Chapter 34-1 It Only Takes One

[HardKor]

So lets connect a few dots here: if its true Griggs zombie maintains memory and so do all the ones he's turned. They turn the correct ones to blow Irwin to pieces. But hey! No sat phone....

Kimmet just forced one into the air assault team's hand so they'd have a direct line.

So Michael convinces Kimmet to let him go to boulder. Riley comes along, puck, and Tanya (because she's trained medical staff).... Hopefully Carl too...they all hop on Robbins black hawk and take off. Irwin is then the site that disappears in a brilliant bright light. Boulder doesn't go up with a nuke, but Irwin does.

Are the lines for the nukes sat phones or are they direct lines (as in land lines) with an encryption that requires the codes be put in? I was thinking of it as a direct line which means an inkling with the right memories just has to make it to wherever the terminal is.

[fridginators]

Can we hold up for a second? How exactly do we know that Inklings maintain their former memory? As far as I see it, there are three examples which infer such a case:

1) Griggs making his way to Boulder - to be fair there's obviously about a 25% chance of this happening anyway, due to the whole North/East/South/West logic. Or he could just be using super-special Inkling senses to sniff out humans.

2) The command centre being taken out first in Boulder. While seemingly compelling, remember we know little about where this centre was, and these guys would not have been that well guarded so it's not exactly unlikely that this could happen.

3) This is a lot sketchier, but Roman going after Glenn and Pete (I hope Greg Miller one day gets to record Pete's sweet water-soaked voice once again). Then again, they were making noise and probably smelled, so again, not that compelling.

I do believe there was another case, but honestly, besides the whole "zombies can remember some things and these zombies are super-special so they must remember more" there is little that actually tells me they would be capable of dropping a nuke. Also, why nuke Ft Irwin? They aren't psychopaths or a fascist regime; they're animals (albeit we may be seeing their evolution from 'animals' [as likened by Tanya] to 'people' - thus perhaps the whole "soldier versions of them" comment). They kill so they can eat and preserve the Cult of Inkstripes (see what I did there?). They're not geared towards the destruction of humanity per se, at least they haven't yet been explained as such. As far as I see it, the Nuke is only going to be dropped if it's Inkstripes himself who does it. And remember, for as "smart" as all these zombies are, it took TOTWM several tries to enter in a simple security gate code. I am unsure of his capability to enter in a Nuke code, at least with any degree of punctuality. Not to mention, few people knew about the Nukes.

My point is that while the Nukes have definitely been introduced as a plot element which will likely be of extreme significance, and while I somewhat subscribe to Nik's "Irwin is going to be the nuked city" theory, there are important qualifications to these theories.

[Pikepaw]

I am so late to posting on this episode I know it. I am glad to hear Datu again, and that Hope got her surgeries, but is still blind for now. Pickax to the neck...I love that image.
As the private number was discussed, I sensed nuke, but really I see Kimmet's view on it. If tens of thousands of zombies are going to come rushing out of Boulder, I would want the option to obliterate it too.

"The soldier version of them" I love that Michael ALWAYS has his army intelligence hat on (with a couple of exceptions, odd moments), and picks up on that. Even as they are scrambling to fight this threat, Sgt. Cross is wanting every detail, every theory on his enemy that he can get. Datu is a good character to see point of view from too, because he would be the one to notice the skin is thicker than it has any right to be. Also he gets another Melee kill to add to his record. In terms of melee kills, he ranks third in the series I believe. Chinwee at >4, I think, way more if you include those she claimed to take down while escaping from the apartment. Saul I believe is at 3, finishing off a possible in the parking garage, knifing another through the eye at the grocery store and finally finishing off the zombie that Chinwee got her sword stuck into. However Chinwee and Saul use a knife and a sword respectively, real weapons. Datu uses a pickax (weapon enough) and a FUCKING chair leg. King Datu the Resourceful indeed.

I don't think this would happen, but I like to imagine the scenario. Datu and Hope trapped in the basement. Datu finds a series of raw materials and tools, which he fashions into either a killing contraption or a tank. He then uses said device to breakout with Hope and shoot his way through the zombies without actually hitting anything living. Also at least one car must flip at a high speed and crash without anyone getting hurt. Then Michael says he loves it when a plan comes together while chomping on a cigar, having moved on from cigarettes because he is classy.

[Witch_Doctor]

I don't think this would happen, but I like to imagine the scenario. Datu and Hope trapped in the basement. Datu finds a series of raw materials and tools, which he fashions into either a killing contraption or a tank. He then uses said device to breakout with Hope and shoot his way through the zombies without actually hitting anything living. Also at least one car must flip at a high speed and crash without anyone getting hurt. Then Michael says he loves it when a plan comes together while chomping on a cigar, having moved on from cigarettes because he is classy.

Ah, the Z-Team. Skittles as the crazy pilot and Victor pitying fools left and right.

[HardKor]

Can we hold up for a second? How exactly do we know that Inklings maintain their former memory? As far as I see it, there are three examples which infer such a case:

1) Griggs making his way to Boulder - to be fair there's obviously about a 25% chance of this happening anyway, due to the whole North/East/South/West logic. Or he could just be using super-special Inkling senses to sniff out humans.

2) The command centre being taken out first in Boulder. While seemingly compelling, remember we know little about where this centre was, and these guys would not have been that well guarded so it's not exactly unlikely that this could happen.

3) This is a lot sketchier, but Roman going after Glenn and Pete (I hope Greg Miller one day gets to record Pete's sweet water-soaked voice once again). Then again, they were making noise and probably smelled, so again, not that compelling.

I do believe there was another case, but honestly, besides the whole "zombies can remember some things and these zombies are super-special so they must remember more" there is little that actually tells me they would be capable of dropping a nuke. Also, why nuke Ft Irwin? They aren't psychopaths or a fascist regime; they're animals (albeit we may be seeing their evolution from 'animals' [as likened by Tanya] to 'people' - thus perhaps the whole "soldier versions of them" comment). They kill so they can eat and preserve the Cult of Inkstripes (see what I did there?). They're not geared towards the destruction of humanity per se, at least they haven't yet been explained as such. As far as I see it, the Nuke is only going to be dropped if it's Inkstripes himself who does it. And remember, for as "smart" as all these zombies are, it took TOTWM several tries to enter in a simple security gate code. I am unsure of his capability to enter in a Nuke code, at least with any degree of punctuality. Not to mention, few people knew about the Nukes.

My point is that while the Nukes have definitely been introduced as a plot element which will likely be of extreme significance, and while I somewhat subscribe to Nik's "Irwin is going to be the nuked city" theory, there are important qualifications to these theories.

All very good points. It does seem rather unlikely that an Inkling could detonate the nuke under Irwin. But what if an Inkling is smart enough to disable the link for the bomb under Boulder? Then we're looking at a scenario where someone may need to be sent in to re-establish said link if the city become too far gone to save.

[Witch_Doctor]

Can we hold up for a second? How exactly do we know that Inklings maintain their former memory?...I do believe there was another case, but honestly, besides the whole "zombies can remember some things and these zombies are super-special so they must remember more" there is little that actually tells me they would be capable of dropping a nuke. Also, why nuke Ft Irwin? They aren't psychopaths or a fascist regime; they're animals (albeit we may be seeing their evolution from 'animals' [as likened by Tanya] to 'people' - thus perhaps the whole "soldier versions of them" comment). They kill so they can eat and preserve the Cult of Inkstripes (see what I did there?). They're not geared towards the destruction of humanity per se, at least they haven't yet been explained as such. As far as I see it, the Nuke is only going to be dropped if it's Inkstripes himself who does it. And remember, for as "smart" as all these zombies are, it took TOTWM several tries to enter in a simple security gate code. I am unsure of his capability to enter in a Nuke code, at least with any degree of punctuality. Not to mention, few people knew about the Nukes....My point is that while the Nukes have definitely been introduced as a plot element which will likely be of extreme significance, and while I somewhat subscribe to Nik's "Irwin is going to be the nuked city" theory, there are important qualifications to these theories.

Way to go, slowing down the Crazy Train. Seems like we're jumping the gun quite a bit on the Inklings' abilities. What do we know about them for sure?

1. Once turned they change fast.
2. They have pale skin.
3. They are very strong.
4. They have a sense of self preservation.
5. Their flesh is practically bullet proof.

This is only what we've seen from the ones that were turned after being attacked from the marked Inklings. That is, Roman Inkovich, Frank Inkson and the other two soldiers and presumably the one who attacked Datu.

The Inklings with the markings...

1. They have pale skin.
2. They're strong.
3. They're tall.
4. They have sharpened nails.
5. They have long fingers.
6. Bullet proof flesh.
7. They have a sense of self preservation.

What have we learned about their intelligence other than their ability to duck when under fire? This seems more instinctive than calculating, at least for predators such as wolves or lions.

And remember, for as "smart" as all these zombies are, it took TOTWM several tries to enter in a simple security gate code. I am unsure of his capability to enter in a Nuke code, at least with any degree of punctuality. Not to mention, few people knew about the Nukes....

+1


I'm not very impressed with the whole Smartzombistan becoming a nuclear power scenario. The zombies are scary enough just being zombies. I think the nukes will play into a human vs human conflict.

[Cabbage Patch]

What have we learned about their intelligence other than their ability to duck when under fire? This seems more instinctive than calculating, at least for predators such as wolves or lions.

Let's not forget at the Chinook crash site that the Blackhawk crew from Boulder saw two turned-soldiers on the ground. Those two weren't smart enough to raise their hands on command, or to fool Specialist Anthony Robbins, and got themselves shredded by minigun fire.

[LiamKerrington]

Hi.

@fridginators

Yeah, there is no reason to argue about what you stress there.

To clarify: It only is at least my best guess that Little Ones retain some of their former-life knowledge. And I basically root it back to their very different behaviour compared with what we saw on the Regulars so far. This implies understanding of their surrounding, understanding of the actions of their victims, understanding of the concepts of hierarchy, order and speech to some degree in order to let Ink treat them like he did (sit down, let's cut your nails, let's mark you with this new stylish tattoo...).
I also establish an analogy to the Smart Ones that are smarter most likely because they retain some intelligence and knowledge from their former human life making them a lot more dangerous then Regulars. We saw Smart Ones in action (using a fire ladder, observing and using a rope between two buildings), we learned about them from Burt and Duncan, and considering how the 'one zombie' dealt with the rope between The Tower and the neighbooring building (observing it, understanding it, using it to try getting to The Tower before it was cut) I conclude they have normal eyes as well, because it looked at / observed / analyzed the rope.
And "normal eyes" is something we have had on any smarter acting zombie so far - Smart Ones, Bill Robert and Little Ones.

About Ink:
Yes, it took him several tries until he opened the code-locked door. Right. Did he reactivate old knowledge about numbers and complex devices? Or did he just have some trouble using knowledge of the past like he had some trouble speaking with Michael, Saul and Burt (I am Paul, help us)?Or did he learn the concepts of numbers and complex devices? I vote for answering: first question more likely, second question as likely, third question less likely. Regardless of whatever question you support: afterwards he was able of using numbers to mark Little Ones. Concepts of numbers and usage of complex devices is nothing you just learn on the fly because you are around ...

Bottomline: Zeds act a lot more like animals or rabies infected animals being in a frenzy then like humans; and yet there are some differences between pure animalistic and zombie-like behaviour - even up until now. And although their is no fact pointing towards it, I strongly believe that even Regulars may, Smart Ones, Little Ones and Bill Robert do retain some of the knowledge of their former human self and act accordingly. Specialist Robbins supports this by calling them "soldier versions" - does he refer to the special capabilities of this breed of zombies or their overall behaviour? Considering that probably many to most of the Little Ones in Boulder were soldiers before the Infections the comparison with soldiers makes me vote for "behaviour", which again could, if not would, mean they retain some of their skills and knowledge from their former human-soldier-life, which is heavily, but not completely suppressed by the zombie-effect.

Important edit: Also I have trouble considering the going down of power and communication as the first two things in Boulder being just coincidence, which is why I support the idea that Griggs took these things down - either by himself or by making other zombies do this; any why would a zombie with an just animalistic behavior go for these stations, of there are plenty of buildings and streets available which have like 150.000 human brains available. There 'needs to be' some kind of rudimentary understanding on the side of Zombie-Griggs that these two stations are of utmost importance for the humans at this place. And such understanding would only be able, if there is still some knowledge about it in the back of his head. /important edit.

Assumptions. Best guess. Nothing more.

All the best!
Liam

[Jannit]

Just a random thought but could there be another explanation than "bullet proof skin"? We know the skin is not impenetrable by bullets or other objects. It seems like we're gertting pretty focused on this being a fact rather than an assumption. Bullets bring these guys down; pickaxes also seem quite capable of stopping them. No doubt they are resilient but they're still killable, thankfully.

[LiamKerrington]

Hi there,

Just a random thought but could there be another explanation than "bullet proof skin"? We know the skin is not impenetrable by bullets or other objects. It seems like we're gertting pretty focused on this being a fact rather than an assumption. Bullets bring these guys down; pickaxes also seem quite capable of stopping them. No doubt they are resilient but they're still killable, thankfully.

Yeah, thank you for the reminder. From my understanding: by using the term "bullet proof skin" we simply refer to the fact* that the skin, underlying muscle-, and bone-structure of the Little Ones are a lot harder and tougher to wound or damage then what happens with Regulars and humans. *With fact I mean the results Tanya has received from the autopsy of little-one #2 and the experiences of Carl and Robbins having downed a Little One after three efforts with a standard assault rifle at the Chinook crash-side.

All the best!
Liam