I've been watching too, and it's been great. (Season 3 spoilers) I really like how Daryl has become Rick's right hand man and that they can practically communicate through looks to each other. It's also interesting that Rick is much less soft than he used to be (not that he was super soft before). I think I liked his previous neutrality and democratic ways better, but the way he is now can help with certain situations, like when he killed the prisoner who threw the walker at him. After that incident, when he and Rick were just staring at each other, I was just thinking, "Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!" And I was so satisfied when he did. I love that he did that, and I'm not sure the old Rick would have done it, at least not right away like that. It's unfortunate that that's sort of taken a toll on his relationship with Lori though, and I feel bad for her. I've heard that part of the reason their relationship seems to be crumbling is because Rick's starting to realize that the baby is Shane's, but I want to know why he thinks that. There's a 50/50 shot it's his; what makes him think it's not? Also, who else was completely taken by surprise when Hershel got bit? I was totally convinced he would survive, but I didn't think of the possibility of amputation when he first got bit, so when it happened, my first though was, "Holy sh*t, they're going to find a cure?!" It's looking like he'll survive at this point, but if he actually ends up dying, I'm going to be so ****ed. He actually might have turned into my favorite character. It used to be Dale, who I found to be an utterly inspirational champion of morality who I'd give my left nut to have as a grandfather. I got my heart torn out when he died back in season 2. Glenn was always my second favorite, so he kind of became my favorite when Dale died, but he's become sort of boring. I want to say it's Maggie that's making him boring because she causes him not to do quite so much dangerous stuff like he used to, but I still liked him a lot at the end of season 2, and I like them as a couple. I'm not sure what it is that's made him boring. I'm hoping he turns back into his old self again. But anyway, I've always thought Hershel was interesting, but I've really come to like him in these last two episodes. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's partially because it's interesting to see him out of his element. Also, as a final side note, I love that Carl has started to mature and actually become a useful part of the team. (End of spoilers)
By the way, I haven't read the comics either, but just remember that even if someone spoils something for you by telling you what happens in the comics, it might not happen the same way in the show, or it might not happen at all. After all, Shane never even made it to Hershel's farm in the comics. He died before that, and I'm pretty sure Carl's the one who killed him instead of Rick, though Rick later went back to his grave, dug up zombie Shane, and then killed him.