Dearest Kathleen,

Can you hear me now? I’m not sure whether I think it’s hilarious or sad that we’ve been forced to revert to slightly lower-tech methods of communication to discuss Sunday’s episode of “The Walking Dead” because of technical difficulties. I’m going to go with hilarious and charming. Besides, we’re masters of our craft are we not?

Onward: before technology got the better of us, we were discussing whether we liked “TWD’s” decision to present an all-Morgan storyline on Sunday last. I will say this: I like Morgan as a character; I dig his Jedi-like stick-fighting prowess; I think Alexandria needs a person like him in town. However, I’m not sure that we needed to drag out his back-story into a 90-minute episode, which struck me as a means of cramming in as many car commercials and AMC promos as humanly possible. In this streaming age of TV, I’ve developed a bit of an allergy to commercials. They made me as cranky as many of the peeps on Twitter Sunday night, who were, generally, also unamused with an all-Morgan-all-the-time episode.

Still, I did enjoy Tabitha the goat. She could've been a contender.

Bahhh,

M.

***

Dear M,

Well, how many print journalists does it take to publish a podcast? We know it’s more than two!

We seem to disagree on this episode. I thought it was tremendous. For the writers to slow down, take us away from the physical gore and focus on the psychological damage this apocalypse is doing, was brave indeed. I believe everyone is suffering from PTSD and it’s interesting how it’s manifesting in each character. We now know that Eastman (who was the sedate, duck-painting, stamp-loving husband of Margie in the movie “Fargo”) brought Morgan back from the edge and gave him his Jedi and zen-like powers. Too bad the good forensic psychiatrist had to go, but you knew that was going to happen.

Tabitha the goat? Bahhh. How did she survive so long?

Myself, I don’t mind the commercials. It gives me a chance to check the Twittersphere and see what’s happening. There were posters who hated the episode and said they were tuning out. But there also were those who enjoyed the slower pace. Next episode, shut out those external noises — Matthew McConaughey driving a Lincoln — and check Twitter. There’s always the mute button, too. You’ve got to clear.

Your friend in technology.

K

***

My Fellow Lady of Glory,*

I suspect YOU’VE gone clear. You are very zen in your assessment of “TWD.” Listen, just last week we chatted about how, despite their uncanny ability to retain their limbs, Rick’s crew is still damaged. The psychological impact of the apocalypse must be explored, and what’s interesting about the Morgan episode is he’s shown us yet another portrait of a man in the middle — in this case, he’s in the middle of his psycho-journey. On the far end of the wellness spectrum, we have the Wolves and the Terminus peeps, who have, essentially, gone feral. No one is at the pure opposite of the Wolves just yet (and, indeed, was anyone ever, pre-apocalypse?). Morgan initially seemed the best adjusted to the post-apocalyptic world, but now we know he’s got a ways to go despite the long way he’s already come. Michonne, to me, is the next most sane in the new world order. Here’s why: SHE DIDN’T LOCK UP ANY WOLVES WITHIN THE BORDERS OF ALEXANDRIA!

Discuss. 

Here is not here,

M. 

*A term the equally glorious Rick Koster uses when filing his copy to us desk-bound editor types.

***

Dear M,

REALLY! IS THERE ANY NEED TO YELL? If you would like to get closer to Morgan’s zen-like existence, you must breathe deep and exhale. And then do it again.

Now, Michonne may be the most sane right now. But it’s all relative. Let’s not forget her past — cutting off the arms and jaws of her friends and leading them around with neck irons and chains. I think she could snap at any minute.

And Rick. Oh Rick. He’s teetering on the edge right now, shaking in the RV that won’t start as the walkers converge. But remember where he started? Awaking from a coma with the world as he knew it gone. Yet he has soldiered on for his kids. But how long can he maintain his sanity? I think I would snap knowing you really can’t protect your kids in an apocalypse.

And what about Maggie’s dad, Farmer Hershel? He was a man always trying to do the right thing. But he condoned hunting walkers, throwing them in wells and locking them up in a barn. And we all know in the end he lost his head.

So back to Morgan — I had high hopes for him. But when we discovered he left a Wolf in an abandoned house in Alexandria, his wrists loosely (if you ask me) tied up with rope, I fear he is on a downward spiral. Especially after the Wolf thanked Morgan for the bedtime story, said he wasn’t going to change and was going to kill him anyway. Morgan looked worried when he walked away from the house. As least he locked the screen door. I feel safe now. 

Glory (aka Kathleen)

***

Blissful K,

I’ve plugged into some soothing audio and have since reclaimed some calm amid the chaos of my day. I’m a delicate flower, as you know, and therefore easily excitable. Or something…

In the spirit of wisdom, I’d like to share a few things I learned from Sunday’s episode that I’ve stashed in the In Case of Zombie Apocalypse file: 1. Since Internet will not be an option, start hoarding books, so you have an easier time learning how to do things, like, say, make decent goat cheese. 2. Add “The Art of Peace” to aforementioned library. 3. Try and wrangle a goat for aforementioned cheese. 4. Learn Aikido. 5. Get stick AND guns, grenades, etc. 6. Invest in some shinguards like we saw Morgan wearing while he was still roaming alone in the woods. Good call Morgan, and it’s about TIME we saw more people making use of a very simple protective device.

New topic: I think it’s safe to bet that Big-Bad-Nirvana-era-Dave-Grohl-looking Wolf is going to bust out of his sheetrock cage. Who do you suppose he’s going to get first? I suspect some innocent will fall at his hands, which will incite Morgan (and Rick) and unleash all manner of fresh hell. Your thoughts?

Peace and love,

M.

***

Dear Peace,

I think you are right on about the Wolf. And someone’s going to die. Don’t know who. I am waiting for baby Judith to contract some awful life-threatening illness and be on the brink of death. Not that I’m wishing her any malice. But come on, I mean, has the girl even caught a cold?

Wait, who was that yelling to open the gate at the end of the episode? I think it was Rick. Soon we will see smoke and know that Glen is still alive and setting things on fire. Maggie will be leading the charge to save him.

Next time, hopefully we will have paid attention at our technology lesson and will be podcasting away.

Yours in serenity,

K

PS. I’m glad you will be well-versed in survival when the end is near …

***

P.S. We're on Twitter: @edgecombday and @TheMDesk. Back epsiodes of our podcast, "TV Takeout," are posted to theday.com and Soundcloud.