3. Rick Is Not Governed By The Apocalypse
Explaining her reasons for killing Karen and David, Carol tells Rick that he doesnt have to like what she did, he just has to accept it. In a similar vein, Carol has accepted her situation in the zombie apocalypse. Shes capable of coping with the reality that surrounds her, and she perseveres with her head held high, making tough decisions for the sake of her survival. However, in accepting the reality that surrounds her, Carol has also submitted to it. The zombie apocalypse governs her actions run, fight, and kill are brought out in this reality. She doesnt like it, but she doesnt strive for anything more. Rick, on the other hand, hasnt accepted and submitted to the reality of the zombie apocalypse. Instead, hes invested in creating an ideal for the prison community. This comes across in the memory he shares about his family Rick explains that Lori would make pancakes every Sunday and though lumps of flour were never mixed in right, they persevered because they wanted to be a family that ate pancakes on Sunday. Just like the lumps of flour, the sick left back in the prison dont mix in very well. However, Rick is determined to have an ideal community at the prison, so he keeps on trying. Rick wants to thrive, not just survive. Rather than accepting and coping with the realities of the zombie apocalypse as Carol does, Rick strives to take control and create a different reality. Just as his wife wanted to be a family that ate pancakes on Sundays, Rick wants to be in a community that survives in spite of the zombie apocalypse, not just in it. Rick is right to take control of the situation, forging a reality that isnt governed by violent reactions brought on by the zombie apocalypse. Hes right for the same reasons Hershel gave before entering the quarantined flu cells its not about living or dying, its about what theyre living and dying for.