(No, not these girls…)Did you guys see the season 3 premiere of The Walking Dead on Sunday?! It. Was. Crazy. The episode opened on our favorite group of survivors after a tough winter of, well, surviving — the happy characters of the second season seem to have been replaced with exhausted, hardened warriors.
But the thing that struck me most about this new season was the marked increase in female badassery. So even if you’re not a fan of the show, you might wanna pay attention to these ladies! (But, just a warning: I’m about to get real nerdy.)
Lori Lori’s gotten a pretty bad rap since the first season, when we found out she had been cheating on her husband Rick (the sexiest man ever) with his best friend Shane (the second sexiest man ever). And then she got pregnant! And then she decided to keep the baby! In the middle of a zombie apocalypse, folks!
But I’ve always loved her character for being so cool under the pressure of all the emotional and phsyical turmoil of impending doom. She’s a fierce mother, a loyal wife, a voice of reason and makes human mistakes like the rest of us. But best of all? She can still take out her fair share of zombies, even with her nine months-pregnant belly in the way!
Andrea has been the resident tough chick since season one. She’s always been on the front of the battle lines when it comes to walkers. But after the latest season finale, we weren’t too sure what would become of her. Sunday gave us great news! She’s just as tough as ever, but now has an even tougher new friend!
Michonne is the katana-wielding wonder woman who saved Andrea’s life. She’s taken care of herself throughout the whole zombie attack, and has the chained zombie-slaves to prove it. Just look at her! I swear, she’s the coolest character on TV right now, and I can’t wait to see where her character goes!
MaggieI always loved Maggie because, in the face of mass death and destruction, she’s always seemed so full of life. She’s willing to love and smile and sing when others aren’t. It wasn’t until this third season opener, however, that she started to get her hands dirty.
I don’t want to give too much away for anyone who’s playing catch up with recent episodes, but for the first time, Maggie steps up to join the men on a guerilla zombie attack. She’s ferocious, and seems so happy about it. She alone inspired me to sign up for boot camp classes, because I want to be her when the inevitable zombie breakout reaches us!
One lost her daughter, the other lost her mom. These two women had been tucked nicely into the background of the show for too long — but that all changed at the beginning of this season. Turns out Carol is a great shot! And Beth is finally out of bed and has started fighting back. These women also do a great job of maintaining the civility within their circle. In a new reality filled with violence, it’s these women who reminds the group of it’s good human nature, which is arguably the hardest and most important role in a zombie epidemic.
Sorry for yet another essay, I just get really excited about zombies…
But really, though, isn’t it awesome that the women of The Walking Dead are finally getting the spotlight they deserve?! In a genre that is usually dominated by male figures, it’s so refreshing to see a whole slew of dynamic female characters who make the show what is is.
Do you watch The Walking Dead?
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guest
Andrea is badass.
Love the essay, love the excitement. =)
guest
I started watching it last week, and caught up right in time for the new episode. Safe to say I’m addicted now. Andrea used to be the only one I admired, but after the episode I was AMAZED that all the women were still there. It seems like they all had grown a giant set of brass balls over the winter, they had to. Even the little kid has become a man, battling with the rest of them. But Darryl has always and will always be my favorite. I really hope him and Carol get it on. They both need it bad.
hydrangea / 59 posts
@Rebekka Wilkinson@facebook - haha I know I dont have the popular opinion on the subject, but I do believe she is loyal. She had every reason to believe her husband was dead, so I don’t consider that cheating (although, looking back, I realize I used the word ‘cheating’ up there… Whoops!). And even though she developed feelings for Shane, she put her husband first when he returned (rightfully). But since Rick knows what she did and accepted her anyways, I just feel like he has no right to treat her the way he does. She’s loyal because, through all the emotional turmoil and all their personal issues, she’s still by his side and has always vocalized her support of him.
I feel like I’m not making my thoughts very clear cause I’m frantically typing this on my phone at work. ‘Cause debating the walking dead is more important than work…I’m the worst employee ever hahah
guest
I really hope they follow the comics and kill off Lori, except instead of getting shot I’m really hoping her fetus is a walker and eats her from the inside out; I’ve got my fingers crossed.
I hated Andrea, but now that she’s away from the group she’s not too bad. Michonne is fucking badass. Maggie & Beth both die in the comics at the prison, I’m hoping they don’t carry that out in the show because I’m really liking Maggie.
Even though we’re talking about the girls, I hate Carl & they really need to kill him off as well.
Darryl better not die, he’s my favorite of all. I’ll be majorly pissed if he dies.
guest
@Lindsay - Debating zombies is always more important than work. Always. I agree with you about Lori
orchid / 173 posts
“Turns out Carol is a great shot!”
D:
please tell me that is sarcastic. or did you miss the part where she nearly shot rick in the foot?
daisy / 680 posts
I’ve heard so much about this show but haven’t watched an episode yet. Sounds like ya’ll are super into it! Love it!
hydrangea / 59 posts
@dynamicstars@xanga - oh… right…haha… to be fair, I was just going off what Rick said in the beginning
guest
I’m more in the mindset of, zombie apocalypse and the most annoying women survive?!
Except for Andrea, Maggie and Michonne. They’re badasses.
guest
Lori? Bitch, please. Her and Carl are my least favorite characters.
Andrea tho.
And now Michonne.
And Maggie.
Scuse me while I cream my pants.
orchid / 191 posts
michonne and andrea are the definition of badass! they’re awesome
guest
Maggie kicks ass. Love the scene where she fights beside the guys, especially the fact that no big deal was made of it onscreen (when they could have just as easily gone the “We need a fifth, but are you sure you’re up for this? Blah blah blah, delicate flower, blah blah” route). It very effectively established how much more experienced she’s become since last season and that the others place value in her zombie-killing skills. And it was fucking sexy.
guest
I’d like Maggie & Beth, home ordered please. Haha, lovely series by the way!
guest
Lori? Gah. I hope the baby turns into a walker and devours her from the inside out. And then I hope it eats Carl. Couldn’t really care less about Andrea or Beth. I’m in love with Maggie, though. Always have been.
And Michonne’s zombies aren’t slaves, they’re her boyfriend and best friend. She chopped off their jaws and arms so they couldn’t attack her, and their smell detracts from her own. If you’re going to fangirl about someone, at least get it right.