The Walking Dead is back in full swing, and so are it's fans. Every Sunday my social networking is bombarded with opinions related to TWD, and I don't really mind it. Lord knows I've done my share of TWD-related word vomit, especially mid-episode when Rick knifes a guy in the skull. TWD fans are passionate people. They know who they like, who they don't, and are experts on what to do in every situation presented. I have found that these people can be split into four** categories:
TEAM RICK. The good guys. People in this category know the world will be righted once again, if only everyone would shut up and listen to Rick. Though the world is in the middle of a zombie apocalypse, right and wrong still exists, and you must do the right thing. They want you to listen to your conscience and to be sympathetic towards your fellow man in this time of crisis. When the time comes, though, you may have to make some tough choices. You may not like what you have to do, but it's for the greater good. Sometimes you have to kill your best friend. Sometimes your wife cheats on you and gets pregnant by God-only-knows-who. You step up and do what needs to be done, because the world needs you.
TEAM SHANE. The rebels. People in this category are obviously living in the past since their leader died twice last season. Nevertheless, this group see flaws in Rick's good-over-evil mentality. The whole world has gone to hell and come back to eat them. What good is left? They see no potential for a happy ending, but want comfort until their end comes to find them. Everyone in the world will become a walker at some point, so why trust anyone? They see Rick as the popular guy in high school. He's hot and has everything you want. So, naturally, you idolize him while nursing your underlying jealously and diabolical plan to overthrow him. This group makes cutthroat decisions. When in doubt, kill. Take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for the white knight to come in and save you. Look out for yourself, your family, and no one else.
TEAM OUTCASTS. The hipsters. This group loves Daryl, Glenn, Carol, Andrea, and everyone else that hangs out in the background waiting to do whatever Rick tells them. They don't want to be predictable by liking anyone with a main story line and potential for an Emmy nomination, so they picked someone at random to cheer for. They're cooler than you though. Darryl and his bow and arrow make the young girls swoon, if you're Maid Marion. Oh you're Merle's biggest fan? Well he was only in three episodes of the first season and called T-Dawg the N word, but I can totally see why you love him. T-Dawg's your favorite? You're right; his one word per episode completes the series. Besides, without the outcasts, who would Rick order around? This group thinks all the characters would have been dead long ago if not for that one time their outcast yelled "Walkers!" and got the whole group to safety. Survival in a zombie apocalypse requires a group effort, and someone has to do the grunt work.
TEAM YEAH ME TOO. The uninformed. This group watches an episode from time to time and thinks they should share their opinions as well. These opinions usually take the form of "That Carl is so cute" or "Poor Lori" or "Oh my God that's so disgusting". They treat the show like a movie that ends when one episode goes off and can be followed up but doesn't have to be. They missed the barn full of walkers and Shane killing Otis and other events that make them post generally irrelevant opinions. They ask how Lori's hair is so clean and how they get more ammunition and why they don't just shoot the walkers in the head. None of these things matter, but they have the right to ask! They won't pick any other side because it's a fictional television show, so it doesn't matter if they sound like idiots.
Note: I don't say all this just to point fingers at my fellow TWD fans. I identify with one of these groups and have floated through the permeable lines between the groups on a few occasions. I just dedicated thirty minutes to an entirely fictional world that I have no contact with for three more days. I welcome your judgement with open arms.
**Anyone who likes Lori or Carl has already been deleted from my social networking because I doubt we see eye to eye on anything. Having sex with your husband's best friend on the ground in the woods and running rampant through pastures screams barner, so I will have to agree to disagree for life.
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