^ You're right. Joe's crowd do seem to be the kind that would kill homosexuals and child molesters. I hadn't thought of that. Maybe it's an indication of how far they have travelled from what they once were, that the would tolerate/promote this? I forgot to mention, in my post above, how much I loved Carl's question to his dad about what are they, what is their identity, what kind of people are they now? Is he asking because he can't remember what kind of folks they once were, pre ZA, or because he doesn't know because of how they have changed/what this world has done to them? Carl became one of my favourite characters in the second half of this season, too. Another thing I'm in the minority of, I guess.
The redneck gang seemed to have no problem with killing and robbing and stealing from their fellow humans, and for him to keep control of the gang he has to let them get their jollies wherever possible. So it made sense for me that he wouldn't care what gender or age they rape.
The Daryl/Beth episode aside, I loved the second half of season 4 and I think you're right, it's probably the best the show's been (arguably since the first season). The safety and security of Hershel's farm and the prison robbed us of the story that comes from the stress of surviving with pretty much nothing. In its prime the prison had food supplies, security, medicine, etc. The flu plot was an attempt at taking away some of that, but even then, it seemed to be a relatively easy threat (perhaps aided by the fact that, natural immunity aside, in the real world, it most likely would have been more deadly). It reminded me of countless sci-fi disease plots where a disease is discovered, some non-main cast people die, they find a cure someplace (sometimes the resident Doctor, other times, they have to locate it), they do and everyone who's survived to this point is cured. End of threat.
The current story in the comics storyline in the comics sounds like it could be an interesting storyline set in a static location.
I really liked the second half of the season. The only problem I had really was Carol's decision, and the weird decision regarding Terminus at the end of the final episode. What has always made this show so powerful is the character development and every episode of the second half of the season was character driven. Carl is really coming into his own as the show progresses. As for the rednecks in the final episode, it just showed the level of their depravity. It had a really eerie Deliverance vibe to the whole encounter and was well done.
I see that bunch as opportunists. In a more civilized setting they'd target those types because they could use that to justify what they do among like minded people not because of any sense of right or wrong. Also, I'm sure to that the majority of guys who sexually abuse boys would consider themselves straight. Look at the whole "claimed" thing, the guy didn't claim Darryl's kill because it was right but because he could.
It would seem he's referring to their current state--how the ZA, and encounters with violent humans have changed them from being mere survivors seeking a safe shelter. I like Carl's character; he's not an adult, so I expect / accept all of his emotional changes (something usually targeted by the anti-Carl crowd). What was weird about the Terminus decision? Yes--they will do anything. Len (one of Joe's idiots who taunted Daryl) said they go after young victims, which was put on full display with Carl. In many ways, they made the worst of the Governor seem average--including aquariums with walker heads.
The fact that they all went in together without leaving somebody back in case there was a problem. This was a pure "stupid decision" horror movie moment for me.
I see. After everything they learned about Woodbury, they should have a sixth sense developed about seemingly friendly communities. This is why just about everyone thinks Rick's "screwed with the wrong people" line, along with hiding weapons implies the group met old friends (Morgan? Carol & Tyreeese? Beth & her kidnapper?) before reaching Terminus, and concocted a rescue plan in case it was a trap. He was far too confident with that last line to just talk about the boxcar captives.
At Terminus, every door they were corralled through, and the final train car they were locked in, had an 'A' painted on it. Obviously pre-planned route for the residents to lead their food through.
That Daryl & Rick were too stupid to recognize that they were being corralled, and then act against that initiative, even after they determined that the fire they were under was not lethal in nature, is almost as dumb as their entire group going in instead of keeping some people at a safe distance