mind-blowing. Just like when they showed that Michonne had been a lawyer pre-ZA. Maybe the glimpse of Negan's backstory is still coming. Wouldn't it be great if he were a math teacher....a grocery bagger....perhaps a guidance counselor?

[–] brux (14736) 7 years ago

What ruins it is that everyone is played with by the writers like they are going for maximal foolishness.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

You know you can find out what Negan did pre ZA. Kirkman wrote a 16 part comic series called "Here's Negan" which explores part of his life just prior to the start of the ZA. Each part is only a few pages, and Youtube has them all. Give it a try.

[–] winslow (1318) 7 years ago

and so far, the little bits he has given about his previous life on the show is consistent with it.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

yes - he was an idiot pre ZA too

[–] brux (14736) 7 years ago

I think the whole idea of Carl as the teenage Buddha of the post-apocalyptic era doesn't fly with me.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

Hah, I agree "Hare Krishna, Hare Hare!"

[–] brux (14736) 7 years ago

Hare Krishna is not Buddhism ... it is more related to Hinduism.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

Oh ok sorry 🤓

[–] brux (14736) 7 years ago

No biggie, I'm not religious, just though you should know.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

well....the last couple of years he DID become adept at turning a blind eye on peoples faults.....

[–] charliekelly (1018) 7 years ago

Patch on one eye, bangs over the other - it's a wonder he lived as long as he did.

[–] TJLamb0518 (3316) 7 years ago

You have to admit, with Coral dead the supply of conditioner has increased 1000 fold.

[–] charliekelly (1018) 7 years ago

That's all that was in Judith's letter, post-apocalyptic hair care tips and tricks.

[–] RogueDemonHunter (2684) 7 years ago

Had to FF through the letter reading. Yawn.

[–] replicant4 (219) 7 years ago

Yep, the letters could have been done much better. Heck, they could have just shown Negan's face....reading Carl's letter (not indicating to us the viewers what it said), and let JDM sell it on expression alone. By the way....JDM took it up a level in the last episode. His acting was fantastic.

[–] RogueDemonHunter (2684) 7 years ago

Smashing the radio was so dumb though. Perfectly good radio in a world where radios aren't made anymore. Let's smash it. Yeah. Good one moron.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

Yea, that was un-called for and very stupid waste of a vital resource.

[–] Sandoz (2021) 7 years ago

Yeah, that radio crush was beyond stupid. Don't want to talk anymore? Just turn the friggin' radio OFF, goddamnit.

This bugged me as much as all the times (so many that I've lost count) somebody is firing a rifle and when they run out of ammo they just casually toss it away onto the concrete or into the brush. Yep, weapons grow on trees in the zombie apocalypse, no reason to suppose you might need them again once you get some more bullets.

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

yep

[–] lennonforever (2453) 7 years ago

I do have to agree about JDM. I normally loathe his rendition of Negan, but he was superb, really in this ep.