It’s funny to watch T-Dog’s fever soaked rant about being the only black man in a group of Southerners and how little he’s contributing because the writers seem to be going somewhere with this. Mid-way when the changing of the guard drastically transforms the second half of season two, there seems to be a hint at something going on with T-Dog.
We just don’t know what, yet. We know that T Dog is kind of an outcast, and definitely the only African American in the group. So what was going on here?
Perhaps he’d prove himself to be a more valuable member. Or perhaps he’d walk away from the group like the Morales’ from season one. While the rant he gives to Dale is interesting, it just never really goes anywhere. I have a feeling Darabont had something planned with T-Dog that we never saw come to light, and it’s a shame. I wonder if T-Dog was perhaps an antagonist in the making? Who knows?
Maybe he’d have turned coat like Shane somewhere down the line. “Bloodletting” is a damn good follow up to the season two premiere, save for some caveats here and there. This episode focuses very little on what T Dog had planned, and on the damage that ensues when Carl is shot. This is where we get to finally meet Hershel Greene, and suffice it to say it’s quite a great introduction to the series.
As many comic book fans know, Hershel Greene plays a very important role as does Maggie Greene, both of whom get their spotlights in this episode. Lauren Cohan and Scott Wilson are just two in a series of perfect casting, and they’re very crucial to the survival of the group in season two by a mile. Watching Carl dangle from Rick’s arms is gut wrenching, but seeing Shane wipe the blood from Rick’s face is one of the best bromance moments we saw in a relationship wrought with rivalry and competition.
It’s a wonder that Rick and Shane are friends really as they mainly play rivals the whole time they’re together in season one and then for the duration of season two. But it’s nice to see Shane caring for Rick as he literally breaks down at the prospect of Lori not being aware of Carl’s accident. Scott Wilson is magnificent as Hershel and he’s the spitting image of the comic book counterpart.
There’s a lot of great in “Bloodletting,” but a lot of obnoxious moments as well. It should dawn on the group by now that Sophia is just about gone since the woods are riddled with walkers, so the speeches and search feels like its all in vein from minute one. That and just about every female in the episode are grating and annoying, save for Maggie who comes to the rescue and does a lot of fetching for Hershel.
We get it, Andrea, you want to prove yourself, just shut up about it for a few minutes. There’s nothing but passive aggression within the female circle, save for Andrea blubbering as she’s attacked by a walker mid-journey. I wish we’d see more of the comic book Andrea in this character, but hope springs eternal.
Andrea’s eagerness for fire arms comes off as forced and downright irritating, while Carols’ incessant whining even annoys the chief whiner of the group, Lori. That said, that’s all made up for thanks to the great performances by Lincoln, Bernthal, and Chandler Riggs, who is convincing in his state of immense pain with no end in sight. I cared about what was happening to Carl throughout his entire dilemma, and it’s sad to see Rick fall to pieces physically and mentally the more the clock runs out for Carl.