thewalkingdead
Watching the show for the first time with my 78 year old dad
We get to Rick killing Shane and he says to me “It’s over?”, I respond “Yeah, Rick got him. No more Shane.” and he goes “No, the show. That’s it?”. He wasn’t referring to the resolution of their conflict. No, he thought, that this was the final episode.
Which makes a lot of sense for him, he grew up on westerns and watches reruns of them religiously. The sheriff killing the bad guy is usually the end of the story. I replied to him “No no there’s a lot more episodes to go, pop.”
Some other senior citizen observations if anyone cares:
Wasn’t a fan of Dale. Called him a real busybody.
Like Hershel he kept referring to Glenn as “the Chinese kid”. To his credit he stopped when I corrected him (edit: by corrected I mean telling my dad that Glenn is Korean) and reminded him of Glenn’s name.
He saw right through them using Glenn as bait and errand boy. He’s just like Maggie fr.
He thought Patricia was Hershel’s wife and didn’t understand Otis’ relationship to anyone (like father, like son because I had the same problem when I first watched the show lmao I thought Patricia was a second wife and Beth’s mom for the longest time)
Calls both Dale and Hershel “grandpa”. Where is that Spider-Man meme?
Lori freaking out Rick when he told her that he killed Shane got on his nerves.
Every other episode he says some variation of “the black guy still hasn’t said anything” and “the black guy got a couple of lines in this one”. I don’t bother to remind him of T-Dog’s name because it’s stupid. To be clear, we are also black lol
He thinks Darryl and Carol are officially a couple. I am allowing him to live this fantasy.
Discussion
This brought me joy. Please update with his thoughts after he watches season three!
Haha will do! So far the Governor confuses him, seems like a good guy but he killed those army guys. He rolled his eyes at him not telling anyone his real name. And he absolutely did not understand the heads in the fish tanks (me either, I can’t remember half of what happens lol).
Back in my day we put fish, not heads, in fish tanks 😡
You can save a lot of money on fish food if you opt for heads instead, to be fair.
Yes, please continue to share! How fortunate you are to watch this together. I want to join in haha
It's a Futurama reference. You'll have to show him.
After years of telling my mom to watch it and her saying that she doesn't want to watch a stupid zombie show, I made her watch the first episode at my house. She binged 10 seasons in like a month all on her own because her husband refused to watch it. I took calls daily in order to explain whatever questions she had. She was 70 at the time. She told me that this show wasn't about zombies but about the people. No kidding mom? I'm glad you're getting to do this with your dad too.
My mom also loved GOT, Dexter, SOAnarchy, Breaking Bad, BCSaul, and Spartacus.
That’s amazing, your mother’s taste is 🤌
It’s a struggle to get my dad to watch anything made past the 60s that isn’t a court show so the fact that he’s invested in TWD is a real accomplishment.
I just kept sending over DVDs from the library of shows that I watched and loved. Breaking Bad, "I don't want to watch a show about drugs!" Her and her husband were up until 5 am every night binge watching it. GOT, "I don't want to watch a stupid fantasy show with dragons"! They were pulling all nighters and riding my ass for the next season because why would they go and get a library card and do that themselves? Mom really enjoyed Spartacus and would call to discuss the hotness factor of her faves, lol.
This reminds me of my mom. Me reading the Hunger Games in preparation for the movie release. Mom, why would I watch a movie about a bunch of teenagers killing each other!
Brought to you by the same parents that said things like, "just try it, it won't kill you."
Oh my goodness I wonder if he's going to drop off in season 7 like I did LOL
Going to follow you so I don't miss anything
Why can't everyone understand that? Yes the walkers are important, it's The Walking Dead, but it's about the people, situations, relationships and survival in a world that collapsed. If more people understood this this show would have tens of millions of viewers. But nope, the "zombies" stop them from watching. They don't know what they are missing.
Try explaining that the walkers are scenery that advances the plot & main themes, and not the whole point of the show.
Worked for my wife, who was frightened by The Wizard of Oz as a child and refused to watch the “zombie show”. ;p We’re now on our 3rd rewatch.
I too was terrified of the Wizard of Oz. The monkeys were awful. I was apprehensive of the Walking Dead initially because horror is not my thing. I had to look away a lot during the first few episodes because the walkers really bothered me. But one day I had an epiphany, the Walkers are the background, they are the constant threat but they aren't the main story. Yes they have cause and effect on the lives of the living but they aren't the most important things. If more people understood that this show could have been bigger than anyone ever expected.
Omg the first time my mom watched GoT, i used to get texts at work asking what was happening or did so-and-so survive 🤣 she was around 60 at the time and prior to fully watching it, she had only seen a bit of Theon being tortured and was horrified. She binged the first 4 or 5 seasons within a couple of weeks and loved it!
That show was like crack for our parents. My mom's favorite shows are murder porn and she was able to take a break from the real life rape and murder just by watching GOT, lol.
Did you notice that Tig from SOA was in Dead City?
Of course I did! I was disappointed that he was killed off so quickly.
You mother is my spirit animal. GOT , SOA, Dexter , breaking bad , and Spartacus are literally my favorite shows. And im a 36yr old Black Man 🫡💯. Moms Taste is A1. She know GOOD CINEMA
Bbbbut, she only watched them because of me. I'm the one with the A1 taste, sir! However, her birthday was recently so I'll throw her a bone and give her your regards ;).
"To be clear, we are also black lol" <-- This is the best for me, thanks for sharling 😄
I can't wait for him to react to the ahem revolving door of single black males the first few seasons.
A quick glance of the words revolving door and single black male made me think of different, somewhat short lived character!
Thatsthehole.jpeg
🤣🤣I had to add that after posting, didn’t want my dad to look like he was sitting there going “The black man! He speaks!” for no reason, it’s a little different when the person making the observation is also black lol
Same, this cracked me up. T-Dogg is just... Jesus lol
Also remember T-Doug getting very few lines and being annoyed by it.
I bet he'll love Hershel telling Milton that he needs to buy him dinner before he can look at his stump. That's such a grandpa thing to say
Your dad is a Caryl shipper! I love it!
Her jumping on the back of his motorcycle so they could escape the farm cemented it for him I think lol
We want episode by episode commentary. Please.
Aw, this is mostly very wholesome. Lol
This is cute.
I watched the seasons 2 when i was visiting my parents over the holidays. He spent so much time complaining about them "not giving the black guy anything to do." I kept telling him to wait untill Tyrese shows up (cause he was so cool in the comics). It did not help. He kept pointing out that every time a new black guy shows up they kill the previous one. I think he would have lost it if he saw whay happened to Bob.
My mom became a massive fan. She watched the show all the way through the end; long after I gave up. I've only just gone back and watched the stuff I missed this year. She really like Carol.
I love this. It's so fun getting takes from people with wildly different ways of seeing the show. Also it's freaking adorable picturing father and son watching it together. Your pops is cool with me! And he has a point about the black men in the show. What they do to poor Bob later...that one hurt me. Morgan gets lots of time but dude goes nuts lol.
I loved reading this 🦭
It took me several years of saying, "But it's not really about zombies! It's more about people!" For my 81 year old mom to watch it with me. She quickly got into it and would binge watch without me since I've seen it several times. We had a blast watching together!!
I love this so much.. I got my Mom to watch while the series was still going. Zombies/horror was never her thing but she loved the walking dead.
She was in her 60s at the time, she had MS and dementia so out watching the show was pretty fun as well..
Can't wait for more updates. Hugs to you and your pops 🫂💜
I’ve watched different parts with my grandmother (85). She had some fun takes but she enjoyed the bits she saw. She could always remember Lucille’s name but not Negan’s! She got irritated by Shane and Lori, she didn’t want to take either side 😂
I won’t stand for any T- Dog slander. Put some respect on his name!
It’s not him I’m mad at, it’s the show! Did he ever get a real name? Please say yes.
But fr this rewatch is reminding me how annoyed I would get back in the day when a brand new character would get more development in a single episode than T got in two seasons. Thank god Michonne showed up, I was ready to call the NAACP.
When he gets the infected cut he tells dale his name is Theodore Douglas
That is one black ass name. I love it!
I love T-Dog! I recently met Iron E Singleton, and it only made me even more upset that they didn't give his character more development. He is so incredibly kind, intelligent, and soooo funny! He would've brought so much to later seasons if they allowed T-Dog to live AND show more of his character.
With all due respect, how is he “incredibly kind, intelligent, and soooo funny!” When he barley gets any lines?
For me at least his one memorable line was “Don’t give me that gangsta shit”
I was describing the actor and saying that he, Iron E Singleton, could have brought so much to the character had they let T-Dog live and/or added more depth to the character.
Lmfao T-Dog was one of my favorite characters and you’re right he definitely deserved more!
Tbh actress who played Patricia could pass as a mom to Beth. Before explanation of farm's relationship with each other seeing both of them I also thought it's mom and daughter. Btw missing opportunity from casting crew.
They looked so much alike right?? Even their dispositions were so similar.
Exactly. Here's a picture of them in one photo. After seeing them all farm group first time I thought it's sure daughter/mother. Then later explained that she's not blood related. But tell me, they def could be mother and daughter?
100%! Kinda crazy that they weren’t cast that way
He's Korean
I love hearing his take on it. You'll have to keep updating us on his thoughts and opinions.
im watching first time too im on season 7
It was so much fun reading this, thank you!
Awww. I want updates as you go through the show!
Please continue to update us on Dad's thoughts and dialogue. I will be waiting with anticipation.
Omg this is adorable lol. Keep us updated on his reactions for the rest of the seasons!
Potential spoilers for those who haven't finished season 2.
"Wasn’t a fan of Dale. Called him a 'real busybody'".
Where's the lie? 🤷🏾♀️ He was a great character but also over-involved. I'll never forget that look he gave Shane when he saw Shane's gun trained on Rick. Or when Shane threatened him along the lines of "If I would do something like the to someone I love, imagine what I'd do to a guy I don't even like." 😂 😂 😂 Dale: 😳😟
The way Andrea couldn’t breathe without him popping up Whack-A-Mole style to sagely offer advice she definitely did not ask for.
It’s the end of the world Dale! If she wants to fuck Shane, the hot yet unstable man causing division in the group, let her! The woman doesn’t have many options!
Exactly! And manipulated her into leaving the CDC and then continued to demand her gun from her to keep her from ending it! The gaslightiest of gaslights.
Thanks for sharing, that was great.
Omg!! I LOVE this and please continue to update with his thoughts. And yes I also said the same thing as a black person with t-dog. 😂
i love this! please do keep us updated
We need all the updates
Having been a fan of the walking dead series since day 1, reading this post brings me such joy. The simple fact that there are still so many people that havent even heard of this series is crazy to me. Im definitely commenting to make sure i get updates as you both watch this show together! I can't wait to read reaction posts to some of the most sad/insane moments of this amazing show. Specifically, I'd like to see his reaction to these scenes, based off my own love for the show, and the memories of experiencing these emotional and quite shocking moments play out live:
Hershels ending. 🥲 Lizzie and Mika. 😱 Carol against terminus. 🙌 Beth's ending. 😢 Noah's ending. 😨 Carl. 🤯 Negan introduction. ⚾️ Whisperer introduction to Jesus. 😳 The Pikes. 😥
I am with your pop on Dale. His energy is too much, suffocating at times.
Your dad seems cool
Love getting this perspective. Keep sharing!
Please keep updating us,I love other people's reactions to it bc none of my friends will watch it
He is gone be real sick of Lori in the next few seasons. I was after the first 🤭
Dale was a good guy but I did disagreed w/ his “moralizing”
Out of all the cast, Hershel’s death hit me the hardest. Then Abraham’s for some reason 🤷🏽♀️
But I’d bet he’s really going to like Abraham and his one-liners. “Who’s Deanna?” still cracks me up. 😂
Nice glad you guys are bonding over a good show
I love his perspective and think you should update us as the seasons go on.☺️
I wish I could watch the walking dead with my dad but he is scared of zombies
Aww that’s so cute
Keep updating us!
This is kinda interesting. Lol
I love everything about this post, please keep us updated!
I love everything about this post
I love this post so much! ❤️
I want to watch with him!
Earlier this year I watched the show with my mom. 74. At first she said it's a stupid zombie tale, but she got engaged. She loved Daryl. The funny thing was she thought the Governor was the worst. I said: you just wait and see. She couldn't believe there might be a worse character. And then Negan came along... I said: Believe it or not, but YOU WILL start to like him. She didn't believe me... It was fun to see her reactions. I love the show for years and even have a TWD tattoo. I was kinda jealous she got to see it for the first time tho. Anyway after that we started watching other shows she never wanted to watch. The Strain, Castle Rock, From. Now she's watching Lost. Anyone have an idea what you put on next? 😀
Lori had pressured rick to kill shane several times when discussing the problems he was causing, she flip flopped a lot and gave mixed signals.
In all fairness carol was hitting on Daryl pretty hard early on. After ed became walker chow she was lost, she basically latched onto a man to take care of her, in eds case he had a good job, once ed was gone she tried latching into the nearest man she saw as a provider, he rejected her advances but treated her with kindness and respect, something nobody had done before, hence they developed a strong platonic bond. She was still hitting on him in the early episodes at the prison and at the same time started standing on her own feet rather than latch onto a provider.
Personally i think the show should have ended after the savior arc. A lot of character stories could have ended well. Such as carol rescuing that kid at a creek from 2 walkers. When sophia was lost at a similar location carol was weak and helpless and expected a man to do everything for her then cried and shamed them if they failed, then with that kid she was slowly adoping and bonding with was in a similar situation she did not hesitate and ran in herself saving them. Unfortunately with shows that just keep going on and on, mindlessly wandering with no life anymore, like a mummy or some other thing i cant think of the word for at the moment, characters cannot develop, they circle back to a few traits they are know for and repeat the same personal drama and bs over and over, never advancing as the show milks it for all they can.
There were no mixed signals from Lori. The few attempts to be friendly after making no uncertain terms about their position are misinterpreted to be mixed signals and that's wrong. It was not her fault he could not be reasoned with or be friends with her.
Was she correct in accusing him of lying to sleep with her? No, but it was reasonable to feel that way, given he did not give her the whole truth because he knew she would make him go back for him, or go herself. A lie with the best of intentions is still a lie.
She reacted oddly with Rick when he told her Carl killed his reanimated corpse, but it was clear in the conversation that Rick killed him and she did not react badly to that. She was in shock that her own son had to put him down. Immediately in the next episode, she does not treat him badly and only attempts to make peace and find a way to heal their marriage.
The way everything went was absolutely Shane's fault and not hers. Not everyone acts rationally and no one can claim they, Shane or Lori, did all of the time, but Shane was horribly irrational and acted out of selfish pride and jealousy rather than genuine care for the group.
which season is the savior arc
You haven't gotten to it yet, its season 6 and 7 iirc
yeah i stopped watching around glenns fake out death, in the dumpster. m rewatching now and might stop at alwxandria. at s3
Interesting
If your dad shows that he does not like to continue will you stop ? I like watching shows with my parents but I too find that rarely they have the patience/stamina for 200 episode shows.
I’m not sure I have the patience for 200 episodes haha! But I actually had plans to rewatch the show already so I’d probably continue, I haven’t seen these episodes since their original airings so it’s practically new to me.
And all the spin-offs lol
Dale was a busy body, I also wasn’t a fan lol
Ooo this is good. Love his takes on the series. Will y'all watch the entire thing? Would love to hear how he reacts to the other seasons. If y'all continue on, will you also do the spinoffs?
I’m not sure! Let’s see how he feels about season 3, it’s a real different vibe than the farm.
So far we’ve watched the premiere, he finds the Governor confusing because he acts good, the town is nice but he killed the army guys, wants to know what’s up with Michonne’s walkers, loves that Hershel took so well to blasting after all that protesting last season (I forgot to put this in the post but the barn reveal made him sigh and shake his head lol(
Yes, I forgot about specific seasons. It might be time for a rewatch of my own 😆. Does he have a favorite character yet?
This is so cute lol
Ya keep us updated
I loved reading your dad's observations!! Put a smile on my face.
I’m watching for the first time with my adult sons explaining things. I’m at the very end of Season 4. I told them I saw Darryl and Carol’s relationship as maternal. They weren’t enthusiastic so I’m prepared for confusing shenanigans. Do we know the age difference? Is it the 20 years I’m thinking?
I just looked it up and the actors are only four years apart, not sure about the characters though I have a feeling they’re not meant to be quite that far apart in age. I think Carol‘s station in life as a wife and mother (plus the gray hair) contrasted against Darryl‘s boyishness and initial immaturity contribute to making their age gap larger than it is.
So I always gauged Daryl to be in his mid-thirties at the beginning and Carol in her early fourties, putting them at maybe 8 years apart.
The fact that granddad read them as a couple aligns with what the show initially tried to do but the writers ease off later on. I'm with your sons haha, for me, these two are perfect for each other. Others may (and will) disagree.
Can we get season updates as you guys finish each season, let us know what he thinks etc
I love this so much, keep them coming lol
Everyone has their own view.
So your dad likes lifetime shows?
To be fair T-Dog is just an abbreviation of his full name, Theodore Douglas. Same way T-Bag from Prison Break sounds like D-bag but it's actually just short for his full name, Theodore Bagwell. But I ain't mad at you.
Haha this is awesome! I love this show!
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What? Loll you think I shared that for internet points? Get help lmao
This is so great! I hope you keep updating for the other seasons
> Like Hershel he kept referring to Glenn as “the Chinese kid”. To his credit he stopped when I corrected him and reminded him of Glenn’s name.
"He's Korean!"
I told him! I also told him Glenn was a fan favorite and I almost started fanning out about Steven Yeun’s other work but I managed to compose myself.
Bro, I want to know his reaction to the line up scene in FULL detail.
I know my dad so well I think I can almost predict his reaction to Negan/Glenn.
sideeyes me from his recliner as the scene plays out because it’s terrible and I didn’t warn him
“Now why they did have to go and do that?” Then he’d exhale in a way that says “these modern shows” because this was not happening on Bonanza or Tales of Wells Fargo.
I gotta remember this for when we get there lol
Your Dad sounds so funny dude🤣 Keep updating us
He really is the most unintentionally funny person I know lol
Please keep me updated
"Whatever."