Have you noticed this?

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Was that Lizzy? Crap! Time for another WA time travel!

[Onslaught]

You're not the only one I completely forgot about their entire plan to track the zombies I don't even remember what chapter it was.

[nikvoodoo]

You're not the only one I completely forgot about their entire plan to track the zombies I don't even remember what chapter it was.

The idea started in Chapter 7 and the storyline continued through the beginning of Chapter 11 when the group returned from the Arena and found the Tower was about to be royally screwed.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Here's my latest round of observations:

1. Skittles isn't nearly as "Gone" as we think/thought. He's clearly becoming more coherent... or maybe more confident/less scared.
a. He was clearly put out at being left out the escape plans even though he had not intentions of leaving his hide out.
b. His speech candence was normal when he pulled up in the truck

2. If the Behemoths can learn/understand/reason out things so quickly(as the one did in 18-3)... then the brains have to have maintained their same level of intellect post infection

3. Behemoths don't have problems being around other Behemoths

4. Angel is still kinda wishy washy. Despite all the missions he's been on, he still have lapses of confidence

5. Kalani has seriously stepped up to the plate.

6. All questions about food in the Colony is now a moot point. Dogs were barking in the background during 18-3, while Vic and the ladies were talking. Dogs would go before people started eating each other.

7. This is a theory instead of an observation.... The Colony is a jump off point for repopulation and rebuilding. Hench the NEED for everyone to pull their weight and why "Some" people are not allowed to leave. I say some because Victor basically lives on the outside. So, I'm thinking there's a probation period.. a build up of trust.

8. Mike and crew have not seen any armed guards patrolling the streets. That could mean that Marcus rules by a different method that Durai (which makes him scarier).

[nikvoodoo]

Here's my latest round of observations:

1. Skittles isn't nearly as "Gone" as we think/thought. He's clearly becoming more coherent... or maybe more confident/less scared.
a. He was clearly put out at being left out the escape plans even though he had not intentions of leaving his hide out.
b. His speech candence was normal when he pulled up in the truck

2. If the Behemoths can learn/understand/reason out things so quickly(as the one did in 18-3)... then the brains have to have maintained their same level of intellect post infection

3. Behemoths don't have problems being around other Behemoths

4. Angel is still kinda wishy washy. Despite all the missions he's been on, he still have lapses of confidence

5. Kalani has seriously stepped up to the plate.

6. All questions about food in the Colony is now a moot point. Dogs were barking in the background during 18-3, while Vic and the ladies were talking. Dogs would go before people started eating each other.

7. This is a theory instead of an observation.... The Colony is a jump off point for repopulation and rebuilding. Hench the NEED for everyone to pull their weight and why "Some" people are not allowed to leave. I say some because Victor basically lives on the outside. So, I'm thinking there's a probation period.. a build up of trust.

8. Mike and crew have not seen any armed guards patrolling the streets. That could mean that Marcus rules by a different method that Durai (which makes him scarier).

1. Totally. I go with the theory Skittles is suffers from being a highly functional (blank). I'm not a psychiatrist so I couldn't begin to know what might be wrong with him. But that won't stop me guessing! I might throw my hat into the ring for him being a savant and having Autism. I met Kim Peek, the man who was the basis of Dustin Hoffman's character in Rain Man. Skittles is similar to him in many ways, and very dissimilar in others. Kim shuffles and has lower motor skills, but it seems like Skittles is firing on 5 out of 6 cylinders.

2. That was exactly my point in "An Alarming Level of Intelligence". With the exception of some of the basic biters, all the other highly evolved forms are capable of advanced reasoning. Though in the behemoths case with the walls, it was too little too late.

3. That is an interesting insight. I won't go so far as to say they roam in packs, but they might be able to plot out their territory where nothing with half a brain would go lest they feel their wrath.

4. I go with the comment (I think it's from Mr. Gleason on the We're Not Dead podcast): Angel can't even get that fat bastard Kalani to follow his orders. He might have gone through school to be a leader, he is no leader...yet

5. Can I just say I told you so?

6. Unless Marcus is a werewolf at which point he'd want to eat people before he'd eat a fellow dog. *tongue firmly inserted in cheek*

7. There have been enough Sci-fi movies/tv shows/episodes etc dealing with the genetic purity utopia. Only those who seem genetically pure are allowed in. I think that might be why Hope wouldn't be allowed in. It might also be why Michael is so valuable is of his Militaristic DNA

8. We don't know that Durai has guards patrolling the interior of the mall. We know they have armed look outs and armed scouts outside the walls, but so does the Colony and so does the Tower. The Tower doesn't have armed guards in the hallways either. I think once you gain admittance to any of these three locations, you are given certain freedoms.

[Ra1th]

Here's my latest round of observations:

1. Skittles isn't nearly as "Gone" as we think/thought. He's clearly becoming more coherent... or maybe more confident/less scared.
a. He was clearly put out at being left out the escape plans even though he had not intentions of leaving his hide out.
b. His speech candence was normal when he pulled up in the truck

2. If the Behemoths can learn/understand/reason out things so quickly(as the one did in 18-3)... then the brains have to have maintained their same level of intellect post infection

3. Behemoths don't have problems being around other Behemoths

4. Angel is still kinda wishy washy. Despite all the missions he's been on, he still have lapses of confidence

5. Kalani has seriously stepped up to the plate.

6. All questions about food in the Colony is now a moot point. Dogs were barking in the background during 18-3, while Vic and the ladies were talking. Dogs would go before people started eating each other.

7. This is a theory instead of an observation.... The Colony is a jump off point for repopulation and rebuilding. Hench the NEED for everyone to pull their weight and why "Some" people are not allowed to leave. I say some because Victor basically lives on the outside. So, I'm thinking there's a probation period.. a build up of trust.

8. Mike and crew have not seen any armed guards patrolling the streets. That could mean that Marcus rules by a different method that Durai (which makes him scarier).

1. i agree, i think the reasons skittles was so messed up when we first met him is cause that was probably when the second tower had first collapsed and he had just seen all his friends die, or maybe he escaped from the arena, etc, well he's doing pretty well now.

2. agreed
3. agreed
4. YOU GUYS CAN ALL GO TO HELL! sob sob sob
5. sure whatever
6. so i guess the real question is what exactly is so bad about it that vic wanted them to stay away? its not food, and even if there is a mafia type leadership in place, it cant be that bad can it?
7. i just relaly wanted to tell u guys off for the angel hate im over it now
8.

[shananala8]

Regarding 7 from the above lists, what if the Colony knows something about how the zombies that we don't know yet? Something along the lines of nikvoodoo's ALoI post. What if the zombies are capable of interrogation or they retain some specific knowledge when they turn, and the reason that Marcus doesn't allow people to leave is because he doesn't want information on the colony falling into the hands of the zombies? Or perhaps Marcus/the colony only believe something like that to be the case.

And for #8, when confronted with a problem or new situation, our response as humans is based on our knowledge and experience with similar items. Thus, Durai and the prisoners set up their camp like a prison. The Tower is similar to a military base in that they fortified their position and now take turns on watch duty. While we dont know much about Marcus, setting guards in the watchtowers and keeping the front gate on lock down are pretty basic responses, with the outposts representing a more advanced approach.

[nikvoodoo]

4. YOU GUYS CAN ALL GO TO HELL!
7. i just relaly wanted to tell u guys off for the angel hate im over it now
8.

aww come now... I qualified mine with a "yet" at least. I've seen flashes of Angel brilliance (like diving into the pile of flesh in the Arena) and my comment on Kalani is harder to fit in place now after 18-3. I bet if they go out on another mission again, I feel like there would be considerably less friction and Kalani would probably fight less.

...I just love that idea of Angel not being able to lead one man and he was expected to lead a unit in the army. It's really funny to me. I'll leave your boy alone for the rest of the night Ra1th.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Thanks ere'body for the great comments!
Here's my take on the Colony/Marcus/Durai comparisons:
Durai leads by force of arms in the strictest Darwanistic fasion. Cross him and you probably die. He was very proactive in getting weapons (as any thug, gang banger or..wait for it... MERCENARY/HITMAN) would be.

1. Victor told Kelly and Pegs that the Colony started out as an evac site and people had to fight, die and build all at the same time.
a. Once the evacs went poof, they really had to get their act together. Marcus was one of a FEW who were there from jump.
b. That leads me to believe there may be a council of "Elders" so to speak.
c. Marcus being the head survivor and set the rules to "Live" by
2. There are no armed guards roaming the streets keeping curfew or ensuring people don't leave. Most cults have thugs to help the charismatic leader maintain order. We haven't seen a hint of that...yet. No overt military force.

3. Not once did Vic tell them any of the rules. You'd think he'd at least say.. "oh, and stay in the house after such and such.."

4. Everyone seems to have freedom to wander.

5. Hope said the Gatekeeper would let her leave with them because he doesn't like her.
a. Blind girl cannot contribute to the overall wealth of the Colony. (hints at a lot of manual labor or need for skilled workers)
b. Once she heard that Michael was getting more medical help, she said they were stuck now. They would be allowed to leave.
c. Hope is still alive shows that Marcus isn't cold hearted in a manner of speaking, but she is a drain on their resources.

6. Skills or training is a precious commodity and by giving aid, there is a "blood" price to pay. Servitude/Serfdom.

7. Angel is a better shot than Saul, but is so unsure at times that it doesn't even matter. Take the Molitov coctail conversation for instance.

8. Everyone is focused on Skittles "Changing" the tires that they're missing a few things:
a. He was capable enough to throw the cocktail.
b. DRIVE the car
c. Want to be part of the plan and be peeved to be left out.
d. took the initiative to do all that on his own.

9. Vic warned them.. kinda, because once you're in, you're "IN." Nothing is for free. He was only outside with one other person. He could have left when his boy was sleeping. He clearly preferred to be on the outside, rather than stay and babysit.

[Pteranodon]

I meant the Zombies are cannibals and they don't seem to have a problem eating anything. Personally, I would rather become a vegan before I become a cannibal.

Wait, the zombies don't eat each other do they? And if 99% of the population are infected, they'd have run out of food pretty fast. Maybe they go dormant instead of starving to death- like the things from "The Boss in the Wall" who go dormant for years until anything comes near them.... If they needed a steady food supply they'd have to hunt animals.

I think the zombie abilities are random; whatever's in a person's DNA reacts to whatever caused the outbreak and some people wind up "jumpers" or "behemoths".