Season Three Ending


I'm a bit dissatisfied with the ending to season three... On the one hand, I do applaud the creators for taking really bold choices with the storyline and allowing things to escalate into new territory. On the other hand...I'm worried about the ability for the character dynamic to continue. A big point that the show makes is how the undead are id-driven, impulsive, and shed their mortal worries. A lot of the fun is Joel's meekness and caution butting heads with impetuous Sheila. If they both go rogue, I think the balance will be off.

The show was an immense amount of fun as a normal, suburban family dealing with one of its members going haywire and needing to eat human flesh. Morbid, disturbing, dramatic, and hilarious. But, basically, I'm dissatisfied with Joel's fate. This was highlighted all the more by the previous couple scenes in which Poplovic says that immortality can be achieved with the black goo. Wasn't there another way, then? They also had such already-great storyline acceleration with the Knights of Serbia, the Cult of Sheila, and the outbreak spreading - I don't think they needed to turn Joel.

Maybe they didn't. Maybe something about Mr. Ball Legs has prevented full conversion. (I also thought Joel simply being possessed by Mr. Ball Legs would have been far more interesting, anyway).

It's a show I love so much - just that last decision was...unsatisfying. Felt shark-jumpy.

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I can't say I was unsatisfied but..... I really didn't like how she immediately felt the need to bite him in order to save him. She wasn't even sure what Mr. Ball Legs did or how it would affect him. They never have asked questions about Mr. Ball Legs....what is it? what's it purpose? The only info we have is that if the zombie person dies, the ball will die too. I would think the Knights of Serbia could answer those questions. Obviously Ramona's ball did something to the landlord guy which we didn't see; she said "Oh, I didn't know you could do that?" And then nothing more came from it until Joel and we still don't know.

I'm hoping it prevents him from turning...otherwise I think the show will sink. It's not needed for both of them to have turned.

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Yeah, I almost forgot about that! They even learn what Mr. Ball Legs is actually called (the word escapes me) and they never bother to look it up in a book. I thought the last moment was going to be Joel saying "Mama" - clearly Mr. Ball Legs manipulating Joel - and that would lead into a season where Joel was fighting for control of his mind against Mr. Ball Legs. Which, to me, seemed like way more fun than just, "And now Joel's an undead," which I think is what they're going to do... I have trepidation.

I mean, even if they turn Joel, I'll still watch, I'm sure they'll make something great out of it, but I don't think the show would feel the same...

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