Bingley. wow man you really tucked into that comment. very nice.

Regarding the Shane new world mentality versus Ricks old values, this was discussed on the Talking Dead after show. And the consensus is that Rick is moving towards a more 'new world' mentality. Visually he did this by taking off his uniform and wearing normal clothes.

Also with his wife's pregnancy and the conclusion of the Sophia search, he is struggling to see where does the world fit in with his values.

According to gossip I have seen on the show since hiatus, the next half of the season will be more action based. Hershel, farm owner/vet/religious man, has a serious life crisis trying to reconcile his beliefs and the realization he couldn't save his turned family(something I think the show used to highlight Ricks standards vs. Shanes evolving one), and at least of the main characters is killed. Also something the comic has not be afraid of doing and also occurred in Season 1.