Entry #8 Rhetoric of The Walking Dead

 I have been trying to find a topic to talk about, a topic that usually ties into my theme of pop culture and media but also tying in with rhetoric appeals. This was more difficult this time around than it usually is, but after taking some time and re-watching The Walking Dead. The Walking Dead is a show that I started a few years back but never finished it because I got bored of it, but now that the show is over and entirely on Netflix I thought that I would give it a try again. After watching it for a while I stumbled on to a scene that I think works well with rhetoric and appeal to the audience. 

In the second season towards the end the main group of characters try and decide the fate of a prisoner that they have. The few main characters in this scene is the series main character Rick Grimes, Shane, and Dale. While a few other characters argue in this scene, these three are the main people in the conversation. To start, Dale believes the prisoner should be left alive because the prisoner hasn't committed any crimes that they know of and if they kill him then the group is uncivilized and all of humanity is doomed. Shane on the other hand wants the prisoner dead as to not risk the rest of their group because the prisoner was with his own collective of people who have done bad things. Rick Grime is the leader of the group so in the end it is his say that matters.

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This particular scene was a very interesting argument that went back and forth between both sides. The scene perfectly places the viewer into this conundrum that is unfolding on screen because both sides have valid arguments, one being the safety of the group, and the other being their humanity and not even knowing the prisoner is a bad person himself. The scene has a lot of tension set between the characters of the show and the fate of someone who is currently innocent. 

Both arguments use emotion as their biggest factor, one side using the fear of their safety and the other side using empathy and compassion. Both of these emotions are displayed and argued for and it leaves the audience to consider both sides. No matter what the result of the argument was it left the audience understanding and appreciating both side's opinions. 

This scene works well to use rhetoric in an interesting way that is logical for a zombie apocalypse. The scene is an interesting display of rhetoric in everyday media.