Week 4 Day 2: Forced to Violate Their Own Values – THE WALKING DEAD

[Sherry Miller]

Sheriff Rick Grimes is a cop sommitted to safety for families, especially children. Imagine when he wakes from a coma and discovers a world disheveled, disrupted, where nothing feels safe anymore, So when a young girl (brilliant we only see her feet under the car and her backside at first) shuffles past him wearing sweet bunny slippers and reaching for a teddy bear, he’s determined to help her. Personally, my heart skipped a beat when this unseen child picks up the teddy bear. After he calls to her and she turns around, he’s horrified to see blood on her lips and face as if she devoured something. He’s hesitant, loyal, devoted, determined, loves his son deeply and metes out justice. However, this little girl comes toward him, threatening him. He’s instantly cautious. She growls, slobbers, and comes faster and faster toward him. His own values tell him to not shoot innocents, especially children. However, this is survival so his training kicks in; he reluctantly pulls out his gun and shoots her in the head. I see the conflict in his eyes. He’s torn with emotion and fright. Scene is brilliantly built around a parking lot full of cars, devoid of people. It’s full of debris, blood, and looks trashed. Drama: He’s aware that something horrible took place here. He learns of the Zombie Apocalypse and feels it’s his duty to do something about it. The future is evident. More of this will happen and conflicts will get worse. There are more like her out there. He must act.