I always chuckle a little when people talk about the "chemistry" between two characters as if life in their ZA world is still the same as our Mayberry normalcy. Things have changed--so many things. For starters....the choices for a "mate" have been DRASTICALLY reduced. And.....what draws people to each other has probably shifted a bit. For these characters....the qualities they probably find most attractive these days are strength...and being on the same page. Rick has kids to consider, as well as an overall goal to survive....and rebuild humanity in this world. Michonne fits the bill extremely well when taking those things into consideration. She naturally clicks with Rick. She loves his kids and they her. She exudes strength....she "gets" Rick....and they have bonded over the course of some incredibly heavy sh-t for quite a while. This will draw people together like super-magnets.
The two of them didn't start out seeking each other, or seeking a mate in this world. They simply gravitated to each other. When someone understands you, is with you in your cause, and has your back, no matter what.....THAT creates a bond...creates an attraction....and creates chemistry. Oh, and.....these people are only human, with wants....needs....(desires)....and there are only so many people to chose from. In a ZA.....I'm assuming it's a bit nicer and more comforting to have a mate you connect with, at your side in your bed....than to NOT have one.
For these reasons, I totally get how they're together. It's not like a normal world, where they have so many options, and very little danger. They probably bond more in just one walk and talk about how they'll get through the week....than people going on 100 dinner/movie dates ever would. "Chemistry"? Who said they even need it? (Though, I definitely DO see an attraction and playfulness between them--th only time they ever smile or are remotely happy is when they're together). But chemistry isn't a luxury they even need. In a ZA....strength, being on the same page, having your back no matter what....is the new "chemistry".
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Sentient Meat (1509)
8 years ago
Agree with your points but I'd buy their relationship a lot more if they didn't try to shoot it like 50 Shades of Grimes. Who knows, maybe the actors are attracted to each other in real life but the way it comes across in the show feels more like forced fan service.
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abiggerboat (55)
8 years ago
I'm not sure how they (the writers and directors) could make it more subtle or drawn-out. In their world, years have passed. I'm just surprised they didn't hook up a lot sooner. In any case, the rules and rhythms are just a lot different than anything we could relate to.
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Sentient Meat (1509)
8 years ago
I just think they are bad at writing romance in general... they should take a seminar from the writers of This Is Us who are masters at exploiting formulaic romcom tropes. I don't think I've strongly shipped any couple during the course of the entire show.
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abiggerboat (55)
8 years ago
With due respect to your point....I think TWD is (and should be) worlds away from This is Us. In fact, it should be polar opposite. Relationships (I won't even call them "romances" in a ZA).....relationships in a ZA are going to be clunky and awkward (look at the first time Maggie and Glenn got it on in that drug store....they got interrupted by a walking dead guy). Relationships in a ZA are going to be haphazard, sometimes dirty and surrounded by filth...sometimes very brief (Spencer and Rosita). Sometimes they will be very one-sided, or relationships of "convenience"....(again, Spencer and Rosita). What they WON'T ever be....is romantic in the way we're used to seeing it in Rom-Coms. They don't have the luxury, (or time) for romantic courtships and traditional dating. It's down and dirty, and death is constantly looming. When you've just seen one of your best friends get beaten to death with a baseball bat, you're not going to feel very romantic for quite a while. But what you WILL be drawn to, what you WILL bond with....is someone who has your back, and is on the same page with you and your family. However.....if you really look, you'll see little grace notes of "romance". Hand holding....snuggling on the couch....playfulness....heck, maybe even the cute and clever gift of a wicker cat. :)
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Sentient Meat (1509)
8 years ago
I intentionally chose This Is Us because it's not particularly sophisticated in its approach to romance but they know how to push the buttons to make viewers feel for their characters. Asian soap operas are good at this also, they aren't very good by serious critical standards but they know how to elicit an emotional response from their audiences. I'm not expecting Richard Linklater, Eric Rohmer, Richard Curtis levels of writing from them... I'd be happy with Nicholas Sparks. I feel nothing for the Sasha/Rosita/Abraham triangle, I miss Glenn the character but his romance with Maggie was pretty incidental to me, I don't know what the fuck Daryl and Carol are but I'm not longing for them to throw themselves into each others arms. If you got the This Is Us writers to script doctor the show, you'd probably feel more for all of these relationships.
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neverstandinalone (641)
8 years ago
a biggerboat, this is exactly how I see it. Their existence is the same as men at war. Friendsips and relationships bond deeper and last longer than 'normal' relationships. Hardship draws people closer, as well as tearing them apart (those who didn't like each other to begin with).
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