The Handmaid's Tale, Season Two, Episode Twelve: Postpartum

Postpartum marks the penultimate episode of season two.  When last we left June, she had just given birth alone after briefly reuniting with Hannah and watching Nick get dragged away by a pair of Guardians. Just as Serena promised, June has been seperated from her daughter and is once again in the Red Centre awaiting a new position. Any mom will tell you that labour and delivery is just the start of the journey and that the real work begins when you are handed this tiny human who wants attention all of the time. It's tiring, it's stressful but these moments are filled with the most selfless love. This is an experience June is being robbed of and instead, she's being treated like a dairy cow, forced to express milk for Holly every three hours. June's only reward is a bran muffin from eager couples looking to have her become their handmaid because she's delivered a healthy child.

In Gilead, parenthood, particularly motherhood, grants a certain kind of status. It's no surprise that once he had kidnapped June and Nick's child that Fred was promoted and moved into a bigger office. Fred being petty as fuck of course has to force Nick to hang a family portrait.  Even as he repeatedly tells Nick that he's going to go far, it's clear that it's Fred's objective to point out to Nick that though Nick is the biological father, Holly is his and will always be his. Even when Fred isn't being physically abusive, a strong streak of cruelty runs through him.  When Fred isn't busy pissing on a bush to mark his territory, he alternates between coming onto June, expecting to be rewarded for facilitating her brief reunion with Hannah, and dangling Holly in front of June to stimulate milk production. On every level that you can think of, Fred is a despicable human being. 

I know that there are those who have issues with the ways in which The Handmaid's Tale deals with motherhood, and I can imagine that this episode in particular would cause some consternation. The fact of the matter is that June didn't give up Holly for adoption, just as Janine didn't give up her daughter for adoption. These children have quite literally been kidnapped after being force breed. The idea that a baby needs its mother resonates strongly and I would argue rightfully so given the circumstances of the handmaids.  The wives who participate in child theft and raise them as their own are complicit in a horrible system, regardless of whether or not they love the child as in the case of Serena, or despise the child as in the case of Mrs. Putnam. It's torture to force rape and pregnancy on women and then deny them access to said child and even the title of mother. I think when examining the issue of motherhood re biological versus adoptive, it's important to remember the circumstances of reproduction in the Gilead. There are many aspects of The Handmaid's Tale which are analogous to the real world but not everything translates well. 

One of the most disturbing scenes in Postpartum is Serena's attempt to breast feed Holly. Breastfeeding is just such a deeply personal experience and it helps bond mother to child. No matter how much Serena may love Holly, she cannot give the baby what she needs and instead only ends up further frustrating the child to feed her own ego. That Serena withdraws and apologises to the baby shows that she understands that what she did was wrong.  It's absolutely abusive to breast feed another woman's baby without her explicit permission. It's easy to see this scene through the lens of biological mother vs adoptive mother because the emphasis is on the fact that of course Serena is not Holly's mother and this is when the system in which Holly's custody occurs is important to remember. Adoptive mothers can be just as loving as biological mothers which is why Serena loves Holly so much but in this case, Serena is also Holly's kidnapper. 

For quite some time now, Eden has been the looming threat in the Waterford household. Eden snooped through Nick's things and found the letters written by the handmaids. Eden also happened to witness the Handmaids in the store sharing their real names with each other. Eden was also suspicious of the feelings between Nick and June and even wondered if Nick was a gender traitor when he didn't rush to consummate their marriage. I knew that things would come to an end with Eden in a dramatic fashion however, I didn't expect her to run away with Issac after being told by June that she should hold onto love. Eden's death while unexpected was absolutely haunting. Eden was after all raised to be a good Gilead wife and wanted nothing more but to follow the rule of law because she deeply believed in God. If someone like Eden, who was so committed could not survive, what hope is there for any other woman?

The Handmaid's Tale, Season Two, Episode Nine: Smart Power

After being witness to the brutalizaton of Serena by Fred, June has once again lost hope for the future for herself and her child, despite just a few short episodes ago promising her unborn child not to stop fighting.  At this point, June once again believes it to be hopeless to dream about the things she wants. Her depression is interrupted by Rita, who's there to inform her that they've been summoned. Understandably, being called by the commander is something to fear. When they arrive in the office, they are informed that Fred and Serena will be leaving for a few days to go to Canada on a diplomatic mission. To ensure the safety of his household, Fred leaves a young guard named Issac in charge. 

Now that the help has been informed, Fred's next stop is the greenhouse to find Serena.  Having been chastised, Serena is back to doing what is expected by her from the Gilead.  When informed about the potential trip, Serena tries to take a step back explaining that June is in her third trimester and that the baby might need her, but Fred argues that they are making this trip to secure the baby's future.  Fred always refers to the unborn child as male because clearly, masculinity is all that matters in Fred's world. It's in contrast to June who always uses female pronouns for the unborn child. It's crucial to Fred to establish a different view of Gilead because the world rightly believes that women are oppressed and voiceless. Fred wants a good Gilead wife to tell a different story to the world.  It's another reminder of just how monstrous Fred really is and when he reaches for Serena, she visibly flinches and a look of revulsion passes her face. It's clear that Serena is traumatized by what happened but she doesn't have the voice or the safety to be able to say so which is ironic given that she's supposed to show the world that Gilead's women haven't been silenced. 

Rather than confront Fred directly, Serena does what she always does - she takes it on June.  Serena pays a visit to June's room and pretends that June isn't even there as she talks to June's now heavily pregnant stomach.  It's as though Serena believes that by submerging herself in the role she has been forced to play that she can be safe.  As Serena heads for the door, she drops the bomb about June leaving the house as soon as the baby is born. June tries to plead that handmaids are normally allowed to stay with their babies until they are weaned but as far as Serena is concerned, they've all had enough of each other.  June can only meekly responds, "Yes Mrs. Waterford."

Nick is coming along for the trip as security and of course, Eden is there to play the dutiful wife and wish him a safe journey.  Eden hands Nick some chocolate chip cookies she made, saying that this is the first time she's even seen a voucher for actual chocolate. Eden may as well be handing Nick a pile of dog shit for all he cares about her efforts. Nick doesn't even try to pretend that he will miss her while he is gone. June has already warned him about Eden, so Nick better start to take care because as we've already seen with Mrs. Putnam, an angry wife can come with a painful cost. 

It's time for June to head to the market and she is joined by Janine, her shopping partner. Janine is all smiles as she wonders about whether or not Mrs. Putnam will let her see Charlotte again soon.  June clearly doesn't have the heart to be real with Janine, as she talks about how her baby smells like her and that it would be a shame to keep people who smelled the same away from each other. All this talk about baby Charlotte has its effect on June and she tells Janine about her upcoming expulsion from the Waterford home.  This information immediately agitates Janine, causing her to raise her voice as she says that handmaids are supposed to be allowed to stay.  The guard tells the women to be quiet. Janine of course will not be silenced. When Janine is called an unwoman and told once again to be quiet, Janine responds by telling the guard to suck her dick.  The guard responds by hitting Janine cruelly with the butt of his gun, causing her to collapse unconscious on the ground.  June tries to check on Janine but is dragged away by Issac.

Once home, Issac reports that they were unable to get chicken and this concerns Rita because a growing baby needs protein.  As Rita goes through the cupboard to find some beans to replace the chicken, Eden and Issac get a little flirty. Yep, this looks like it's going to be trouble.  Issac turns and orders June to go and lie down but before leaving the kitchen, June asks Rita if she could bring her some warm milk when she gets a chance. 

When Rita delivers the milk, June starts to talk about her wishes for her unborn child and asks Rita about being a Godmother. Rita reminds June that babies don't get baptized in the Gilead, clearly trying to bring the conversation to an end. June talks about wanting kindness for her child and Rita reminds her that she doesn't have any power. Rita reminds June that Issac, who is a 20 year old kid could bash her head in and that no one would care.  June however does not give up and keeps pushing about how this is important for the baby, finally causing Rita to agree to do what she can as tears run down her face. A satisfied June tells her unborn child that she has secured one person for her.  

When Aunt Lydia shows up for a wellness check, June is forced to account for what happened on the shopping trip, taking full responsibility and blaming it on pregnancy hormones. Aunt Lydia agrees that some leeway is possible but that June must remember to follow the rules. June asks if Aunt Lydia has been a godmother and Aunt Lydia brings up her sister's child who didn't survive. Aunt Lydia however is quick to declare that she was not responsible for the death of the child in question.  Somehow, I don't believe her in the slightest. Speaking cautiously, June reveals her fear that in her experience, a man who could hurt a woman could easily hurt a child.  This touches a nerve with Aunt Lydia, who promises that she would never let anything bad happen to a baby. 

In Canada, Luke, Moira and Erin are watching the news and they learn that Fred is coming to Canada. Moira recognises him instantly and is immediately appalled. Luke and Moira head to the refugee center to see what can be done about blocking Waterford's visit, only to be informed that they are guests in Canada and as such don't have the power to interfere. When they try to argue that Waterford is a war criminal,  it's suggested that Moira and Luke lend their voice to the protesters instead.

The Handmaid's Tale, Season Two, Episode Six: First Blood

Like many, I binge watch a lot of the shows I choose to follow, even waiting sometimes for the end of a season before watching it.  The Handmaid's Tale has always been the exception to this rule, and not just because I recap it each week for this blog. The Handmaid's Tale is unrelentingly dark and so painful to watch, I doubt I could watch two episodes back to back, let alone an entire season.  This time however, the ending of First Blood had me screaming at the television, instantly wanting more and cursing because I couldn't just move onto the next episode. Yes, I know I started at the end but not to worry, we will start at the beginning and work our way towards the awesome ending of First Blood. 

This episode largely focuses on Serena Joy and her relationship with June.  It begins right where we left off with Serena racing to get the doctor to report that June has finally awoken.  The first olive branch Serena Joy offers is to open the barrier which blocks June from seeing the ultrasound.  This is June's first glance at her baby and a rare moment of kindness from Serena Joy.  When they arrive home, Serena even takes June's jacket and hangs it up. June notices the kindness and the change but she is clearly and rightfully suspicious.  With June back home, Serena is anxious for her to eat a healthy meal and offers a shake which June quickly rejects, claiming that it upsets her stomach and Serena compromises and offers soup instead.  June not only gets an alternative meal, she gets to have it in the comfort and beauty of Serena's office.  It's a huge contrast to the dingy room which June has been occupying for months. 

Serena isn't the only one who is happy that June is back at the Waterfords. Nick takes the first opportunity he gets to talk to June, explaining that he thinks about her all of the time and he dreams about a life for the three of them. June admits that she thinks about it as well but reminds Nick that he is married now. When Rita walks in to deliver the soup, she catches them holding hands and tells June into enjoy her privileges for as long as she can. 

That night, June is firmly ensconced in the study because Serena Joy doesn't think she can handle the stairs and the two women share a moment.  Serena is desperate to know what pregnancy feels like and June obliges of her own free will and places Serena's hand on her stomach. The two women marvel at the mystery and beauty that is life.  It's the closest they've ever been, yet an ocean of difference lies between them. 

In a flashback, we watch a nervous Serena Joy getting ready to speak at a college campus. This is a very different Serena because she is passionate, and in control in a way that she no longer is.   Fred is right by her side, egging her on, sensing that it's important the world hear a woman advocate the elimination of women's rights and the curtailment of civil freedom.  Serena makes her way out on stage and it's clear that though a crowd has gathered, they are there to shut her down.  People in the crowd scream that Serena isn't welcome and she is called a Nazi.  It's only when the students start to throwing things that security rushes in and takes Serena from the stage.  Fred is appalled and starts going on about this is America, and they have a right to be heard. I suppose the irony escapes him.  

Serena gathers her courage as she is rushed through the crowd and with Fred's encouragement, she stops and demands to be heard.  Serena yells that the birthrate is down over 60% and that this is everyone's problem.  Serena tells the gathering that they are selfish, spoiled and entitled.  It's a moment of triumph for Serena as she heads outside saying that she wants to add more stops to her tour.  Moments later, a shot rings out and Serena lies wounded on the ground, next to her now dead secretary.  When Sererna awakes, she is in hospital with a much chastened Fred. Seeing Serena in pain attempting to be strong has worried him and so he suggests that she take a step back. Serena however demands that Fred "be a man" because there's too much work to be done.  Fred immediately sets to work taking Serena's statement and she shares her worries that they won't get justice because she doesn't trust the cops. 

June is making up her bed when she is joined by Eden. It seems that her marriage is yet to be consummated though she has done what a wife is supposed to do: cooking and cleaning for Nick. Eden worries that she is ugly and that this is why Nick doesn't want to have sex with her.  It puts June into an odd situation because now she has to comfort the child bride of the man she loves. June does her best assure Eden that she isn't ugly and that these things take time in marriage, promising that Nick will be a wonderful father to her children. Eden however still isn't comforted and begins to wonder if the reason Nick hasn't had sex with her is because he's a gender traitor (Gilead's term for gay) and June assures her this is not the case. By not consummating his marriage, Nick has actually placed himself in a dangerous situation.

Serena has another big surprise for June, it seems that she has invited some other handmaidens to come by for lunch.The handmaidens are quiet and clearly fearful, as Serena Joys serves each one a huge piece of quiche and encourages the women to chat the way they do on their walks together. June senses Serena's desperation and brings up a little cafe she used to attend and this breaks the ice.  It's only when Serena mentions that she often frequented that cafe and it's possible that unbeknownst to them, they all could have been in the cafe at the same time and in that  the difference between Serena and the handmaidens is made explicit.. Serena retreats and head back to her greenhouse, clearly lonelier than ever. It really is a case of be careful what you wish for. With Serena out of the room, the handmaidens gather around June and begin to talk and gossip.

In another flashback, the Gilead has risen to power and this time, Fred stand in front of a kneeling man and woman. It seems that the man fired the shot which made Serena infertile. Fred talks about his helplessness having to watch the woman he loved experience pain and try to hide it. Fred decides to kill the man's female partner rather than kill the man himself, so that he will know first hand what Fred suffered. Fred may not be in love with Serena now, but there was clearly a time when she meant everything to him.

The 100, Season Four, Episode Eight: God Complex

There's ten days left to the end of the world and everything is grim and dark and dark and grim. Yes, it's what The 100 has become famous for at this point.  The problem is the unrelenting darkness though God Complex did provide the first bit of hope for the season as well as possibly set up future conflict for season five. We've always known that there would be a light at the end of the tunnel, it was always a matter of when the light would appear and what form it would take. Unfortunately, this light involved Jaha, a character second only to Jasper in being useless and annoying. 

Let's begin with the hope shall we?  Okay, so y'all remember that cult bunker Jaha found in episode three (The Four Horseman)? Well, it seems that Jaha has been thinking about the cult and wondering if perhaps they checked out a decoy bunker. For some reason, the cult has 12 levels and they checked on bunker 11. Yes, it's contrived as hell but go with it because at least it's a step away from grim and dark and dark and grim. Jaha puts the pieces together and convinces Kane that he's right. Now they have to get to POLIS and speak to the last flamekeeper who just happens to be Indra's daughter.

Jaha, Monty and Kane arrange a meet up with Indra and Kane is shocked that rather than being greeted with a hug this time, he's greeted with a slug. It seems that Indra is not over Skaikru forming and alliance with Agzeda which of course resulted in the death of Trikru warriors.  Kane tries to explain that it's the end of the world and that they are looking for a way to save everyone.  When Kane tries to suggest that it's shortsighted for Indra to expend her efforts battling Agzeda with death so close at hand, Indra claims that all anyone can wish for is a warriors death. It's only when Kane calls out that he needs to speak to her daughter and that they might have the key to saving everyone that Indra relents.

They head to the temple and Kane uses his pass from Roan to get the Agzeda warriors to let them in.  Indra however isn't done with her war and she grabs Monty's gun and shoots all of the warriors.  Something about seeing the gun in Indra's hands feels good. Kane of course is ruffled and upset but Jaha points out that this isn't their war and they have more important things to worry about just now.  For once, Jaha is right about something.

The pieces come together when they realise that the symbol of the doomsday cult is at the center of Gaia's tattoo. The same symbol just happens to be on Becca's crypt. So now it's off to the temple -- where after moving some junk -- they discover a hatch with the words "salvation lies within" on it.  Now we're cooking. This is it at last; except that the medallion won't work as a key because they are at stage 12 and the medallion is for stage 11. Oh those pesky cult members. It's Monty who suggests that maybe the phrase "rise from the ashes" should be taken literally. Jaha grabs the medallion and burns it and it turns into a key. Now with proof that they are onto something, Indra is willing to risk her warriors and she orders them to keep Agzeda away at all costs.  Indra also makes it clear that if they do indeed find a bunker, Agzeda is not allowed in. 

They open up the hatch and begin to descend.  Did anyone else start thinking about Lost at this point? The last time Henry Ian Cusick was in a bunker things got sticky. Has this all been the secret work of the Darma Initiative all along? Are they all going to have to start pushing a button to stop the world from coming to an end?  Okay, I'll stop with the Lost references now but you have to admit that they work. By the light of flame, the group descends into the bunker.  Now that they've found a place to live out the radiation, there's still a question of who gets safety and who is left to die. How big is this bunker anyway? There's also still the little matter of supplies. 

At Rebecca's lab things aren't going well.  The man whom Emori convinced them to test last week, survives the initial bout of radiation but as the levels increase, his body begins to get lesions and he starts spitting up black blood. Before long, he's dead.  So much for the last hope for humanity. When Abby and Jackson review the test, they realise that they inadvertently used an additive which stopped clotting. You would think that with so much at stake they would have double checked everything before risking a man's life, especially with all the drama of Abby worrying that she would become a murderer. With a small change, they're ready to run the test again, only this time they don't have a person to test nor do they have time to run out and hunt someone.  This is the situation Emori feared. 

The 100, Season Three, Episode Fourteen: Red Sky at Morning

This episode could easily have been called, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.  It's basically about sides who hate each other, or distrust each other potentially coming together in the hopes of stopping ALIE.  Unfortunately, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

After talking Indra down, the merry band of resisters must decide what to do next. Both Pike and Murphy believe that the best strategy is to retreat and regroup; however, Indra wants to kill Jaha, believing that this will rescue her people.  Murphy knows more than he says and simply tells Indra that this won't work.  ALLIE enters the holding area to attempt to get more people to take the chip and she notices that Pike is more injured than when he was imprisoned.  ALLIE quickly realises that someone has gotten loose and orders the prisoners checked.  Indra quickly gets the upper hand and kills the guards.  Indra then presses Murphy to find out what he knows and he finally admits that for everyone to go free, Jaha's backpack must be destroyed.  Indra sends her people to lead away the chipped while she, Murphy and Pike make an attempt to get to the backpack. Because of Murphy's decision not to run, Pike tells him, "your father would be proud of you." Really Pike?  I can't believe Murphy didn't give him some hella snark for that.

For the first time we get to see the City of Light and it looks like a pre dystopian city.  One of the escapees has been captured and quickly reports the plan to go after the back pack.  ALIE isn't worried however because she has the perfect person for the job - Emori.  I was quite fascinated by the fact that though Emori follows orders, at least a part of personality still exists.  This becomes evident when Jaha points out that she can fix her deformed fingers in the City of Light, but Emori responds that everything about her is perfect.

When they get inside the sanctuary where the back pack is being kept, Murphy, Indra and Pike find that chipped residents of Polis are already inside.  This presents little problem for Pike and he simply starts killing. Were it not for Murphy staying Pike's hand, Emori would have died right there. Becca's space pod is there along with the backpack but they ignore it in favour of destroying the backpack. Before Murphy can act, Emori calls out that the backpack contains a nuclear fuel cell which would destroy the entire city.  It seems that it's time for brains over brawn.

Back at Arkadia, Raven is biting at the bit to use the code she learned from Becca's book and go after ALLIE.  Monty is adamant that since they only have one chance at this that they need to wait until Clarke returns.   Harper joins them and tells Monty that perhaps he should take a break.  They head to the airlock, where Monty learns that Harper's idea of a break is sex. Monty pauses long enough to ensure that Harper isn't chipped and then it's giddy up time.

On the oil rig, Luna is still adamant that she will not become the next Heda.  Clarke tries to appeal to Luna, saying that Lexa was working on changing things and stopping the philosophy of  blood must have blood. Luna however remains steadfast.

While Clarke is appealing to Luna, Jasper meets Sky, a young woman who has never been off the rig. She wants to know all about Jasper and the two being to bond. Obviously, this does not bode well for Sky.

Monty and Harper are just getting to the post coital cuddling when Raven barges in.  It seems that she was waiting for them to be finished. Monty joins Raven back at the computer where she explains that she's found something called the citadel - a firewall in the code.  Once again Raven wants to go in because she is convinced that ALIE is hiding something but Monty cautions her to wait.

Back on the rig, having failed to get Luna's consent, Clarke, Bellamy and Octavia argue about attaching the chip to her anyway. Octavia points out that if they take that approach, they wouldn't be any better than ALIE but with few options left, they decide to go for it. Luna is training some kids when Clarke approaches her. Clarke argues that the chip is Luna's birthright but Luna is more concerned that too many lives would be lost to save a few people.  A frustrated Clarke says the incantation and accosts Luna only to be quickly rebuffed cause Luna is all kinds of bad ass.

 It seems that Luna left not because she was a coward but because she was the best fighter. Luna had killed her brother in the first round and was set to face Lexa next but because she was sick of killing, she left.

Fear The Walking Dead Season One, Episode Two: So Close, Yet So Far

The principal is making his rounds in the empty school and the entire campus is deserted.  Alicia arrives at Matt's to find the door open and flowers strewn on the floor.

Madison, Travis and Nick speed down the road.  Nick turns the radio dials and listens to the panic. Travis is certain that they need to get away from the city and people until they know what is going on. Alicia calls and Madison asks her to pack some things and load up some groceries because they are going out of town.  Alicia however says that they cannot go because Matt has a fever of 103.  Madison tells Alicia to call 911 and Alicia says that she tries but keeps getting busy signals.  Madison orders Alicia to stay away from Matt until they get there.  Before Alicia can explain more about the sick Matt, they get cut off.

Chris gets on a full bus. When his phone rings and the ID reveals that it's Travis, Chris sends the call straight to voicemail.

Madison, Travis and Nick have arrived at Matt's. Madison again orders Alicia away from Matt, saying that people are getting sick.  Alicia however feels that this is pointless as she has already been in close proximity to Matt.  Travis moves to Matt's bedside and asks him about his parents.  Alicia and Matt say that his parents are driving home today.  Travis sends Alicia to get Matt some water when he starts to cough.  Nick heads into the bathroom and starts rifling through the drawers, clearly looking for drugs.  Travis checks Matt's shoulder and notices a bite mark.  When Alicia returns to the room, Madison tries to send her away but Alicia refuses to leave her sick boyfriend.  Matt assures Alicia that his parents will be home soon and that he will be fine but Alicia is adamant about staying with Matt because she loves him. Matt again tells Alicia that she has to go.  Matt and Alicia embrace briefly as over her shoulder, he makes eye contact with Travis. Clearly Matt knows that he is going to die and is sending Alicia away for her own good.

Chris's bus is caught up in traffic and he watches out the window as emergency services race by.  A man jumps on the bus and announces that the cops shot a homeless dude twenty times.

Madison, Travis, Nick and Alicia arrive home to see their neighbors across the street throwing a birthday party. The husband coughs into his hand and waves.  Inside the house, Nick asks Madison to tell Ms. Cruz (their neighbour) what is going on but Madison doesn't know what she would say. Nick believes that no one is paying attention. Madison sits at Nick's feet and assures him that he saved them. Nick is clearly still freaked out by everything he has seen.

Travis is getting frantic after having called Liza and Chris repeatedly and getting no answer.  Finally, Madison tells him to go and get Eliza and Chris right now.  Travis tells Madison to leave without him promising to catch up but she promises to wait.  Travis pulls out of the driveway and Madison looks across the street at the party her neighbours have set up.

Travis finally gets a call from Eliza and she is certain that he is trying to change their visitation agreement.  Travis begs Eliza to call Chris and tell him to get home.  Eliza hangs up the phone telling Travis that she will see him next weekend.  Travis gets caught in traffic. Chris has left the bus and is now walking down the busy street.

Alicia is in her room when Madison calls out that she needs the bucket. Nick is rolling around on the couch with the DT's and Madison is frantically calling their doctor trying to get a prescription to deal with detoxing.  Alicia points out that Nick is only going to get worse and will soon be unable to travel. Alicia asks if Madison has a stash somewhere in the house - perhaps some Vicodin from when she had a wisdom teeth pulled. Madison wonders if the doctor's office is closed because they are not calling her back.  When Madison hears a siren, she leaves her children, making Alicia promise not to leave the house.

Travis tries to cut through a gas station to get around the traffic but finds himself just as  stuck.  He watches as a cop loads up the trunk of his car with bottled water.

Madison makes her way to the now empty school and uses her key to enter.  Madison makes her way to an office to grab a key but starts to be suspicious about her surroundings.  Madison walks over a body outline and then uses a crowbar to pry open a locker to retrieve drugs.  Tobias sneaks up on Madison, scaring her half to death. It seems that Tobias came in search of his knife.

The Walking Dead Vol. 2 Miles Behind Us

This volume, Rick and his gang (Andrea, Dale, Glenn, Allen, Donna, Sophia, Carol, Lori, Karl, Billy and Ben) head out, away from Atlanta looking for shelter. Along they way, they run into more survivors, Tyreese, his daughter Julie and her boyfriend Chris. After a brief stop in a gated community, which turned to be full of angry zombies, Carl is injured and they find themselves at Hershel’s farm, along with Hershel’s children (Lacey, Maggie, Arnold, Billy, Rachel and Suzie) and neighbours Otis and his girlfriend Patricia.

Carl heals quickly, but tensions flare between Rick’s group and Hershel, over Hershel’s barn o’zombies and Rick & co have to leave, leaving Glenn behind with Maggie. Rick & co arrive at the prison. And Lori is pregnant.

I think the main theme for this book is a kind of wary acceptance. Having moved on from Atlanta, there’s a greater sense of threat from the group, after the joy of reunion and the shock of the attack there’s less of a sense of hope of things getting better. Rick tries to hold onto the positive - but he does it with naive hope (Carl being able to sleep until the dystopia ends) and by refusing to look at the negative (encouraging everyone to congratulate him and Lori over her pregnancy). He even goes as far as to deny the possibility that the father of Lori’s baby might be Shane. But the general mood is one of fear and acceptance - Lori and Carol worry about giving birth without any medical attention. Even Tyreese warns his daughter, Julie, about the risk. Lori worries about raising a child in the dystopian world.

This volume isn’t about the world getting better, it’s about finding a safe place to survive - and being burned out so much that even the prison - living in a prison - seems like a good option. And it’s also about beginning to find a reason to survive, characters begin to have sex and partner off; embracing life and relationships in a much smaller population.

In a great moment of increasing inclusion, Tyreese joins the cast. Almost from the beginning, Tyreese is a productive and useful member of the group - partly by being so physically fit and a strong, capable fighter; which is pointed out repeatedly and gratefully by the group. They do not take him for granted. In turn, this leads to some extremely belated gratitude to Glenn, for the risks he took keeping them supplied, when they are forced to deal with hunger for the first time and learn the deprivations Tyreese's family had to endure on the road. It’s late and they really should have said it sooner, but at last his achievement and risk has been acknowledged

But Tyreese is more than a big, strong Black man, even at this early stage, Rick frequently considers him to be his natural peer. Tyreese is the one he goes hunting with, Tyreese is the one who leads the second group whenever they split up. And when Rick is hasty or angry, Tyreese is the voice of reason. Beyond reason, he is the voice of compassion - after Otis shoots Carl by accident, it is Tyreese who reaches out to him.

The Walking Dead Season Three Episode Eight: Made to Suffer

Tyrese is moving through the woods killing walkers as he goes.  The group the group he is traveling with gets surrounded by walkers and they are forced to run.  One of their members is bitten by a walker and Sasha insists that the bitten woman be left behind when they get to the back entrance to the prison, but Tyrese says not to leave her behind because she will be eaten alive.

Andrea is in Philip's room looking at the picture of his family, when he approches her from behind. Andrea tells him that the people he brought together are helping each other through this mess. Philip say that Woodbury is starting to grow on her. She eases out of his embrace.  Alone, Philip turns on some music and then calls to Penny, his zombie daughter.  She comes running out with a bag on her head snarling at him. It's clear that Philip had Milton run the test to see if there was a way to bring back any part of his little girl. Philip screams at Penny to look at him but she continues to growl.

Glenn asks Maggie if Philip raped her and she tells him no. "All this time runing from walkers, you forget what people do. Look at what they did to you," Maggie says.  Glenn again asks if she was violated and Maggie tells him no.  Glenn is badly beaten with his chest covered in blood.  He walks over to the dead walker, rips off the arm, then a bone and hands it to Maggie.

Rick et al are stationed outside of the gates of Woodburry.  Inside, Woodbury Philip plans to have Merle turn Darryl into their inside man.  Philip wants to let the prison be over run once again and plans to wave a flag of peace to get Rick's group to trust him.  Merle does take the time to insist that nothing happen to his brother.  Michonne is sneaking the group in the back way but when she does not immediately find Glenn and Maggie they get suspicious.  Rick tells Darryl and Oscar that if this goes south, they are to cut Michonne loose.  A man walks into the room because he heard something and when Rick asks where his people are, the man says he does not know and so Oscar knocks him unconcsious.

Beth is sitting with Axel and he asks how hold she is and comments how good she is with the baby. Carol interrupts the conversation and tells Axel to stay away from Beth. Axel says that he has been locked up a long time and that Maggie is with Glen and Carol is a lesbian, so that leaves Beth. Axel has determined that Carl must be a lesbian because she has short hair. Carol tells him that she is not a lesbian and when Axel suggests that this is a good thing and gets flirty, Carol makes it clear that she has absolutely no interest in him.

When people enter to check on Maggie and Glenn, they attack using the bones of the dead walker.  Merle overpowers Glenn but Maggie has picked up a gun and screams to let Glenn go. What she does not know is that Philip's men are armed and sneaking up behind her. Glenn and Maggie are on their knees and hoods are placed over their heads.  They are being lead out of the room, when Rick and the group throw smoke bombs in their path. 

Andrea says that she heard the shot and volunteers to check but the governor tries to blow it off a walkers, until one man says that he was attacked by a group of strange men.  The governor gives orders to shoot to kill. Rick et al slip into a room and Glenn tells Darryl that this was Merle's doing and admits that they told Philip where the prison was.  Darryl says that if Merle's around that he has to see him and wants to work something out.  Rick says that he needs Darryl and that Glenn can barely walk, though he says that he is fine.  Darryl agrees to go with Rick.

Philip sends Andrea to go door to door to check on the residents and Andrea says that she has a lot of experience can handle this.  Philip tells her to do as he asks and she acquiesces. Michonne has used the confusion to slip into Philip's apartment. She sits on a chair with her katana on her lap.

The group throws smoke bombs into the streets to help cover their exit and begin shooting.  At the sound of the firing, Andrea grabs her gun.  She begins to shoot and Philip asks her if she is alright. Andrea says that she saw at least one of them wearing a prison jump suit. Philip instructs her to get off the streets and moves forward.  Darryl tells them to go and that he will lay down cover fire. In the mist, Rick believes he sees Shane coming towards him.  Rick shoots the man he thought was Shane but not before Oscar catches a bullet.

Back at the prison, Hershel tells Carl that it's time for a rest.  Carl asks about how much formula they have and when he learns that they only have enough for a month, Carl says that he will go for some next week. Hershel says that his father will be back by then but having seen what happened to his mother Carl is not holding out much hope and points out that his sister is all he has left. When they hear sounds deeper into the prison, Carl says that he is going to check it out. Hershel tells him that he can't let him go down there, but Carl answers, "my father would go down there." Carl is down by the boiler room and he sees Tyrese fighting off zombies and uses his gun to shoot some of them.  Carl instructs Tyerses group to hurry and they start running through the prison.

In Philip's room Michonne hears a noise and kicks a door open only to find his collection of heads inside of aquariums. To her right she sees Penny's cage and opens it up.   Because Penny is clean, Michonne believes that she has found a little girl, rather than a walker and unhooks her chain  It's only when she takes off the hood, she realises that Penny is a walker.  Michonne lifts her katana but Philip screams no and then puts down his gun  and says, "it's me you want. There's no need for her to suffer." Mchonne says, "she doesn't have needs." Philip starts to beg Michonne not hurt Penny, but Michonne puts her katana through the back of Penny's head.  Philip tackles Michonne and they begin to fight. Michonne knocks over the aquarium and the heads are sill alive.  She manages to grab a piece of glass and puts it in Philip's eye.  Just as she raises her katana to kill Philip, Maggie walks in holding her gun asking, "what have you done?" Michonne puts down her katana and walks away but when Andrea goes over to help Philip, she sees his macabre display and him crying holding Penny's corpse.

Revolution Season One, Episode Five: Soul Train

In Nobelsville Indiana, Neville is fighting bare knuckled against his men.  After winning his bout, he tells Danny to step forward because he knows how Danny feels about him.  Danny refuses to fight but after Neville punches him twice and says that he has to toughen up, Danny begins to fight. He beats Danny severely and than has a flashback to his pre blackout days as an insurance instructor. He is sitting with his boss discussing a claim and is fired for approving a claim that a family was not covered for.

In present day, Charlie, Aaron, Nora and Miles are gathered around Maggie's grave mourning.  Miles announces that it is time to go and Nora suggests allowing Charlie and Aaron more time. Miles feels that because he has given them thirty minutes that they have spared all of the time that they can.  Charlie asks for more time and Miles points to the grave and says, "that's just a body in the ground Charlie, but Danny, he's still alive and he's close. If you want him back, you can't do this. You can't have this luxury and hanging around here is not going to help." They pack up leave and walk until they hear a train whistle.

Miles says that if Monroe has a train that they are in trouble.  Neville tells the men to work faster because it is due to leave tomorrow.  Monroe informs Rachel that her son will be there tomorrow and she begs them on whatever relationship they used to have to let Danny go. Rachel promises to tell him everything and he responds, "I know you will, but you know how I know? 'Cause I am going to have your son right here with me." Rachel calls him a son of a bitch and Monroe reminds her that he gave her a lot of opportunities to cooperate.

Charlie walks into the town to get an idea of what is going on. Nora tells Miles that Monroe with a working train means big problems. Charlie reports back that the train leaves tomorrow for Philadelphia and Miles is certain that Danny is being put on the train. Miles says that if they don't find Danny by tomorrow, they will have lost him and he suggests that they do a search without weapons to keep a low profile. He instructs Charlie and Nora to walk away and inform him if they get a scent of Danny because they only have one shot at this.

Danny is in a cell and Neville is telling him how hard he had to work and that he never saw what he made. Danny tells him to shut up because he is sick of Neville's speeches and mind games. Neville tells him to be careful and Danny asks him if it makes him feel tough to beat up an18 year old kid and what it says about him?

We are given another flashback to the night of the blackout.  Neville's neighbours are holding a party and he asks Rob if he can keep his music down at night because it keeps his kid up. Rob doesn't answer him and Neville enters his house.  His son walks up to him and gives him a huge hug. His wife is setting the table and Neville asks if he has time before dinner.  Neville starts working out on the punching bag to get rid of his frustrations and his son Jason comes down the stairs. He asks Jason if he wants to take a swing and informs him to only hit the bag and never people, as the lights go out.

In present day, the train is being loaded up as Nora enters a printing press.  She asks for a biography of Joe Biden and is then escorted into a backroom. The man holds a knife to her and says that he just needs to be sure and so she shows him her tattoo. When Nora asks for his mark, Hutch shows her an American flag.  Apparently, Hutch represents the entirety of Nobleville's underground. Hutch says that the militia wiped out their whole unit including his wife and that he is alone now.  Nora corrects him and says that it's you and me and we're going to blow up that train.

Neville approaches Charlie and asks her what she is doing because he thinks that she is casing the joint.  Charlie smiles and says that she is spying on her boyfriend in the mirror.  In the reflection, we see a young couple and Charlie says that she believes her boyfriend might be cheating on her.  Neville smiles and asks her name and Charlie lies and says that she is Sarah McGill and he introduces himself as Captain Tom Neville.  The two shake hands and she asks if he is there for the train which surprises Neville. Charlie covers by saying that everyone is there for the train.  Before leaving, Neville says that boy is a fool if he steps out on you.  Neville leaves and Charlie quickly follows but as soon as she turns the corner, he attacks her saying, "you think I can't spot a tail, especially as clumsy as you? Now how are you?"  When she does not answer, Neville prepares to slit her throat, but Miles intervenes and tells Charlie to get out of there. Neville says, "I should have guessed. Is this the sister? Quite the family resemblance, she looks like Danny." The two men square off, and Miles again has to tell Charlie to run again.  The struggle does not last long and Miles and Neville are quickly at a stalemate, with each man having a knife to other's throat.

Miles asks, "how's the wife."  Neville says that Julia is good but he hasn't seen her in about a year because he has been busy looking for Miles.  Miles then asks about Danny and Neville says that Danny is a spirited young man.  Miles then asks to trade, Danny for one of his guys, which shocks Neville.  Miles says they have the one who has been following them with the short hair and the too tight shirt.  Neville says that Miles can keep him and so Miles reminds him that he will kill him.  This has me wondering if the person they captured is Neville's son, though he doesn't exactly look bi-racial. Neville says that Miles can do what he has to do because he needs Danny more than Miles. Neville then asks why Miles left and he replies, "you wouldn't understand." The conversation comes to an end when the militia men arrive.

Aaron is waiting for the return of Miles, Nora and Charlie.  He accidentally drops Maggie's cellphone and the necklace.  Jason grabs it immediately and comments about how ugly it is and Aaron lies and says that it belonged to his wife. When Aaron asks for it back, Jason hands it over slowly.  When Aaron hears a noise, he grabs his crossbow but it turns out to just be Nora and Hutch. Nora asks Aaron to warn Miles that she is going to put a bomb on the train because it is more important than Danny.  When Aaron asks what happens if Danny is on the train, Nora replies that Miles will find him first.

Charlie is walking and Miles catches up with her to chastise her for getting close to Neville. Charlie says that Neville bumped into her but Miles is not impressed because she followed him and has no idea how dangerous Neville is.  Charlie admits to screwing up (a first by the way) and says that because Neville has Danny she had to follow. Miles says, "you got emotional and you panicked and you blew it. Surprise is the only thing we had going and you pissed it away. It was already hard, you just made it impossible. So if we don't get Danny back, you got nobody to blame but yourself."  Charlie wants to know why Miles is being mean and says that he never used to be like this.  When Miles asks Charlie how she knows, Maggie tells him that she remembers him from when she was four. "What happened to that guy? Charlie asks. Really, she just screwed up terribly and is worried that Miles isn't being fluffy enough. Oh for heaven's sakes, this is yet another perfect example of how annoying and ridiculous Charlie is.

Neville is moving Danny to a new location and Danny asks what happened because to him Neville looks nervous. We get another flashback and this time it's six weeks after the blackout and Neville is in bed with his wife. Julia tells Neville that she believes they should leave the city but he is concerned with the looting and says that people are being murdered for a bag of chips. Their conversation is interrupted by the sound of breaking glass downstairs. Neville encourages Julia to stay in bed and he finds his neighbour Rob looting his food. Rob tells Neville to let it go and Jason comes downstairs. Neville sends his son upstairs and attacks Rob with a crowbar, but Rob quickly gets the upper hand.  The situation reverses and Neville starts beating Rob with his bare fists, even after his wife calls out for him to stop.  When he stands he has a look of determination on his face. I suppose we are meant to see this as the moment that Captain Tom Neville was born.