[Hebba Homemaker]

TWO WEEKS TO GO!!!

I am very excited that this will be back soon, I miss my zombie fix.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

WEEE!!!!

[Joinee Smith]

[Gaz]

Zombs are back! Yaaaaaaay!

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

Should i download this or is it "just another zombie apocolypse" akin to The Last Man or Resident Evil etc.

also - in a clip i saw - did you guys notice there is a kid who was in the goonies? Data i believe.

This post has been edited by DG Joinee NEMESIS: 14 February 2012 - 10:32 PM

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Umm Richard - Data (or the guy who plays him) is Vietnamese. Glenn (or the guy who plays him) is from Korea. watch out for those 'they all look the same' statements...

Also - this is one of the best dramas I've watched in any genre ever. Worth it.

[Chairman 'Jamin]

And the comic is fan-#!$&ing-tastic


genuinely excited about this, which I haven't been since the wire/thick of it

[GJ Drought]

Rich you MUST get on this! its superb!

[DG Joinee NEMESIS]

PJ Hannah B-R, on 15 February 2012 - 07:44 AM, said:

watch out for those 'they all look the same' statements...

I feel like Prince Philip, just without the inate feeling of shame....

OK - it's downloading

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Two episodes into new series and it is still JUST TREMENDOUS. Every character arc is so brilliantly refined. Love it love it love it.

Two episodes into new series and it is still JUST TREMENDOUS. Every character arc is so brilliantly refined. Love it love it love it.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Ok, now that I'm on the computer with spoiler abilities. Bear in mind I've seen episodes 1 and 2 of the new series:

Spoiler

I am totally in love with Carol and Daryl's developing relationship. It feels incredibly honest and truthful and beautiful and I can't wait to see where it goes. She's so ageless, and so is he, that it's hard to see whether romance will come out of it, but the mutual respect and need for each other is touching.

I liked the conversation between Andrea and Shane - she's right, he IS doing so many of the right things but being such a full on NOB about it that noone is going to listen to him.

I'm a bit concerned and upset about Rick and Laurie and the "you'd kill to protect us, so get rid of Shane for me please" thing that she's trying to pull. But I liked the irony of them refusing to take in the strangers, when Hershel had taken them in just a few weeks earlier. It was good to see that you have to be a hypocrite for survival. Important inclusion of him pissing in the room, otherwise I'd have been annoyed at them for being so anti taking them in, but that flagged up the lack of respect and primal way they were living.

Glenn and Maggie is BRILLIANT. Enjoying him being scared to have attachment, and her desperate for one. It's good. It works.

Oh man this programme is ace. The zombies are such a secondary element now, the relatinoships are all so finely tuned and brilliant. I am particuarly upset at Carl growing up too much. I'm glad I've read none of the books, I'm enjoying seeing it develop on screen - happy to read the books afterwards

That's it

[Lethal Biddle]

PJ Hannah B-R, on 21 February 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

Ok, now that I'm on the computer with spoiler abilities. Bear in mind I've seen episodes 1 and 2 of the new series:

Spoiler

I am totally in love with Carol and Daryl's developing relationship. It feels incredibly honest and truthful and beautiful and I can't wait to see where it goes. She's so ageless, and so is he, that it's hard to see whether romance will come out of it, but the mutual respect and need for each other is touching.

I liked the conversation between Andrea and Shane - she's right, he IS doing so many of the right things but being such a full on NOB about it that noone is going to listen to him.

I'm a bit concerned and upset about Rick and Laurie and the "you'd kill to protect us, so get rid of Shane for me please" thing that she's trying to pull. But I liked the irony of them refusing to take in the strangers, when Hershel had taken them in just a few weeks earlier. It was good to see that you have to be a hypocrite for survival. Important inclusion of him pissing in the room, otherwise I'd have been annoyed at them for being so anti taking them in, but that flagged up the lack of respect and primal way they were living.

Glenn and Maggie is BRILLIANT. Enjoying him being scared to have attachment, and her desperate for one. It's good. It works.

Oh man this programme is ace. The zombies are such a secondary element now, the relatinoships are all so finely tuned and brilliant. I am particuarly upset at Carl growing up too much. I'm glad I've read none of the books, I'm enjoying seeing it develop on screen - happy to read the books afterwards

That's it

The TV show goes in a completely different direction to the comics, so I wouldn't worry about spoiling it for yourself one way or another.
Also, FYI, the eps you've just seen are ep 8 & 9 of season 2. This is just the second half after the mid-season break. So you've only got 3 more to come & then season 3 will be later this year.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Well yes I know that, I meant 1 and 2 of the "new" season as in the next bunch. Picky.

[Lethal Biddle]

PJ Hannah B-R, on 21 February 2012 - 03:31 PM, said:

Well yes I know that, I meant 1 and 2 of the "new" season as in the next bunch. Picky.

Was partly being pedantic & partly making sure you knew, so you weren't disappointed when it stopped in a couple of weeks.

[Joinee Dave]

There are certain elements of the comics that have been retained, but for the most part, a lot of the characters are very different (even if the locations and overall plot are the same).

I am intruiged as to how they will tackle some of the darker themes that crop up in volumes 4 of the comic and onward. There are some pretty harsh things in there, and I'm not sure that an audience (particularly a primarily American one) will cope with that sort of stuff.

[G.J.Knight]

Only seen The 1st episode back since the break but very much enjoyed it. Nice to see Rick finally getting a bit darker and getting away from the farm!
Only real problem I have is the awfully named T-Dog, no real story elements for him other than hurting his arm back at the beginning of this series. Seems to be the complete stereotype of the token black man on the show and it's a real shame they are doing nothing with his character.

Also after seeing some cast lists for another show I think I know how this series is going to end, but it's no massive surprise if you know the comics.

[Gaz]

I think you've seen the same cast list as I have (LA Noire?). Though as Walking Dead is short(ish), it is feasible MYSTERY PERSON X could be in both shows.

As for T-Dog...I think his time is coming. Specifically when the group bump into a one-armed racist again.

[G.J.Knight]

I think it's too late for T-Dog , I mean for two series we know his name and that's it. He's not treated as a mysterious character it just seems like they literally have nothing for him to do. Shame he's been wasted and lumbered with that awful name

With L.A Noire I think it's all but been confirmed, at least that's what a lot of sites are saying.
Interesting to hear that Tom Savini wants the "Governor" role should it come about, seems perfectly suited to him

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Ok. I looked. That seems to be the conclusion that this half of the season is building to anyway.

[Lethal Biddle]

G.J.Knight, on 23 February 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

Interesting to hear that Tom Savini wants the "Governor" role should it come about, seems perfectly suited to him

GOD YES.
He would be great!

[Gaz]

G.J.Knight, on 23 February 2012 - 02:48 PM, said:

I think it's too late for T-Dog , I mean for two series we know his name and that's it. He's not treated as a mysterious character it just seems like they literally have nothing for him to do. Shame he's been wasted and lumbered with that awful name

I agree. I meant his time is coming as in time to either die or get zombed up.

[G.J.Knight]

Fantastic episode, certainly picked up the action and showed some great effects.
Also the role of the Governor has been cast for series 3....sadly it's not Savini, which is a great shame.
In fact they have completely changed the characters race as they have cast David Morrissey. Interesting choice as he does menacing well sometimes, however he also manages slightly dull on occasions

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Just watched episodes 10&11. Am thoroughly traumatised and was totally wracked with sobs. GOD this show is amaxing.

[Joinee Smith]

PJ Hannah B-R, on 05 March 2012 - 10:10 PM, said:

Just watched episodes 10&11. Am thoroughly traumatised and was totally wracked with sobs. GOD this show is amaxing.

I always cry when another zombies life is taken in a senseless act of violence*



Jason

*not really

[Gaz]

Episode 11 was really good, and with a real humdinger of an ending. I was a weeny bit bothered by two things though:

Spoiler

The zombies are supposed to be mindless, food-obsessed automatons going on instinct alone. So if the zombie that got Dale had already downed a cow and hadn't finished eating it, why did it stop, quietly crawl away (because Dale was only in grass about a foot high, so would have seen it walking), hide (I assume in the corpse pile, which is what the shot seemed to suggest), then stand up and creep up silently behind him to get him? Apart from the whole silent bit being a tad convenient given they're usually moaning and shuffling (and again, in grass it'd make a noise), it doesn't fit with what we've seen before that the zombies will stay with food and completely ignore other food and everything else, even to the point of going mental for a lick of blood in favour of ignoring someone alive next to them. Shane couldn't have got away after shooting Otis if they were able to reason and pick targets, and it's not humans in preference to animals as otherwise Rick couldn't have escaped in season 1 when the zombie mob grabbed his horse. It was dramatic, but a bit convenient that Dale bumped into the only stealth zombie in town.

Also, the people are too soft. I don't mean in a not tough enough sense - I mean they're literally too soft. The zombie tore open Dale's shirt and skin like a paper bag, but skin is actually very tough or we'd all be spilling our innards at the slightest mishap, and the zombs have been outside mouldering now for months. They're supposed to be rotting messes, not superstrong, and though bites should be nasty they shouldn't have the strength to literally rip people to bits bare-handed*. The same with Otis, and the guy from the other week who was shot and then got his face chomped off in one go. I get with Dale it was done for shock value, but I think a more fitting end for him and the story given the episode would be if Dale had been bitten but survived and then the group had to decide when to shoot him, with him wanting to be shot right away and others wanting him to be allowed to live as long as possible.

*the Marvel Zombies comics actually do this well, with the zombie flesh being so manky that when e.g. zombie Wolverine tries to claw something tough, his arm just falls apart!

[Hebba Homemaker]

ZOMG!!!!! I cannot wait another week!!!!!

Absolutely love this programme so hard!! Its amazing!

[Lethal Biddle]

Spoiler

Good finale! Michonne & the prison! Season 3 is going to be EPIC!

I usually hate shows that deviate from the original material, but this might be the first show where I've actually liked that they're doing it. It isn't better than the comics, in fact, it isn't as good. But it is still good & they're changing it just enough to make it interesting & suprising rather than the usual tiny pointless changes. I wish Shane's death had been like in the comics because that's hugely important (at least to how the comics go) but I understand why they might not have gotten away with it & other than that it's great.

This post has been edited by Lethal Biddle: 20 March 2012 - 10:56 AM

[Hebba Homemaker]

Having never read the comics all this comes to me fresh... well except knowing that there would have been a prison at some point (thanks very much Goldy!)

I absolutely LOVED the last two episodes and the build up throughout so much so I was actually shaking with excitement for most of the last episode. It is by far and away one of my top two televisual experiences of the whole year and its only March!

I cannot wait for this to come back and here's hoping the extend the series run again 6, 13, 27?

[Lethal Biddle]

Hebba Homemaker, on 20 March 2012 - 01:13 PM, said:

I cannot wait for this to come back and here's hoping the extend the series run again 6, 13, 27?

They've already announced season 3 will be 16 eps. So a slight extension.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

No! 13 is enough!

Spoiler

SO. Shane's Death was AMAZING. That entire episode I was in a complete frenzy and freaking out just KNOWING that it was going to happen, and when it did it was SOOO well done, and Carl just frankly makes me cry with his whole being grown up thing.

Finale - the frenzy of the fire and the escape I thought was impeccably well done. I was right up in the corner of the sofa trying to get away from my telly. Darryl rescuing Carol is obviosuly the bset thing ever. The regathering at the highway was touching and wonderful. However, after that point I thought it slowed too much and the energy dipped quite a lot into quite soap like arguing about moving on or staying. But I could see why, and I could see that they just had to get to that sensible end point. Andrea was BADASS and I LOVED her.

Oh, and thanks for telling us all it's a prison. I didn't know that. I assumed it was the other camp.

[Lethal Biddle]

PJ Hannah B-R, on 20 March 2012 - 02:09 PM, said:

No! 13 is enough!

Spoiler

SO. Shane's Death was AMAZING. That entire episode I was in a complete frenzy and freaking out just KNOWING that it was going to happen, and when it did it was SOOO well done, and Carl just frankly makes me cry with his whole being grown up thing.

Finale - the frenzy of the fire and the escape I thought was impeccably well done. I was right up in the corner of the sofa trying to get away from my telly. Darryl rescuing Carol is obviosuly the bset thing ever. The regathering at the highway was touching and wonderful. However, after that point I thought it slowed too much and the energy dipped quite a lot into quite soap like arguing about moving on or staying. But I could see why, and I could see that they just had to get to that sensible end point. Andrea was BADASS and I LOVED her.

Oh, and thanks for telling us all it's a prison. I didn't know that. I assumed it was the other camp.

Spoiler

Sorry. I thought it was obvious. I saw the fences & the guard towers & knew right away, but I had the advantage of knowing it was coming.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Lethal Biddle, on 20 March 2012 - 03:37 PM, said:

Spoiler

Sorry. I thought it was obvious. I saw the fences & the guard towers & knew right away, but I had the advantage of knowing it was coming.

Spoiler

It was too dark to really see what it was, it could have been a well constructed camp. It's ok. I know now!

[Joinee McD]

A rant:

Spoiler

Ok... so I must admit, I'm utterly bewildered at everyone raving about the second half of this season. Since it re-started I've found it to have plummeted in quality so suddenly it's shocking. In a not really planned out or ordered way, here are my gripes:

The characters. By episode 10 or so, it dawned on me that there were only in fact few characters that I remotely liked (Shane and Darryl mostly, and liked in the sense of keeping me interested) the rest I either care not a jot about (T Dog had approx. 2 lines between episodes 7 and 13) or actively hate (Lori).

Carl. What in the sixth hell of being skinned alive was going on with him?! He spent every episode of this half being everywhere he SHOULDN'T have been. Going off to execute someone? Oh, there's Carl in the doorway... exactly where he was told not to go. Where's Carl now? Oh, he's gone off for a wander, stolen Darryl's gun and just walked off in to the woods alone for jebus knows what reason. And wasn't that just scenes after he'd told his dad he could 'take care of himself'? So at the same time as trying to convince everyone he's all growed up and can take an active part in the group, he's also acting so irresponsibly it's mind boggling. And Carl takes me right to my biggest gripe...

Episode 12. So much of this episode was utterly ridiculous. Right, ok Shane has taken the express train to crazy town... but let's look at how it plays out. Shane kills Randal and claims he was jumped etc. so he leads Rick and the guys off into the woods to look for him. It is light. Shane leads Rick further and further into the woods and in fact he does so for so long that it is now well into night as the full moon appears half way up the sky. And where has Shane led Rick? Why, within sight of the house! Not only that, but out of the woods and into an open field in sight of the house! Fortunately Rick is smart enough to know what's going on and successfully defends himself against Shane. But look! It's Carl! He's wandered so far away from the house on his own that he's just stumbled upon Rick and Shane like a crowbar stumbling into a packing crate. What a coincidink! Then he even manages to shoot zombie Shane in the head from 20ft away, in the dark, and with Rick directly between them! Amazing! Then we find that the zombie herd who just happened to have made it to the area on the same night they decide to board up the house, has heard the shot and makes it out into the open field behind them, without them even noticing. Cliffhanger!

Episode 13. So we learn how the zombie herd came to be in the woods that fateful night. Turns out they stopped eating their meals of human flesh (which as Gaz pointed out, is all they seem to want to do otherwise) in the city and instead choose to follow a helicopter... alllllllll the way out of the city and to the woods outside the farm. Bad luck gang. And by the time Rick and Carl actually notice the herd, they've somehow already been overtaken and surrounded! Luckily though the others notice a little earlier and manage to get out their infinite ammo shotguns and start blowing the zombies away... without missing a single head shot! Way to go guys! Hershel then pops off approximately 70 shotgun blasts without pause, giving some others time to escape... all while Lori can't stop screaming about her missing son Carl. The one who has spent the last 3 episodes anywhere other than where any single one of the adults think he should be, because he doesn't need to be babysat, because he's a grown up right? Andrea gets screwed and has to run through the woods on her own for the *entire* night, but thankfully is saved by a ninja with pet zombies (who is presumably from the comics... but I can't wait to see them explain how they happened to be there at that moment). Later the rest mostly all meet up at the highway and then Rick confesses to Lori that he killed Shane. Lori, who just a few episodes ago was pretty much whispering 'you should kill Shane' into Rick's ear, goes nuts at him... presumably because she's a psycopath. Then Rick goes nuts and turns bad, claiming 'this is no longer a democracy'... whatever, Rick.

And was I seriously not supposed to know you didn't have to get bitten to become a zombie? I mean is it really a *thing*?! Am I just imagining that it's been covered in the show already and that it seemed to be common knowledge? Why are they making a thing of it anyway? What difference does it make??? Oh, so you mean I'm going to turn into a Walker when I die, even if I don't get bitten? Oh well, in that case I'm definitely not going to die then! Before I wasn't too bothered... but now... (maybe it's a big thing in the comics... but in terms of the show so far, it makes no difference from what I can see and changes nothing about their predicament).

So... in my opinion. Rubbish.

[Gaz]

With regard to Carl:

Spoiler

The fact that he's a teenage boy in a bizarre, violent situation who has seen multiple people he cares about die who doesn't do what he's told and wants to be big and brave but still gets scared and freaks out makes him probably the most realistically written child I've seen in any drama on TV in a long while. It'd be weird if he were well behaved, well adjusted and faultlessly heroic.

I actually like the fact that everyone is #!$&ed up. Lori freaking out because she got what she thought she wanted but then wasn't sure it was. Rick basically becoming Shane after having to kill Shane and her realising that she may have driven him to do it in part.

Though I agree about T-Dog and the other blatant zombie food (Beth and the other guy) - they need to give T-dog something to do or get rid.

Not too fussed about them being in sight of the house as it is a fair way off and Shane knew everyone would be inside - he was also leading him away from Daryl and Glenn. As for Carl shooting Shane in the head, I thought that was quite fitting given Shane taught everyone to shoot.

The herd thing I have less of an issue with than individual zombs getting distracted, as they do tend to follow each other mindlessly. And the helicopter I assume may come back to play a part - everything has been fate to lead them in a certain direction (I'm going to guess the chopper may be involved with the prison somehow). And as for the infection thing - it's one thing to be scared of being bitten, but another to know you're going to turn and become a potential threat to your loved ones and need to be put down however you die. We've seen how the characters react when they have to put down people they know who've turned, and now they know that that'll be everyone. I'd say it was a fairly big thing.

[PJ Hannah B-R]

Gaz, on 21 March 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

With regard to Carl:

Spoiler

The fact that he's a teenage boy in a bizarre, violent situation who has seen multiple people he cares about die who doesn't do what he's told and wants to be big and brave but still gets scared and freaks out makes him probably the most realistically written child I've seen in any drama on TV in a long while. It'd be weird if he were well behaved, well adjusted and faultlessly heroic.

I actually like the fact that everyone is #!$&ed up. Lori freaking out because she got what she thought she wanted but then wasn't sure it was. Rick basically becoming Shane after having to kill Shane and her realising that she may have driven him to do it in part.

Though I agree about T-Dog and the other blatant zombie food (Beth and the other guy) - they need to give T-dog something to do or get rid.

Not too fussed about them being in sight of the house as it is a fair way off and Shane knew everyone would be inside - he was also leading him away from Daryl and Glenn. As for Carl shooting Shane in the head, I thought that was quite fitting given Shane taught everyone to shoot.

The herd thing I have less of an issue with than individual zombs getting distracted, as they do tend to follow each other mindlessly. And the helicopter I assume may come back to play a part - everything has been fate to lead them in a certain direction (I'm going to guess the chopper may be involved with the prison somehow). And as for the infection thing - it's one thing to be scared of being bitten, but another to know you're going to turn and become a potential threat to your loved ones and need to be put down however you die. We've seen how the characters react when they have to put down people they know who've turned, and now they know that that'll be everyone. I'd say it was a fairly big thing.

Spoiler

Carl for me has been one of the most upsetting things abuot this season. Him going from this cute face overawed kid (when he saw the deer) to this troubled, not even a teen yet, boy who doesn't know his place, but knows he sure as hell isn't allowed to be a child... Well I just find that so hard to watch. He wants to be at the centre of everything, he wants to see everything, he hasn't yet worked out that he isn't invincible, and he can't fully see the danger in situations, I think it's a totally realistic portrayal. I like it and hate it in equal measure.

And yes, the clearing was obviously for dramatic effect, but come on guy, give it a break - It IS a drama

[Joinee McD]

Gaz, on 21 March 2012 - 01:17 PM, said:

With regard to Carl:

Spoiler

The fact that he's a teenage boy in a bizarre, violent situation who has seen multiple people he cares about die who doesn't do what he's told and wants to be big and brave but still gets scared and freaks out makes him probably the most realistically written child I've seen in any drama on TV in a long while. It'd be weird if he were well behaved, well adjusted and faultlessly heroic.

I actually like the fact that everyone is #!&ed up. Lori freaking out because she got what she thought she wanted but then wasn't sure it was. Rick basically becoming Shane after having to kill Shane and her realising that she may have driven him to do it in part.

Though I agree about T-Dog and the other blatant zombie food (Beth and the other guy) - they need to give T-dog something to do or get rid.

Not too fussed about them being in sight of the house as it is a fair way off and Shane knew everyone would be inside - he was also leading him away from Daryl and Glenn. As for Carl shooting Shane in the head, I thought that was quite fitting given Shane taught everyone to shoot.

The herd thing I have less of an issue with than individual zombs getting distracted, as they do tend to follow each other mindlessly. And the helicopter I assume may come back to play a part - everything has been fate to lead them in a certain direction (I'm going to guess the chopper may be involved with the prison somehow). And as for the infection thing - it's one thing to be scared of being bitten, but another to know you're going to turn and become a potential threat to your loved ones and need to be put down however you die. We've seen how the characters react when they have to put down people they know who've turned, and now they know that that'll be everyone. I'd say it was a fairly big thing.

Spoiler

I would have less of an issue with Carl's behaviour if he were actually a teenager going through puberty and all that stuff, but he's not. He's 12 and frankly he should be having an eye kept on him at all times. That said it's not really his behaviour I have an issue with. I don't mind him trying to find his place, sneaking into the shed to see the prisoner and even him stealing Daryl's gun and wandering off, which I agree are realistic portayals of a child. However, there's misbehaving and wandering off, and there's living in a zombie apocalypse and wandering off at night far from safety for no logical reason whatsoever, and they are two very different things. We've been given no real insight into Carl's thought process and what leads him to make the decisions he's made which have resulted in him appearing in all of these places. If we had had some build up with him perhaps asking Rick if he can go on the rounds with them, taking care of stray zombies or something, we could have surmised that he had wandered off into the woods in search of a zombie to prove himself, but we weren't and he seemed to just be wandering about aimlessly, utterly oblivious to his surroundings or whereabouts. So what I do have a massive issue with is the show being utterly shameless in its use of him as a plot device... How shall we get Rick to change his mind about the execution? Have Carl show up! How shall we get the stray zombie on to the farm? Have Carl wander off and lead it back! How shall we deal with the aftermath of Rick killing Shane? Have Carl show up! I mean seriously, what was he doing out there? If the excuse is that he was looking for his Dad, he'd have wandered off into the woods (again)... so what the hell was he doing so far from the house? And why did no one know where he was? He's not a ninja... and as for him shooting Shane in the head... Fitting? Perhaps... Even the tiniest bit plausible? No.

As for your argument about Lori... I wish I could believe that that level of depth was actually part of the plan, but I just can't. Also I wish I could believe that the whole *thing* about turning into a Walker no matter how you die was written with the depth you describe in mind, but I can't. I think they're going to do something really lame with it. Perhaps involving Carl.

I agree with you about herds leading themselves so to speak, but that doesn't change the fact that the herd was created by zombies leaving the flesh they were eating to follow a helicopter. And given the helicopted disappeared seconds later (what with it moving a hell of a lot faster than shuffling zombies busy munching on an arm), if it did come from the prison, I'd say they've done a pretty damn good job of following it, not to mention the fact that if the farm is as conveniently located between the city and the prison anyway, the helicopter would surely have flown that way as well and thus been spotted by the group. Also bear in mind that they had to drive for an entire day to get to the whereabouts of the prison as well, making it less likely that the woods around the farm were in the flight path... but I'm not *that* bothered about the helicopter...

Hannah, you say the clearing was for dramatic effect so I should give it a break... but the rest of the show has had things happen for dramatic effect without being utterly ridiculous and it was more Carl showing up moments after Rick had killed Shane that annoyed me far more than that Shane had obviously led Rick around in very small circles for hours... so I'm afraid you're just asking too much on this one!

[Hebba Homemaker]

Lethal Biddle, on 20 March 2012 - 02:07 PM, said:

They've already announced season 3 will be 16 eps. So a slight extension.

And a commission for season 4 is announced too \o/

Sorry Han, thought it was obvious what the building was from the finale, plus was too excited and wanted to share and can't do spoilers on my phone.

[G.J.Knight]

In regards to the helicopter it is the one that Rick saw in the beginning episode. The herd have been travelling for weeks .
In regards to sudden appearances and gun shots and the like you have to have some sense of 'letting it go' if you got into the specifics of every action happening then you have bugger all fun watching anything.