Randy / Randi

[nikvoodoo]

I definitely think that Randi is/was either Michael's little brother or a past love interest. However I'm leaning towards brother, and I'll tell you why...

First, when Kelly scoffs at Tommy's camera idea in front of Michael in chapter 4-1, Michael seems personally offended, and orders Kelly to clean up bodies as punishment, stating that he hates when people won't listen to kids' ideas just 'cause they're young.

Second, after Tommy is gone, Michael (even though he always hides his emotions) is obviously deeply hurt and relinquishes his command, feeling like a failure (as if it's happened before).

And Lastly, in Chapter 14-3, when Michael and Kelly are having a talk about lost loved ones, Michael responds oddly to some questions. He claims his parents died in a car accident while he was on his last tour. However, Kelly asked him if he lost anyone when the zombie attack happened. He just says, "Maybe". She also asks him about any brothers and sisters. Michael claims to be an only child, but Kelly says he doesn't seem to fit that type of personality. (And don't forget! She's an attorney and good at reading people/detecting lies) I'm interested to find out what's really going on.

I feel like he's put off because Kelly wasn't giving Tommy enough credit. Tommy's modification was one of the best security developments in Season 1, and Michael was able to immediately recognize it. He was just pissy with Kelly because she didn't realize how helpful it was.

As for finding Tommy in 14-1 (~3:00 mark), this is the first real time experience we've had with Michael losing someone he really cared about as a person. We saw Michael "soldier up" like he always does, and this time it bit him in the ass because Burt wouldn't let him close off like he needs to do to get through situations. Then immediately after, he relinquishes command because now he can't focus on anything else. Ultimately, Michael experiences his first real loss that we see and its a helpful kid who did more than any one could have expected him to do. During that same conversation you referenced in 14-3, Michael says to Kelly if you keep busy you might be better off, which as I said above is how Michael copes.

He could have been saying "Maybe" in response to Kelly's question because he doesn't form very deep relationships with many people. Remember how he said in Chapter 1 how he wouldn't necessarily go out drinking with Angel and Saul? Maybe he's just a solitary person by nature and has been thrust into this extraordinary situation that's forcing him to change as a person and it's causing some growing pains.

So maybe someone he cared about died, but he might actually have to search through his memory hard to find that person. It's very easy to function if you're capable of compartmentalizing as well as Michael does. It doesn't really seem like his responses are really all that odd to me personally.

All that said, I had never considered Michael to have a sibling simply because he said he's an only child. But who knows. Maybe there is something that Michael is being dishonest about aside from how his arm was broken.

In England the word "randy" means the same as "horny". Michael wasn't referring to some previous trauma... he was just aroused!

Case solved!

if only you also spelled it "Randi" we could truly put this debate to rest, but alas and alack we must continue on our present course!