Caryl4ever

Jeffrey Dean Morgan: He’s not gay! *laughs*

Norman Reedus: *laughs* Yeah, you know it’s funny when you say something in the press and it’s spun into something else. The gay rumors happened because Kirkman joked about it once, and then that went voooom, and it’s been used as a headline, but…

NR: As far as romance, he already has a relationship with Carol, if that’s what you’re talking about. You know, never say never. I don’t know, to be honest. Yeah, people want death and they want sex.

JDM: Yeah.  NR: A sexy death.  JDM: Yeah, sexy death. Death while sex. I mean that’s how I’d wanna go.  NR: You sick bastard. 

NR: I don’t know. I mean, they definitely have a relationship that is very strong so it’s possible that they will go into that direction, but, then again, they don’t tell me. I’m not really invited in those rooms when they discuss it.

JDM: We all love that relationship, we all love Daryl and Carol, but it’s funny how some scenes you guys do together it’s like brother and sister, some it’s - you reverse roles and one is the parent and one isn’t, and some there’s like a sexual undertone and this attraction, and I think that’s the interesting thing about…

NR: It’s become such a thing that if it happens, people will freak out, and if doesn’t happen people will freak out too. It’s become already such a larger than life situation that I’m afraid to approach the situation, you know what I mean.

JDM: But we all love it. I mean even just as a fan of the show before I was even on it, I loved watching the two of them on the screen, and when they were together in last week’s episode, when they first are reunited… I mean, they work so well together, who doesn’t wanna watch that, and no matter what happens between the two of them, just seeing them together is special.

NR: I get very excited whenever I have a scene with Melissa, and I’m very fortunate just to be on screen with her.

You ain’t my problem!

Jeffrey Dean Morgan: He’s not gay! *laughs*

Norman Reedus: *laughs* Yeah, you know it’s funny when you say something in the press and it’s spun into something else. The gay rumors happened because Kirkman joked about it once, and then that went voooom, and it’s been used as a headline, but…

NR: As far as romance, he already has a relationship with Carol, if that’s what you’re talking about. You know, never say never. I don’t know, to be honest. Yeah, people want death and they want sex.

JDM: Yeah.  NR: A sexy death.  JDM: Yeah, sexy death. Death while sex. I mean that’s how I’d wanna go.  NR: You sick bastard. 

NR: I don’t know. I mean, they definitely have a relationship that is very strong so it’s possible that they will go into that direction, but, then again, they don’t tell me. I’m not really invited in those rooms when they discuss it.

JDM: We all love that relationship, we all love Daryl and Carol, but it’s funny how some scenes you guys do together it’s like brother and sister, some it’s - you reverse roles and one is the parent and one isn’t, and some there’s like a sexual undertone and this attraction, and I think that’s the interesting thing about…

NR: It’s become such a thing that if it happens, people will freak out, and if doesn’t happen people will freak out too. It’s become already such a larger than life situation that I’m afraid to approach the situation, you know what I mean.

JDM: But we all love it. I mean even just as a fan of the show before I was even on it, I loved watching the two of them on the screen, and when they were together in last week’s episode, when they first are reunited… I mean, they work so well together, who doesn’t wanna watch that, and no matter what happens between the two of them, just seeing them together is special.

NR: I get very excited whenever I have a scene with Melissa, and I’m very fortunate just to be on screen with her.

"What do you see when you look at me?"

"I see you."

That sounds like a false memory created by the speculation going around at that time in response to JDM's unsanctioned break narrative, with fans making up reasons as to why “she chose to pull back for a bit.” Melissa isn't open with strangers about her personal business and there's even less chance of her violating someone else's privacy by mentioning their health issues. So no, there was no family member whose serious health condition necessitated Melissa “taking a break.” She was pushed out by the men in charge, by TPTB making the conditions untenable for her to participate, i.e. a forced withdrawal.

In order to avoid calling anyone on their lies in public, Melissa said (at either Tribeca or SDCC) that “I had things to take care of” when asked about her absence from S1. It's notable too how quickly one of the guys swoops in to take over answering whenever the topic is raised of how involved she was and at what point during production. She's never really allowed to speak for herself and viewers should take note of it. Melissa is a capable, intelligent adult—not to mention more well-spoken than her fellow EPs on those panels. Why do they feel the need to 'help' her speak for herself?

I would assume that the male EPs will try to position her comments at the upcoming NYCC and PaleyFest in a way that implies approval of the creative direction and to use Melissa as a buffer against viewer dissatisfaction, so pay attention to how things are phrased and what isn't said. Omissions and silences are telling.

"I have things to take care of" = "it was logistically untenable for me to move"

It's said more casually but it hugs the reason given by her legal team.

Women don't have the luxury to say what they want on a promo circuit. The best thing women can do to express discontent is stay silent (note Clémence Poésy's absence from the last few promotional appearances).

The male EPs have clearly told us multiple times what they did to this show and what their intentions were for the show. And yet, Melissa is in the spotlight. Why? Because she's the only one with a spotless reputation and the only one the fans trust.

She's not given an inclusive title or equal billing but she's been front and center after the showrunner gave that interview. Her input is suddenly a highlight in some articles. She's obligated to continue fulfilling her PR responsibilities for this show and the male EPs know that, which is why her presence in promotional content has been and will be used as a buffer for their bullshit.

Melissa is a PR person's dream. She's intelligent, gracious, diplomatic, funny, and an eloquent speaker. Every time she speaks about her character it aligns with the way Carol's fans see Carol. Every time she's silent, it speaks louder than words.

In my experience, when a woman is silent, it's a call to honour and understand the absence of an explanation, not an invitation to fill it with assumptions.