The prison setting for season three of the incredibly popular AMC series, “The Walking Dead,” seems to be the safest hideout yet for the band of survivors. However, the relationships with in the group are becoming questionable. Specifically the relationship of Rick and Lori.
Fans may wonder what Rick sees in Lori let alone how he deals with her constantly putting members of the group (and their son) in danger.
Their marriage has been falling apart from the beginning of the series, but fans saw a huge turning point when Lori told Rick to kill her former lover Shane and then turned her back on him once Shane was dead.
Glen Mazzara, the show’s executive producer reveals a little bit about their relationship in the aftermath of Shane’s death.
“Part of that horror you saw in that last episode was revulsion in her part in that. I think she blames herself. I don’t know if she did intend to put Rick in motion, but she did. They have to deal with that.”
Let us not forget that Lori is pregnant with a child that may or may not be Shane’s. This is already a huge issue but this isn’t the real world anymore where they can simply separate due to “irreconcilable differences” or “my wife is whore.” Their marriage is put on the forefront of the entire band of survivors.
“They don’t know whose child that is,” Mazzara continues. “They have to figure out what they can do. They can’t get divorced. How do you repair that marriage in front of everybody? It’s such a tight group. It affects everybody in the group, that strife within that marriage.”
It may seem that nothing short of a miracle can bring the post apocalyptic family back together but Sarah Wayne Callies, the actress that plays the much fan despised Lori, says that the key to rebuilding their family is common ground.
“Lori’s fear is that, in killing Shane, Rick became Shane and that he’s turned into a man who’s not a humane, compassionate person, but somebody who is now somewhat cold and bloodthirsty,” she says. “But Rick’s fear is that Lori will reject him and will refuse to see that everything he’s doing for her he’s doing out of love for her and his family. The two of them are so mired in self-hatred and shame right now that they can’t reach out to one another. That’s a big rift to find a way to cross.”
Lori’s role in the upcoming season will also be more subdued due to her pregnancy. But the question on many fans minds is whether or not her pregnancy will lead to her being more active in the life of her child. Will she know where he is? Will she redeem herself out of the ranks of television’s worst mothers?
“A big role for her is seeking redemption and she’s very anxious to make sure that her pregnancy doesn’t end up putting anyone in jeopardy,” Callie says. “She wants to make sure that good people don’t put themselves in danger to protect her because she feels deeply unworthy of that right now. At the same time, she’s got a real desire to create a home. Whereas Rick can see a fortress, Lori is the one who turns that fortress into a home. That’s her goal.”
All this is amplified by the impending doom they face every day as well as the rest of the group looking up to the couple for not only friendship but also guidance and hope.
Even though the Ricktatorship seems harsh, it may be the best way for the group to survive at the moment. Andrew Lincoln, the actor who plays Rick, revealed some insight behind Rick’s decisions and the effects on the group.
“I think he’s become more uncompromising certainly in the third season,” Lincoln says. “He’s sick and tired of people dragging their heels and talking. He’s had to kill his best friend for this group of people. He’s furious and he’s conflicted. That’s human. Certainly in the first six episodes of Season 3, the pressure that they’re under is enormous.”
Don’t worry, however, Lincoln states that Rick will not become another Shane. Despite his anger, his unhappiness and his strained relationship with his family, he will primarily try to act for the betterment of the group.
“[Rick] is a man that begins in one place as a sheriff – he couldn’t be more of an embodiment of law and order – and he just gets thrown into this leadership role. You’re sort of still rooting for this guy, though actually he hasn’t made some of the greatest decisions, because he’s driven by a moral center still.”
Fans of the comic book series already know that season 3 brings a major turning point in not only the story but also within the relationship of Rick and Lori.
(WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. DO NOT CONTINUE IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE COMICS OR IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW THE FUTURE OF THE SERIES.)
Callies also spoke about why her death in the comics was not subverted in the television series and why it was so important that her story line stay true to the source material. She revealed that her death has a profound and vital effect on Rick.
“On a show like The Walking Dead, you know that your very first scene brings you one scene closer to the scene where you’re going to get iced,” Callies says. “That’s just the nature of the beast. [Former showrunner] Frank Darabont and I actually — before he was tragically and unfairly removed from the show — we used to argue about it. I argued that it was necessary to kill Lori. I feel very strongly that for all of the other deviations that we have from the script that we may have from the comic book, killing Lori does something to Rick that is vital for the story and that can’t be done any other way. I’ve said from the beginning, not only am I OK with Lori dying, but I think she has to. I’ve played this character with an eye toward an end.”
A lot is in store for the family of “The Walking Dead. The third season of The Walking Dead, will premiere Sunday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c on AMC.
