Okay, this episode affected me emotionally like no other piece of media ever has before. Sorry for the wall of text, but since none of my friends have played the episode yet, I need to spill my guts.
I didn't amputate my arm. I figured that even if I did, I would still die and it would just serve to cripple me. I'm assuming that Lee still dies if you do, but if I'm wrong then I'm going back and playing the entire episode again.
I bawled at Kenny's death. Over the course of the episode, he changed from a cold, bitter man who wanted Ben dead at all costs into a kind, strong friend who sympathized with the poor kid. Although it deeply saddened me, I found the entire ally scene to be a great end to both Ben and Kenny's arcs. Instead of copping out and making Ben redeem himself, he remains a hindrance to the group until the end. I do feel really sorry for him; and I wish he didn't have to go that way. Maybe it's just because I see a bit of myself in him; I don't know. As for Kenny, sacrificing his life in an attempt to save someone that he hated just yesterday was one of the most noble acts I've ever seen. I like to think that he used his final bullet to end Ben's suffering, but I guess you can interpret that however you like. For the record, I refused to leave him and rattled the fence as much as I was able.
tl;dr, Kenny was my favourite character in the series and his final moments moved me.
I told Omid and Christa to look for a boat because it was spur of the moment and I didn't want them going back to the train where all of the zombies were coming from. I hope that they both survived and that was them in the distance in the epilogue, but once again, that's up for interpretation. Even if they didn't, they were good people and I'm glad I didn't have to watch them suffer. They were my second choice to take care of Clem (after Kenny), because I didn't want to saddle them with another kid after Christa gives birth and I thought Kenny would protect Clem as fiercely as he protected Duck.
The mass walker murder spree was one of the most cathartically satisfying things ever. I know it sounds cliché (and it is), but I uttered "For _____" every time I killed a walker, with the name of a dead character filling in the blank. I ended with "For Kenny!" when I cleaved the last one's head in half, and it helped give me closure and some form of fulfillment.
Campman; the stranger. By far my favourite non-tearjerker moment in the episode. The entire conversation with him was incredibly tense, and I think by the end I actually managed to make him feel some sympathy for me. To be quite honest; I felt incredibly sorry for him. I know how it feels to lose loved ones. I know how it feels to have people leave you because of your actions. I know how all of that can affect you, because I've experienced it all firsthand. He only mentioned three bad deeds I'd done; can he list more, or is it determinant of what you actually did? Anyways, no matter how much I felt for him; when it came down to it, I couldn't let him live. Not after all he'd put me and Clementine through. And I made sure he didn't come back to hurt anyone ever again.
When Clem dragged me into the jewelery store and I saw the look in Lee's eyes; the green tint; I knew it was over. I chose to have her handcuff me to the pipe, because I would die before her innocence does. We shared some heartfelt words, I told her not to be afraid, and then it was over. I began to tear up, but the song in the credits pushed me over the edge. My roommate came to check on me, saw what game I was playing, and then just put his hand on my shoulder. It was so cheesy, but comforting. He teased me afterwards, and I don't think I'm living this down anytime soon.
In the epilogue, I just wanted to reach in and give Clem a hug. I felt more than awful, and the realization that I couldn't do anything for her anymore was like a knife in the spine. I can just hope that that was a living Omid and Christa in the distance so that some hope remains for the girl. She'll be in good hands.
So bravo, TellTale Games. Bravo, Mr. Vanaman. Bravo, Mr. Whitta. Bravo, Mr. Darin. You've succeeded in doing what no game has done before, and what no game may do again. So for the memories, the emotions, the anticipation and of course, the game, I thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
See you in Season 2!
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