AMC’s The Walking Dead is the newest resurrection to episode TV. The post-apocalyptic setting after a mysterious outbreak leaves band of survivors fending for their lives and fighting off the flesh driven diseased. Rick is a sheriff leading the group, along with his wife, Lori, and son, Carl, the apparently last family unit that managed to survive together. Dale has assumed the wise man role and forces others to gravitate around him with reason and logic when they begin questioning Rick’s leadership. Daryl is the great equalizer slaying the undead in creative redneck ways that keep you wanting more meanwhile leaving T-Dog wondering if Daryl will take him out for leaving his racist brother Merril to rot.The crew of survivors has fled Atlanta after the C.D.C. was no longer the save haven they imagined. They find a pile up of vehicles on the highway and decide to round up supplies. In the middle of searching for items amongst the dead and chewed, they discover a herd of zombies dragging their way toward the survivors. All hid because there are definitely not enough bullets for all of them. Sophia, the little girl, gives her location away and runs into the woods while being pursued by two zombies. Rick catches up to her first and tells her to hide and stay put but head back to road if he doesn’t return. He takes care of the two but no Sophia when he returns. Daryl saves T-Dog by tossing dead bodies on him and himself in spite of the fact that T-Dog was very reason his racist brother Merrill was left atop of the C.D.C. They continue the search for Sophia the next day with no results and the show closes with Rick, Shane (Ricks former coworker and short term boyfriend to his wife while she thought Rick was dead in early zombie chaos), and Rick’s son Carl all staring at a dear and you keep waiting for zombies to jump out and attack it but instead a bullet rips through the deer and strikes the young boy in the chest, end scene. The only actor I recognized was Daryl, Norman Reedus, from Boondock Saints, which just happens to be in my top five, if not the top favorite movies of all time. As for the rest of them they are all fresh faces to me.
Although this show follows numerous basic zombie rules it brings a whole new connection to the typical story line by offering it in a series. It still has the golden rule which if a zombie sees you; it will stop at nothing to get a taste. Aided by the ability not to get exhausted, the zombie can literally run down its prey. Another appreciated rule is that their bodies are softer and a rock to the head actually smashes and caves in the skull, a classic feature in zombie entertainment. When fighting the undead you need to be able to trust those around you, so tension can be a lot higher among the characters if someone doesn’t feel like someone is pulling their weight.
The twist in making this zombie picture is simply the fact that it is an evolving story rather than an hour and half movie. Keeping the basic fundamentals of zombie production is a no brainer and will help unite all cult zombie coinsurers. Keeping the outbreak's cause a mystery is a major tease but a necessary one. Is this a result from a government experiment gone mad, a biological war on the United States, an act of god, or simply evolution? This in itself could trap a viewer to keep tuning in to satisfy their thirst for an answer.
This concept is fantastic and I’m hooked already. With chaos inevitable I hope to see Daryl take charge of the group, more so the group will probably identify with his views. It’s going to get messier and essentially it is a war, the dead vs.the living and a peace treaty is out of the question. From the silent knife and hand to hand combat kills, to the extravagant sniper and armed to the teeth kills, there is no way anyone will be bored in watching this. Undeniable strength is that a zombie TV series has never been done but the weakness for me is the drama. I would prefer to watch Daryl run amuck and murder all of them one by one in an angry fury of glory. I bet if you flicked on the tube from another country and were not exposed too much TV, you would probably think Americans are sick and no wonder why were fat and dumb, but after 20 minutes you’d be hooked too!
This concept is fantastic and I’m hooked already. With chaos inevitable I hope to see Daryl take charge of the group, more so the group will probably identify with his views. It’s going to get messier and essentially it is a war, the dead vs.the living and a peace treaty is out of the question. From the silent knife and hand to hand combat kills, to the extravagant sniper and armed to the teeth kills, there is no way anyone will be bored in watching this. Undeniable strength is that a zombie TV series has never been done but the weakness for me is the drama. I would prefer to watch Daryl run amuck and murder all of them one by one in an angry fury of glory. I bet if you flicked on the tube from another country and were not exposed too much TV, you would probably think Americans are sick and no wonder why were fat and dumb, but after 20 minutes you’d be hooked too!
Tony'G-Man' Guerrero article about the cause of the outbreak is a great discussion. Does it even matter, do we even want to know, would it be considered unnecessary information embedded in what is usually strictly shock and awe entertainment. I feel it should always be left as cliff hanger with subtle hints toward an answer but also providing contradicting clues that mix it all up leaving the answer to the viewer. I can’t wait for next Sunday’s episode at 9/8c on AMC. I will more than likely be tuning in online to amctv so my DVR will be uninterrupted recording Showtime’s Dexter and Homeland!
I have definitely reaffirmed I love violence, blood, and disorder. I simply cannot get enough of this!
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