Season 3, Episode 5, Say the Word

July 23, 2015

NOTE: Did you notice that AMC is showing complete seasons of The Walking Dead on the next 5 Sundays in preparation for Season 6?

How do you deal with loss?

Rick is suffering big time. Several people in the group have died, including Lori. Rick responds by going on a zombie-killing rampage, taking his aggression out on the creatures who were responsible for the death of his friends and family.

Meanwhile, Michonne and Andrea debate about Woodbury. Michonne doesn’t trust the Governor, but Andrea is softening to the idea of a safe refuge. Once Michonne leaves Woodbury, Andrea has her doubts. She questions the Governor about his gory entertainment (ironic?). Andrea falls prey to his shrewd reasoning.

Woodbury parties like it’s 1999… food, drinks and kids playing in the streets. Quite a contrast to the scene at the prison.

Back at the prison Rick sits and thinks. He’s killed every aggressor… but it doesn’t seem to satisfy him. Lori is still dead.

Glenn navigates the hallways through the trail of corpses, finds Rick, and reaches out to him (about 20 minutes into the episode).

Glenn: Rick? Everybody’s worried about you. You shouldn’t be in here. Come on out. (Rick seems unresponsive. Glen continues to talk with him compassionately and cautiously.) Rick. You don’t have to do this all by yourself. Okay? Our cellblock is cleared. We’ll just close off all the doors again. Rick, why don’t you just come with me? Okay? Rick. (Rick slams Glenn against the wall, almost unaware that it’s his friend. Then he pushes Glenn out of the way and exits.)

SEASON 3, EPISODE 5 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Who is right about Woodbury: Andrea or Michonne? Explain.
Why was Andrea offended by the entertainment? Was she right?
How is that different than us watching The Walking Dead on TV?
Why did Glen reach out to Rick? Should Glenn have done that?
Why do you think Rick pushed Glenn away?

Rick is struggling to find hope in such a bleak world.

Read the following passage:

¹³And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. ¹⁴For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14)

What kind of hope does this passage offer when we lose a loved one who is a believer?
What kind of hope can believers have during tough times?
Is this a hope worth sharing with others? How can you do that?
What do we do if people resist it, like Rick resisted Glenn?
What is one way you can share the hope this week?