Have you noticed this?

[Saint]

But it they are starving and they are cannibals, then why don't they attack each other?

I think that's the point - they are attacking each other when its "feasible" (if I can use that term) - recall somewhere in episode 10 I think when Angel and Riley are rescuing Datu from the arena - they see the wave running - he says they're not running "towards" us, they're running "from" something - that was the (my) first indication that some zombies feed on others

[Saint]

"Pretty sneaky sis" *from an old Battleship game commercial*

Crow I think that's from a "Connect 4" commercial

Sorry for the old-post cut-and paste answers - newbie and catching up on convo's while waiting for the newest episode.

Great points and discussion - especially like the enthusiasm and willingness to cede points to each other - really great forum!

Aside from (or in addition to) all the outstanding observations, points and counter points, the thing that really, really stands out to me is this: normal "group forming" dynamics go through some general phases "Forming – Storming – Norming – Performing" - often in parallel and sometimes forward one step, back two. It just seems to me that there's been a whole lotta storm, skepticism and dis/mistrust very, very early in each relationship and not as much "holy crap, you're alive, me too, WTF is going on?!?" as I expected. Maybe this is superfluous to the story (and one or two examples represent the "everyperson" experience) or maybe everyone/group has already had their experience with a two-legged vermin and is now uber-cautious.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Hey Saint!

Welcome aboard the WA Train! Was that from Connect Four? Why do I remember it being "Battle Ship?" *runs off to google it*
Well Hot dayamn! It WAS! *grabs faulty memory by the throat and starts shaking* You're right, this is a great site and there are good peeps here. I haven't seen one pot shot or negative post.
Great call on the group dynamics by the way. As you know, they can stay in any stage of any good length of time. Storming seems to be the one they stay in the most and it makes sense though. It's only been a few months really. A few months of high stress levels. I'm suprised they haven't reached the "Beat that A.." stage. LOL.

Ok, time for a Crowbar Observation Moment:
Is it just me or does it seem that the Mallers really don't seem all that fazed, scared or worried about the infected. I say that for the following reasons:

1. The huge amount of land they claim as their territory!
a. that means they have really good firepower
b. They have a lot of man power
c. They've been very, very proactive in cleaning out the infected

2. The distance they've traveled outside their territory to recapture/bring back the AWOL.
a. See what I said above.

[shananala8]

I think the "territory" thing is more of a holdover from the gang lifestyle than a declaration of a "zombie free" zone. The first time we meet Latch and Scratch, their primary concern is that Burt, Saul, and Lizzie are taking property from them. While I agree that they seem oddly unconcerned with the zombie outbreak, I see the territory issue being more of a mass looting strategy.

[Saint]

Thanks Crow,

Mallers are an interesting blend of "prototypical" criminals and unique talents.
proto-criminals (academic background talking here): "most" criminals demonstrate a "failure" to foresee results - that's not to say they don't plan, they just don't plan iterations and potential consequences of action (hence recidivism rates) - which lends itself to your sub-points (all reasons to believe they can take on a wave of inhuman beasties, without considering the "yeah, but what about...").
Scratch and Latch presented the very clever, scheming types - and also knew very early on that smell was a factor ("...your blood will be like a beacon...")
I see the point on the distance traveled part - I chalk that up to two possibilities: 1. they really have used up all immediate resources and going the distance for AWOL members is an add-on to their scavenging for "stuff" and a new place; 2. the AWOL took off with a ton-O-stuff and that's more valuable than getting the individual members.
I think Burt's reference to the Road Warrior (...just walk away) underscores your point about having man-power: join (get jumped in) or die; then work your way up the pecking order through skill, brutality or both.
I really have to get back to work now - between the 15 min coffee break post (that lasted 25 min) and this one, I am not having a productive Friday!

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

I'm playing "Left 4 Dead" with my 14 year old daughter and boy what wouldn't I give to have Crowbar! LOL.

Saint, I agree with part of what you said about criminals not having great forethought to actions. BUT, the one thing I know is that they know how to survive. I just feel that they're aren't too concerned about the infected is because they've been proactive during their territorial expansion.
Given, there isn't anyone left to contest the areas they claim, but to claim it, you have to be able to hold it in the first place.

Durai could be the King of the Mountain, but his Lt's could very well be allowed to run little fiefdoms and pay tithe to him.
I also think that the Mallers are following Duria's Sociatal Ethos: Meaning they're following his standards on how to deal with each other in manners involving fairness, justice and the rights of the individual. He could be the Kyle Craig (gotta read the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson to get that ref) of the WAverse.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

Anyone notice how Steven seemed to have an ulterior motive to his actions?
I paid attention to what he was saying and HOW he was saying it and it seemed to be leading towards a power play. Remember how he yelled to everyone how HE could and would be able to enforce the rules? I don't think that was Tourette syndrome.

[HaveCrowBarWillTravel]

I just thought of something..
Why aren't there "Waves" of attackes in LA like they have near the colony???
What makes their behavior different? People have been able to wander the LA area pretty much unmolested. Not so much in the south west.

[Rock Daddy]

Good question. I would guess the smell of the couple hundred humans there is attracting larger numbers to the area...?

[HardKor]

I would guess the smell of the couple hundred humans there is attracting larger numbers to the area...?

Yeah I got to agree with that. Plus since the zombies have been shown to have the ability to strategize in some ways, I would think they should be able to recognize that there is a large encampment of humans and then gather in that area and just keep attacking it.