After watching it again, I have to say that the way they have shown Rick going absolutely mental, and I don't suspect that others haven't noticed or even started talking about it, is great.
The telephone, as I did show in the other other, is the culmination of his madness. It ties him to the real world like that weird journal the Governor hides in his desk draw. And I think it's a very small thing, when he could bat sh*t crazy in any minute. And then not even Merle's craziness could compare to the devastation he's going to leave behind.
But that is the world they are living in. The world where you could wave hello to your neighbours is long gone and everyone, who approaches their fences should be treated as a potential vigilant.
I think that is how Michonne sees the Woodbury, when he left Andrea to boink brains out from their deranged leader. To her the enclosed town is full of mental patients, while Andrea sees it as a safe-heaven. So getting in between the sheets with the Governor, she betting for long and safe future, where she sees herself as one of their leaders.
In a way, I could say that is the same thing that went through her mind, when she slapped her hand on Shane's crotch in that lonely road to nowhere. Or then its the sex thing. The one thing that gives a relief, when all that you see around you is perversion of an old world view.
Still the old world isn't going anywhere as you hear our redneck hero explaining to Carl how he grew up in Merle's shadow. And the response he gives, when the boy wonder says, "I shot my mum," is like the only response he could give.
However, it is not the only way as you him getting so sad and so angry the moment before he decides "f**k it" and pull the dead geezer from the front of the cell to find out Carol alive.
The life is full surprises even if looks like there's no hope. And I stand by words, the baby is the culmination of their hopes. It has to survive no matter what.
