Celtic Heroes

On the face of it, the departure of Tyrese was a sad and unfortunate one indeed.
To date, my favourite character of the series, he represented a gentle and honourable soul, shackled within the confines of a seemingly mighty and imposing frame.
To appreciate his character fully though, it is hard to argue with the timing and manner of his leaving after some reflection, however. After all, his demise (or salvation / preservation of his character, depending on how one views it) is intrinsically linked to those qualities that made him what he was, and to large degree a matter of his own choosing.
It has been suggested that Tyrese failed to survive the corruption in his veins due to the amount of time it took to address it. Whilst this would undoubtedly have been a factor, I think it was more a case of a lack in Tyrese's own will to survive, or more precisely choosing the corruption in his body over the one that might otherwise look to take hold upon his spirit.
The trademark use of a person's life flashing before their eyes was seemingly dropped (or reinvented), in favour of hallucinations as Tyrese's mind sought answers when faced with questions of mortality and morality, and the meaning of life in general.
The Governor's mantra of 'paying your dues' featured prominently throughout the hallucination sequence and was set in opposition to Tyrese's voiced intent to keep fighting and his general will to live.
'Pay your dues' is simply a variation on 'kill or be killed' and is in keeping with the concept of a 'dog eat dog world', but more than the notion of blood for blood, it also boils down to blood for spirit... A price Tyrese considered too high to pay.
There is also the matter of the cannibal hallucination (literally dog eat dog), which not only is a physical manifestation of the Governor's mantra, but also physically displays the wounds that Tyrese was forced to inflict upon him in order to purchase life (or the down payment on a debt that in time would only continue to rise).
Yet what to the other hallucinations? The sisters and Bob?
The sisters perhaps represent the gentle spirit of Tyrese himself... Or rather what may become of that spirit. One to remain an innocent, and other turned killer... Perhaps symbolising the Tyrese of the present as opposed to the Tyrese that yet might be.
And then there was Bob...
Bob is not quite as cut and dried (pun not intended) to my way of thinking.
Perhaps the strongest motivation for Tyrese to fight on would be the welfare of his sister, and no one would share or understand that more than Bob would. It is possibly also true then, that by Bob giving Tyrese permission to depart, it is akin to Tyrese granting that same permission to his own self, and that things will still be ok with him doing so.
The bite that brought about Tyrese's end was also administered by a child turned monster, further hammering home the point and the prevailing symbolism.
Whether any of the above proves true or simply wild conjecture, one thing at least is evidenced in these words... And that is I must have far too much time on my hands to squander it thusly (although I should prefer to tell myself it rather a testimony to the quality of the show).

All the best,

Magustra.

Watched episode 9.. Kinda slow but still loved it
Change the name of the title to 'The Walking Dead Thread' this can be the official walking dead thread

On the face of it, the departure of Tyrese was a sad and unfortunate one indeed.
To date, my favourite character of the series, he represented a gentle and honourable soul, shackled within the confines of a seemingly mighty and imposing frame.
To appreciate his character fully though, it is hard to argue with the timing and manner of his leaving after some reflection, however. After all, his demise (or salvation / preservation of his character, depending on how one views it) is intrinsically linked to those qualities that made him what he was, and to large degree a matter of his own choosing.
It has been suggested that Tyrese failed to survive the corruption in his veins due to the amount of time it took to address it. Whilst this would undoubtedly have been a factor, I think it was more a case of a lack in Tyrese's own will to survive, or more precisely choosing the corruption in his body over the one that might otherwise look to take hold upon his spirit.
The trademark use of a person's life flashing before their eyes was seemingly dropped (or reinvented), in favour of hallucinations as Tyrese's mind sought answers when faced with questions of mortality and morality, and the meaning of life in general.
The Governor's mantra of 'paying your dues' featured prominently throughout the hallucination sequence and was set in opposition to Tyrese's voiced intent to keep fighting and his general will to live.
'Pay your dues' is simply a variation on 'kill or be killed' and is in keeping with the concept of a 'dog eat dog world', but more than the notion of blood for blood, it also boils down to blood for spirit... A price Tyrese considered too high to pay.
There is also the matter of the cannibal hallucination (literally dog eat dog), which not only is a physical manifestation of the Governor's mantra, but also physically displays the wounds that Tyrese was forced to inflict upon him in order to purchase life (or the down payment on a debt that in time would only continue to rise).
Yet what to the other hallucinations? The sisters and Bob?
The sisters perhaps represent the gentle spirit of Tyrese himself... Or rather what may become of that spirit. One to remain an innocent, and other turned killer... Perhaps symbolising the Tyrese of the present as opposed to the Tyrese that yet might be.
And then there was Bob...
Bob is not quite as cut and dried (pun not intended) to my way of thinking.
Perhaps the strongest motivation for Tyrese to fight on would be the welfare of his sister, and no one would share or understand that more than Bob would. It is possibly also true then, that by Bob giving Tyrese permission to depart, it is akin to Tyrese granting that same permission to his own self, and that things will still be ok with him doing so.
The bite that brought about Tyrese's end was also administered by a child turned monster, further hammering home the point and the prevailing symbolism.
Whether any of the above proves true or simply wild conjecture, one thing at least is evidenced in these words... And that is I must have far too much time on my hands to squander it thusly (although I should prefer to tell myself it rather a testimony to the quality of the show).

All the best,

Magustra.

After picking up my jaw after reading such a thorough analysis of the episode I'm asking, "Where have you been all my life"?? Lol

What did I say about Sasha told you! She started to become a loose cannon. I hope that Maggie keeps it together, reason for waking Sasha to show her the sunrise.

I can't wait for the next episode!

The episode was quite good this week! Seem to be OK so far!

I had a mini heart attack when Rick said "The Walking Dead"

A few random bits that made me think "wtfff?"
- The dogs
- The random walkers in the barn that just disappeared overnight
- Daryl's cigarette shenanigans

Quite a lot of symbolism going on, though! I like it

The episode was quite good this week! Seem to be OK so far!

I had a mini heart attack when Rick said "The Walking Dead"

A few random bits that made me think "wtfff?"
- The dogs
- The random walkers in the barn that just disappeared overnight
- Daryl's cigarette shenanigans

Quite a lot of symbolism going on, though! I like it

I know right, the toy box. When it rained I was like yes there is hope..Then the Walkers by the barn I was like nope bye bye.

Disappointed in Carol's forehead kiss to Daryl. She needs to claim him already as hers. :p

I was thinking if a zombie apocalypse having to eat dog off the street to survive, omg ewww. Guess better a dog then BBQ Bob foot stew.. ..

The episode was quite good this week! Seem to be OK so far!

I had a mini heart attack when Rick said "The Walking Dead"

A few random bits that made me think "wtfff?"
- The dogs
- The random walkers in the barn that just disappeared overnight
- Daryl's cigarette shenanigans

Quite a lot of symbolism going on, though! I like it

I know right, the toy box. When it rained I was like yes there is hope..Then the Walkers by the barn I was like nope bye bye.

Disappointed in Carol's forehead kiss to Daryl. She needs to claim him already as hers. :p

I was thinking if a zombie apocalypse having to eat dog off the street to survive, omg ewww. Guess better a dog then BBQ Bob foot stew.. ..

Pft bobs feet would taste amazing.. Uh.. Yep.
Great episode look forward to the next one

Poor puppies

Difficult to distinguish between what is dream and what is reality in the latest episode.

Were the zombies at the barn a dream?
Is she still dreaming at the end re the music box and this new dude? (hadn't thought much re this one till it was mentioned to me)

My thing is, anyone outside of Rick's group wouldn't really say 'good' things about him, because they've either been steam rolled by the group or joined it.

I've not read the comics so I've no clue what's coming, just pondering this newcomer....

Good episode!

^^Next time on the walking dead

I for one want more beans

Waiting for one of you gamer folks to get the reference