Remember how Abraham reacted when he found out the truth? I don't think Eugene will be that lucky if Negan finds out.

@Lilpoetboy said:

Of painting himself larger then life, a much needed smarty pants, it's a good thing he's able to think outside of the box quickly.

So....what did he do before the zombies? He obviously isn't a highly degreed scientist. I just want to know what his profession was, and don't tell me he was living at home in the basement playing videogames........but then again....with that hair style.....

He was a high school science teacher. I have always liked Eugene's character, but this episode really made me respect his game. He plays the cards he was dealt, but he plays them well. He's a pretty cool dude.

Highs school science teacher....interesting.

A Walter White in training , although Walt was a chemistry teacher, but still....Funny

@Lilpoetboy said:

Highs school science teacher....interesting.

Is that from the comic? I pretty much figured he was a science teacher, either at a high school or maybe community college level. He's very smart and has a lot of general scientific knowledge. Clearly not a professional researcher though. But he's resurrected good old Doctor Porter of the Human Genome Project to keep Negan from smashing his skull in. And he's even got his own luxury apartment - with a vintage Atari 2600 no less.

@chrisjdel said:

@Lilpoetboy said:

Highs school science teacher....interesting.

Is that from the comic? I pretty much figured he was a science teacher, either at a high school or maybe community college level. He's very smart and has a lot of general scientific knowledge. Clearly not a professional researcher though. But he's resurrected good old Doctor Porter of the Human Genome Project to keep Negan from smashing his skull in. And he's even got his own luxury apartment now - with a vintage Atari 2600 no less.

Yeah, the science teacher thing, that's from the comics. He's pretty quick on his feet, even when terrified by Negan. I'm liking him more and more.

@tipsymcstaggers said: Yeah, the science teacher thing, that's from the comics. He's pretty quick on his feet, even when terrified by Negan. I'm liking him more and more.

He's not quite the coward he used to be. He's pulling a bit of a Carol here, acting like the old Eugene who first met up with Abraham back in Houston. That whole situation with Negan's wives smelled like a test from early on when they seemed so interested in his background and what he could do. I think Negan sent them there for two reasons. First to see if Eugene was all he cracked himself up to be; and second, to offer him a chance to betray Negan and see what he'd do. It's no coincidence he showed up in person right after that. Eugene passed his test. He was smart not to give the women the poison he made. I think that conversation would've taken place over a hot iron instead of in his lovely new quarters if he had. Or maybe he would've followed Dr. Carson right into the furnace. I think Eugene plans to sabotage the facility, and will be doing lots of little extra adjustments while he makes repairs in his new job. When Rick and his allies show up they may get a little assistance in the form of things going boom inside the Sanctuary.

@chrisjdel, I kind of got the feeling that was a test as well, but after the whole..stuff a doctor in the furnace thing...I'm not so sure. I think Negan had underestimated him, and had Eugene pegged as a wuss from the get-go. He thought he'd be an easy person to persuade to his side. I'd really like to see Eugene and Dwight team up. Unlikely pairing, but totally awesome!!

Hopefully he wasn't a science teacher at some bad @ss school, the hooligans would rip him apart. Was socially inept in the comics too?

@Angelcake56fjs said:

Hopefully he wasn't a science teacher at some bad @ss school, the hooligans would rip him apart. Was socially inept in the comics too?

He probably either taught the honors classes or worked at a private school. If there were lots of tough kids around, they would have walked all over him.

@tipsymcstaggers said:

@chrisjdel, I kind of got the feeling that was a test as well, but after the whole..stuff a doctor in the furnace thing...I'm not so sure. I think Negan had underestimated him, and had Eugene pegged as a wuss from the get-go. He thought he'd be an easy person to persuade to his side. I'd really like to see Eugene and Dwight team up. Unlikely pairing, but totally awesome!!

That was a separate matter from Eugene. I think he did it on impulse, because it wasn't a very smart move. Eugene made it clear he wasn't the type of doctor who treated patients, he was a researcher. Negan should know he can't replace Dr. Carson. But that's what makes people fear him. He might've spared Carson on another day, but today he decided to do this. You can never be entirely comfortable in Negan's presence because his behavior is so unpredictable. Added incentive to do what's expected and make no waves, nothing that might bring you to his attention.

I doubt Eugene will make the mistake of trusting Dwight. Although who knows, Dwight might catch him screwing around with something and very obviously look the other way. Eugene might approach him after that.

Eugene definitely knows how to play the game doesn't he?

@tipsymcstaggers said:

@Lilpoetboy said:

Of painting himself larger then life, a much needed smarty pants, it's a good thing he's able to think outside of the box quickly.

So....what did he do before the zombies? He obviously isn't a highly degreed scientist. I just want to know what his profession was, and don't tell me he was living at home in the basement playing videogames........but then again....with that hair style.....

He was a high school science teacher. I have always liked Eugene's character, but this episode really made me respect his game. He plays the cards he was dealt, but he plays them well. He's a pretty cool dude.

Standing before a madman with a barbwire baseball bat will make you say or do anything to save your ass.

@LadyGigi said: Standing before a madman with a barbwire baseball bat will make you say or do anything to save your ass.

But some people freeze up when they're put in a situation like that. He can be scared and yet clear-headed at the same time, which is a handy ability to have.

@chrisjdel said: But some people freeze up when they're put in a situation like that. He can be scared and yet clear-headed at the same time, which is a handy ability to have.

Totally agree with that. He was surprisingly cool under pressure.