Episode 816: Godspeed, Jerks

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Dave

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Zombie Cliche Lookout: Follow-Up Appointment

When it comes to surviving the zombie apocalypse, groups often need to split up to accomplish specific tasks. Perhaps there are multiple objectives that need to be done at the same time. Or maybe two things need to be done in quick succession. Regardless, the group is divided. That brings with it an inherent risk, which could be multiplied by a number of factors. Generally,  at least one group is going to be away from the safe house, which is obviously a danger multiplier. Doubly so if there are limited points of egress and ingress before and after the mission where there could be zombie pursuit. Also, if you can’t trust everyone on the home team, there’s the chance that you could be locked out. Everyone remembers that happening in the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, right?

Splitting up, naturally, requires carefully weighing risk and reward. Often,  there’s also the additional risk factor that is introduced by inaction. Which is to say, if we don’t split up and do these things, are we going to starve, run out of water, get overrun by a zombie horde, etc.

About this Episode:

I had originally scripted this a little different, with the last frame being Murphy and Russell walking away toward the camera. I changed it up a bit to leave the last shot of Jess and Bill standing alone, watching. Are they simply wishing the guys good luck? Are they watching their backs? Or are they waiting for our heroes to get out of sight and hearing so that they can get up to some other sort of shenanigans?

Discussion Question: Splitting Up

Once again,  I’ll ask you to slip into the comfortable shoes of Murphy or Russell. In this situation, would you follow Bill and Jess’ directives, or would you push back? If so,  how and to what degree?

6 thoughts on “Episode 816: Godspeed, Jerks”

  1. Typo alerts: “Doubly so if the are limited point of egress” the–>there ; point–>points 😀

    “Are the watching their backs?” the–>they

    “out of sight and hearing so that can get up to some other” insert “they” between “that” and “get”

    ” in this situation” capitalize the “I” in “in” 😀

    • Fixed all, thanks. Man, I had a lot of trouble with “the”.

  2. I got the effect of them just standing there on the last panel as Russell and Murphy wander off to fates unknown. 😀 I quite like it, it makes me wonder if they’re the good guys they want to make themselves out to be! 😀

    • That’s awesome. Totally what I was shooting for.

  3. Question would it be different if Jess or the other person whose name I forget right now uttered something like “Well did you see the looks on their faces? Are they even going to take the mission when they see who they’re up against?” And similarly appropriate thoughts popped into my head! 😀

    • Hah, fair enough. His name is Bill, by the way,