"The Walking Dead: After" Mid-Season Premiere Recap

Season 4 kicks off at the prison, but this time, the prison is in shambles as herd of walkers infest the once-secured prison yards. Michonne seems to be the only one that hasn’t fled completely but instead, is observing the chaos. She notices two walkers in particular, members of Team Governor, and traps them into the spikes and makes them into her walker pets. Sadly, she stumbles upon Hershel’s head and puts (him?) out of his misery once and for all. She then heads onward into the woods within the hordes of walkers, shaken about what had become of Hershel.

Meanwhile, Rick and Carl are walking down a desolate neighborhood road. Carl is walking feet ahead of Rick, as Rick stumbles behind him and yelling at Carl to wait up. Rick is beaten up and bruised badly. The two end up coming across a small bar-b-que shack. Rick reminds Carl he stays guard while Rick clears the building of walkers. Carl isn’t having it so they both go in together. They come across a walker and Rick tells Carl to save his ammo as Rick lunges an axe at the walker’s head...unfortunately, the walker doesn’t completely fall so Carl shoots it in the head. Rick is mad at Carl for pulling the trigger but Carl mouths back that Rick didn’t kill it with the axe. They collect a little bit of food and continue on.

Michonne has her walker pets and they come across a path of footprints to follow.

Rick and Carl come across a house that they to use to settle in for the night but as usual, they make sure to clear it. Rick is barking at Carl to stay put. But Carl has other plans and knocks on the walls, yelling for the assholes to come out. Rick tells him to watch his mouth. Once again, Carls talks back. They head into the kitchen and gather food and water. Carl explores the second story of the house and comes across a boy’s room with an Xbox and flat-screen. Realizing there is no power to enjoy some Call of Duty, Carl grabs some of the electric cords and goes downstairs to tie a knot at the front door.

It’s night time and Rick decides to take extra precaution and pushes the couch towards the front door, which greatly annoys Carl. Carl assures Rick that the knot is very secure and decides to take it a step further by telling Rick that Shane taught him how to tie a knot.

“It’s a knot that Shane taught me...do you remember him?” 

^^^Probably every viewer’s reaction^^^

Rick tells him he remembers him everyday and if there’s anything snarky and smart Carl has left to say. The two settle in for the night but not before bickering some more over eating the food. Rick then goes to the bathroom and it coveres in bumps, bruises and scratches. He is beated up mentally and physically.

Michonne is in the kitchen preparing food and then cleaning her blade as she’s talking to her lover and his friend, who are sitting at a table talking about art. Michonne’s little baby walks up to her. Michonne picks her baby boy up and cooes him. The two men are talking about why it’s worth living life in a post-apocalyptic world. Michonne continues to look at them and smile, holding her baby. “What is the answer here...why?” Michonne’s lover ask. Michonne asks them who will open the wine when the two men’s arms are cut off. Atlanta is dark and decayed...Michonne screams and is horrified.....

Michonne wakes up from an abandoned vehicle she sleeps in, panting and sweating from the a nightmare.

Carl wakes up and still sees his dad is passed out on the couch. Carl gets something to eat and goes back to see his dad still not woken up. Carl furiously shakes at Rick and screams at him to wake up. All the sudden, walkers knock and rattle the front door. Carl sneaks around the house and observes the two walkers at the front door. Carl leads them away from the house and down the street. He takes them to a side road, not realizing there’s a walker that’s sneaking up behind him.

Carl stumbled back as the walkers close in around him. He shoots  the first two walkers as they topple on top of him but the third one tries to climb over the walker pile to get to Carl. Carl takes a couple shots. He struggles to get out of the corpse pile and loses his breakfast. But he still feels victorious, chiming in “I win”. Carl continues to explore the desolate road and ends up going back to the safe house.

Back in the woods, Michonne is walking along side her pets and in the middle of the zombie horde. Right next to her is a walker that looks exactly like her.

Meanwhile, Carl walks back to the house, with Rick still passed out on the couch. Carl decides to be the big bad boy he is and tell Rick how he REALLY feels about him even though he is practically unconcious;

“I saved you. I didn’t forget when you were playing farmer...I don’t need you anymore. I don’t need you to protect me anymore, you probably couldn’t protect me anyways...you couldn’t protect Judith...Hershel...or Glenn...or Maggie...or Daryl....or mom....you just wanted to plant vegetables and wanted to hide. He knew where we were and you didn’t care!....They are all gone because of you! They counted on you! You were their leader! But now? You’re nothing...I’d be fine if you died!” 

Carl then continues exploring the neighborhood and comes across another two-story house. He picks up a lawn light and tries to kick open the door but fails. He finally breaks into the house and first heads to the kitchen to get food. He then discovers a treasure: chocolate pudding-in-a-can. Carl, with his deadly grass light, explores the second story of the house. He opens the doors and checks to make sure they are clear. Before he can open another door, a walker pops out. Carl smashes the walker's hands in the door but the walker is too strong. Carl attempts to shoot the walker multiple times but is unsuccessful. The walker grabs onto Carl's legs. Carl tries shutting the door and walking into the other room to escape from the window but it proves unsuccessful. The walker goes after him, nearly biting his leg. Carl escapes, leaving his shoe behind and shuts the door behind him. Carl sees some chalk and writes "Walker inside. He got my shoe but he didn't get me." Carl chuckles and enjoys sitting on the rooftop with his chocolate pudding. 

Back in the woods, Michonne comes across a walker that looks like her and it shakes her to the core. She can't stand seeing her "dead reflection" another moment and slashes the walker. Michonne then goes on a walker slaying spree, even slashing her walker pets. Michonne cries out after, coming to the realization of what she could've become. 

Once Michonne collects herself and moves on, she continues to follow the footprints. 

It's nighttime and Carl can't sleep. He looks over and sees his dad is not awakened. Rick then starts breathing and reaches his arm out to Carl. Carl, fearing the worst, takes the gun, leans back and points it at Rick. Rick stumbles down on the couch, continue to reach out to Rick. Rick grabs onto Carl's leg and Carl breaks down, letting the gun down. "I can't do it!" he cries. Carl sobs, waiting for Rick to bite him...only Rick moans out his name...when Carl realizes that his dad is still alive. Carl continues to sob and caresses Rick's head. "I'm scared...." he whispers to his dad. 

The next day, Michonne comes across the Bar-b-que shack Rick and Carl were at a day earlier. Michonne sits down near the entrance and calls out to "Mike". She begins sobbing. "I missed you even when I was with you, back at the camp," she said. "It wasn't you who did it. You were wrong because I'm still here. You could be too and he could be....I know the answer...I know why...." After Michonne collects herself, she leaves the restaurant and follows Rick and Carl's trail. 

Rick and Carl sit on the couch. Rick warns Carl that it's too dangerous going out alone but he's glad Carl found more food. Carl confesses to eating the 112oz can of pudding. Rick tells Carl that he knows he can't make things the way they were before and commends Carl for being a man. "I'm sorry," Rick tells Carl. "You don't need to be," Carl replies. 

Michonne walks on the trail and finds the can of chocolate pudding. She continues on, and looks through the window to see Rick and Carl, alive and well, sitting on the couch. Michonne tears up with happiness and relief, seeing her friends alive and with food. She knocks on the door. Rick looks through the peephole, chuckles and tells Carl that he has a guest. 

Picture Credit: The Walking Dead Wiki 

Jane's Notes: OH where to begin?? I knew Carl was growing up but who knew that the downfall of the prison would make him so snarky and resentful towards Rick? Looks like all the animosity he kept to himself finally exploded once Rick and Carl were in a safe zone. So I have not much to say about Carl except Rick has to sit him down and give him the “no more kids’ stuff” talk like he did back on the farm. Maybe Rick’s words of wisdom gave Carl a slice of humble pie to go with that pudding. 

BUT I want to talk about Michonne because if you looked up the word “fearless” in the dictionary, her picture would be on it. While everyone else has fled from the prison and separated, Michonne lingers behind. I am very glad that this season, the direction focused on Michonne’s vulnerabilities, her demons and how she was confronted with her own worst nightmare with that walker that looked just like her. Now I haven’t read the comic so comic-readers, bear with me if this is wrong. When Michonne first held Judith, Michonne broke down. When Andrea asked about the original walker pets, Michonne showed pain and anger, not wanting to talk about it but assured Andrea “they deserved it” (the whole no-arms, no-jaws thing). Michonne seems to forgive Miek, knowing “he wasn’t himself”.  From the pieces I could put together, Mike and his friend turned and possibly went after Michonne’s baby. 

Quick note, this picture sums up my thoughts on Headless Hershel 

Follow me on Twitter @mobspringfield 

"The Walking Dead: Clear" EP Recap

Michonne is driving Rick and Carl on a road to check for areas with more guns and ammo. They see a man on the side of the road who yells at them to pull over but Michonne coldly drives by him. Carl looks back but not a word is said. They then stumble upon a 2 crashed cars and a third one turned over on the side of the road. Michonne drives around between the cars to get through but gets the car stuck in mud. A walker is pinned down to the rolled car but is still thirsty for the three humans. As Michonne tries to accelerate the vehicle, walkers slam against the vehicle. Rick tells the two to cover their ears as he rolls down the window slightly and shoots at one. Rick and crew take care of business and slay the walkers and then look for equipment in the three cars. While Rick and Carl try to get the vehicle out of the mud, Carl asks Rick why they brought along Michonne in the first place. “We have common interests and problems, maybe we can work them out together…I didn’t want to leave her at the prison with you,” he explained. The man from before runs down and yells at them for help. Rick and Carl get in the car and take off, leaving the man behind….

Rick, Michonne, and Carl stumble upon an abandoned town. They go through a jail at Rick’s Police Department, hoping to find a full gun safe but have no success. Michonne asks if there are other police stations. Rick said there wasn’t any and it wasn’t a big town but they still can look around at bars, shops and other places Rick know people had permits. Rick asks Michonne if she has a problem with it. “No Rick, I don’t have a problem,” she replies as she hands him a round.  They walk past a wall that has graffiti written on it that says “away with you” and they discover burnt, charred bodies inside. They follow arrows set on the sidewalk. They come across an area where there’s spikes sticking out, rat cages set up, and signs set up barricaded by cars. “It looks like someone’s already made it theirs,” Michonne remarks. Rick said to just get in and get out. They go under ropes and strings. Rick points out a gun store. A walker sneaks up behind them but they wait until a trap is set up. A mysterious man shoots at it from on top of a building. He demands that Rick and crew drop their weapons and counts down to ten. At “seven”, Rick pulls out his gun as Carl and Michonne take cover. The shooter hides and Michonne is on top of the building, unsuccessfully finding him. The shooter sneaks from the first level and shoots at Rick. He’s approaching a barrel Rick is hiding under but Carl shoots the mystery shooter. Rick told Carl that he wanted him to run for the car but Carl said he had to stay. The man is wearing body armor so he’s alive but the impact knocked him out. Michonne asks if they should care about the man’s well being. Rick unhooks the man’s helmet to discover it’s Morgan, the man who saved his life right after Rick woke up from his coma and discovered the apocalypse had occurred…..

Rick and the two try to enter the building Morgan is in but it’s set up by spikes and booby traps. Michonne said they thought they were going to go in and get out but Rick said that Morgan saved his life so they couldn’t leave him…or Morgan’s son….behind in the streets. Meanwhile, Carl is on guard over Morgan’s body, pointing a gun at him. Rick sees a Welcome mat is set up as a trap. As they try to lift Morgan up the steps, they come across a sheet that says “not shitting you” and barely miss a string. They step over it. They discover a bloody axe is attached to it. Rick tells Carl to watch the wire. They go in his room full of weapons and grenades from the police department and more. They lay Morgan down on a bed. Carl and Michonne began stocking up on ammo and guns. Rick takes notice of the strange writings on the board, especially as the word “CLEAR” showed up more than once. As Rick tries to take the guns, he notices the walkie talkie that he gave Morgan. He also notices two words written in front of him “DUANE TURNED”. Rick tells the two to not take the weapons and go. They are going to wait for him to wake up to see if he’s okay.

Michonne argues that they nearly killed him and didn’t leave him to the walkers so he had a good day and that they needed the guns more. “The axe, the spikes, the walls, Rick?” Michonne remarked. “I think he’s dangerous…he wasn’t like this then.” Rick is firm on his stand of waiting for Morgan to wake up. Rick then ties up Morgan’s wrists together. Carl notices a layout of the town on the board…and notices that “Rick’s house” is burnt out as well as few houses on the block. Rick asked Carl if that’s why he wanted to join…Carl said he just wanted to come. Carl wants to go on a run around the corner to pick up a crib for Judith. Michonne says she will help. Rick agrees to it and says to yell if there’s trouble. Carl and Michonne go walking through the town. Carl mentions to Michonne he doesn’t need his help. Yet a walker shows up and Michonne takes care of it. She notices Carl tries to sneak around the corner. Michonne catches up and asks him what he’s up to. Michonne mentions he passed the baby store. Carl said he wants to get Judith something else first. Michonne follows Carl.

Rick sits down next to Morgan and tells him he’s sorry for what happened. Morgan is awake, grabs a knife connected to the bed and cuts loose the ties. Rick checks out a rifle Morgan has. Morgan charges towards Rick but Rick hits him with the rifle. “YOU’RE WEARING DEAD PEOPLE’S FACES!” Morgan yells. “Remember me, do you know who I am? You do know me!” Rick yells as he slams Morgan on a wall. Morgan tries to stab Rick in the heart, yelling he turned. Rick sticks the knife into his shoulder, slams Morgan’s head against the knife handle and gets up the point the gun at Morgan: “you crazy son-of-a-bitch, you helped me!” Rick yelled. Morgan submits and cries: “please kill me….”

As walkers crawl outside and get trapped in the spikes, Rick bandages up his wound as Morgan begs Rick to kill him. “Just….kill….me….” he pleads. “You found me and fed me, you told me what’s happening, you saved me!” Rick said. “My name is Rick Grimes, do you know me? I gave you this….turn it on everyday at dawn so you could find me,” Rick explained as he showed the walkie talkie to Morgan. A light bulb lights up in Morgan’s head; “I know you, Rick, I do know you!” Morgan exclaims, “you said you turned yours on at dawn….I woke up to it….on the move every day, every week, me and my boy for weeks. Then we just…heard nothing but static…you were never there! YOU SAID YOU WERE TURN YOUR RADIO ON EVERY DAWN AND YOU WERE NOT THERE!” Morgan yelled. Rick explained how he tried but kept getting pushed further out, how he found his wife, his son and people and how he had to get pushed out deeper into the country. Morgan kicks the radio at him and says to have it back. “Did she….did your wife turn?” Morgan asked. Rick said she died. “So you didn’t have to see that then?...of course not…” Morgan muttered. “Not like me, not like my wife…you remembered what happened to her? You remembered what she was?” Morgan mentioned Rick gave him a gun and that “he tried”. Morgan explains how Rick gave Morgan the gun so he could shoot his wife. Morgan explained how he was checking into a cellar for food and he left Duane upstairs. He walks up from the cellar to see Duane pointing a gun at his walker mother. Duane couldn’t do it so his mother got him. “I’ve seen red, red, ALL I SEE IS RED!” Morgan yelled. Morgan said he was selfish by not shooting his wife. Morgan asks Rick if Carl died. Rick said no. Morgan says he will soon because “the good people died and the meek inherit the earth”.

Carl and Michonne approach a restaurant and Carl takes a peek inside, seeing walker patrons sitting at the tables and bars. Carl tries to open the door but Michonne isn’t having it. “Think I was going to let you in there?” she asks. “You don’t know me, you don’t know my dad, you came here for ‘common interests’” Carl shoots back. “We have the same enemy and problem and that’s it! This is important and I’m going to do this and you can’t stop me!” Carl continues on. Michonne tells him she can’t stop him but he can’t stop her from helping him. Michonne opens the door and rolls in skateboards with rat cages in them. The walkers all swarm around the cages. Carl and Michonne sneak around to the side of the restaurant over to the back while the walkers are distracted. They don’t notice that there’s a bartender walker near them. Carl climbs on top of the bar to retrieve a photo. The walker grabs Carl’s leg. Michonne stabs him. The walkers still are distracted by the rats. Michonne and Carl try to sneak back but a rat has been on the loose. The walkers storm after the side and walker chefs come out form the kitchen. Michonne and Carl run to the other side of the restaurant and escape. Carl is frustrated that he dropped the picture and wants to go back in. But Michonne tells him to wait outside the double doors of the restaurant. Michonne sneaks around back in the restaurant for a few moments and comes back, giving Carl a picture frame of Rick, Lori and Carl at the restaurant. “I just thought Judith should know what her mom looked like…thank you….” Carl exclaimed. Michonne mentioned she wanted to go back in anyways to retrieve a gorgeous, multi-colored cat sculpture. Michonne and Carl walk back to Rick, satisfied with their loot.

Rick tells Morgan he’s not going to kill him. “I think you’re supposed to come back with us!” Rick said. Morgan joked that he tried to shoot Rick and stab him so he was generous on his offer. Rick said that them not killing each other was a sign. Rick mentioned the prison and that Morgan can go back with them. Morgan asks Rick if that’s where Lori died. Rick said yes. Morgan tells Rick to just go. “Look, the fences keep the walkers out and you can heal…” Rick says to Morgan. “You’ve taken a lot of guns Rick,” Morgan remarked. “Why do you need the guns? Because if you got something good, then someone wants to take it!” Rick mentions that they can win and Morgan can help. “You guys can get killed by teeth or bullets and that can happen to you but that’s not something I’m going to see again!” Rick tries to convince Morgan that they can still work together and that Morgan can come back from his struggles. “This can’t be it…it can’t be…you gotta be able to come back from this,” Rick tells Morgan. But Morgan refuses: “I have to clear…” he remarks. “That’s why I didn’t die today. That’s the sign…I have to. I have to clear.” Rick finally acknowledges Morgan’s stance and gathers his equipment collected.

At the edge of town, Rick is gathering his bags as Morgan straps on a walker’s body to a rolling bed. Michonne and Carl walk back carrying a crib. They start walking away as they see Morgan strap more walker bodies together. “He’s okay?” Michonne asks. “No, he’s not,” Rick replies. Carl calls out to Morgan. “I had to shoot you. You know I had to, right? I’m sorry,” Carl says. “Hey son!” Morgan calls out. “Don’t ever be sorry…” and goes back to collecting walker bodies. The three walk away solemnly and pack their bags in the trunk of the car. “Everything okay with her?” Rick asks Carl about Michonne. “She might be one of us,” Carl says. “Everything went okay.” Rick seems satisfied to hear this. Michonne walks up to Rick and talks to him. “You see something?” she asks. “I know you see things, people….I used to talk to my dead boyfriend..it happens.” She explains. Rick asks Michonne to drive so he can see things. The three drive away from Rick’s old town. They pass the building with charred bodies and notice that Morgan is there, dumping the fresh walker bodies there. They pass through the accident scene, the accident scene. They notice trails of blood and the hitchhiker’s torn and bloodied body….and his backpack. They stop, pull back and retrieve it and drive on back to the prison.

Janes Notes: For an episode with not a whole lot of walker slaying involved or Daryl Dixon, I think this is one of the best episodes of the season, hands down. First things first: the hitchhiker.

I actually talked about this to MM briefly and she mentioned it was very foul they left the poor guy behind. It was interesting because my first reaction was “decoy” of the Governor, since Merle warned the group to keep a lookout for scouts. I've been browsing some of the comments left about the episode and seems like viewers are divided on it with their own theories. The scouts could’ve been hiding the woods and using the hitchhiker as bait. Or the hitchhiker was a lone survivor desperate for a helping hand. Whether the hitchhiker was a decoy or not, we’ll never know but this has shown Rick’s character development. Anytime he’d tried to take people in since it is his duty as an officer, it would be a “dis-as-tuh!” (copyright Big Ang). Since this was such an important trip for Rick to go back to his hometown with Carl with him, he didn’t want to take the chance. Not after how vulnerable the prison had become. 

Let's talk about Morgan. I don't know about you guys but this episode felt very nostalgic, to say the least. I really didn't predict that Morgan would be back, I figured by season 1, him and his son either turned or they sought refuge somewhere else. NEVER did I predict he'd turn the town into a holding fort the way he did. The actor who plays him is a damn fine actor too! I really like how Rick respected his decision in letting him go in the end. It was almost symbolic. Rick still has fight in him because he now has two kids to live for, as well as others relying on him....but Morgan has nothing left. He doesn't want anymore pain, heartache or attachment but he figures his duty is to clear the rest of the world the walkers so no there is no more hurt. 

As for Michonne....GOD, I love this woman! Seriously, she had become one of my "she-roes". She just doesn't give a sh*t who she pisses off and is a straight shooter or straight stabber. She doesn't rely on anyone but herself but she will also help someone if needed. She does have heart and I think we're seeing more and more of it as the season goes on. I think she and Rick will connect but I don't think it will be in a romantic way; I think it will be more in a way like Daryl and Carol. 

What did you guys think of this episode? 

Picture Credit: AMC 
Follow me on Twitter @janespringfield or on my blog 

Rick Grimes & The Colt Python – An Ideal Zombie Gun?

I recently received an email from a gentleman named Anthony who works at a gun store out in Tennessee called Lucky Gunners to inform me that their blog recently did a piece on Rick Grimes’ weapon of choice, the classic .357 Magnum Colt Python. I was excited that they messaged me because I'm a total gun enthusiast as well as a TWD fan. I can say from first-hand experience that these bad boys pack a major punch! For a TV show set in modern times, wouldn’t Deputy Grimes carry something more along the standards of a Glock or a Sig Sauer? However, the .357 Magnum is an iconic firearm piece used by icons like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood you feeling lucky punk? Lucky Gunners did a fascinating article piece not just on the Colt but also the pros....and cons....of using such a fine firearm during a zombie apocalypse. - Jane 

I was wrong.

The first time I saw Rick Grimes with his old-fashioned Colt Python on AMC’s “The Walking Dead”, my first thought was, “Great, another show with lots of guns written by people who don’t know the first thing about guns”. While subsequent episodes have not changed my mind on that specific point, as the plot has unfolded, I’ve questioned my initial assumption that Grimes’ signature revolver is an ignorant and impractical choice of weapon. If you have a short attention span like me and you want to get the history and technical part over with, here’s a quick summary of the Colt Python’s background and capabilities:

What follows is a summary of the history, factors, and circumstances that changed my mind.  For many shooting enthusiasts, I know this is a hard sell, but bear with me and let us know if you change your mind, too. For those of you who already “get it”, well… you were a few steps ahead of me.

Initial Skepticism

Remember, it’s a Television Show

Like most firearms enthusiasts, I frequently find myself resisting the urge to yell at the screen any time a movie or TV show commits some kind of gun-related “mistake”. I definitely had that urge when I saw the pilot episode of “The Walking Dead”. There’s our hero, Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes, joining his fellow officers to try and apprehend a couple of criminals in an intense standoff. The other cops are wielding heavy-hitting 12 gauge shotguns and period-correct Glock pistols, both currently among the most common law enforcement firearms in the United States.

Then, Rick draws his gun to join them and what does he have? A beautiful six inch stainless steel .357 magnum Colt Python.

After I spent about half a second ogling the sleek lines on this timeless classic, I reverted to ravenous shouting gun-fanboy mode and spat off a dozen reasons why that character should not and would not be carrying that particular firearm. Not only did cops stop carrying revolvers back in the 90′s, but who brings a six-shot antique with them to fight off the countless shambling hordes of undead?

Don’t worry, I’ve had a couple of seasons to get over it. If you can look past the obvious anachronism, the Python is, symbolically, a fitting weapon for our protagonist. It’s large and intimidating and makes a powerful statement. The expertise with which Rick handles the large gun shows that he is in complete control.

The revolver’s tradition and history make it a nearly perfect fit for Rick Grimes’ persona.

“Rick is John Wayne writ modern. His trusty hand cannon of a Colt – along with his gold star, big ol’ hat, and grim determination to do what’s necessary over what’s good – make him the 21st Century Duke. Rick picks up any number of different weapons over the course of his zombie killing career, but, like every classic Western hero, will always go back to his revolver,” Alex Brown, writer and reviewer of “The Walking Dead” for Tor.com said.

Despite his occasional emotional volatility and quest to cling to some kind of morality in a devastated new world, Rick’s symbol of leadership is still embodied in his larger-than-life sidearm. The short time that he doesn’t have it by his side is when he loans it to Otis; a time when Rick was absent as a leader, focused on his dying child. In early episodes, Rick is still getting his bearings and in many cases shows a desire to cling to a now outdated model of civilization.

His old-fashioned six shooter reminds us that Rick is at risk of becoming an obsolete relic of a bygone era. But Rick adapts, and his Colt remains his weapon of choice. At the end of the show’s second season, Rick gives his famous “this is not a democracy” speech, the Python at his side reinforcing that he’s still the man in charge.

The Colt Python Stands the Test of Time

Top of the line when introduced; Today, a collector’s item

This vintage advertisement run during the Colt’s introduction to shooters in 1955. (Image Courtesy: Colt)

The Python makes a great symbol, but for folks like me and my gun nerd pals, that fact by itself is just not gonna cut it. A wheel gun is still a sub-optimal choice for the apocalypse, so why am I willing to forgive the show for equipping its hero so poorly? Because the Colt Python is just plain awesome, and here is why:

The Python was first introduced in the mid-1950′s; a time when revolvers were king in the US handgun market, and the Python was developed to become the king of the revolvers. With each gun being hand-fitted by expert craftsmen at Colt, the new revolver was made to be a “premium-grade” target pistol.  It was an instant hit with citizens looking for a self-defense gun, and more important for its long-term success, cops loved it too.

The four and six inch barreled versions of the Python could soon be found in the holsters of police officers all over the country. The high price tag meant few police departments placed contract purchases for their whole force, but many officers carried their personally-owned Pythons on duty; a status symbol to mark a lawman with more sophisticated taste than the average beat-walker.

Colt also produced an eight inch barreled version of the Python that was specifically designed with hunters in mind, and shorter 2.5 and three inch models for easier concealed carry for plainclothes cops and permit-holding civilians. In the latter decades of the 20th century, America’s police force traded in their revolvers for semi-automatics that could hold three times as much ammo before reloading. Revolver sales steadily declined and by 1999, Colt stopped regular production of the Python.

Still highly regarded today, Pythons command a premium on the used market, and are prized by both collectors and serious shooters. Colt priced the Python around $125 in 1955. In today’s dollars, that’s about an $1,100 investment, making it tough on the wallet to begin with. But the last few years have seen an increase in prices on the secondary market and a used Python will run you anywhere from $1,500 for a well-used model, up to $6,000 for some of the more scarce variants.

The Python’s Mystique

To shoot the Python is to love it

The Colt Python .357 magnum revolver. (Image Courtesy: Steve Z/Flickr.com; some rights reserved).

The revolver was highly revered in its day and in many ways still is. But what makes the Python so great? Companies like Smith and Wesson and Ruger also made excellent revolvers in the same time period, many of which are still in production today and have their own loyal following. But listen to a fan of Pythons and they talk as if firing it is a transcendental spiritual experience.

Even Andrew Lincoln, the actor who portrays Rick Grimes, has a genuine appreciation for the Python. In an online Q&A with AMC, he said of the Python,

“I love my cannon… The Colt Python is like a Rolex: It will never fail you… It’s become part of my body. I had to wrestle with the props department when they took it back the last time.”

See what I mean? It sounds like the man has a romantic– maybe even religious relationship with the Python, and he doesn’t even get to fire live ammo. Handgun experts echo this kind of praise. Colt historian and author RL Wilson described the Colt Python as “the Rolls-Royce of Colt revolvers”.

According to popular opinion, there are a few characteristics of the Python that have lead to its mythical status in the world of firearms. Beyond the previously-mentioned high standard of craftsmanship, there is the caliber of ammo the Python fires: .357 magnum.

Ever since it was introduced in the 1930s, American shooters have had a love affair with the .357 magnum. There have been several larger and more powerful handgun cartridges available for many years, but .357 revolvers boast a superior balance of effectiveness, size, and controllability. All revolvers chambered in this cartridge also have the added benefit of being able to fire the weaker .38 special ammo. With significantly less recoil and lower cost, .38s are great for practice, and they aren’t half-bad for self-defense either. This adds a huge practical advantage for .357 revolvers that most other guns do not share.

But there are dozens of .357 magnum revolvers on the market; even a few whose fit and finish rivals that of the Python. The secret to the Python’s success is one that can only be appreciated by actually firing it. Any revolver shooter will tell you that of all the characteristics that distinguish a good revolver from a great one, the trigger is the most significant. A stiff, heavy, or gritty-feeling trigger will ruin an otherwise perfect revolver.

The Colt’s trigger is not only smooth, but light too, so that it requires minimal pressure from the finger to fire. This means the gun is more likely to stay on target and it’s easier to hit what you’re aiming at. The late Col. Jeff Cooper, another notable fan of the Python and grandfather of modern handgun technique, had this to say about the Python’s operation:

“Its single action release is usually superb, combining with its weight and fine sights to provide excellent controllability. The Python is expensive, and it should be.”

Other Famous Characters

Before Rick Grimes and “The Walking Dead” on Television

Rick Grimes, the protaganist in the hit AMC show The Walking Dead, stares down the barrel of a Colt Python during an episode in the show’s second season. (Image Courtesy: AMC)

The Colt Python has been showcased in film and on television before but maybe never in as bright a light as what “The Walking Dead” offers.

Denzel Washington was nominated for a Golden Globe while carrying the Python in the 2007 movie “American Gangster”, it has been featured in numerous blockbuster video games like “Resident Evil”, “Call of Duty”, and “Counter Strike”, and is a common star on television programs like “CSI: New York”, “Chappelle’s Show”, and “Starsky and Hutch”, according to the Internet Movie Firearms Database.

The iconic appearance of the Python makes it a media darling in addition to its superb real-world performance.

Colt Python Performance

Disadvantages in a Walking Dead situation

Even with its mythic status and superior handling characteristics, the Python still has several disadvantages for someone in Rick Grimes situation. But those shortcomings may be offset by a few less obvious advantages. The most apparent problem with revolvers is their low ammo capacity. Not only are you limited to six rounds with the Python, but it takes much longer to reload than a magazine-fed semi-automatic. When facing an encroaching pack of hungry undead, that’s a pretty significant problem. For purists or fans of The Walking Dead comic book series, the reloading process for a revolver would be particularly difficult for Grimes. The deputy sheriff loses his right hand in Issue #28.

Grimes, at the bottom of the image, loses his hand as part of the comic book series. Whether he’ll pay the same price in the television series is yet to be known. (Image Courtesy: Walkingdead.wikia.com)

The Python is built slightly differently than most revolvers. Internally, the Colt is much more complex, which is both a burden and blessing. The complexity leads to improved performance, fantastic when facing a life-or-death situation. However, the Colt is one of the worst revolvers to own when it comes to the accessibility of spare parts. The complicated mechanics of the firearm can be more susceptible to problems than simpler and more rugged revolver designs. Certainly in an apocalyptic situation, spare components would be tough to come by and the expertise of an experienced gunsmith would also be a rare find.

Revolvers generally require very little cleaning and lubrication compared to other options, but if you neglect regular maintenance for too long, the results can be catastrophic. If you’re shooting a semi-automatic pistol and something goes wrong, you have a good chance of being able to clear the failure in a matter of seconds. Some types of problems are easily cleared in a revolver too. But if, for example, you’ve been too busy burying your dead-undead-former best friend to clean your guns, the next time you go to blast a couple of walkers, your revolver’s cylinder might lock up due to powder fouling, and you’re going to need time and tools to get it up and firing again. For someone that puts himself in situations like Rick Grimes, any malfunction could mean death, or zombification.

The Python, like many revolvers, typically does not require as much cleaning and lubrication as pistols. (Image Courtesy: Steve Z/Flickr.com; some rights reserved)

Advantages

But let’s give Rick the benefit of the doubt and assume for a moment that he’s an absolute prodigy with the Colt Python. Perhaps he rarely misses and can reload with unlikely-but-still-humanly-possible Jerry Miculek-like speed. The low ammo capacity is still a problem, but certainly less-so when the revolver is in the hands of an expert. When you consider that the combo of the .357 magnum cartridge and the Python’s six-inch barrel gives the revolver an effective range and practical accuracy that approaches twice what you’d get out of the average 9mm pistol, the revolver begins to look like an attractive option for keeping walkers at bay. A semi-automatic rifle with a 30+ round magazine would be the best choice for survival, and a modern semi-automatic pistol provides the most rounds in the smallest package. But Rick’s Python is more portable than a rifle and more deadly at long range than the pistols and shotguns the other characters use.

Also consider the versatility of ammunition, especially in times of survival, when ammo is a hot commodity and the ability to fire anything is vital. Assuming Rick has both .357 ammo and .38 special ammo, he can adapt the gun to different situations. For picking off walkers at long-range, the magnums are ideal. When he’s expecting a close-range threat, .38s will do just fine. If stealth is required, again, .38′s provide an advantage because they make a little less noise, and if Rick has to fire, he can reduce the risk of alerting more walkers, or anyone else nearby.

Despite the availability of more modern firearms, the Python turns out to be not such a bad choice for hunting the undead.

Ultimately, a good signature weapon is more than a practical tool for the hero. It helps to define him. Whether it’s James Bonds’ sleek and sexy Walther PPK, or Dirty Harry’s “take-no-prisoner’s” .44 magnum, the notable weapons wielded by our favorite heroes help to tell their story. Over time, I think Rick Grimes’ Colt Python will become as much an icon as these other classics and they will be remembered as the man and the gun that survived the end of the world.

Normally, Lucky Gunner Labs is a place for rigorous and exhaustive testing, unique product reviews, how-to guides, and data sharing. Well, this time, they made the mistake of letting mewrite a post. I hope you guys enjoyed it and I hope they let me come back!

So, what do you think? Is the Colt Python a good fit for Rick Grimes or should he be wielding a different weapon? Sound off in the comments!

-Chris (Lucky Gunners) 

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"The Walking Dead: Killer Inside" EP Recap

The story opens up with a mystery man dragging a deer carcass across the prison yards. The carcass finds its way in the prison yard where two walkers feast on it. Another carcass hanging grabs its attention. While the walkers enjoy their feast, the mystery man walks away with a hatchet, cuts open a gate and leaves a heart behind as bait.

Meanwhile, Rick, T-Dog, Daryl and Carol are outside the prison gates and are talking about using the vehicles. They call for Glenn and Maggie at the guard tower, who look like they were relieving some stress. Axel and Oscar walk out from the prison, much to the crew’s shock. The duo plead their case to Rick: “You gotta understand, we can’t live in that place for another minute with the blood and brains,” Axel explains. Rick stands his ground and says to either live in the cell block or leave the prison, as part of their deal. Oscar disagrees and states “they are no better pricks than the ones that shot up our boys. These were good guys who had our backs….I may not be a saint but were not like them.” Oscar and Axel accept that they have done things that have landed them in prison but felt they paid their dues to society. Rick looks at Daryl. Daryl shakes his head, indicating no. Daryl locks them back in. But T-Dog suggests that they should give the two prisoners a chance.“You want to go back to sleep with one eye open?” Rick said to T-Dog. T-Dog said it wouldn’t be any different then the way he sleeps now. Daryl throws in his two cents: “I grew up with guys like this…they are degenerate but not psychos. Let them take their chances on the road just like we did”. Rick tells the crew his first arrest about a 19-year-old male who stabbed his girlfriend. Rick explained that the boy was so "emotionally distraught" that the jury believed his sincerity and acquitted his case due to insufficient evidence. Two weeks later, the boy shot another girl. So Rick learning to trust the prisoners are as likely to happen as pigs flying.

Back in Woodsbury, Michonne walks around the military trucks and tanks to investigates. She takes note at the alarming amount of bullet holes in the tanks and trucks. She climbs on top of a tank and she finds a severed finger. She climbs down and is bumps into the Governor. “Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” the Governor explains. He suggests that his own group can use a soldier like Michonne. But Michonne has her doubts. She begins to question how the soldiers died within the apocalypse; “Even the Nat’l Guard was overrun,” Michonne noted: “You think one soldier would’ve drove away, against something so slow (the walkers)” The Governor would assured Michonne that the soldiers are trained to never leave anyone behind. She brings up the bullet holes; “you think biters know how to use weapons?” Michonne tells him it’s too bad about what happened to Welles (the pilot) and asks why there wasn’t some kind of service/memorial funereal. The Governor explained how he was shot in the head and the body was cremated. Michonne walks away, keeping further questions to herself.

Back at the prison, the group’s plans are to take the vehicles and to get supplies. Axel compliments Daryl’s bike and suggests he could fix it. Daryl drives off, warning him to not even touch it. Inside the prison, Carl is sitting on the stairs while Lori and Beth bring back crutches to Hershel’s cell bed. Hershel gets up and sits on the bed. Hershel is determined to get on his crutches and can’t stand a minute of being in the bunk. He suggests they go for a slight stroll.

In Woodsbury, Michonne and Andrea plan on escaping and Michonne suggests going to the coast and to take a boat to the island. Andrea questions what would happen if the coast wasn’t safe and even if it was, would they live alone the rest of their lives? Michonne still insists on leaving Woodsbury. 

Glenn, Daryl and Rick running to the rescue

Back at the prison, Glenn gives the Axel and Oscar a week’s worth of food. Glenn tells them to sit tight. Carol locks up the gates and gets in the car. Glenn, Rick and Daryl go outside the prison gates to hunt for more walkers, to get rid of the bodies and to also get wood. Lori, Carl, Beth and Hershel take a stroll outside the prison yard from C-Unit. Carl jokes to go on a race with Hershel. The whole crew is ecstatic to see Hershel finally being able to walk and be in good spirits. But the good moments were cut short when a group of walkers sneaks up behind Lori, Hershel and the rest. Daryl and Rick race to the men and women to save them. Hershel knocks out a walker with his crutch as he and Beth lock themselves out from the walkers for safety. Lori, Carl and Carol go on a shooting spree against the walkers. Lori, Carl and Maggie goes inside one part of the prison while Carol is still out. The women and Carl are being chased by walkers but find a hidden room to lock themselves in. Outside, the men catch up and T-Dog catches up to Carol to aid her. Sadly, he is bitten by a walker and yells at a distraught Carol to go inside the jail. She follows his orders and goes inside.

Back at Woodsbury, Andrea hands Merle a marked map: “I marked the area where the farm was”. Andrea shows him where she was at when she was separated by the group. Obviously impressed with her, Meryl asks the question every girl wants to hear: “How come we never hooked up?” Andrea replies with “you called me a whore”. Merle asks her why she didn’t join the group when the farmhouse was invaded. It then clicks in his head that she was left behind. “We got left behind by the same people and saved by another.” Andrea asks Merle if he thought about leaving Woodsbury; “Lemme put it this way,” he explains, “I wasn’t in the best shape when he found me. He should’ve kept going. So yeah, he’s a good man.”

Back in the prison yard, Glenn, Rick and Daryl go on a zombie hunt. But then, the prison alarm rings. The men accuse Axel and Oscar of ringing it but they explain how the alarm system in the prison works and it was caused by the generator. Meanwhile, T-dog and Carol are in the hallway with Lori, Maggie and Carl trying to secure the hallways they were in. To make things much better, Lori then feels an intense pain and her water breaks. A group of walkers trail behind them and Maggie picks up Lori, determined to get her to safety while Carl leads the way. He finds a hidden door for the women and the rest to be safe in.

We go on over the Woodsbury where Merle is meeting with the Governor. Merle suggests taking en named Tim and Martinez and Andrea on a scouting mission to see if Daryl is alive. “She told me where I can find that farmhouse they are holed up in,” he explains to the Governer.  The governor suggests that they can be anywhere and also says it’s a risky mission because Merle is a valued member of Woodsbury and the town can’t afford losing him. But he tells Merle that if he gets more concrete information about Daryl and his possible whereabouts, he would go out and join Merle himself.

Back in the now chaotic prison, the alarm is still ringing and Rick is calling on Lori and Carl while Glenn and Daryl, Oscar and Axel are behind them, walkers trailing after them. They all rush to the generator room with Daryl holding down the door to prevent the walkers from coming in. Back in the “safe room”, Lori is trying to push out the baby and Maggie tells her to let the body do the work. Lori is holding tight unto a pipe as blood is coming down her hand.

At another part of the prison, Carol and T-Dog run into a group of walkers and are now running the other way. But T-Dog knows that his time is running out and decides to run into a group of walkers to take them out so Carol can leave. Carol is heartbroken to see another member of the group perish but she escapes. 

Andrea and the Governor having a talk

We go back to Woodsbury where Andrea meets with the Governor. He tells her he’s sorry to see the two leave. Andrea tells the Governor of Michonne’s plans to go to the coast.  The Governor asks what Andrea thinks of it all. Andrea and the Governor then talk about their personal losses in the wake of the apocalypse; Andrea having lost her parents and sister and the Governor losing his wife and family. The Governor also mentions how he lost his lifestyle as the breadwinner of the family. Andrea says she has to go and she appreciates the way the Governor has taken care of them. “Remember, if it gets tough out there, you’re always welcomed here,” the Governor tells Andrea. “Thank you, Governor,” Andrea responds. “Phillip,” The Governor responds to Andrea’s surprise. She asks why he told her his name. “Someone once told me never say never,” he smirks.

So let’s go back to the men in the generator room. Rick investigates the generators while Daryl holds off the door. But dog doo-doo hits the fan when an unexpected Andrew jumps out at Rick with a hatchet, preparing to kill Rick for revenge. Rick’s gun drops during the fight. Knowing Rick is in danger, Daryl finally lets go of the door to slay some walkers and shut the door again. Oscar jumps in and throws a trash barrel at Andrew, knocking Andrew down. Both Rick and Andrew get back up, with Rick’s gun pointed at Rick. Oscar then shoots Andrew and gives the gun back to Rick. Rick finally shuts off the generators and the alarm stops. During this time, Lori is finally lying down with Maggie and Carl aiding her. Lori knows she is losing her baby and she tells Maggie that she needs to cut her open to deliver the baby. Maggie says she can't but Lori demands it, saying she can't lose her baby.

In Woodsbury, Michonne and Andrea are arguing about staying a day later. Andrea says that staying a day later won’t hurt but Michonne isn’t having any of it (hasn’t Andrea learned this about Michonne by now after being with her for 8 months?) 

Faced with an unspeakable decision

Back in the “safe room”, Maggie sees Lori’s C-Section scar, where Lori suggests she cut. “Carl, baby don’t be scared,” Lori said, consoling a shaken Carl. “You can survive in this world....always do what is right. If it feels wrong, don’t do it…you’re such a good boy….” She advises to Carl. Carl and Lori embrace for the last time. Maggie finally cuts Lori open, sending her into extreme shock and delivers the baby. Maggie cuts the umbilical cord and rubs the baby, finally hearing the baby’s cry.  

Rick, Glenn and Daryl investigate the hallway to discover T-Dog’s remains being eaten by walkers. Them men kills the walkers. Daryl finds Carol’s bandana, much to his dismay. The men go out and meet up with Hershel and Beth, who are safe. Hershel asks about T-Dog and Carol. Daryl exclaims they’re gone. When Hershel asks about Lori, a baby’s cry rings out the yard. Maggie and Carl come out with the baby in Maggie’s arms. When Rick asks where’s Lori, Maggie and Carl both don’t say a word but their expression speaks for themselves. Rick, the strong leader of the group whose endured others’ losses, death and despair, finally breaks down when he realizes that his wife is gone for good. The group solemnly looks at a broken down Rick from a distance….

Jane's Notes: Okay...um.....wow......where do I even BEGIN to start on this? I've thinking in my head on how I was going to present this but even Chris Hardwick of "The Talking Dead" seemed shook up by the episode. Media everywhere covered about how it had to probably be one of the most heartbreaking episodes in the whole series. Okay, so now that we have that out of the way, let's break it down with some commentary;

 Let's talk about Andrea now. I think I need to ask others whether or not Andrea would have sessytimes with the Governor, which is partly why I think she wants to stay. There is a lot of safety and comfort in Woodsbury but also, she needs to be reminded that Michonne could've easil let her go but had saved her butt for 8 months straight so the fact that Andrea begins to question Michonne makes me go; 

Now about T-Dogg...I was NOT expecting that! I think all of California heard me cry "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO" as I literally had my hands on my head. T-Dogg was always a good guy and if he was to be killed off, he was killed off as heroic as his character was. He knew he wasn't going to last after being bit and probably didn't want to suffer anymore so he used his final minutes to save Carol (who has grown on me). I heart T-Dogg ALOT and am sad to see him get killed off :( 

Now onto Lori...oh dear, where to begin. I really have no words so I'll let my tweet speak for itself; 

Along with; 

RealityTVgifs

 ...and maybe a case of....

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I'll be upfront; Lori was probably my least favorite character from her shenanigans with Shane, to her being objective to Rick's plans of survival and also the way she handled her pregnancy. I was MAD that after complaining about not wanting to be pregnant and bringing a baby in the world, she decides last minute to risk her life for the baby and put Carl in a serious predictament.

The group has had it's share of losses throughout the whole series from Andrea's sister to Hershel's wife. But Lori and T-Dog have been there since the first season so to see them killed off in ONE episode was a major blow of epic porportions to the group. 

So what do you think will happen to the group now? 

I (personally) predict that Rick is going to absolutely lose his damn mind. I think it's time for Hershel, although injured, to step up and take over Rick's position of leadership, at least for awhile. The group has been shook up before but I think with Lori's death, it's going to shake it to the core to the point that I think either the group will take on a new leader, possibly welcome the prisoners and/or even go as far as to disban. It's a good thing that Rick still has Daryl, Hershel and Glenn because they have made it so far and provide a good foundation for the group's backbone. Maggie won't leave Glenn and her family, Beth won't leave Hershel and Carol will lean on Daryl. They have all come to rely on one another...but Rick? Not sure at this point how deep his core of leadership will be shocked to the point where he'll pull a Shane and just become erratic. Hopefully, Rick will realize he still has his kids to live for and will stay united with the group...also, does anyone think that the baby will end up being Shane and looking like him? 

(Keep in mind, I've never read the comic so my predictions are solely based on the TV show) 

Picture Credit: AMC, Comic Book Movies, Huffington Post

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