Well, I am kinda mad at Clem but I'm more upset about the way the build up to the kidnapping was. Clem was, until the end of episode 3, a model of good behavior, in my mind. I felt that there was a strong dynamic between her and Lee and that their interactions would have some important consequences.
Episode 4 blew them out of the water though. This chapter did plenty of things right but your relationship arc with Clem was NOT one of them.
First, she lied to me about the radio. Meaning the fact that had tried to always pick the most honest options had no impact on her. Some people have stated that all your choices finally matter but that's not true. The choices that involve your most important companion don't matter at all. Anyway, I wanted to have a long talk on why she did this but TellTale didn't give me that option. I mean, they seemed NICE? Hey Clem, remember those St John Brothers? They seemed nice too until they tried to make you eat Mark. Why did she believe this guy anyway? Did he say anything beyond that he knew her parents? Why didn't we get more info?
Second, she started wandering off without checking on me first. That little station we had explored near the train SHOULD have taught her how goddamn dangerous it is to go into a room without being careful but she did it TWICE with the shed and the doggy door. I don't mind her running after me and Kenny when we went for a boat but her lack of caution there, dispite that she knows better was disturbing. I don't understand this attitude she suddenly sprouts out. She seemed a lot more reasonable before.
Third, what did I have to do to convince her her parents were gone? The city was clearly dead. All the survivors were at that location. I bring her along and we find out EVERYONE is dead. We have this survivor girl that has been roaming around and she clearly knew nothing about Clem's parents. Why isn't she satisfied? What more does she want? A street by street sweep of the entire city?
Fourth, this really isn't Clems fault but I need to bring it up anyway. I told Clem that we would split up from the group and stay here to find her parents, so why aren't I doing that? It's not even an option. I don't like being made a liar. I even got this guy telling me that he would like to look after Clem and thinks I should leave her with them. Why is that a choice? Why isn't it... Why don't you and Clem BOTH stay? The idea that I would actually separate from Clem, at this point, is absurd. Yet he only offers to take in Clem. That is pure crap. Why am I forced to tell Clem we can't keep looking for her parents, that we HAVE to go on the boat? It makes no sense.
All this sets up a false dilemma the the writers clumsily use to create the reason for Clem to take off. She doesn't get it explained that the man is bad. She starts suddenly taking a lot more initiative to do risky and dangerous stuff. She is never satisfied, no matter how much you allow her to tag along and find out that everyone is dead in the city. And, finally, you are forced to drop the "we're a team" theme that you had developed where you and she were more important then staying with any particular group.
So, yea, I'm pretty bitter about this turn. Not shocked so much because I half expected it but the way it came about was lacking.
Last edited by TomaO2; 10/11/2012 at 05:52 pm.
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