Maybe family wasn't the right word to use, but I feel that he just didn't have that same level of closeness/intimacy that some of the other people in the group had. Perhaps Nick might fit the picture here, but I felt that Nick had a more pronounced bond with Pete, who was essentially a father to him.
The group is his family, and he traveled very far to get them back, but yeah, I agree, maybe he does see a kindred spirit in Clem. That's why he seemed to latch onto her really quickly. I'm really enjoying their brother/sister dynamic.
Maybe family wasn't the right word to use, but I feel that he just didn't have that same level of closeness/intimacy that some of the other … morepeople in the group had. Perhaps Nick might fit the picture here, but I felt that Nick had a more pronounced bond with Pete, who was essentially a father to him.
Excellent analysis! You make a lot of great points.
I was one of those people who was disappointed in Luke this past episode, but it wasn't because of his characterization. His characterization this episode I actually thought was spot on. I was expecting Luke to try and rescue them, but I wasn't expecting him to bust down the walls, guns a-blazing. I had a feeling he was going to sneak around and whatever half-thought-out plan he had would fall through. My big complaint was the general lack of Luke this episode. I just feel like there should have been more interactions between him and the other characters. And even though I love Kenny too, that's why I felt Luke was overshadowed by Kenny this episode.
But anyways, I completely agree with your analysis of Luke. He's a good guy, he wants to be the hero, he wants to be the leader, and he has good intentions. Like you mentioned, this world is chipping away at his ability to do that. Not only that, but I think Luke never really had all the important qualities that make a good hero/leader to begin with. He's indecisive, he doesn't like to take no for an answer, and he struggles with making difficult decisions. Based on what Nick said about their business venture, it seems he had this traits before the apocalypse as well.
One thing Luke does have is his ability to keep going. But I think the weight of this cruel, unforgiving world, what a person must do to survive, and what repercussions Luke's own actions have caused, are finally weighing down on him, and he's running out of gas, both physically and mentally.
While I do agree that Luke's deconstruction is evident and intriguing, I do not think he will completely unravel. As others have mentioned, Luke is the moral compass of the group. Albeit not a very good one, but he's still meant to represent holding onto your humanity and sticking to your morals in this disastrous world. He's a foil to Kenny, whose brash and realistic approach to survival, while more effective, is also more savage. I believe our "pizza and ice cream" choice will not only be between these two characters, but also which lifestyle we choose to pursue. Both sides have their pros and cons.
I'd also like to mention that while Luke and Kenny represent these two separate sides, they also have qualities that linger in the gray area. (Luke saying they should leave people behind, Kenny taking a beating in Clem's place, to name a few.) Perhaps our role as Clementine is to pull the two of them more into this gray area, where they can find a balance of the extremes.
I love love love this! I also thought that Luke wanted to build a familial bond with Clem, like brother/sister. I like your idea that he was the odd one out in the group in terms of family, and Clem being in the same situation, made him want to bond with her and be their own "family unit" like the rest of the group.
I kinda thought maybe he had a little sister or something before the apocalypse, and because of that, he had a soft spot for Clem, but I like your theory better. I think it's more meaningful if these two build a familial relationship out of their own special bond, rather than based on past relationships.
I found his line about family being the most important thing to be quite intriguing, considering he was the only one in the cabin who didn't… more have one. I felt like that was maybe a contributing factor to why he got so close to Clem, so quickly. Carlos had Sarah, Alvin had Rebecca; despite knowing Pete and Nick almost his whole life and Pete believing in his capabilities more than Nick's, ultimately Pete and Nick were family and would always show allegiance first and foremost to one another. In a sense, that set him apart from everyone else. When Clem came, I think he saw someone else that was alone like him. There has been a very heated discussion on this forum about his actions during the bridge scene in A House Divided, but instances such as that and others (such as when out of all the cabin members, he told Clem and no one else about Matthew; his getting hurt when she sits with Kenny) shows that he wants to have his own unit with Clem. Thu… [view original content]
No, it was the right word to use, I saw what you meant. :)
With Pete gone now though, Nick doesn't have anyone left but Luke, so I gue… moress that's why he was all "Luke Luke Luke" during episode 3.
Now that I think about, the people that are left of the original Cabin group all lost their specific person (Don't know how else to put it).
Nick lost Pete.
Rebecca lost Alvin.
Sarah lost Carlos.
That's really sad. :(
I think episode 1 showed Rebecca can be plenty aggressive if she wants but I think she also realizes it's not always conducive to an argument (something Kenny/Lilly could've done well to learn in S1). But the aggression isn't the reason I drew that comparison, it's mainly down to how Kenny seems to perceive them, he describes Rebecca as "real difficult sometimes" while Luke is just "a flake".
I do agree the three seem to be on a better road to mutual respect than Kenny/Lilly but that remains to be seen.
Lily was far more aggressive than Rebecca and Luke combined. Along with clashing over group decisions, Lily and Kenny's dynamic was very mu… morech grounded in their tension and distrust with one another, especially after Larry died. On the other hand whilst Luke/Rebecca may have a different approach to the ZA than Kenny, I think by now they have developed a respect for one another.
This is a great analysis, makes a lot of sense to me. I hope this is where Telltale is going with his character, it's really interesting. You should go write for Telltale!
Good post, I agree. I think though that if Kenny or Luke were put in a position to save Clementine, I am pretty certain Kenny would rescue her instead of Luke. I could be wrong but it seems to me as though Kenny has become much more caring of Clem in Season 2 than in 1.
Also Telltale stated that this season is about "Trust". I think something big is going to happen whether one of the group is going to betray Clem and the others. I have suspected Luke but who knows who it could be
This is a great analysis, makes a lot of sense to me. I hope this is where Telltale is going with his character, it's really interesting. You should go write for Telltale!
No, it was the right word to use, I saw what you meant. :)
With Pete gone now though, Nick doesn't have anyone left but Luke, so I gue… moress that's why he was all "Luke Luke Luke" during episode 3.
Now that I think about, the people that are left of the original Cabin group all lost their specific person (Don't know how else to put it).
Nick lost Pete.
Rebecca lost Alvin.
Sarah lost Carlos.
That's really sad. :(
That's right. In episode 1, Nick lost Pete. In episode 2, Rebecca lost Alvin(kind of). In episode 3, Sarah lost Carlos. In episode 4, I'm gu… moreessing Kenny will lose Sarita. That leaves one family tie left for episode 5, Luke and Clem, and Clem can't die... :(
That's right. In episode 1, Nick lost Pete. In episode 2, Rebecca lost Alvin(kind of). In episode 3, Sarah lost Carlos. In episode 4, I'm guessing Kenny will lose Sarita. That leaves one family tie left for episode 5, Luke and Clem, and Clem can't die... :(
No, it was the right word to use, I saw what you meant. :)
With Pete gone now though, Nick doesn't have anyone left but Luke, so I gue… moress that's why he was all "Luke Luke Luke" during episode 3.
Now that I think about, the people that are left of the original Cabin group all lost their specific person (Don't know how else to put it).
Nick lost Pete.
Rebecca lost Alvin.
Sarah lost Carlos.
That's really sad. :(
I like the way he settles things. it's more rational. and he always tries to balance things for everyone (even for Carver). I was developing a connection with him slowly. I thought, this guy really cares about me, even when I gave him "sassy Clem" answers, he joked of these. and then, in EP3 when I hugged him at the comic book store, I finally developed a solid connection, i could see how much he cared about me and the group. even hungrier and without sleep for days, he never lost focus. these things moved me.
I have to admit man. if Luke dies I will be VERY sad. ;(
This adds an interesting dimension to Luke's attachment to Clem. Now I feel worse about not sitting with him at dinner and telling him to shoot Carver. That must have really hurt, after he found a kindred spirit in her.
And yes, Clem can't die. Luke on the other hand... I cannot bare to say it here.
That's right. In episode 1, Nick lost Pete. In episode 2, Rebecca lost Alvin(kind of). In episode 3, Sarah lost Carlos. In episode 4, I'm gu… moreessing Kenny will lose Sarita. That leaves one family tie left for episode 5, Luke and Clem, and Clem can't die... :(
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With Pete gone now though, Nick doesn't have anyone left but Luke, so I guess that's why he was all "Luke Luke Luke" during episode 3.
Now that I think about, the people that are left of the original Cabin group all lost their specific person (Don't know how else to put it).
Nick lost Pete.
Rebecca lost Alvin.
Sarah lost Carlos.
That's really sad. :(
I was one of those people who was disappointed in Luke this past episode, but it wasn't because of his characterization. His characterization this episode I actually thought was spot on. I was expecting Luke to try and rescue them, but I wasn't expecting him to bust down the walls, guns a-blazing. I had a feeling he was going to sneak around and whatever half-thought-out plan he had would fall through. My big complaint was the general lack of Luke this episode. I just feel like there should have been more interactions between him and the other characters. And even though I love Kenny too, that's why I felt Luke was overshadowed by Kenny this episode.
But anyways, I completely agree with your analysis of Luke. He's a good guy, he wants to be the hero, he wants to be the leader, and he has good intentions. Like you mentioned, this world is chipping away at his ability to do that. Not only that, but I think Luke never really had all the important qualities that make a good hero/leader to begin with. He's indecisive, he doesn't like to take no for an answer, and he struggles with making difficult decisions. Based on what Nick said about their business venture, it seems he had this traits before the apocalypse as well.
One thing Luke does have is his ability to keep going. But I think the weight of this cruel, unforgiving world, what a person must do to survive, and what repercussions Luke's own actions have caused, are finally weighing down on him, and he's running out of gas, both physically and mentally.
While I do agree that Luke's deconstruction is evident and intriguing, I do not think he will completely unravel. As others have mentioned, Luke is the moral compass of the group. Albeit not a very good one, but he's still meant to represent holding onto your humanity and sticking to your morals in this disastrous world. He's a foil to Kenny, whose brash and realistic approach to survival, while more effective, is also more savage. I believe our "pizza and ice cream" choice will not only be between these two characters, but also which lifestyle we choose to pursue. Both sides have their pros and cons.
I'd also like to mention that while Luke and Kenny represent these two separate sides, they also have qualities that linger in the gray area. (Luke saying they should leave people behind, Kenny taking a beating in Clem's place, to name a few.) Perhaps our role as Clementine is to pull the two of them more into this gray area, where they can find a balance of the extremes.
I kinda thought maybe he had a little sister or something before the apocalypse, and because of that, he had a soft spot for Clem, but I like your theory better. I think it's more meaningful if these two build a familial relationship out of their own special bond, rather than based on past relationships.
Then everyone will have lost someone in Season 2.
Clem lost Christa, I guess, at the beginning of EP1.
I do agree the three seem to be on a better road to mutual respect than Kenny/Lilly but that remains to be seen.
Also Telltale stated that this season is about "Trust". I think something big is going to happen whether one of the group is going to betray Clem and the others. I have suspected Luke but who knows who it could be
Kudos Telltale, you've done it again.
I like the way he settles things. it's more rational. and he always tries to balance things for everyone (even for Carver). I was developing a connection with him slowly. I thought, this guy really cares about me, even when I gave him "sassy Clem" answers, he joked of these. and then, in EP3 when I hugged him at the comic book store, I finally developed a solid connection, i could see how much he cared about me and the group. even hungrier and without sleep for days, he never lost focus. these things moved me.
I have to admit man. if Luke dies I will be VERY sad. ;(
And yes, Clem can't die. Luke on the other hand... I cannot bare to say it here.