The Walking Dead

[Davi323]

How is there not a thread about this yet???

Just wondering if anyone else is watching this show on AMC. For those that don't know, AMC is airing a series about a zombie apocalypse, and the struggle to survive it.

Without spoiling anything, I have to say that considering that this is TV and not a movie, the visual effects are as good as anything you will see in a zombie movie. There is plenty of blood and guts, stuff that might make you turn your head...everything you would expect to see in a zombie movie is in this TV show.

For fans of zombie movies, you will see a lot of familiar themes. Some scenes will make you think "that scene reminds me of 28 Days Later, this one is like that one scene in Dawn of the Dead", etc, but lets be honest...we really don't care about how original the plots are to zombie movies, we just want to see zombies. If you can look past the similarities to a few movies, what you will see is basic cable television being pushed to the very limit, and there is a damn good reason it doesn't air until 10pm (EST).

I know I fully plan on watching every episode, but what about you?

 

[Kenny Powers]

I think there has been a thread in the spam section. My friends got me into this series since they were big fans of the comic book. I've been a fan of zombie movies like the original Dawn of the Dead and so forth. I have enjoyed this television series. Its very realistic and campy like some zombie films. I'm not sure if an explanation was given yet about why everyone turned into zombies besides being bitten by one. I wonder if Rick will eventually run into his wife and child soon.

There is a very good cast in this series. It was fun to see Michael Rooker as an angry racist chained up to the top of the building and left to die. Hopefully we see more of him but I doubt it. Its good to have a television series you can watch anytime on basic cable. You definitely don't have to pay an extra 14 bucks to watch this series. Its even better then pay channels.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I wonder if Rick will eventually run into his wife and child soon.

As someone who's read the series in comic book form, i can tell you that a whole world of truly disturbing horror unfolds after that point.

It was fun to see Michael Rooker as an angry racist chained up to the top of the building and left to die

That whole 'Department Store' part doesn't even happen in the comic books. He meets Glenn and that's the only person he meets in Atlanta.

Furthermore, Glenn and Andrea (the blonde who screamed at Rick for attracting so many zombies) are the only two characters that actually exist in the books. Those other 4 or 5 guys are totally new creations, so expect them to get eaten.

I thought that everything that went on in that episode was awesome etc, and Robert Kirkman (the guy who writes the comics) will actually be writing the entire script for episode 3 instead of simply being the exec producer, because they're having to address the aftermath of the Department Store section, that he never actually had in his original story, so he's writing the whole episode so that someone else doesn't fuck up his characters.

I'm more excited for Episode 3 than any other so far, BECAUSE i'll have no idea of what's going to happen, until the point where Rick re-focuses on finding Lori and Carl.

 

[INDYjon22]

So, I am just now getting around to finally checking this show out. The first episode is very well done. The concept is typical, but there isn't much to get cute with in regards to zombies. Reminds me of 28 Days Later, ya know, with someone waking up and the world gone to hell. Oh well, it doesn't take away from the show being great. The zombies look awesome so far, and I personally love that they didn't run in the first episode, though that may change. I'm not a huge fan of running zombies. Also, the gore is great. NBC or CBS must be kicking themselves for not picking this up, but I can see their reasoning. It is far to gory to be on a network channel like NBC or CBS. AMC is the perfect home for this show and they are running with it. I am very impressed so far.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

So at the end of episode 3 i was left thinking 'Where the fuck did he go?' and now realise that there was another entrance to the roof, but for some reason, nobody even thought to shut that one when they were leaving.

I'm glad that the new characters introduced in episode 4 didn't turn out to be 100% racial stereotypes like all the others have so far. Like i've said before, apart from Rick meeting Glenn in Atlanta after his horse is eaten and wearing body parts while they retrieve stuff, none of what happens in Atlanta in the show, actually happens in the books, so when i see a bunch of vatos with guns, i'm thinking 'for fuck sake, we've already got gun toting-red necks haven't we?'

Thankfully that didn't go down the way i thought it would, and it worked out well i felt, and that sequence was followed by one i saw coming as soon as i saw the shadow on Ed's tent (not because they use the same shot in the book, because Ed isn't even in the books, but because shadows + no verbal response + dark open space + zombie show =

Spoiler

fuck loads of death!

That last part with Andrea and Amy was 100% spot on. The fishing conversation was made up for the show, but what happens at the end was exactly as it happens in 'Days Gone Bye' the graphic novel.....

"I remember my dream now......" Big, fuckin deal Jim. As i recall you were never supposed to even dream anything in the first place.

Spoiler

And jesus, who the fuck doesn't recognise a mass grave when they see one?

Roll on episode 5..... i got some ideas of how that's going to play out, but the pacing of certain events is all over the place in this series compared to the books, but it'll still be a blast finding out.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

Last night's episode was kind of weak. The majority of the episodes this season featured a lot of action, but this one was more sentimental than anything. I thought Jim was kind of a boring character, so I wasn't too upset when he decided to stay behind and await the inevitable. Although, watching Andrea kill Amy was kind of gut wrenching. This was probably one of the more emotional moments of the season. The gang finally found some safe shelter at the CDC, and it'll be interesting to see what happens next week on the season finale. This kind of sucks, because I have become a fan of this show, and I hate to see it end so soon. I really hope AMC decides to bring this show back.

 

[INDYjon22]

Last night's episode was kind of weak. The majority of the episodes this season featured a lot of action, but this one was more sentimental than anything. I thought Jim was kind of a boring character, so I wasn't too upset when he decided to stay behind and await the inevitable. Although, watching Andrea kill Amy was kind of gut wrenching. This was probably one of the more emotional moments of the season. The gang finally found some safe shelter at the CDC, and it'll be interesting to see what happens next week on the season finale. This kind of sucks, because I have become a fan of this show, and I hate to see it end so soon. I really hope AMC decides to bring this show back.

I heard that it already got picked up for a second season. Kind of surprised it's only a 7 episode show though, then again I am used to 13 episode seasons seeing as I watch Sons of Anarchy and Dexter. I really need to sit down and check if this show has hit AMC on demand yet and get caught all the way up, however it will be running alongside the Boardwalk Empire season finale which should make for an interesting night ratings wise.

 

[Muffin Top Merkley]

I'm really enjoying this series and sadden to hear that it was only going to be a seven episode season, but I understand it as it is a pilot run. I have faith that it will be picked up for a second season if it hasn't already.

I refer to The Walking Dead as my favorite new show of the year. I have yet to read the comic, so I'm not sure how true to form it is, but I find the show to be very well written and has excellent characters to move the the story. Every survival situation manages to feel fresh, unique and very suspenseful.

The special effects and makeup are outstanding for a television series, and easily something that could be seen in a high profile blockbuster movie.

If the show is picked up for additional seasons, I hope that they allow us to continue to learn more about the characters and their backstory before the zombies. Due to the limited amount of time and episodes, I feel like we are only getting the tip of the iceberg of who the characters really are.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I'm really enjoying this series and sadden to hear that it was only going to be a seven episode season, but I understand it as it is a pilot run. I have faith that it will be picked up for a second season if it hasn't already.

It has, and season 2 will be twice as long.

I refer to The Walking Dead as my favorite new show of the year.

Ditto, but then again i knew that'd be the case as soon as i heard they were doing it.

I have yet to read the comic, so I'm not sure how true to form it is, but I find the show to be very well written and has excellent characters to move the the story.

The best part is most of those non-essential characters that were never in the comic to begin with, are already dead. I'm really looking forward to seeing Dale and Andrea's relationship develop on screen, and then compare with how they do it in the comics.

Every survival situation manages to feel fresh, unique and very suspenseful.

This is how i'd describe this show to anyone who wasn't sure if they'd be interested.

It's a show that depicts how quickly civility, morality and general human life falls apart without society to hold it all together.....

It's a disaster aftermath series.... it just happens that the disaster was zombies!!!! And what better disaster to have in such a show? One that is a continuous threat that may never go away.

The special effects and makeup are outstanding for a television series, and easily something that could be seen in a high profile blockbuster movie.

I think just about every zombie related film/show is going to be drawing influences from this phenominal series.

If the show is picked up for additional seasons, I hope that they allow us to continue to learn more about the characters and their backstory before the zombies. Due to the limited amount of time and episodes, I feel like we are only getting the tip of the iceberg of who the characters really are.

I doubt they'll do that. Like i said earlier, the main concept is to watch what these people become, instead of giving much focus to who they were.

Those lives are over, and they're never likely to regain them ever, so i doubt they'll turn anymore focus on to the pasts of the characters.

Consider this, this first season basically covers the events of 'Days Gone Bye' the first graphic novel, with a few minor twists......

.....There are currently 13 volumes of The Walking Dead in print, and Robert Kirkman is still going, so there's plenty of material for them to work with.

I personally am really looking forward to them meeting Hershel and co. and a few seasons later, coming across...... The Govenor!...... assuming they're thinking of sticking to that route of course......

 

[byrnside]

I've seen the first 3 episodes but have been a little busy lately to catch up on the last 2. Sunday night is a very busy night for me in TV world with Boardwalk Empire, Sunday Night Football and occasionally Family Guy and the other FOX cartoons. Overall, I've really liked what I've seen. It's a really cool take on zombies, and I'll have to look into the graphic novel or comic or whatever it is. Now that Sons of Anarchy is over, I need to dedicate a new hour my TV time somewhere.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

Now that i've seen ALL of this week's i'm quite willing to guess that they'll have abandoned the CDC by the end of the next episode.

I'm starting to wonder though, whether Shane's fate is going to be completely re-written from what it is in the comic books. I'd explain why, but even if i narrowed it down to a single sentence that doesn't describe or reveal anything, it'd still be blatantly obvious what happens to Shane in the books.

 

[INDYjon22]

I have finally caught up with the show, at least through episode 5. Man oh man has this show been amazing. The visuals and story are really top notch. I really dig the Dennis Dixon storyline. Is he dead or not? We are under the assumption he is alive, but we won't ever know unless they bring him back. Even after cauterizing his hand, that doesn't mean he hasn't died yet seeing as it could get infected or he could still get bit by a zombie. My personal feelings are that he will come back eventually, only because of the actor who plays him has name recognition and I can't imagine them using him and then putting the character in limbo.

Darryl Dixon is a badass. I love Norman Reedus and he plays that role to perfection. The tension between Shane and Rick is really picking up. I can't imagine Shane having a very happy ending but I don't think he will die this season, at least I hope not. He is a great antagonist. The CDC won't pan out. That doctor seems unstable. Man, this show just has so much going on and I love it. Can't wait for the season finale this Sunday and the new season whenever it begins.

 

[Uncle Phatso]

This show is just crossing the boundarys all over. Gore all over tv, a post world even destroying civilation as we know it, everything about it is awsome.

I've been talking with a few friends on another forum I go on and we agree that if the second season is better than the first then true blood will deffinatly be surpassed as the best horror series on tv.

Personally I believe that statement to be more than true. The first season of true blood is awsome. But the first season of the walking dead was better in my mind. A much better story that most likely kill off storys to quickly and use the charicters for more than just sex. Lets all face it true blood is porn, thats it. Porn with a good storyline. You can see like 2 times an episode people having sex. Thats what the draw is for people! Omg free sex on tv? I'll turn in every week to see some tities.

The final episode kind of put it into prespective for me, this series if taken into the right direction will win alot of awards and go down as one of the best ever. I see alot of zombie spin off's happening in the future because of this series alone.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

Well i called it. CDC was a 1 time thing only with a big explosion and a sad song to boot.

Considering they only had 6 episodes to work with for their first season, i've enjoyed seeing how they've crafted the story differently to the original comic storyline.

Robert Kirkman has spoken to IGN about Merle stating that he will be featured again in some form or another, but more interestingly, he said that Darabont is very eager to feature 'The Governor' character from the comics, and utilise him in very much the same way, which means this show is going to get all kinds of messed up boys and girls, so far, you've only seen the tip of the iceberg.

 

[Muffin Top Merkley]

Season one is official over and it's unfortunate that we will have to wait so long before we get a second season.

I worried that six episodes wouldn't be enough to do this show justice, but I think that they were able to tell a perfect story arc that gets the viewer into the show and its characters.

I thought the season finale episode, TS-19 was a very good episode and it was one of my favorite of the season. My main complaint with the episode as a whole, was that it didn't feel like a season finale. I expected and hoped for a cliffhanger ending that would get the viewers talking and excited for when season two airs. The ending of Episode 5, was better suited to be a season finale ending.

What I loved about this episode was that it placed alot of its focus on the characters and their individual stories and relationships with one another, especially in the first half of the episode. The shower scene was brilliant as it showed everyone conducting the same simple task of taking a shower, but it also shows how everyone was dealing with what was going on in their life.

The Walking Dead received my nod for best new television show of 2010 and I look forward to season two.

 

[Davi323]

I disagree about it not finishing like a season finale. The entire first season was spent with Rick wanting to go to the CDC, because it seemed like the logical place to go during all of this. The entire first season was "lets go to the CDC, they will know what to do." Then, in the last episode, the CDC gets blown up, leaving them with no clue on how to proceed, where to go, etc. As they pull away from the burning remains of the CDC, they are wanderers again. No clear direction as to where to go. Not only did they find out that the princess wasn't in that castle, but now they have no clue how to get to the other castle, assuming there is even one. The overwhelming theme of "now what?" will be on our minds as we wait until season two starts. Sounds like a finale type episode to me.

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I disagree about it not finishing like a season finale. The entire first season was spent with Rick wanting to go to the CDC, because it seemed like the logical place to go during all of this. The entire first season was "lets go to the CDC, they will know what to do." Then, in the last episode, the CDC gets blown up, leaving them with no clue on how to proceed, where to go, etc. As they pull away from the burning remains of the CDC, they are wanderers again. No clear direction as to where to go. Not only did they find out that the princess wasn't in that castle, but now they have no clue how to get to the other castle, assuming there is even one. The overwhelming theme of "now what?" will be on our minds as we wait until season two starts. Sounds like a finale type episode to me.

I know! Big explosion with a sad song playing along with it, and no hope in sight for the remaining characters. Sounds like a typical season ending to me....

But here's something no one's mentioned yet.

What did Jennor whisper in Rick's ear just before he let him rejoin the group? There's your REAL cliffhanger! I've got one theory, based on what i know happens later in the comic books, however my knowledge of biology and how doctors can gain certain information is iffy at best so it may not relate to that at all.

And unless it's Darrell or T-Dogg, no one is suddenly going to be announced as being infected or carrying a cure in their blood stram, so don't bother specualting about that......

 

[INDYjon22]

I enjoyed the finale. It did a great job of setting up hope and then leaving us with nothing more then regret that nothing good happened. Exactly what a season finale, especially a first season finale, is supposed to do. Now the characters must move on to their next step in survival. It will be interesting to see where the show goes from here seeing as I know nothing about the graphic novels. Hopefully Shane gets his soon, however he is a great antagonist opposite of Rick. And like I said before, I would love to see Meryl Dixon return at some point next season. I also am curious to see who else they meet in the next season, someone mentioned a Governor or Mayor which seems very interesting.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I really enjoyed the season finale. The CDC did seem to good to be true. The Shane/Lori situation continues to heat up. I think Shane is going to tell Rick about the brief relationship he had with Lori or Rick is going to find out somehow. This secret will be revealed sooner or later. Dale had to talk Andrea into leaving the doomed CDC building. This was a very gut wrenching moment. Jacqui's decision to stay behind kind of surprised me, because I thought Jenner would be left to die alone. The finale was great. This episode had a lot of suspense and drama, and I'm excited for the next season. There are so many questions that need to be answered. What did Jenner tell Rick? How will the group survive? Will someone else turn into a zombie? The Walking Dead has been awesome so far. I hope this show can have a nice run.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

A first look at season 2:

[YOUTUBE]HNmwf_cI8q0[/YOUTUBE]

And here's a little bit more info, plus the video: http://splashpage.mtv.com/2011/07/18/walking-dead-season-two-trailer/

The Walking Dead had a great season finale. It was filled suspense and drama, and the cliffhanger at the very end was unreal. There are a lot of lose ends that need to be tied up... When will Lori come clean about her affair with Shane? Will Rick reveal Jenner's info that he whispered into his ear? Will the remaining survivors find safe haven? This season should be awesome, and October can't come fast enough for me.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I think I'm in the minority, but I really wasn't into the first season as much as I wanted to be. I've read the graphic novels a few times and the tv series just didn't come close to capturing the brilliance of the source material by a long shot. Why oh why did they meet the scientist at the end of the first season when the characters in the novel don't meet the equivalent until much later on? They didn't even get to the prison either, the main piece of imagery which perfectly sums up the survivors situation due to the circumstances of zombies ruling the roost and being 'imprisoned' by a lack of knowledge.

The best piece of news I heard from the show after the first season was that Darabont fired the writers but I don't think that will salvage how great it could/should have been. Plus Rick just seems too *****fied on tv compared to his graphic novel character. Andrea and Dale were pretty well cast though so I give them credit for that.