MEET BACK HERE after you see it to discuss.

SPOILERS OUT THE ASS so do NOT!!!!

do NOT!!!!! come here until you see it!!!!!!

Okay, I'll see you all in about 55 minutes...

!!!!!EXCITED!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhh!!!!

Tonight on AMC, bitches!!!

WATCH IT or be MOCKED UNMERCIFULLY!!!!!!!

Okay, my excitement might need to be reigned in a smidge, but still--

WATCH IT or be ETERNALLY UNROUND!!!!!!!!!!!

ohmiGAWD, only 35 minutes left--!!!!!!!!!!

Home finally and ready to watch. 30 minutes left!!!!!

I'm so pumped for this! I've been eating Japanese food and having a cold beer as I gear up. Dog is walked, everything put away and cleaned up--no distractions!

I'm giddy as a MLLASH at an Ambush Bug and Infectious Lass convention!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Seeing Rick break down on TV made me feel some real emotion--for #48 and what happens later to him and his family. Wow...I don't think I took enough time to realize how sad that was before! </span></span>

So far, so awesome

The night at the house with the doorknob turning.. kinda creepy.

Okay.. so I've not read the books, but man.. that was so freaking cool!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!

OMGGGGGGGGGGGGg

That kicked more ASS than should be allowed--!!!!!!!!!

>>laying on floor, hyperventilating<<

You guys will have to take it from here.... I'm really in the midst of a geekgasm....

I'll have to watch again to take it all in...

and THAT is a WHOLE LOTTA giddiness!

WAITAMINIT-- what is this-- the 2nd ep?!!?

BRB...

The first one os an hour and a half.

Soo freaking amazing to this point. Deviations from the book are great so far and add a lot to the story.

Some of the stuff looks like it just came right off of the page of the comic.

Well, it's not over yet.. but I'm sold. Gonna go pick up the books. This is amazing.

It would be so cool to win, or know someone from here that won the Stagger on role!

I cannot waiit until next week!!!!!!

The differences are minor ones from the books, watching this first will not deminish your enjoyment of the books.

The preview makes me wonder where the series will go during this run. I saw some unfamiliar characters and situations previewed that didn't seem to fit where I thought the series would be ending its initial run! I guess I'll discuss the more spoiler-comicbooky things at Gym'll's and just stick to the series itself here!

Thank you for that, Chief! I don't want to know to much to soon!

Frank Darabont has said that they plan to take as many detours from the comic as they want to, so new situations isn't a surprise.

I hate when they do not take into account that a lot of people would want to enter contests...still trying, but there are too many connections.

I got my entry in! Hang in there, Dev.

If I win, maybe they'll let me be a zombie cos-player!

I am looking forward to the detours...as they will introducenew things into the story, and give the readers some unexpected surprises.

Great premier episode. They did not shy away from any Zombie Movie gore in this one. Great effects overall.

I missed the code, but good luck guys!

It's "SURVIVAL", Crym!

Ohh.. thanks!!

Loved Rick in this thing. Morgan, too! I'd read that Rick comes across kind of undeveloped in the premier, but I didn't think that at all. Nice subtle, natural way the actor has that does a lot with a little.

They say that theere is at least one addedmain character on the AMC site...or maybe it was another site. I like the idea of new characters on the show, as it adds more fodder for the Zeds.

Go for it! Increases the chances for the LMB to represent!

Got my entry in. Now to go to sleep and have zombie dreams...

I read that same review, and I totally agree with you that he is more than developed enough here. Morgan stole the show though...man, tough choices made there.

Sweet, meaty dreams, they are!

Oh, I wanted to say something about foreshadowing in a coupla spots, but those that contain comics spoilers should most DEFINITELY be discussed on the Gym'll's thread! Episode spoilers, however, are fair game here!

Yeah. Gonna have to watch what is said where...

30 minutes until the premier here in the west. Hope I can stay awake for it!

I managed to stay awake. Very good, The post apocalyptic feel and human drama of the book are there.

WALKING DEAD a ratings smash- CBR

I'm so embarrassed, I thought it was only 1 hour and missed some things because of it!!

But I DVRed and will watch again this evening.

Spoiler-free? It was FUCKING AWESOME!!!

Wow-- those numbers beat some NBC/ABC/CBS/Fox numbers.

Look for Season 2 to be officially greenlighted in 2 weeks barring a massive drop in ratings for the 2nd ep.

That scene with Rick putting the torso zombie out of her misery I found strangely affecting! In the comic I mostly just found it creepy, but here it was kinda sad!

I think the shift from her shrieking and scrambling after him to barely moving and gasping, quiet wimpering really helped the effectiveness of that scene when Rick goes back to shoot her. It comes across more powerfully on the screen than on the page, for sure.

Yeah, that scene was really beautiful in the live action. I suspect many "lesser scenes will be like that". And for that matter, a lot of the action sequences which we've kind of gotten used to will pack a lot more punch now when we see them in live action.

I thought the music was really moving too, especially during the sequence with Morgan.

Speaking of which, Morgan was fantastic. I've always felt he was very 'meh' in that I could take him or leave him. The actor did such a fantastic job that I suddenly care a lot more about him. I'm wondering what other types of influence the show will have on me in how I view characters within the comic.

I thought the actor who played Rick was terrific and I agree there was plenty of depth. I think they really nailed Rick and his quiet confidence as well as his ability to roll with the situation.

I'm thrilled the premiere was a ratings hit! I know I tried to get a lot of my friends to tune in and many did, not knowing a thing about the comics. Everything about this is so cool: it's good for comics, it's good for television and it's good for the horror genre.

I even thought the actor who played Shane did a great job and from previous roles I've seen him in, I thought he was terrible. Maybe he just needed something good to showcase his talent.

Some actors just mesh with certain roles. There can be a variety of reasons.

I'm holding off on celebrating the ratings until I see that they're consistently good.

I think its okay to celebrate... I read on EW.com that 2 million is considered a ratings smash for AMC. 5+ million was a record-breaking sensation for them.

Here's hoping week two doesn't see the ratings dip to 1 million...

OK I watched it in full.

the torso zombie scene brought a tear to my eye... it was THAT touching. I *love* the actor playing Rick.

Getting on a strange horse when you haven't ridden one in years is STILL the dumbest move I have ever seen in a zombie-related comic or film. Getting bucked from one broke my collar bone as a kid. If that had happened here, well, it's over for you. Promise me none of you will do that in the event of a real zombie apocalypse.

Morgan went kinda batshit, didn't he? They are def. setting up his (and Duane's) return down the line. What made the scene with the wife so sad for me was that she didn't really LOOK dead... she looked like they could let her in and it would be okay. Speaking of which, that scene with Rick staring at her through the peephole was reaLLLy creepy!

That whole tank thing was totally different from the comic. I was glad to see it.

I really loved it overall.

Where did you see it? I missed it, went to AMC, and the video isn't up.

The opening scene blew my mind and proved that this thing was going to be beyond anything I could have imagined. If they were willing to do that, in the opening minutes...all bets are off for the show and what they are willing to show.

My dad also watched it, thanks to my talking about this since I heard about it months ago and he loved it as well.

For my money, Morgan and Duane stole the premier episode...not an easy feat when the whole thing was fantastic...but those two just took characters and made them into something truly special.

The crawler scene was great and made a bigger impact than the comic scene did for me. Having him hike after her a ways made it seem truly a sympathetic act on Ricks part and not just an afterthought as he drove by. He sought her out to put her out of the horrid exoistance she was in.

Morgans wife and the fact that she looked the most normal and undisturbed of all the zombies was great. The fishbowl scenes were creepy, as was the doorknob turning for lord knows how long.

I noticed these zombies aren't exactly "Dawn of the Dead-remake" sprinting but they ain't "Night of the Living Dead-remake" stumblebums either... they can get a little quickness behind them, which amps the fright up for me.

What's funny is that the remake Dawn of the Dead was on right beefore this, and I turned it on near the end where the mall cop blows up the big group of them. The runners are truly more frightening...not necessarily more deadly...because of the speed with which they travel.

I like that The Walking Dead can have them amp it up a bit if there's something to chase.

I noticed that they just amble around or actually go motionless otherwise...until a meal happens by.

Oddly enough, the opening scene with the little girl zombie was pretty much the only part that didn't do it for me. I understand that it was a 'mission statement' of sorts, but other than the relatively little bit of facial damage near her mouth, she didn't come off particularly menacing. I think if she was either more scary looking or more aggressively attacking, it would've worked better. Maybe I'm just too desensitized to horror flicks, but I wasn't sold on her as I was elsewhere with the zombies in the episode. Other than her appearance, she seemed mostly like a child seeking help from an adult...who was promptly rewarded with a shot to the head. The Dawn of the Dead remake had a much more effective zombie kid scene in its opening minutes!

That's pretty much the only misstep in the entire episode as far as I'm concerned. Though if I came into this cold, I might've been unimpressed enough by it to be turned off so early into it. I guess they didn't want to traumatize the child actor too much!

I'll agree with CeeTee... I felt the opening was a slight misstep and borrowed too much from the DotD remake (and the scene from which this may have been borrowed was MUCH scarier).

People are already citing a '28 Days Later' borrow with the whole waking in the hospital post-apocalypse thing.

The reason I say it blew my mind is that in DotD, the little girl is just thrown out the door. Not matter how much more viscious, the fact that she gets one to the head and it is shown is much more shocking to me than even having her take a bite out of someone.

I do think the point I believe CeeTee made about these TWD TV zombies having a smidge of their old selves was shown very well by the little girl. What zombie stops to pick up a teddy bear? That wasn't shown by accident.

Well, the only way that could have been avoided was to change the whole set-up to Rick's story. From what I understand, neither the comic nor "28 Days Later" borrowed from each other. They debuted within 3 months of each other. Yeah, there are unfortunate similarities, but people will see they are superficial as the series continues. Plus, so far no military crazies in TWD!

I'm glad they didn't change the hospital... that hospital was chilling.

I thought they did the hospital up right. The differences between book and screen didn't bother me at all.

I liked how all those bodies were outside the hospital in bloody sheets. I didn't remember that from the book. Very effective! And the black flies sold things really well.

Can you imagine waking up in the hospital like that? So creepy..

Anyone think anything strange about one of the zombies from the bus in Atlanta? He slowly started following Rick (i think that's his name) while he was on the horse, and looked like he had bit of emotion.. and then he later appeared again at the tank. He looks more intelligent than the others..

There are some pics and a clip from episode 2 up here: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/1011/01/index.htm

go to if ya want some minor spoilerish type things.

Yeah, I've been wondering about that zombie as well. I think it may just be that he has become the focus of the zombie pics from the season...one of the ones they were most happy with the way the makeup and that turned out, so he gets a bit of extra face time...at least I hope so.

Also, IMDB has the cast listings and episode count for everyone. Some interesting things to consider if you want to look at them.

I saw the show and it was awesome, i've read the comics which were fantastic, and judging by the pics I've seen, they seem to be following the comic....well at least some story elements, whether they stray from the comic remains to be seen.

I kept looking for TWD artist Charlie Adlard as one of the zombies but I just don't know what he looks like well enough to pick him out. I think it's really cool though that he got to be a zombie extra in the premiere!

Kirkman should TOTALLY be a zombie sometime... A wellFED zombie, true...

Read some stuff on AMCC threads about the series, and I find it hilarious that people are actually upset about the Horse getting eaten. I mean really?

Also they are trying to justofy Rick being in a coma for a month with no food or water. Simple. He wasn't. The Hospital lasted longer than most places but eventually was overcome, not long before Rick woke up. Also, his wound would not have necessarily induced a coma, but medication they had him on may have been used to keep him still as to not move the wrong way while getting better.

Simple explanations thought of in seconds. Why do people get all riled up about things like that when it is a show about dead people getting up and trying to eat their neighbors?

I agree
if you want to watch a show about zombies over running the world, dont get worked over little things that defy "your" explanation.

Possibly for the same reasons people get riled up about things that happen in comic books.

Good point.

Is anyone else getting as tired as I am of hearing people complain about the beginning "Oh, 28 Days Later did that first"?

I feel like beating them over the head with a copy of The Day of the Triffids!

That's why I choose to never interact with non-comic book fans!

Rick,

AMC announced on Facebook they are now streaming episode 1 and will stream ONLY episode 1. So you can watch it now there but I assume from the phrasing they used you will need to watch the rest of the episodes as they air on AMC Sunday nights.

Just watched the first episode again. Even more impressed with it the second time around. Morgan and Duane should get their own show. Those two were just awesome. I'd love to see them come back into the series earlier and under different circumstances (those of you who read know what aI mean.)

So looking forward to tomorrow night and episode 2. Andrea and Glen in action. So geeked for this show!!! I want the DVD for season 1 now!!!

I just watched it and really enjoyed it. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't been familiar with the comic since I spent the whole time comparing the two, but it was still really good.

The production/design/visuals/sound effects side was the most impressive part to me. Some seriously excellent (and undoubtedly expensive) work done there.

I was slightly disappointed by the opening credits though. True Blood has a MUCH better opening and even that fan-made one that was floating around a few weeks ago was better. I especially hate how only three of the actors get faces with their names. A weird choice for what is obviously an ensemble storyline.

While I'm nit-picking - I didn't like the song choice at the end either. Either as a piece of music in general or one suited to the scene. That was a big surprise to me too because normally Darabont is spot-on with his music choices and the Walker Brothers song in the trailer was perfect. But hating that song kinda ruined the ending for me.

I liked the way this opening chapter just concentrated on Rick, Morgan and Duane though - introduces us to the world and setting through more focused eyes before we start meeting all the other characters.

Responding to Dev Em above, I'm going to have give away some spoilers from the comic while I compare my predictions of where the show is going to where the book went (so don't click on this box if you haven't read the book) -


<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> OK, so we all know that when we next meet Morgan and Duane, Duane is a zombie and Morgan can't bring himself to kill him. It occurred to me that that whole drama/storyline/character-crisis-of-conscience was played out here with the wife and his inability to shoot her. Doing it again later with his son would just seem like a retread for these characters IMO. So that is one departure from the comic I definitely hope to see them make.</span></span>

Blacs, I think the Morgan/Duane sitch they set up in the show perfectly sets up their return down the line to follow the comic (with MUCH more pathos, esp. if Morgan's actions in episode 1 were the reason why-- Well, spoliers omitted). So in this case I kinda hope they follow the comic!

I actually liked the ending song!

But-- I *totally* agree with you re: only 3 of the cast having pictures in the opening credits. I am a FOOL for pics in the opening credits (plus it lets me learn who the actors' real names are) so I do hope this is altered to include all the current characters. The only reason I can think that it wouldn't is because either the cast is going to change FAST or this was a "pilot"/first ep so they weren't sure at the time if it was even going forward and didn't bother. I really do hope this changes!

I felt like the thing with Morgan and Duane was definitely setting up what would happen later when Rick comes back for them. But I wouldn't be upset if things play out differently.

Blacula, I would strongly encourage you to post more spoilery speculation, such as what you bring up here, on the TWD comics thread on Gym'll's. IMO, it's just more appropriate there since there are probably a number of people here experiencing TWD for the first time on TV.

No offense intended!

None taken.

But I don't read the comics thread until a new TPB is out - and only then up to the page/post that concerns the latest issue in the TPB. So I'm perpetually behind in that thread and don't go into it much for fear of spoilers.

The other reasons I posted it here are because -

a) there may be people in that thread who aren't watching the show (I know I wouldn't have been able to see it unless my friend illegally downloaded it) so talking about the show in that thread might be spoiling it for them.

and

b) my spoiler is directly related to where I think the show is going and the writing/directing choices that I think the showrunners will make - and that just seemed more appropriate to this thread.

As a person who HATES spoilers I appreciate your effort to keep this thread spoiler-free CT, but I think some things will inevitably end up being discussed (especially as the show starts departing from the comics as the writers have said it will). Hopefully when that happens people can remember to use spoiler boxes in their posts like I did.

Speaking of which -

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text"> You and Lash probably should have used these boxes when you mentioned that we'd be seeing Morgan and Duane again.

And getting back to them - unless the show goes in the opposite direction the comic did and has Morgan gather the strength to kill zombie-Duane, I can't see how following what the comic did there will be anything but a retread for his character. We've already seen him go through the anguish of losing a family member to the plague and then trying and failing to make himself put them out of their 'misery'. Seeing that happen again later would just be spinning wheels with this character.

You guys could be right in that the zombie-wife sets us up for zombie-Duane later on but if so, the only way I can see that working from a writing/character standpoint is if they change it so that he does finally gather the strength to kill him.

Now that I think about it, I agree with you both - the writers are setting us up for that scene. But with the opposite outcome. I wonder what that will mean for Morgan's character though - since that failure to kill Duane seems to be a pretty defining part of his character (at least in where I've read up to so far).</span></span>

yeah CeeTee, no sense in driving ourselves nuts over spoilers... maybe it's the decade-plus message board poster in me (which I know you can match me for to practically the day) but I feel like posters have got to be more spoiler-savvy these days.

Me too. I did some hunting and found out it was "Space Junk" from Wang Chung! I never would have guessed it was them.

I think the only part of the song that can be related to TWD would be the two chorus lines

Welcome to my world
Welcome to my only world

Panning up from the tank, showing this is the way things are now. This is the new reality.

I thought the ending song was alright as it brought a litle more lighter tone to the ending of the show. Rick was pretty much at the end of it all, and then this voice comes out of nowhere giving him hope, and showing him that there are other survivors out there.

If they went with something darker, there would have been little to look forward to...as it kinda set the tone for me with whats coming. Not that everything is going to be fun and roses...but that he is going to find more survivors...giving him some hope that he can get out of his current situation and hook up with some others.

Lyrics tot the song Space Junk by Wang Chung. Actually, looking at them, the song is more appropriate and more inspired then it seems at first glance. If you want to read a bit into the possible mwanings that one could find.

At least to me.

(lyrics below)

Yeah

Drifting down the spaceway
By the Betelgeuse Hotel
Mapping out constellations
Of the place I know so well
Sifting through the system
For the piece that knows my name
Endlessly I listen, in the master game

Chorus:
Welcome to my world
(Welcome to my world)
Welcome to my only world
(Welcome to my only world)
It is full of space junk
But your words are coming through
I'm riding on the space junk
And it's bringing me to you
Bringing me to you

Through the tenth dimension
To the certainties beyond
Dreamily inattention, and the sub-atomic bomb
Machine that spins within me
And the spirit that drives me on
Searching for an answer

Repeat Chorus with ad lib

Sitting on the space junk
What I am to do
Riding on the space junk
And it's bringing me to you
My head is full of space junk
But your words are coming through
Riding on the space junk
And it's bringing me to you
It's bringing me to you (Repeat)

Glenn rocked the show this week. Great casting for Andrea and the rest of the comics crew so far, at least from what we've seen.

Massive deviations from the book this week, but it's all good so far. I like some of the added characters alright so far, but consider them mostly fodder.

SPOILER-O-RAMA! SHOW and early issues of COMIC mentioned in this post

The scene with them walking amongst the zombies was straight from the comic and was wildly succesful for me... NERVE-WRACKING!

LOVE Andrea and Glenn, and Rick is PERFECTLY cast.

T-Dog, Morales and Jacqui? Meh. I will have to warm up to them. Or might not bother... they feel like zombie-fodder to me...

HATE the racist asshole. Not crazy about this addition.

Lori is just bitchy enough to be perfect so far. Dale is AWESOME! The guy with Dale working on the truck-- is that the guy from the first arc who decides he wants to come back as a zombie to reunite with his family? Sure looked like him!

This ep had me on the edge of my seat!!


Overall I am *VERY VERY* pleased!!!

That was Jim (I think that was his name)...or at least he looks just like what I pictured he would.

Just checked IMDB, and Jim is indeed casted in the series...so I would say that it is who you think it is.

Wow... excellent casting of the comic characters here! Props to the casting department for SURE--!

Much lovefor the sewer walkerin todays episode...rat...the other live meat.

OOoh-- forgot to mention:

How do you guys feel about the zombies using ROCKS to smash that window? I'm not sure how much I like this.

^A little on the fence about that one, Lash. Kinda continues the "smart zombie" fears I had about last episode. Also, for a moment there, it looked like the zombies were gonna climb the ladder behind Rick and Glenn. Glad it didn't happen. I don't mind a little here and there, but I hope they don't cross a line.

Also, interesting how Shane and Lori seem much more a couple this time around. Their tonsil-tango last ep implied as much, but the opening moments here really confirmed. The comic implied that they only had sex once and that Lori was never that into Shane even before Rick showed up. Seeing them like that really made me feel bad for Rick...and for Carl, too.

LOVED the dismemberment of the zombie to get Glenn and Rick all gored-up! Other cool gross-outs included that one getting sliced on the side of her face and that other one getting a righteous ax to the head! I very much approve! More proof that AMC is really going all-out in the gore dept. here.

Also, that zombie that jumped the gate!! I don't think they should do that either...

Hm. Somehow that didn't bother me as much as one climbing a ladder. Maybe because the fence is only so tall?

The rock didn;t bother me much.

None of them actually vlimbed the ladder, which probably would have boothered me.

Having them try the fence, for some reason does not bother me too much. Marbe teh ones that were close to making it over the fence were a little fresher to the undead side and retained a bit more muscle mass.

Total viewers for last night's episode: 4.7 million. TWD is an unparallelled success for AMC.

Season 2 is OFFICIALLY greenlighted, as can be confirmed by checking ew.com or AMC's site.

YAY!!!!!

Great news. Now I hope they are ready to start shooting Season Two quick. Any word on when season two will start airing?

What time does this show come on in your time zones? It comes on at 11:00 p.m in Tucson, and ends at midnight. I just can't do that on a Sunday night because my work week has me up at 5:00 a.m on Monday morning. I fell asleep before last night's episode and I'm pretty bummed.

Is this a problem for anyone else? Is AMC nuts? Is it a Tucson thing? Am I just getting too damn old?

It starts at 10 in the eastern time zone. I assume it shows pretty late because of its content, Jer. No DVR or VCR as alternatives for viewing?

I've never been much of a recorder. Just about everything technical in my house has broken in the last two weeks, the mailbox key is lost, and there is a snake in the garage. I might get around to pulling out the DVR manual by Thanksgiving...

As far as the fence thing goes...only a few actually tried, only some of those would have made it, and only one got over. It was a pretty small fence anyway, so momentum got them over in my opinion...and the lack of too many pressing up against them.

There is talk of higher fences on the Image boards... <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">as in the prison fences,</span></span>, which I do not see being an issue. The Zeds do not have the dexterity to climb those and manuever themselves over the B-wire.

11? Wow, that's late... comes on at 9 here, which I could do even if I was working.

Meanwhile, I'm totes digging the implication in Dev's spoler! I think I'll pay a visit to... **GASP!** the Image boards.

I only saw my 1st ep ("Guts") last night but I enjoyed it well enough.

Really didn't like the second episode. Too much filler and deviation from the books. The new characters were mostly cliches and the dialogue was weak (showing that the strength of the first episode really did come from the source material).

I didn't tell my wife that most of the episode wasn't based on the books until after I got her reaction, which was it wasn't nearly as good as the first one.

Hopefully it gets back on track next week.

Rogue, upon a subsequent viewing of Episode 2, I lean more toward your point of view, but I am still enjoying it.

Aside from Rick and Glenn's walk in gore (which for me was a real nail-biter), NONE of this episode was from the comic and I do agree that it hurt the episode.

Yet I am STILL looking forward to episode 3!

EPISODE 3 SPOLIERFEST in 6 hours 15 minutes and counting...

Liked episode 3 a lot. Not quite what happened in the comic, but it keeps some of the same themes from them going. This whole Merle thing is a bit tedious though, and fromt he looks of the preview...we have another group in Atlanta.

ALL EPISODE 3 SPOILERS FOLLOW THIS SENTENCE... ALSO COMIC PLOTLINES FROM EARLY ISSUES TO # 30-SOMETHING MENTIONED!

YooooooooKAY. Looks like Merle has totally stolen Rick's schtick at the end, there, huh? I don't really care for that plotline. I wonder if they are possibly setting up Merle to be a certain governer down the road?

Lori sure didn't surgarcoat anything for Shane, did she? I did actually feel bad for the guy, whereas I didn't really in the comic. I actually kinda like Shane.

Carol kinda didn't look right, did she? I guess they kinda didn't need another blonde. She was just perfect though, as a crybaby pushover, which she definitely was. I don't mind how she looks different than I expected.

Signs of future Andrea-awsomosity are already showing.

Hate Ed. LOVED Shane taking his anger out on him!

I think it's pretty clear they won't be getting past the first trade this season... IF they make it that far...

I guess I really need to just let go of the comic when I watch this because they are changing it up a LOT... but it's hard to do.

They are changing things up...and overall I do not mind it. I just don't like the backwater bigot brothers. They can both have a bullet inthe head for all I care about the characters at this point.

That aside...Rick makes it back to camp, and they go back to the city for guns. Close enough broad stroke to keep the comic flow going. The asides are alright.

Looks like a big attack is happening next week at the camp, or at least being set up by the end of the next episode. I figure we'll see a few characters get bit...

Regarding Shane...definately like him better here than in the comic, although he is pretty low in both. Going after his best friends wife...pretty low, especially if Lori is telling the truth about him telling her that Rick was dead. They making that whole triangle come alive better than in the comic...imho. Wouldn't mind seeing it simmer for a while. Almost felt sorry for Ed for half a second...but was glad to see Shane have someone who deserved his wrath get his ass whooped.

Looking back, there was some untapped story potential left out there by leaving the Atlanta area so soon. It makes sense that we're seeing more survivors in that area than we did in the comic.

From a TV budget standpoint, it's expensive to show, say, Atlanta, Wilshire Estates and the beginnings of the prison all within six episodes. I'm okay with these six essentially being Book One with some detours. From the moment I saw the series announced as initially being six episodes, that's what immediately popped in to mind, anyway.

No, I'm not crazy about Merle, but the actor playing him is doing a good job with what he was given. And characters like him and his brother provide more inter-group friction than what we saw early on in the comic.

I also loved Rick's rationale for going back into Atlanta. The guns, the debt to Morgan and Duane, Dale's tools--I really liked that!

I just hope Rick finds his HAT, though, because Carl looks positively naked without it! I mean, when's the last time we saw Carl depicted without it in the book? If Rick'd managed to keep hold of it, right before going back would've been the perfect moment to give him the hat! (He's GOTTA find it!!!)

FIND THE HAT!!!!

Totally agree with that.

I seem to remember describing her husband/Sophia's father in the comic once or twice in the comic, though we never met him there. I don't know if she said he was abusive or if they were divorced or whatever. Anyone recall?

Maybe when/if Ed kicks it, she'll grow her hair out. the way he was depicted, I wouldn't be surprised if her short hair was his decision as a control mechanism. It's hard to imagine the Carol we see here eventually hooking up with whom she eventually does. (Kirkman hinted in the TWD lettercol that that character will eventually appear.) I guess we'll see.

In a way Ed and Carol and the confrontation with Shane here reminded me a lot of something very recently that happened in the comic with different characters.

Yeah, there seems to be a lot of little nods to other things from various timeframes in the comics so far. Had not heard that about the character to appear...hopefully next season.

Just watched a preview for the next episode...Jim gets a little bit of a spotlight. Which I'm glad to see. Woonder if they'll keep his story intact from the comics...

Looks-wise, Jim is indisputably the most spot-on actor cast for this show! I liked what we saw of him here, what little there was. He looked like he was just being Jim and not acting, if that makes any sense. He was a man of few words in the book, but he just felt right. I hope we get to know him a little better however things may play out here. (I am, however, going on the record in favor of characters from the books more or less following their book destinies.)

By the way, Episode 4 to air next week is the one written by Kirkman! The episode is entitled "Vatos" and is described as follows: "Rick runs into unforseen problems, which get in the way with his mission to return to Atlanta. In the meantime back at camp, Jim seems to be going off the deep end."

Interesting....Jim makes the brief episode description.

Fuck! The Wikipedia article <sorry, it won't let me link> lists Tyreese amongst the Supporting Cast! If that's accurate, that's the first I've heard that he will appear in this initial run!!!

Tonight's episode was my favorite yet... first time I watched the encore. Daryl is a great "new" character. Looking forward to next week!

Episode 1 = 5.3
Episode 2 = 4.7
Episode 3 = 5.1

Way to go Walking Dead!!!!!!!

Yep, I was just about to post that Episode 3's ratings (5.1 million viewers) improved heavily on episode 2's and ALMOST matched episode 1's.

AMC would be wise to fast-track Season 2's production.

But I have a horrible, horrible feeling we won't see season 2 before September 2011.

My Girlfriend pointed out that Jacqui's hair was still relaxed, and she found it impossible that during this whole Zombie Apocalypse that her hair hasn't reverted back to it's natural state. not sure how long the whole thing started, but unless she's got a stash of relaxer, neutralizer, and conditioner somewhere in the camp she should've had a big ole' afro by now.

Rick was in the hospital a month so it hasn't been super-long since it all started.

I did notice one lady at camp (episode 1 maybe) who did have a nifty fro working.

But after seeing GOOD HAIR (very interesting movie, I liked it a lot) I can believe Jacqui might have taken her hair products!!

I'm with Lash in that I'm actually really liking Shane here and can really empathize with him. What's to come should be all the more tragic!

And I agree: FIND THE HAT!

I dont like shane, he told her rick was dead, granted he may not have thought rick could survive in a hospital that was possibly overrun...or he had other motives.

i have to agree with the LABRADORIAN, after the talk RIck and Shane had about the girl Shane was seeing(before Rick got shot) which made Shane seem like as if he didn't want to be in a steady relationship now he wants to be a faithful mate and family man with his partners with and son? i guess a Zombie Apocalypse can really change a man, but now that Rick is back is Shane willing to let go?

THE HAT!!!!!!!!!!!

^ You beat me to it!!!

EPISODE 4 SPOILERAMA!!!


AT LAST: THE HAT!!!

Tonight's Kirkman-written episode has been a total divergencefest, and it has been EXCELLENT.

You can SO tell he wishes he had done more with... certain characters who aren't around anymore.

I have ***LOVED*** how the stand-off workjed out...!

And it's not even OVER yet....

OHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!

What a tear-jerker ending... By far the best episode to date...

Great episode all the way around. Twist and turn on the gang bangers. The hat makes a return. Scenes basically right out of the book at the end.

Figures Kirkman wrote this one...great episode.

God that was awesome! When I heard "I've gotta go pee," I realized what was coming.

Absolutely devastating.

Anyone keep track of who died? Two confirmed. Wife says she saw a third but wasn't sure who. Going by the preview, I'm pretty sure another got bit whom fans of the series would recognize.

had to run to the pc as soon as the first commercial break hit after Glenn picked it up. Had to post that the Hat was back.

Funny, I was thinking how zombie-lite the past couple episodes had been. Then...

Who I saw get bit/munched on... <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Jim, Amy, Ed, and at least a one or two other random non-named people.</span></span> .

The third was who you think it was. Shoulder bite while whacking away at a Zed.

Why am I liking Darryl and hoping he sticks around for a while. I wouldn't like the guy as a person, but he brings something to the show that is more believable than Mearle did/does.

Can't wait for him to show up again.

^I was so shocked at the turn of events (I was expecting Merle or Jim to lose it, not what actually happened) and by the sudden, shocking gore and violence that I had trouble keeping track of what happened to whom. I saw Jim swinging the shovel but didn't see anything else happen to him.

Honestly, the show had hypnotized me into thinking that this stuff wouldn't go down 'til episode six! And actually, prior to this episode the only zombie-caused fatality we'd witnessed to this point was the horse. That really sharpened the impact of what happened tonight, IMO.

Dev, I'm with you. I won't mind if Darryl sticks around. I think he's less unstable that Merle and more likely to listen to reason.

Maybe...

That blonde zombie in the car-- that kid? Was that a stagger-on?

Oh and dude taking an arrow in the ass... very funny!!!

I liked Daryl more and more as the episode went on. After he turned his crossbow on Rick, it seemed like he started to fit in. I also liked how he used Merle's hand on the prisoner.

Nah, these episodes were filmed over the summer. The stagger-ons would presumably figure in to season 2.

It's really quick, but it is definitely him. They show the shovel and then one comes and nails him on the shoulder. In the comic, IIRC, you don't even see it happen, just afterward.

So, Dev, you think there were only two and a half fatalities shown in the camp?

Darryl is a hothead to be sure, and he and Rick will not be best buds anytime soon. I do think he's an asset to the group overall though. Personal issues aside.
That was great...and the fact that Rick went along with it was awesome too.

At least three and a half that I saw. One woman gets blindside tackled at some point. Not sure who she was though.

I really liked Jim a lot tonight. The actor really brings something to that character. I think it's his eyes.

Dale, Andrea and poor Amy were terriffic, too.

The casting people deserve an emmy for this show. So many of the characters are cast perfectly...but Glenn and Jim are like they jumped off the page.

Great episode, i love the series as i did the comics. However, is it just me or does anyone else find the fact that you have a group of people who escape a nightmare to stay outdoors, no real protection and almost like they are camping. I guess i am old school but i find it ridiculous, you wouldnt stay outdoors and if you had to you would find something better then what they did.
Up and away is my motto.

Yeah, for sheer lookalikes, you can't beat those two. But both actors bring a lot else to the table besides their looks.

Having just watched the ending sequence again, there's at least one man and another woman likely to have been fatalities. I think the man may have had a speaking part, though I keep confusing him with Morales (?). He's the one who got it on the shoulder, not Jim. I didn't see the woman get bitten, but she was dragged down. Didn't recognize her. Didn't see Jim get bitten.

We may have had more redshirt fatalities than the four or five, judging by the graves in the preview and the body piles on the ground (though many were zombies).

It wouldn't be my choice at ALL, but they did confirm previously that they are up in a mountainy-type area, which was why they were surprised a zombie had found them.

And I guess they are nearby a water and food supply (the lake).

And I can see some appeal of being out in the open (LOTS more escape routes when there's no walls)... but me, I'd def. want to be indoors.

Well, in their defense I'd say they're still learning the rules. While we have a wealth of zombie movies to draw from, they do not. (Darabont and Kirkman have referenced this in interviews.) As far as they knew, there was a relative lack of zombies out in the country compared to Atlanta and towns like Rick's. They're learning how most of us do: the hard way.

Yeah, parking an RV out in a National Forest or something actually makes quite a bit of sense. In a city you're going to be having food and especially fresh water supply problems pretty quickly, not to mention the concentrated population of the undead. One would think they would put up some more serious kind of perimeter alarm/defense system, however, especially after the walker showed up out there a day or so previously.

Episode 4: 5.074 million viewers.

Viewers aren't leaving this show at ALL. Sure would be nice if this leads to a faster-tracked Season 2... maybe starting in March or April. That would be nice.


http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/20...ny-with-a-chance-kendra-much-mor e/72307

I've officially got my wife hooked on this series even though she is not a fan of zombies at all and actually gets pretty scared each episode!

She totally is loving Rick, Glenn and Andrea, who are all my faves.

I really liked the latest episode and the stand-off in the city ended in a very Kirkman-esque way which was great.

The actor playing Jim nailed it and his performance all episode was terrific. Another character really shining on the show possibly more than the comics).

Rick being the man in the show = Rick being the man in the comics and I couldn't be happier.

Shane on the show continues to really win me over.

Can't wait for Carl to get that hat.

I have friends who would never pick up a comic book loving this show.

And did you see the Trade sales for Walking Dead last month? They're already through the roof. Kirkman gets like 5 times more for TWD trades than say, Alan Moore gets for Watchman (that is confirmed, it's likely much higher). The guy is going to be using hundred dollar bills to wipe up pee he accidently gets on the toilet-seat. Good for him!

I am a huge fan of the comic (also enjoying the TV series) and it is my understanding that in their universe there is no zombie fiction before the disaster occurs. No fictional senarios to compare it to and as the other guy said "learning as they go". Personally, I would want to be behind some sort of heavy-duty barier though if I knew there were things out there that wanted to eat me... just my oppinion.
On another subject, still waiting to see if the show will be like the book in that any death and not just death by zombie bite results in becoming a zombie.

Interesting about the spike in trade sales, Des... I wouldn't have thought to check those, but it definitely stands to reason. I wonder what people coming into the comics whose introduction to TWD has been the AMC series make of the source material...

And let me echo the cheers for THE HAT! The scene with Amy was much more powerful than the comic, I think, much like the one in the premier with Rick returning to put the zombie out of her misery. Some of the acting has been hit or miss, but Rick, Andrea, Glenn and Jim have been standouts.

I really like Darryl of the new intros.

And favorite death so far: ED.

Shoot, I mis-reported earlier; Episode 4 had 4.8 million, still very good...

here's an article discussing the healthy ratings for all 4 episodes so far:

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/20...gs-still-lively-for-fourth-episode/73032

I'm pretty sure Amy will "rise" at the beginning of the next episode. I remember seeing a brief flash of a hand moving; pretty sure that's Amy.

I know what you mean, though, that deaths completely not zombie-related will still reanimate the corpse. But it's significant that Amy will (likely) rise after the trauma of her injury killing her, as opposed to the infection slowly killing her and then reanimating her. That rule was already established with Morgan's wife and, soon, with Jim. The survivors will link Amy's rise (and that of Ed and others killed in the attack) with being bitten.

In the books it wasn't until the prison that people died from non-zombie trauma, and the survivors learned no bite was necessary at all. I suspect the show will stay faithful to this idea, whether it shows up in the prison (if they go there) or at some other time. It also provided a great moment in the books as Rick realized he had to backtrack and take care of some unfinished business! If things go similarly for a certain character, I hope they replicate that moment.

My wife's a fan of the show as well, but of course, it's one of my comics that she's been reading all along. She also likes Chew, American Vampire, Invincible, The Boys & Fables. I asked her recently, and she said TWD was her favorite of all of these.

She seemed devastated that the season is only running six episodes. Apparently, she hadn't realized that until last night. I explained to her that it's cable, the series is expensive, etc.

It's funny but zombies used to be her biggest monster movie fear. But I guess funnier takes like Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland helped ease her into it. She was instantly hooked on TWD and has watched 28 Days Later and even the excellent Dawn of the Dead remake recently.

(She still occasionally covers or averts her eyes during the really gory parts, though! )

nomnomnom

I just rewatched the episode.... is that girl zombie saying 'brraaaaains, brraaaaains, brraaaaains' durring the attack?!?

I certainly hope not. It wasn't represented in the closed captioning at any rate. I'm sure if she had been, all of us would have been bitching incessantly about it (well, me at least).

Zombie of the week...

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-1-episode-photos/episode-4-walker.php

Yeah she was ALL messed up.

]http://blogs.amctv.com/pho...photos/episode-4-walker.php[/QB][/QUOTE]
nice
and she hasnt managed to bite off the tongue yet

My wife also likes it (although she really thinks the dialogue is very poor).

She had an interesting theory: Mearle managed to lure the zombies into the cube van and brought them up to the camp, that's why there were so many so close without Dale or anyone noticing them getting closer during the daylight.

I was taking it as a joke, but I am pretty sure I heard a slurred 'brains' repeated from just that one zombie. I'll check it out again.....

*back*
Yes, after Amy is bitten and just before the group panics, a single female zombie stumbles into frame and slurs 'brains' twice. Then panic ensues. If it had been transcribed I think it would have come out as "brays, banes".
It was just the right combination of slurred yet obvious to make me think it was intended as a gag and not to indicate any intelligence nor craving for grey matter on the part of the zombies.

I'm sorry thats just tooooooooo far out there to accept.
But thats just me

HMM, i was assuming they followed someone. intentionally or unintentionally.


6 episodes???

aw man

I think it just had to do with Glenn showing up the day or so before with the alarm blaring. Took a while for a group to stumble across them.

Don't think Mearle would do that...after all his brother is with them. And they seem pretty tight based on Darryl's attitude, and what the one guy said.

Besides, Someone would have heard the van approaching...or at least I would think so. It just fits in like the comic. It was time they started getting found. No real single cause.

Not Jim that was shown, but then again...my wife came home with groceries and was talking to me fromt he kitchen the las fifteen of the episode. Finally saw the attack again.

Ed, Amy, Shoulder bite guy and the woman who gets tackled definately gone. Gonna guess a few others as well. Would not be surprised given how the comic went to see someone else got bit as well...we just didn't see it actually happen.

I heard it as just groaning until I listened for it to be something else. I think it was just groaning that was sorta sounding like something...but that's just my opinion. It's be kinda funny if it was "brains" though.

I'm loving the show so far.
I'm enjoying how it is following the main plot, but going of on little sidetrips to make the story a little different and to keep us long time readers guessing.

My wife is a big fan too. She has gotten hooked enough to start reading the trades

10:15-- I knew that was coming... still... my stomach's in knots.

WOW. All I can say. Loving it, divergences and all.

To add:

Jim = great scene. Carol = great scene. Andrea = magnificent scenes.

Shane = intense scene!

Glenn and Dale both had small but meaningful scenes.

Top notch episode.

Wow. Great episode. Enough scenes right from the comic, and a lot of new stuff.

WTF is up for the next episode? That looks seriously messed up.

Next week looks to be totally off the comic... who knows what they're gonna do... but I did NOT like what I was seeing with Andrea...

The previews flashed by so quickly it was hard to discern their meaning. It looked like Andrea was undergoing decon and freaking out?

I flipped thru the first trade after the episode...

Coulda sworn there was a scene similar to Rick and Shane in the forest, but there wasn't.

In the comic Andrea shot Amy immediately after she died.

Also, Jim's scenes from being bitten to being left were all within a few pages, all after he went into a berserker rage on the zombies that attacked the camp and unleashed his pent up rage over what happened to his family.

I like how the show made its changes on these aspects. All enhanced the original material very well. I might have ket Jim's rage scenes, but they did some fabulous things with the character. I'll miss him.

I have no idea what will come out of the CDC encounter in the finale, but I'm interested to see! Meanwhile, a few non-spoilers (things that WON'T happen in the finale) that I've read:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">No Merle, Morgan or prison to be seen.</span></span>

No idea whether a certain character survives into Season 2, but I've a hunch he/she will based on the slow-burn feel of how that plotline's being handled.

POSSIBLE 2ndHAND INFO SPOILER!!!


I believe I have heard that certain character WILL DEFINITELY BE surviving into season 2.

I believe I read it at EW.com.

And I believe I am OK with this.

re: The changes you list, I so agree they enhanced the episode and I *also* could have sworn the forest scene with Rick and Shane was lifted straight from the comic. Crazy.

WOW! Last night's ep watched by more viewers than the premiere! That NEVER happens these days!!!

Truly amazing!!

Necro-tastic!!!

So I like EW.com a lot, and THEY like TWD a lot so there's lots of articles and then people posting about it and stuff.

I'd say 90% of those fans have never read the comic.

A lot of them are calling TWD, "My new Lost". I never watched Lost. So, those that watched LOST, my question is: Is TWD the new LOST? If so, what makes it the new LOST?


(an EW aside: One of the EW writers called Adlard AdLER. I posted: "I hate to go all comic-book geek on your butt, but his last name is AdlARD." I got a e-mail response thanking me for catching the error; I responded back that I love EW and love that EW loves TWD.

I'd say the thing about TWD most reminiscent of Lost at this point is occurring in these last two episodes with the CDC. The scenes of the scientist alone in there reminded me somewhat of similar stuff done in Losts's hatch.

If TWD decides to make the show largely gravitate around the mystery of what happened with the outbreak, then it would feel a lot more like Lost. Obviously, the comic has rarely lingered much on that aspect and has always been much more about survival in such an apocalyptic scenario along with the social implications. I hope the TV series sticks to that and that the CDC stuff doesn't shape the series into that kind of show. I love Lost, but I'm not looking for something that tries to ape it. I honestly don't think that TWD will be doing that.

To me, though, calling TWD "my new Lost" is more about how it potentially is the next show to inspire a huge cult following and of it being another high-quality show with a sci-fi bent. I suspect that is more what the posters meant by that comparison.

NEVER forget the LARD!!!

Kirkman himself recaps every episode over there, and he did seem to prefer to want to keep the focus on the people fighting to survive and not the WHYS of it all.

He also stated that the comic will ALWAYS be the road the TV show travels, with the ocassional off-road excursion.

He also seriously laments not being able to go back in time and insert Darryl into the comic, something I (am surprised that I) find myself agreeing with.

I absolutely LOVED Darryls expression when when Carol was taking care of her half eaten husband...over and over. You just know it's messed up when he looks at you like you're nuts.

Adi Tantimedh makes some interesting points against the show:

http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/11...76-more-dead-more-walking-less-braaains/

Agree? Disagree?

Ok, a few complaints from me (why am I always the stinker?):

Spoilers from the book follow:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I'm a bit of a purist so I don't like the detours from the book (hate the Lord of the Rings films too BTW), but I'm living with that barring a few exceptions:

It seems that some of the stuff they are changing is so they can play it safe.

They seem to be diverging form the Shane death, mostly because they don't want to put a gun in a kid's hand and deal with that. Imagine the flak they'd get from groups of all political stripes for having a ten year old killing with a gun, even on cable? But it's still an important and serious part of the book and marks Carl's development.

The polygamist relationship has been dropped, though a bit of a Andrea/Dale bond formed here. That was another important indicator that societal "norms" were out the window, it was strange to just drop it.</span></span>

***spoilers from the book***

Dave, regarding the "polygamist relationship" being dropped, to this point there has never been one portrayed in TWD. If you're referring to Dale, Amy and Andrea, there was never any polygamy involved there. Dale simply took the two under his wing and they stayed in his RV. There was never any sex or romantic elements in there until after Amy died when Dale and Andrea began having sex during their stay at Wilshire Estates. From that point on, Dale and Andrea were a couple.

It's true that Donna thought there was something going on among the three at the campsight, but Kirkman clarified that that was just her spin on it, especially as he made such a big deal of their consummation scene.

If you're referring to Carol wanting to have a polygamous relationship with Rick and Lori, that happened during the prison era. Still, Lori and Rick never went along with it, which helped lead Carol to her suicide (along with other factors).

I agree that polygamy would be a natural theme to explore during the TWD story, but so far the series has had none to adapt from the source material.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I agree that Shane's death shouldn't be altered, but I've nothing against the show exploring things at more length and depth than it was in the comic. At this point I have no solid reason to doubt that Shane will eventually die by Carl's hand. The show is slowly setting up for a confrontation to be sure. I doubt I would drop the show if his fate is different, but I'd be disappointed.</span></span>

First off:

"they basically rejected the use of metaphor subtext and satire in the story, as if deeper thinking and layering in storytelling was a bad thing."

I think there is a big assumption on his part here. I took their stance to mean that they were not trying to make a "Dawn of the Dead" consumerism type analogy witht heir story...not that they were not going to have deeper thinking and layering.

I see a lot of different thing happening in the first 6 episodes. I also think that the writer is not taking into account that they had no idea that they would get a second season until well after the shooting for the first season wrapped. Sure they hoped, and probably set up some things tho carry forward...but there were no guarentees. They needed to capture the audience instead of worrying about having a subtextual gimmick.

It seems to me that the writer does not really get what they are trying to do here. They are doing a show based on a comic that is about how people survive in the world that is overrunby a nightmare. This isn;t a hour and a half movie that can be wrapped up in a nice neat bow with a wink and a nod to the camera at the end to say "look, did you see what I did there...I made a statement against such and such. That was not Kirkmans goal for this book, and now series.

The story is about the humancondition and how fragile it is given the right circumstances.

Comparing a television show (even the comic) to movies is not a good benchmark for his argument. Let's see the original Dawn of the Dead (and let it be known that I love that movie) last another 4 - 4 1/2 hours and sustain it's consumerism undertones. Not going to happen without people getting annoyed that you are beating them over the head with it. Television shows have to be fluid moving things.

He had a lot of interesting things to say, I just do not think he thought it through...but that's just my opinion.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I think Shane will die sometime n the second season...and it will be extremely similiar to the book. However, if it happens at the end of the season...as long as good stories continue to flow...I'm not gonna mind. They're building tension, the best way they see to do it for television.</span></span>

Well, they just fired the writers, so something's going to change for next season:

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.c...taff-considers-freelancers-for-season-2/

I read the same thing today. However, I disagree. I don't think much is going to change. The writing staff honestly didn't do that much this season. Darabont wrote two of the episodes, and Kirkman wrote one. Another freelancer wrote another one. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if this "firing" is just procedural, and he brings some of the writing staff back as freelancers next season. Of course this is all contingent on union rules, but surely this is hardly a gloom-an-doom decision. It's the biggest show ever on basic cable, after all. I'm loving it, btw.

I have been loving this show! After the first ep, I had to go out and read the entire comic series.. So good. I don't normally like the horror genre, but this has me hooked.

Is it just me, or does it seem like Merle might end up being the Governor?

I hope not because, after all, the Governor should end up being the Governor! Seriously, he should end up being his own original character. Not to mention that Merle doesn't appear to have a zombie daughter to feed!

It has occurred to me, though, that Merle might pop up in Woodbury down the line. They've got something in mind, otherwise they wouldn't be setting all this up, and as I (anti-)spoiled earlier, I've read that neither Merle nor Morgan will be popping up in Sunday's season finale. So Woodbury would be a nice potential landing spot for Merle down the line. But I wouldn't be fond of the idea of making him into the Governor.

So, I'm record at this forum as HATING zombie stuff. It really does terrify me. Having people close to me be turned into enemies/monsters has always been more terrifying to me than just about anything else I can imagine (and I can imagine a LOT). So I'm amazed that I've been able to watch The Walking Dead, and more or less enjoy it. The acting and the characters are so well done I've been able to squint through the horrific zombie attacks.

Last week's episode was particularly powerful and hard (for me) to take, precisely because the characters lost people close to them, and we got to see how different characters reacted differently to that. I figured battered wife (Carol?) would have her comeuppance at some point. Didn't think it would be so quick. But the way that relationship and its end was handled was extremely subtle and powerful.

I also have to say that the scene at dusk outside the CDC at the end was one of the most terrifying things I've witnessed. Total confusion, overflowing emotion, the demoralizing dimness of dusk, a gathering gloom almost worse than the darkness of night. Just overwhelming. And then, Monday night, I had that very experience -- intruders in our back yard that I couldn't see, the dog barking and biting them, the confusion over what was going on. It's all been a good test of my resilience (although I didn't sleep again until last night).

Yeah those last few minutes outside the CDC were pretty horrific. I was terrified that half of those corpses were going to stand up at any second.

DC, you make a good point about why some people DON'T enjoy the zombie genre, a point I hadn't considered before. I'm glad you've been able to get past that and watch.

And sorry about your scary real-life experience-- hope that turned out to be nothing major! Whew!

*Finally* just got caught up on episodes 2-5. Quick thoughts to follow -

* I definitely see the Lost comparisons Lash mentioned earlier. Both shows are character pieces using a heavy 'genre' backdrop (sci-fi for Lost, horror for The Walking Dead) featuring a number of age and ethnically diverse characters surviving in a hostile isolated environment against threats coming from both without and within.

Couple that with all the technical similarities like the excellent use of location shooting, make-up, special effects, set-design, music, cinematography, acting (for the most part) and so on (not to mention the love triangle and the rabid fanbases) and I can definitely see why some would say this is their new Lost. I'm almost ready to say the same thing and I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVVE Lost even more than I love The Walking Dead.

I can't believe you've never watched it Lash?! I think you would really like it. Netflix that baby ASAP!

---

* I (like everyone else here I think) had always expected that this season would end with you-know-who shooting you-know-who. There is no way enough time for them to do all that in the one episode they have left so I definitely think that plot will be delayed until next season.

I am very happy with that since a) the victim in that scenario is one of my fave characters (in both the comic and show) so I'm glad to see them staying around for longer; and b) I never liked that plot point anyway so if they do away with it completely, "hear, hear" I say.

---

* The ending of episode 5 was very good but would have been SOOOOOOOO much better if we had never had that long, drawn out, boring scene with the scientist(?) earlier in the episode.

How much more exciting would it have been if we had been just as surprised as Rick was when that camera moved? And had no idea whether that door was going to open or not? As it was, every single audience member knew full well that that scientist was going to open that door for them, otherwise - why spend all that boring time introducing him? So so much of the suspense was lost from that scene.

Frustratingly bad writing there IMO. Which was a real shame because the rest of the episode was SOOOOO excellent. A lot of very emotional scenes this episode which they handled very well across the board.

---

* Loving Andrea just as much as I do in the comic!

---

* I'm also surprised to say that I am loving all the new characters introduced too (well, not Merle) like T-Dog, Jacquie, Morales and his family and Daryl. In fact, and I already know I'm going to be the only person in this thread (or probably any The Walking Dead thread anywhere) but I think I prefer them to a lot of the regulars from the comic!

I think I really like having no idea what's going to happen to those characters. And that excitement/fear for them has made me more attached to them. Whereas most of the other ones I already kinda know exactly where they're going. And that familiarity has made me kinda bored of them in this version.

I think it would take real balls for the writing staff here to kill off someone like Glenn or Dale early and thus really tell the viewers "No one is safe!" unlike the way it is now which is "No one is safe (except for all the characters that you know are safe)!" I really hope they do that.

---

* Speaking of Morales and his family - was anyone else thinking they were the new Donna and Allen and Ben and Billy? I'm glad they're not since if they had been - why not just call them Donna and Allen and etc? It also seems realistic to me that some people in a group would want to go their own way and reconnect with their family somewhere or something. I wonder if we'll ever meet up with them again, like we (probably) will with Morgan and Duane one day?

---

* In some ways I think this comic book adaptation has really improved upon the source material. Sure, some scenes have been a bit unfortunately clunky (like the above-mentioned boring scientist scene, and I was not a fan of that stupid comic-booky stand-off/misunderstanding with the Latin 'gang' a couple of episodes ago) but so far, I have been VERY impressed with this show. Next October is WAY too long to wait for Season 2.

I was in my CBS Thursday and was subjected to having to hear three fanboys absolutely tearing apart this series because it wasn't following the comic verbatim. I felt like screaming, "if it was exactly like the comic, what would be the point of watching?!?!"

You know what? It's a really good show with some exceptional character work! I LIKE not knowing what's gonna happen in every episode!!! I like getting to know some of the characters better and meeting some new ones like Daryl along the way!!! If it bothers them so much, turn it off and stick to the comics! YEESH!

Plenty of people here are hardcore TWD fans but seem to have little problem enjoying a quality TV show that takes some liberties with the source material. Are we all anomalies...or has someone eaten those guys' brains! I guess they're the kind of guys who felt that the organic web-shooters in Raimi's Spidey movies totally ruined everything else that was done so well in those (especially the first two) films. Man, I hate that kind of fanboy! Grr!

Anyway, I probably woulda went off on them, but if I had, I woulda been late for work.

Forgot to add - as all the Lost fans in here will know (and weep for what might have been with Walt's storyline), having child actors in a show which takes months/years to film, but is meant to only take place over a few days/weeks/months story-time, can start to get very problematic as those child actors age and grow faster than their character should be.

So what will the writers do with Carl and Sophia? I hope it doesn't become a problem but I also hope they quickly get rid of them if it does. I don't want a 6ft tall post-puberty Carl suddenly walking around still pretending he's an 11 year-old (or however old Carl is meant to be).

P.S. Are spoilers from the comic completely out the window in this thread now? I notice some people in here just throwing big events from the comics into their posts without any warning of "Spoilers" or use of the Spoiler tags or anything.

If everyone in this thread has read the comic then that's cool I guess but I think there might be some in here that haven't.

I'm still trying to be vague re: comic-book happenings in my posts. If I haven't been it was by accident.

Trying to be vague as well...although if things are out in the open after a few posts, I will comment on them.

I'm wondering how they will deal with the kids aging as well. They can always bounce around a bit in time...6 months/a year here or there may work to keep them on track. Not saying that it would be my favorite thing to see happen, but it could work. Especially if they take the characters to the spots they end up in with the comic.

Early on in this thread, I encouraged everyone to mention the very spoilery elements from the comic (like who died) only in the Gym'll's thread. Since that seemed too rigid, we've mostly kept things either vague or in spoiler boxes. Overall, I think it's been handled pretty well.

There HAVE been name-drop references to presumed-forthcoming people and places like Wilshire Estates, Woodbury, the prison, the Governor, Tyreese, Michonne etc., but I feel they've been non-specific enough to not feel too much like we're spoiling anyone as to specific things that will (likely) happen. I think the most spoilerish you could get here is by saying who will die in a character-focused series like this one, and that has been meticulously avoided, IMO.

Honestly, though, it sometimes seem like everyone who posts to this thread either was already a TWD fan or was so impressed by the TV series that they've quickly gotten into the GNs! Either way, I think we're keeping a good bit of self-restraint here.

I certainly wouldn't want the kids written out because of the Walt Factor. There's no reason why the series has to have the same timeline as the books. I think Carl at least will look pretty childish for another 2-3 years, I think.

Sophia looks a bit older than she should, but she's not a character that's exactly been given many defining moments in the books, unlike Carl. I'm more interested in seeing how they handle Carol's particular character beats.

Re: Spoilers - Chief Lardy, Dev Em and Iam Legion all completely spoil a-certain-character-who-we-all-thought-was-going-to-die-this-season-but-probably-won't-until-next-season's death in their posts at the bottom of page 13 of this thread.

I think spoiler boxes were called for regarding those comments.

(Edited to add I forgot Iam Legion from the list.)

You're right...forgot about that. I guess I responded to Iam's out-in-the-open post in similar fashion and others followed suit. I can't believe I went in to such detail! I'll go back and spoiler that info in my post...

Yep, like I said ^ here...I only commented on specifics of said characters fate after several out in the open posts about it. Nobody is perfect when it comes to this stuff...

Fixed mine as well.

True. And since that convo was so out there and spoilery for all to see that led to my confusion about what the spoiler policy is in this thread now.

I think if someone slips up in the future it would be better to just tell them to edit their comments rather than adding to the fire, so to speak.

Unless the fire is to burn Zeds.

Cool. I'll send Iam Legion a PM and ask him to do the same.

(If there's even a point to this? Is there anyone in this thread who hasn't read the comics? Sound off if you haven't.)

Edie?

^ And more may enter the thread later who haven't read it I guess? It's probably still best to play safe.

I know Edie looks at the thread regularly but rarely posts. I've never read where he's read the books. In fact I don't think he's picking up any comic regularly. So he's the only likely candidate. Everyone else seems either to already be a fan or to have instantly gone on a TPB binge after sampling the show.

The scientist scenes were a jarring shift from the rest of the show, but I kind of appreciated that. It felt for a few moments like a completely different show, and that's kinda cool when pulled off well. It conveyed really quickly that this guy has been living his own private hell, is in his own universe, so the arrival of Rick and co. is that much more jarring.

It's also clear that the "TS-19" brain tissue lost in the lab accident is key to the finale, it being titled "TS-19" and all. I'm going to guess weird scientist dude is gonna try and infect some/all of the survivors so that he can get his fresh zombie brain samples back.

Sorry i havent been commenting on the show, but now i am back and I am loving every second of this show and like most wish they would expedite the second season of this show. I eagarly await tomorrows season finale to see where this season will end off.

hey can anyone make zombie avatar versions of legionaires?

Notice how incredibly Lost-esque that whole sequence was.

^ Totally. Lost did it a lot better though IMO. And I seriously doubt that I will ever grow to love this scientist guy they way I loved Desmond (though I could be wrong).

AMC's showing the first five eps leading up to tonight's season finale. =TWD BLISS.

FINALE SPOILERS OUT THE YING-YANG, written during commercial breaks!


Wow... I like how this episode so far has been NOTHING like what I was expecting. Nice job at red-herring-ing those scenes for next week last week!

I was all ready to get all in-your-facey about my boy Shane and his good intentions, until his drunken grope-a-thon with Lori. But at least he backed down. I still like him.

Well then. Vi just clinched it. Our gang shan't be staying at the CDC for long, huh? That's good, actually. Hooray, countdown clock!

Hmm. Methinks mayhap it be time for Rick to pull out that grenade he's been carrying.

And there it is.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Andrea!!!!!

Whew... that was a relief. Dale's little sit-in ploy with Andrea was SO TWD: the comic.

*choke!!* Jacqui's fate... I can't lie, I had to fight back tears when she and Dr. Jenner grasped hands and looked at each other.

Oh my Lordy... the wait until next October? that is going to go SO far beyond sucking that it will become a black hole.

I enjoyed the season finale, its going to be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng wait til next Halloween.

So whaddaya thing doc whispered to Rick? Best guess: <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">that ALL who become deceased, regardless of cause, will return as walkers.</span></span> This is a truth from the comic, though Rick and the gang had to find this out the hard way. If Rick knows this now, it would render a certain scene from the book (in which Rick returns to take care of some unfinished business) pointless.

Overall, I enjoyed the episode a lot, even though it was off-book. Good character moments, especially with signs that Shane's becoming unhinged. The Dale/Andrea scene was a bit cliched but an effective building block in their relationship that brings things closer to where they go in the book.

AWESOME (if too short) Season 1, AMC & Company! Let's do it again next year!

My first thought regarding the whisper was that Lori was pregnant (revealed via the blood tests earlier).

Poor Jacqui... we barely knew you. Literally. Suddenly the black chick that I had very little emotional investment in and whose backstory is still pretty much unknown decides to stay and die? Okay... And then Dale makes a big deal about convincing Andrea to go with them, but apparently everybody's okay with Jacqui dying?

Other than that the episode pretty much rocked.

^Good alternative theory, Edie! Are you familiar with the comic book, Edie? Your theory about the whisper makes me wonder, plus you've never mentioned if you have or not.

I think the difference between Jacqui and Andrea was that Dale was very emotionally attached to her. Though there seemed to be some connection between Jacqui and T (not sure whether they knew each other or were related, or were we too accept their mutual blackness as their bond? ), we had some good signs of bonding between Andrea and Dale in this and the previous episode. Honestly, other than Dale, it looked like ALL the others were more concerned with surviving than saving the others.

Given what they learned and what they face out in the wilderness, it seemed pretty plausible that some would choose that option.

Good to see the grenade return in a timely fashion! I'd totally forgotten about it from the first coupla episodes. Well played and well set up!

Nope. Not at all.

POSSIBLE COMIC BOOK SPOILER BASED ON EDE'S POST

Now that EDE's said it, I feel stupid for not thinking that's what the whisper to Rick was.

If that's what he whispered, it would be interesting if he included how far along she was. If she was, like, a month preggers, Rick would know it wasn't his.


Ouch! I'm sorry about any spoilers you might've encountered here and there on this thread.

I agree the grenade's usage was awesomely done considering it very subtly had been a part of the first 6 episodes and we actually saw it make it's way to Carol. That was really well done.

Loved the finale. I love that's it is not mirroring the comic but following the same basic timeline and canon for the most part.

The actor playing Shane is really doing a great job making me re-think his character. His really tough scene with Lori furthered this and added some more complications (including his growing animosity with Rick).

I wonder if Season #2 will ultimately end where the first TPB of the TWD ends? AMC series only have 12 episodies per season max, so that isn't too out of the question. Either way, hoping to see Tyrese show up.

Glad Eryk is enjoying the TWD for the first time via the show!

This was a really masterfully done finale! Almost nothing about the CDC went as expected, from my point of view, which made it suspenseful and enjoyable. (I haven't read the comics, BTW.)

In case you thought the "Jenner" name sounded familiar -- EdWARD Jenner studied smallpox and discovered that immunizing humans with cowpox virus protected them from the smallpox virus (of course, at the time, he had no idea what a virus actually was). So, EdWARD Jenner presided over the beginning of modern medicine, and all its successes. EdWIN Jenner presides over it's end.

A mediocre CDC worker, holding a vigil for his dead wife, the true genius who might have saved humanity, going through the motions of the heroic scientist, doomed to run out of time, because modern medicine, like all modern life, depends on electricity, which no one generates anymore. And at the end, the knowledge and the risk associated with 200 years of medical advancement is incinerated. The world we know is well and truly over, and probably not recoverable. And you have to make a choice, do you try and survive, start completely over, or do you decide you've had enough?

And all of that plays out powerfully. I'm left exhausted by the extremity and desperation of these few survivors. Driving away from the mushroom cloud of the last bastion of modernity.

Not a bad finale. A few random thoughts:

>Doc told Rick either what EDE said or that he saw something on a monitor about what happened with Shane.

>Jacqui. So the lady was only there to tell them that there were sewer access in old Atlanta buildings? Nobody thought enough to try to change her mind? Not even T-Dog, whom she apparently shared some bond with?

>Nice to see the grenade in the nick of time. Convenient, but I can accept that.

>Explosion of that size should have tipped the RV over a few times...

>I really liked the opening moments of what was happening at the hospital...showed why Shane thought he was gone. Of course they balanced that out with his actions later.

>Dale and Andrea have developed a great bond.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=29742

6 million for the finale!!!!!!

...and we gotta wait like 10 months for season 2...argh!

I'm surprised by all the positive comments about this finale. I thought it was awful. Really, really awful. Easily the worst episode of the show to date. And one of the worst-written hours of TV I've watched in a long time.

I'll try to think of some nice things to say about it first -

* I liked the beginning with the back-story to Shane leaving Rick in the hospital. Was exciting and also some good character-building for Shane. He's a great 'conflicted' character and this show is doing a much better job with him than the comic did (and I liked him in the comic).

* Great song at the end.

... um that's about all that was good about this episode.

Now for all the crap -

... (I started to write long reasons about what I hated about this episode but it bored me to think about it again so here's some quick bullet points.)

* Jenner - everything to do with him was badly written and badly acted.
* That whole 'trapped in the CDC' sub-plot - completely contrived (it was as if the writers were like 'Quick - we've got to throw some ridiculous obstacle into the way of our heroes to pad out this episode') and completely unexciting or compelling - did anyone have any doubt that they were going to get out?
* Jacquie just turns around and decides to commit suicide out of nowhere? Oookaaay :rolleyes:
* Pacing - our heroes go into that CDC room at the 20 minute mark of the episode and then spend the entire rest of the 45 minute episode in there talking until they escape at the end! Talk about boring. I was literally having to stop myself from fast-forwarding through some of Jenner's stupid 'I'm going to conveniently go temporarily crazy to delay you for a bit' speeches.
* The whole ridiculous convenience of them noticing the countdown clock when there's only an hour left to go on it. Good thing they didn't notice it the night before or else the writers would have been really screwed.

This whole episode just seemed like amateur-hour hokum to me. And I hate to bring up the Lost comparison (but I will anyway) - but that show KNEW how to deliver a KILLER season finale! Every one of them was amazing. I really hope next season's writers get this show back on track because I hated this episode so much it was almost a jump-the-shark moment for me.

Such a shame too because I'd been enjoying this version of The Walking Dead so much until now.

I think EDE has it right with the whipered scene.
My wife feels its the other possibility.
I liked the episode overall. desipte the lack of you know who doing youknow what to you know who, I still feel this may happen early next season.
Next season, I think they will hit some major point form the comic (along with some side-trips) like Wiltshire, hershel's farm and the the prison.
Next season should end with some sort of cliffhanger, odds are some prison/wordbury stand off

I didn't hate it as much as Blacula, but it did try my patience. My wife was pleased when Jacquie and Andrea decided to stay ("Good", she said, "The two worst actresses will be out at least"). I knew they wouldn't off Andrea though, no matter how far off the source material they were.

I thought Jenner was an interesting character but ultimately wasted and his breakdown was telegraphed and entirely plot driven.

This show really needs to decide what it wants to be, because the potential is so great, but I feel this season squandered a lot of that.

If it's to be a character piece, give us meatier characters (a longer series may allow for more focus). If there's going to be larger themes give us some structure to start making a better layered narrative. If it's going to be a straight horror show, then amp it up a bit. Right now it's just a hodgepodge that's servicing the plot instead of the plot servicing a larger goal. I don't hate it, but I really want more.

I'd have to re-watch to know for sure, but I do agree with Blacula that the sequencing/pacing of the "CDC will run out of power/self-destruct" thing seemed off. Didn't all the adults here what the countdown meant, then were surprised when the AC turned off? And I also thought that the explosion should have sent the vehicles flying. That was a big boom, and if it was ultra-high temperature, the heat-induced shockwave would have been substantial.

For me, I still enjoyed this as a episode because it captured the end of the modern world for me so well, with a Jenner there to see it out. And it makes the characters choose--do you want to try and build a whole new world in the face of deadly obstacles, or don't you? I didn't necessarily see the plot as contrived -- the CDC, and some other labs, store some really bad stuff, so some sort of fail-safe containment strategy makes sense.

I do agree that if they want it to be more character-driven (like the best of "Lost" was), they need to somehow allow more character time. But I don't think this episode was devoid of character-building. All the stuff with Shane WAS great. It's clear he REALLY loves Rick, and needs him, but clearly DESIRES Lorrie uncontrollably. He's not all good or all bad. And say what you want about Andrea, but I thought her experiences through all of the past 3 episodes have been powerful foundations for her character. I like it when movies and shows take time to grieve with a character, and they did that with Andrea.

I'd agree with the criticisms of the episode in that so much of it felt clichéd. But I do feel it rose above that with its character work. As dc says, the stuff with Shane was pretty amazing. The during and after scenes with Lori were pretty terrific. Here she is very nearly raped and she can't even tell her husband about it. Then, there's the scene at breakfast the next morning when Shane explains away his scratches, and no one bats an eye. Very effective.

It would've been nice if someone had tried harder to convince Jacqui to change her mind, but everyone was in near-panic mode and obeying their survival instinct, except Dale who is clearly very fond of Andrea. I've no doubt that Dale would've followed through, stayed and died with her had Andrea not backed down. Whatever connection Jacqui and T had, it was clearly not as strong.

I liked that there were people who chose to end it on their own terms. Jacqui mentioned "the wrath of God". She was probably a woman of faith. Some would feel forsaken that God would leave them to this hellish existence. Perhaps this had shaken her faith; others might see it as more of a test. But being of faith or not, facing the end of life as we knew it, would be a hard reality to accept for anyone. Jenner lost his wife and Jackie her faith. Andrea lost her sister but was pulled out of it by her concern for another.

Yes, the circumstances were a lot contrived, but it made a certain amount of sense the way the scenario was portrayed. The CDC does carry samples of the deadliest microbes, so predicting contingencies for them would make sense.

But, yeah, that fireball was portrayed as being TOO big for it not to have taken out the nearby vehicles.Sometimes producers fall in love so much with showing big explosions that they throw common sense out of the equation. If you've ever seen a Die Hard movie or any of countless other action movies, you'll acknowledge that this sort of thing is hardly unprecedented. Chalk it up to some harmless artistic license. If you can accept the dead coming back to life with no desire but to eat the living, then this isn't that big f a deal.

Overall, I'd say this episode is probably the weakest of the lot but is still a good installment. I'd always wondered why the survivors in the book didn't go at least check out the CDC while they were on the outskirts of Atlanta. It was a logical place to look and one in pretty close proximity. Obviously, it would be one of the places to find some hope if any infrastructure still existed on the planet.

Visiting the CDC DID serve an important purpose, in that it underlined for the survivors that they probably have no one to depend upon in this apocalyptic saetting other than each other. They know now that not only was the CDC a dead end but also that it lost contact with anyone else over a month ago.

I wouldn't be surprised if the series' next move is to check out Shane's suggestion of the military Fort he mentioned. If they do, I hope the series is careful to refrain from verring too closely into the territory that 28 Days Later covered in a similar setting. Or maybe a conflict between Shane and Rick over whether or not to go will escalate into a huge fight over which of them should lead their group. That was explored very briefly in the comic and would provide great dramatic fodder for the series, especially given what we know about Shane and Lori that Rick doesn't know.

I'm very interested to see what the producers will do next season and am very encouraged by the choices they've made to this point!

I'm not posting a hell of a lot just now but am reading the boards as much as i can. So just to pip up and say I am loving (as is Jennifer) the TV series, even if we are a week or so behind. But I have never read any of the comics or GN's. So a lot of what I know comes only from the TV show.

Looking like July for season 2.

Really? Oh I DO think that is a better idea that waiting until October!!

As long as they don't run it against TRUE BLOOD on HBO. Summertime NEEDS TWD!!

Just had fun rereading this thread.

think I'll watch TWD on the good ol' DVR.

Which hopefully I can erase when the DVD set comes out! (I think it is due in March)

BestBuy.com has a release date of 3/8/2011 listed... 10 days!

Can't wait for season two! But I'll have Game of Thrones on HBO to fill the time. My second most anticipated new show of the year (after TWD).

Herschel's farm is confirmed for season 2!

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/02/walking-dead-season-two-details/

w00t!!!!

http://www.ajc.com/news/cobb/zombies-headed-north-from-970824.html?cxtype=rss_news

From a local Atlanta news site...

P.S., Are there any extras on the Season one DVD? I still need to get it...

I have it but haven;t opened it yet! (I know, right)

There are indeed extras.

"FB LIKE"

CCI had a preview trailer for the next season... AWESOME.

The FARM!!!!!

Man, this season is going to be intense. Who knows where a lot of that stuff falls in the season.

That is one of the most exciting trailers I have ever seen!!!! CANNOT WAIT

WATCH THE TRAILER, peeps--!!! I'm about to... again... for the 100th time...

The music that starts at the 2:54 mark and plays through the end-- the music that sounds like someone put old west, Gregorian chant and FIREFLY in a blender--- I want that music. Who does that? I must download. It's scary and sexy and awesome.

THIS I VOW

I spent wAAAAAAAAy too much time comparing Season 1 to the comic.

I hereby vow to TOTALLY LET GO of the comic for season 2.

I am convinced I would have enjoyed Season 1 even more than I did if I had done this then. So now, I vow: it happens.

I kinda hope all of us will, but I understand those who don't... but for myself, to increase my enjoyment of this, what I consider a MILESTONE in TV... I am letting the comic go when I watch it.

Remind me of this come October, please

Season 1 marathon running right now right up to the 9:00e/8:00c s2 premier... :happyhappyjoyjoy:

"Vatos" is on and I'm waiting for the final 10 minutes...!

Season 2 is off to a GREAT START.

This season, I shan't be comparing the comic to the TV show AT ALL.

As far as I am concerned, they are TWO SEPARATE though related entities.

Well, don't tell me you didn't see that ending coming, though!

I honestly thought they were gonna tease us with the three that went out and what happened between them in the book, but when Carl walked towards the Deer...I saw it comin.

I thought it was a very good episode but a little slow after the whole herd sequence starting when the group searched for Sophia. I guess they felt they had a lot of character rebuilding and personal arcs to continue and set up. In hindsight, though, last year's opener had a similar vibe to it.

i *WAS* taken by surprise and didn't see it coming, hard as that is to believe.

LOVED the whole "herd" on the highway scene, seeing much of it previously in the great Season 2 clip AMC put out months ago didn't take away from the suspense at all!

Daryl continues to impress. Waiting for him to show up in the book at some point...although I hope he never does.

I have grown to LOVE Daryl...! And I am just DREADING the inevitable return of Merle and him trying to turn Daryl against the group. I hope Merle never comes back!

Anyone see The Talking Dead live show after the repeat? Kirkman was interviewed live via satellite from the New York Con.

Eight years ago, he was just a guy doing a comic book...

I didn't make it to Kirkman... couldn't stand the host...

Can't find any info on last night's ratings today. Odd because last season, that rating info was thrown up rather quickly.

The page for the Neilsens doesn't have any numbers, even preliminary.

This doesn't sound good.

Worry not! The Season 2 premiere drew TWD's HIGHEST RATINGS EVER to the tune of 7.3 MILLION viewers!!!

Just saw! NOTHING can stop THE WALKING DEAD!

That's highest ratings ever for ANY basic cable show. If TWD maintains these types of numbers, we're gonna be watching for a looong time...

IF season three takes place in the prison, you'd figure that they'd make more than 13 episodes, given these ratings.

I mean, once you've built a prison set, you're going to want to get the use of it. At that point, it becomes the same as any other fixed set show. Your costs are amortized!

I didn't think they'd get to Hershel's farm so quickly! I kinda doubt they can milk that setting for all the remaining S2 eps. In fact I kinda hope they don't. Interesting, though, that some of the scenes I've seen for the next episode show Shane in an urban-looking setting.

I think Shane will be on his own at some point soon. Remember the scene in the S2 trailer where he is running from zombies (and takes a scary tumble)... I kinda hate to see him split off from the group.

Well, it certainly fits with what he and Andrea talked about. From what I saw on the "Talking Dead" after-show, that scene (or something similar) takes place next episode.

I doubt they'll have to 'build' a prison set. 'Redress' one of the many existing ones at worst, or use a real (abandoned) prison for the scenes.
Still, would like to see it play out a bit longer than 6-13 episodes.

Really? It is a completely different reality than the comics now and can borrow storyline from practically anywhere in the series. I am not surprised that they are using a fairly dramatic story early in the season. Not really surprised about the differrence in Shane's role/destiny eaither. Dissapointed, but not surprised.

I have to admit that I was sort of surprised to find that 'Shane' had developed a bit of a fan base. I had to stop and think about it and realized that I am highly biased in this situation... I don't care for the character (tv or Comic) and I dispise the actor. I guess that lacking either of those opinions, it would be fairly easy to like 'Shane' (depite him being an opportunistic creep and a would-be rapist) as portrayed in the television series?

ASIDE: As I refuse to compare the TV show and comic any longer, I shan't speak of comic Shane here.


Shane does have his good qualities and bad, like anyone. He was also the saviour and protector of Lori and Carl before Rick-- who he had no idea was alive once the hospital machines failed-- returned.

There's a lot more there than that, to my eyes. Your vision may vary.

Maybe Shane and Andrea will hook up. Maybe they both can help each other heal.

I haven't read the comic.

And so far, I have liked Shane.

He's flawed, but he does have good points ... and it turns out that he was RIGHT.

Going to the CDC did nothing for the group (other than let them know there was no one coming to help them) and cost them at least one member of their group.

Interestingly, this episode seems to show that, contrary to the comic, natural (non-zombie bite) deaths do NOT begat zombies. All those bodies on the freeway would seem to be confirmation.

Certainly looks that way. Unless they decide that zombies can 'starve' to death?

Wow, NO one posted tonight about the new episode? Well, I thought it was GREAT!

Absolutely! Better than the premiere!

Herchel kicked ASS.

I, for one, am glad they are pulling back towards the books narrative. Although I'm biting my tongue trying not to tell my wife about the "barn". Also with T-Dawg, Darryl and Shane, there's a whole different group dynamic, so I'm not sure how they'll all react to Herchel's views on the undead. We're also losing the window to believably introduce Tyreese and have him bond with Carol.

Really fantastic thus far in Season 2. The most compelling relationship dynamic in the show so far is certainly Rick / Shane and I can see why the writers don't want to lose that. Shane just being there for Rick while Carl was being operated on was utterly fantastic. The two actors really delivered in a big way and show they are getting more and more talented (the actor who plays Shane is just surprising the hell out of me considering I didn't think much of him before the show).

I like the actor playing Otis so I don't mind at all that he looks nothing like his comic book counterpart.

Loved Herschel and loved that Maggie got to be awesome in her introduction.

I'm ready for Glenn to have some more time and that should happen now since we're at Herschel's farm.

My wife can't stand Andrea so far. I keep telling her: "She get's better! She's my favorite in the comics!"

I don't think any of them look much like their comic counterparts... and that it would be expecting a bit too much for them to find people that look like the characters and that can do a good job of acting aswell. However, I fully expect a certain actor to be willing to have his hand amputated if they persue a certain storyline for a certain character later on or I will be terribly disappointed. Also for another actor to sacrifice an ear and an eye for the role if the show gets that far....

Cobie, I have found myself also disliking Andrea since Amy's death... (her scenes with Amy dying and afterward were excellent). I am hoping this changes.

SPOILERY PREDICTION DEPT:

Otis is going to end up zombie chow and the scenes from the preview with Shane running alone from a pack of zombies hot on his tail will soon follow that.

Well, I never expect an actor to get a role just because they look like a character (see: Conan the Barbarian as played by the Governator ).

I only mentioned the above because the actor has such a distinct look to him (he also played a great role on Deadwood).

But yes, I demand the actor playing Rick have his hand amputated. Brando would do it.

CGI that stump!

I read somewhere where Kirkman said he wished he's never cut off Rick's hand and probably won't do so on the TV show. So this particular conversation may be irrelevant!

On the other hand...maybe they'll cut his <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">PECKER! </span></span> off instead!

I think Shane leads the Zombies on a merry chase, leaving Otis to fight off a few and get back to the farm. Shane is a hugely flawed character, and because of that fact...he is freakin awesome in this series.

Andrea is so different from the comic at this point...it's going to be interesting to see where they take the character.

Darryl continues to be the man for these guys. Coming through when nobody else can. Great addition to the mythos of The Walking Dead.

...and Glenn is a lucky man...just sayin.

I think they're taking a fairly valid approach to Andrea's character in the wake of Amy's death, so I'm giving the show the benefit of the doubt there. I do, however, hope they get her closer to the Andrea we all know and love so well sooner than later.

Just watched the first 2 episodes and am back to loving TWD TV show after the dreckitude of that CDC subplot last season.

Character-wise, I'm still really enjoying Shane and am glad the writers have made the choice they did with him. Andrea is kinda bugging me which is a surprise because she's one of my favorites in the book.

Funnily enough though, the characters that I'm most drawn to are the ones who aren't in the book - Darryl, T-Dog (and Jacquie <sniff>). I think it's because I have no idea what's going to happen to them, so I'm on the edge of my seat in their scenes and am therefore more invested in them as characters. The others I more or less know exactly what's going to happen to them (though I wouldn't put it past the writers to surprise us like they have with Shane and maybe Sophia) so I'm enjoying them more as interpretations of characters I know, rather than as characters I can worry about and care for.

It's interesting to me that we haven't met Tyrese and co in the show yet. We had already met them before they got to the farm in the book hadn't we? I wonder if T-Dog will become him?

I'm not sure I want that to happen, but I would like it if the show was to continue like it is doing, following the same basic narrative of the book but taking new paths where it needs to to keep the story fresh.

My thought is they will possibly intro Tyreese as being the one who finds Sophia and brings her back, which would then lead to the bond with Carol (because there's not that much time to have them get together if he doesn't show up soon).

I honestly thought we'd see Sophia at Hershel's farm, having been found by the family. Now, I just dunno. The Tyreese idea is a good one. I guess it's also possible she'll pop up at Woodbury, maybe along with Merle? But, really, I dunno where they're going with this.

Definitely loving Daryl! I hope they give him more scenes very soon, though.

I think I've read that they are definitely going to bring in Tyreese and Michonne at some point. I wonder if Tyreese will have his daughter and her boyfriend in tow?

I like this scenario.

Lardy, I have read Michonne is a definite at some point (Kirkman wasn't sure if she would fit in this season in time, but def. next) but don't think I have heard about Tyreese.

I kinda hope they don't kill of T-Dog. Because if Tyreese then comes along, it'll seem like they're bringing in a token to replace him. I don't like T-Dog's chances, though, even if he survives this infection. He's still a "guest" or "also starring" in the credits. Pretty sure they didn't kill anyone who was in the main credit sequence last year. I think the character has potential. He probably had his best scenes this week.

Lash, I don't think Tyreese was ever promised, but during the first season, Kirkman said he could certainly pop up later. If he does, I hope he sticks around past his time, like Shane.

I forget... have we heard T-Dog's real name yet? Because, if my mother had named me Tyreese, I would probably be going by a nickname instead.

That's the wussy way out!! Chop it off with a blunt hatchet or forget it!
Oh, and did anyone notice that Carl's wound is much more severe than the (first) one he recieved in the comic?

Re: Sophia.

I was completely expecting this second episode to end with Carol and Dale and co. to turn around and see a zombified Sophia just shuffling up to them and then bam! credits!

She's been gone long enough to have been bitten and infected and turned and it might have been a way for the writers to show the viewers who've read the comics "You think you know which characters are safe? Guess again!" It's not like her loss would have affected any of the future plots anyway. And it might give Carol a more believable reason to do what she later does (since I don't think the comic reason will work in the show).

Who knows? It might still happen. Though I think Dave's guess re: Tyreese is a good one.

As a sidebar, the History Channel is airing a special tonight called "Zombies: A Living History", from 8-10e. I'll probably check it out in between washloads...

Season 3 is a go officially!

T-Dog is NOT Tyreese. I read an article recently that mentioned his actual name--I think it was Theodore?--but definitely not Tyreese. Saw that! YAAAAAAAAYYY!!!!

But has it been said on the show? Because if not, then it is still a possibility. Heck, even if it HAS been, it wouldn't be the first time a small detail like that was overlooked because a writerr changed their mind as to the direction they want to go. Not saying this is the case... just that you never know.
Personnally, I am kind of surprised that they didn't strongly hint from the beginning that T-Dog was Tyreese, then kill him off in some shocking fassion just before introducing the actual Tyreese.
And like Blacula above, I was really expecting a Sophia zombie to show up at the end to prove that the TV series can do what ever it wants and not just parrot the comic. Of course, a Carl Zombie at the end of the next episode would do this even better!

Carl's age is going to be an issue, sooner rather than later I bet. This episodes are taking place over a period of days yet there was almost 1 year between the airing of Season 1 and 2. That's gonna catch up to them really quickly.

The dreaded "Taller Walt" effect!

T-Dog's officially been shown to be "Theodore" on the show but that doesn't really prove or disprove anything...

LOL! But it makes it less likely. Having his middle name turn out to be Tyreese would push credibility just a bit. And, while I pointed out that it isn't unheard of... ignoring the established 'Theodore' and retconning it would likely anoy those that caught the 'Theodore' moniker in the first place. So, he probably is not going to turn out to be 'Tyreese'.

Killing the character off now would take care of that!

That's what I am wondering... I won't be surprised if li'l Carl bites it sometime next season or when/if he hits a major growth spurt...

A little 'Walker' humor?

Pun intended

What has intrigued me about the first two episodes is how major events have focused around the two most innocent of the party, the missing Sophie and the wounded Carl, both children. The despair Rick is suffering over both, plus the possibility one or both of the kids could go 'Walker' is demoralizing for the entire group. Great tension!!

I would guess (hope) that Sophie won't be resolved for a few more episodes, just to keep us all wondering if she will indeed pop up at any given time, and in what condition?

Just started watching... caught the first season marathon during the weekend the second season premiered... great stuff... sure this has been said on this thread before, but I'm not usually a fan of zombie flicks (except for "Shaun of the Dead")... still, this show kicks ass, and I'm going to check out the books, which I've never read...

Give him Rick's hat and he's a reg'lar walker/Texas Ranger.... BADUMBUMPkssshhh!

Welcome, SHARKLAD!

The books are VERY VERY addictive... my advice is to buy at least 2 TPBs at a time because you **will** want to know what happens next-- !!

Dang... kinda hard, kinda impossible to defend or rationalize Shane's actions this episode.

Daaaang!

Wild episode...although slow as anything in some places, one of the best episodes yet.

Actually Lash, is it that hard to figure out why Shane did what he did? Not saying I agree, but he probably saw it as the only way to save Carl and himself.

Damn good one, guys! Hell of an ending!

Dev, it seems they could have both just kept ahead of the zombies like they were doing until they got to the truck. Shame on Shane.

Also, the moment Shane arrived without Otis, I *knew exactly* what he had done. Bad, bad Shane.

Betcha STILL liked that semi-nude scene, though, right, Lash?

Shane with a gimpy leg was still outpacing the huffing and puffing Otis. Plus, they have to make you not like Shane...

If they want me to not like Shane, they need to stop showing him in the shower

And Shane's karma would have been better served to just ask Otis to pass him the gear and let the zombies catch up to him without Shane's assistance.

I would have at least asked for the gear before shooting him in the leg.

Besides, with me...no hair to grab.

It's a shame, though. Like Cobie, I really enjoyed the actor playing Otis. He did something for a comic book character I never took to, much as the actor playing Jim did for his character last season.

Yeah, he should have just said, PASS ME THE GEAR, and really took off while the zombies just caught up to Otis as they probably would have anyway. Of course, the way they did it does serve to continue to remind us about Shane's less-pleasant qualities.

As for other plots, Darryl continues to be the guy I'd most like to be stuck in a zombie apocalypse with, wether his ass is itchy or not.

Sophia still not found? Bored now.

They need to find Sophia next issue, and get on with what is to come on the farm...have a walker show up, and show how Herschel handles them.

You mean next episode, tee-hee And YES, to both!!!

Wow, slip of the fingers.

Here's a thought...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">what if Shane does leave and is the one to come across the Jail, and then comes back for the others.</span></span>

Spoiler because it touches on something that happens in the comics.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Then, you could have a couple episodes n the farm, and deal with the barn thing. Then have several episodes with the prison, and end the season with them finding Woodbury (I think that was the name of the town.)</span></span>

Don't make me go all Cosmic Boy on you...

I like your speculation above... we *know* at some point Shane's gonna be alone from the others (during daylight) running from really-close zombies because of the preview from last summer...

I hope it has to do with him paying some sort of penace for what he did tonight. Bad boys become good boys again once they get their punishment... Oh my, I'm getting a little warm...

Someone get some cold water for Lash...

THANKS!

BTW, Kirkman himself discusses every episode on EW.com, a site I'm pretty addicted to!

Here's tonight's:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/10/31/walking-dead-kirkman/

Slow episode. Other than the Shane reveal at the end, it seemed like a lot of filler. My wife, who disliked the first season but was really enjoying this one, found this episode a step backwards.

I wasn't as negative, but it did seem like it was padded to make the full hour.

It will probably help his character stick around since nearly everyone loves a villain to hate and the 'Walkers' don't have a personality so can not be held accountable for their actions. Shane gives us a living, breathing, thinking villain that we can knash our teeth over. Pitty. I still dislike the character and hate the actor playing the role and this makes it likely that he will be around for sometime to come.

Very tense episode... a tad slow moving, but it helped ground the episode for me... the ending was pretty effed up, but I can't say what I would do in the same set of circumstances... he wanted to live... he wanted to stay in Lori's good graces... glad I got into this show... now I just gotta get the trades...

<span style="font-size: 48px;">DAAAAANG!</span>

I just watched this today after getting power and cable back this morning... thank you, Charter on Demand! The intro threw me off, wasn't really sure what was going on... but even before the last five minutes I new something was up with Shane. He was jumpy, skittish, and you could tell it was something more than just survivor's guilt for returning without Otis. But the actual revelation sequence was masterful!

(I'm glad I didn't watch the "Talking Dead" session *first*-- the first words out of the host's mouth were <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">"So how 'bout Shane killing Otis there??"</span></span> )

FANTASTIC episode, with one really unforgettable zombie moment!

Carl + hat = adorablesauce.

Darryl + Carol? I wouldn't mind it! I am secure enough in my manliness to admit their scene together made me tear up! *pounds chest manly-like*

Maggie + Glen = HAWT!

I like Hesrchel and Rick... I like that Herschel is NO-NONSENSE.

Scenes for next week showed Merle. Bleah. Leave my now-precious and sweet Darryl alone, you one-handed jackass!!

Carl with the hat FTW!

Such awesome zombie goodness this week...soggy...

Maggie and Glen - happy that that part of the book.

CAnnot wait until the you know what opens up.

Just read on Ew.com that, after 3 weeks there will apparently be a 3 month break before episodes resume.

THE GOOD: I kinda wish TRUE BLOOD did this too... the tormenting 9 month wait between seasons is terrible to sit through.

THE BAD: Waiting the 3 months Plus the potential to kill momentum for the casual, less-dedicated viewers. Also, the more than likely breaking up of DVD seasons into parts 1 and 2, which I view as a big money-grab.

Overall I guess this is okay... I certainly will be glad not to wait 9 to 11 months for Season 3.

but I am AGAINST buying separate DVD sets for 1 season of a 13 episode show...

Where was that? I did not see it in his weekly summary Q&A...unless I somehow skipped it...

Worst episode since the CDC. The plot ground to a halt, and the paltry character development didn't make up for it. This entire episode could have been effectively told in 20 minutes and then we could have moved on. Why tease prominent shots of <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">the barn</span></span>, if you aren't even going to use it in the cliffhanger?

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Even my wife, who I never told about the books said "so who's dead in the barn then"?</span></span>

Dev, it is mentioned on the 3rd page of the EW recap (where they are more inclined with Dave's way of thinking about the episode, BTW):


http://tvrecaps.ew.com/recap/walking-dead-recap-pregnant-episode-4/3/

So if my math is accurate, once Season 2 is totally complete, it will be only a 5 month wait for Season 3 assuming it begins in October 2012...

Loved this episode... zombie in the well... so gross... loved the hookup between Glenn and Maggie... "I'll have sex with you. It's not like our options are vast these days"... it's the end of the world, so why shouldn't the nerdy pizza delivery guy be getting some... I know lots of people are complaining about how slow the show is moving, but I love the pace... tension can be a really difficult thing to create, but this show does it expertly... so glad I finally relented and started watching...

Normally, I'd agree that the pace of the show helps build drama and tension. But this last episode just killed the momentum.

I get the impression that the Merle we saw in the sneak peek is a dream or hallucination or something of Darryl's. Darryl realizes he's getting soft so he dreams of big brother telling him to man up.

I like the idea of carol and Darryl as a couple. But we all know where Carol's weak, needy personality leads her... There's sadly no place for her in a world like this. Darryl and Andrea might work better. Anyone else hoping we *don't* see Andrea and Dale hook up?

My prediction for Sophia? She found another, not so good group of survivors (or is found by them) and quickly becomes brainwashed as, sadly, any child would in those circumstances.

Speaking of Sophia, her mother seems to be taking it a little too well. If my child were lost in zombie infested country I'd be batshit insane or out there looking for her. Probably both.

Anyway, still love this show but they gotta pick up the pace.

I thought it was a terrific episode, personally. I didn't feel the character development was at all "paltry"! And wasn't the well zombie sequence absolutely hilarious as well as gross?

This episode mirrored the comic's tendency to balance action out with downtime, but I loved every bit of it.

Hope we're closer to Andrea becoming a crackshot. I think they're building to it so that it becomes an outlet for her to refocus and have a purpose in life again.

Another funny moment for me was them showing Lori taking her pregnancy test! Sorry, but seeing her squat and hearing her do her business was kinda silly. A flash to her looking at it would have sufficed!

One of my biggest complaints about this lame missing Sophia storyline is Carol's reactions, or more correctly NON-reactions. I have tried to somewhat temper my complaints by telling myself, "old rules no longer apply"... but I still think Carol would either be crying all the time not just shedding a tear or two here and there, and I definitely think she would have insisted on staying where Sophia disappeared.

EVERYONE on EW.com is bitching about the missing Sophia storyline... this is KILLING the show for many and they need to bring this to a conclusion quickly.

Yeah, I never would have thought it would still be unresolved, and Carol's reactions ARE underwhelmed. But pretty much everything else is going fine. I thought Andrea, for example, is moving to a better place.

LOVED the Carl/hat scene! Hopefully, it'll be on his head from now on!

Did anyone else watch the webisodes? I thought it rocked!

Showing the TWD world in the very early stages of the zombie takeover almost seems sacreligous, but it worked without breaking any of kirkman's rules.

Lots of cool zombie moments. What happens when a dead body reanimates while someone is trying to give her CPR? Exactly what you'd think would happen.

And we saw how that torn in half zombie woman Rick first saw in the pilot died. So sad. We forget all those random undead have stories too. I hope we get webisodes showing how more of the more prominent zombies we've seen wound up dead. Well-zombie? That guy who hung himself in the woods?

GASP!!! MUST GO WATCH!

THIS IS TOTALLY TITS! These should totes be added to the DVD collections... how many are there...?? gasp gasp gasp!!!! 1 down, more to go...

I need to get to those as well. Maybe tomorrow.

They need to wrap up the Sophia thing next episode imo. then start dealing with... <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">the barn. They don't have to have the full out disaster happen right then, but start dealing with the two groups at odds.</span></span>

I think that would up the tension a bit and build towards the mid season finale where...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Have the last episode of this year be the barn busting open.</span></span>

Then in the spring, you can move on to dealing with the aftermath, and then the finale reveal of you know what.

Just finished the 6-part webisodes. A MUST SEE, the final scene will hit you square in the heart.

I DEMAND we see those two kids from the webisodes later in the series!!

Has anyone considered that they may not do the 'barn' storyline from the comic? It could be a red herring to distract from a completely different plot unique to the tv series? Because, the signals are completely mixed. Maggie's attitudes and reactions at the well are in line with the 'barn' storyline, but Otis' attitudes and actions at the school were very much not in line with the idea behind the 'barn' storyline. And Herschel knew what Otis would be doing when he left for the school and didn't say anything then. THAT is also not in line with Herschel's attitudes from the 'barn' storyline in the comics. I'll be terribly pleased if they have a huge build-up, it does not happen and then the story goes in a completely different and unexpected dirrection. Of course, I would also be terribly pleased if the storyline did happen in a similar fassion to the comic, but with Shane becoming a casualty. Either way.

Watched the webisodes. Pretty decent back story for the bike walker...er, crawler...er, dragger.

One thing, some of the digital effects were a little wonky (blood splatters for head shots,( but the makeup was pretty good for a quick feature.

COUNTDOWN TO NEW EPISODE BEGINS NOW!

Great episode!

Darryl's ordeal had my heart racing!

Carol continues to bug me. While everyone's planning sophia's search party, she's talking about making a dinner for Herschel. Really?

But carol's kind words to Darryl redeemed the character a bit for me.

Comic book- Maggie was haver a favorite of mine, but TV-Maggie kicks ass!


Best cliffhanger in a while!

Another winner...

Andrea needs to straighten up or GTFO.

Darryl + Carol! LOVED what she said to him!!!

And feces meets fan INSIDE THE BARN.

Yeah, Andrea definitely should not get off the hook as easily as she apparently has.

Dale's line was funny, though! He had a good scene with Glenn, too.

Well, it's true... Everyone HAS.

It was cool to see a little of what happened that got them all together.

Carol and Darryl are a great couple...even just as friends. It may be her that keeps Darryl from giving into Mearle (even just the Mearle in his head.)

Does it seem that Darryl is trying to redeem himself somehow by trying to find Sophia? Make up for the life he had lead until this point with his brother.

Yes it does, Dev, now that you mention it... that has to be what Carol is thinking too.

Yeah, Dale's line gave me a rare LOL moment... but I'm done giving Andrea leeway. I want repercussions for this!

Great spotlight on Darryl... loved the scene with him and Carol... and the ending was sprockin' awesome!

I've just watched episodes 3-5 (I think episode 6 is just about to air over there in America so I'm a week behind) and I am *LOVING* this season.

I TOTALLY disagree with all those who say this season has been "slow" or that this Sophia sub-plot is "dragging" or whatever. I think the pacing is perfect. That's probably the difference between watching this show week-to-week and watching it all in one hit though. The tension stays up and the story breezes by when you watch it the latter way.

LOVE:

* The zombie in the well! OMG! That was hilarious and gross!
* T-Dog and Daryl! I want them to outlive the main characters now!
* Andrea is showing signs of the comic character I know and love at last.
* I also really like Maggie in the show which surprises me because, like someone else said upthread, in the book she's one of the most "eh" characters for me.
* This Sophia storyline. I may be the only one, but I'm into it. It probably is time it wound down though. Personally, I'd be really happy if we just never find out what happened to her. It would be a totally realistic conclusion. People disappear all the time in the real world. Imagine how many would do so after a zombie apocalypse!

DON'T LOVE:

* What Shane did to Otis. I know that they have to make the audience hate him so that we can forgive you-know-who for you-know-what later on, but I love this character dammit and I don't want them mucking that up! I feel like that whole scene could have been handled a lot better too. a) because it was pretty obvious what was going to happen about half way through the episode and b) because there was really no reason for Shane to shoot him when he did; the zombies should have been a lot closer for it to look like Shane's decision was necessary.
* Dream-Merle. I think 'LOST' is the only show to ever do dream-characters right. I guess he wasn't too bad though. And his re-appearance and reminder to the audience does have me wondering if they are indeed going to go down the 'Merle as Governor' road as some suspect. Not sure how I feel about that.
* Two random people popping up out of nowhere in the past two episodes. HOW HAS NO ONE ELSE COMMENTED ON THIS? Are they Hershel's other children? He seems to act like they are. Where were they during the events of the previous two episodes then? That seemed like really poor planning on the writers' parts. Almost like they knew they wanted to introduce two more characters but didn't want to pay the actors for a couple of episodes. Totally shades of Nikki and Paolo on 'LOST'. If they just haphazardly get killed off in the barn as haphazardly as they were introduced that will just be the sloppiest writing of the season IMO.

That's all I can think of for now. I watch the show with two friends who've never read the books and they are on the edge of their seats the whole time when we watch it. Afterward, they say they love the show but almost can't bear the tension. I find that interesting because, while I love the show, I certainly don't feel anywhere near the tension they do. I guess that's the difference between those who've read the books and those who haven't. I had no fear for Glen during the well scene for example because I know he has a greater future in store, whereas they have no idea who lives and who dies or when, so it's all very nerve-wracking for them. Seeing how invested they're getting, it almost makes me wish I was approaching the show with fresh eyes too. Almost.

I don't think you should put TOO too much faith in knowing the comic... Kirkman has stated that the TV show should be considered a seperate though related entity, which is how I am looking at it this season (and am enjoying it a LOT more because of it).

As for the mysterious extra Greene kids showing up-- Pov, Dev and I definitely commented on that but I guess it was over on Facebook. Everyone in that house should have been introduced from the get-go.

Andrea has arrived in a big way.

They cemented the way the Maggie/Glenn situation is going this week.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Andrea and Shane...wow, big deviation there.</span></span>

I still think Carol is going to put a move on Darryl this season.

Especially if/when he finds Sophia... she gonna go Cougar on his fine young self... LD

And re: your spoiler, Dev... yes, but I like it.

So do I actually. Makes sense too with how things are playing out.

Another good episode... I enjoyed the focus on Dale. And I **love** the A and S deviation!

I'm hoping from here on in Andrea will be less insufferable for me.

Also, I'm very glad there's no more secrets between Lori and Rick!

EXCELLENT EFFING EPISODE!!!!

Each scene felt like it served a purpose--it was jam-packed!

Dang, Andrea must have been feeling pretty good after shooting all those zombies... I didn't see that pair-up coming, but I kinda like it... if things play out similarly to the books for the lucky guy whose crotch she grabbed, which they could now that Carl is carrying, Andrea could still end up with Dale... good episode overall, with lots of character development, but a tad slow... can't wait for next week!

Today's the last day to enter this years "Stagger-On Role" sweepstakes. I hope today's extra mojo helps me win but if I have to lose it would sting less if a friend got the opportunity.

Mid-season finale tonight! Let's see that barn door bust open!

EW's Ken Tucker is totally turning agaisnt the show-- I gave him the old what-for.

You guys could too, if you are enjoying this season:


http://watching-tv.ew.com/2011/11/27/walking-dead-season-2-episode-7-sophia/

WELL NOW... how was that for a mid-season finale?

I'm loving it. Really excited to see where things go next, but one thing is sure-- the farm is DONE... It will be overrun with zombies now.

Gee... that was smart, Shane.

....devastating....

HOLY CRAP!

That last scene had me on the edge of my seat... wasn't expecting that, though I probably should have... life on the farm ain't gonna be the same...

Mind-blowingly awesome episode!

And for fans of the comic series, the first true 'you don't know shit' moment!

They are off the rails at this point from the books. I can see the broad strokes still out there, but everything else is up for grabs.

I love it that way!!!

Great episode and the last couple minutes were just beyond anything I could have hoped for. The only thing that would have floored me more was if Carl had gotten up and done the deed.

I'm watching the re-run!

Okay, do they deal with the fact that Herschel (at least) had an idea that Sophia was in the barn?

He's not entirely wrong. The first two episodes were great and last night's episode was really good, but the middle four episodes took way too much time to cover the ground they did, with very little to show for it. With few exceptions, character development has been stunted, or at least slowed to a crawl, and the plot floundered. In retrospect, we see it's so the reveal of Sophia would have more impact, but if that's the case they should have factored more into narrative structure other than episode after episode of "holding pattern" while they got there.

It was a good, dramatic episode, but it was at the expense of what could have been a stronger first half of the season.

The show recapper (not Ken Tucker) calls it the best epsiode since the Season 1 premiere.

I myself found season 2 part 1 as a whole to be pretty good overall... there was a long period set in a peaceful setting, with subplots (Carl- shot... missing Sophia of course... walkers in the barn... Maggie/Glenn... Lori PG!, Shane going postal), that built to an exciting finale.

What more can people want? Every episode can't be zombie armageddon.

Oddly enough, I actually thought there was too much zombie stuff this half-season. It seemed like each ep. had the token zombie encounter, and they seemed kind of less menacing. Last season it seemed like whenever there was a zombie encounter, it was a huge deal. Maybe it's just that no one actually got zombie bit except the incredibly predictable fat guy, at least up until the last minute reveal.

The EW reviewer calls the last scene a role-reversal, turning the HUMANS into the monsters... They were never in any real danger... the chain on the barn door ensured only 1-2 zombies could stumble out at a time once Shane smashed into it...

So there go our humans, being judge, jury and executioners while the man to whom they owed their safe heaven could do nothing but look on in horror.

Yeah, our guys-- totally the villains in that moment... excepting Glenn, who DID seek permission from Maggie... Maggie is going to kick ASS on this show it seems.

Anyway, I think the last scene drove home Herschel's point of view exquisitely!!

Herschel fascinates me. I think he is an excellent character.

I'm loving this show.

BTW, I was a previous Shane-supporter.

NO LONGER.

Other than I thought that the Sophia mystery was dragged out over the seven episodes, I thought that the first seven episodes went well.

There were Zombies in each episode, but a lot of them were isolated to characters away from the farm. Shane and Otis, Darryl, Shane and Andrea, Glenn and Maggie.

Sure there was the herd in the first episode, and a few walkers around after that until they hit the farm. But then aside from the well zombie, the ones om the barn...there were only the two that Rick, the kid and Herschel caught.

To me, a nice reminder about the dangers of the world they live in is a good thing, and will prevent some watchers of the show from complaining about there being no zombies. Not saying anyone here, but there are those out there that would complain about it one way or another.

I don't think that they majority of the characters did anything that any of us would not have done. Shane forced the issue, but once the zeds were out in the open...what would you have done?

I thought the Maggie / Glenn part of that was awesome.

The rest were doing what they thought they had to given the situation they were forced into.

Herschel having such a view of the Zeds is an interesting one, but ultimately flawed. Shane showed that by shooting the one repeatedly with it continuing to come after him as best it could. People would not come back from decomposition like that. And as was pointed out to him several times...he has had no real idea of what life was like outside his farm. His encounters have been limited to a dozen or so walkers that have wandered onto the farm. Maggie held the same views until she was attacked and saw one get up with its head hanging to the side, all but detached from it's body.

Shane is the "villain" of the piece...the rest are guilty of non-action in trying to stop him if anything. I'm also sure that any of them would have thought that Shane would have had no problem shooting anyone that had tried to stop him...or force them to shoot him.

One thing that I find compelling is that for all his bravado, Shane did not have the balls to pull the trigger on Sophia when she emerged. The others I give a pass...hell, Andrea shot her own sister in the head when she turned. It took Rick, who up until then had stood back like a someone who had lost complete control. With that one action though, he may very well have regained control from Shane.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out...we're not completely done with the farm yet. The fallout has to be dealt with. Then we have them eventually leave the farm and find their next home.

Rick, Glenn (who got the okay - which could be a discussion in and of itself), Dale, Lori and Carl are the only ones that did not participate in the barn thing. Rick only stepped in when the others froze in their tracks.

The other thing is...it's an inevitability that they would have eventually gotten out of the barn on their own. The more in there would have eventually given them enough force to make a break for the human buffet sleeping a little ways away.

btw - I love playing devils advocate.

No prob, I love a little back and forth on something I know we both like so much!

Now... nothing you say is untrue and I agree with many of your points, particularly singling Shane as the REAL villain of that scene.

Putting myself in Herschel's shoes, I would be ENRAGED at what Shane has done. The Otis thing was bad enough (and I still contend was unnecessary as the walkers would have gotten him anyway). Shane has in fact now occupied Herschel's home... that was not his choice to make.

Whatever Shane might have coming to him... I now think he fully deserves, whereas previously I was not convinced.

Actually Shane was more hurt/limping than Otis. If it was really a "only one of us gets out of here" scenario, Otis was the logical choice to keep trucking while Shane slowed them down. But Shane was in "it's him or me" mode at that point.

Despite my misgivings, the last scene WAS a brilliant reversal, as it showed beautifully how both Herschel and Shane were wrong.

Shane, pretty cruelly, demonstrated the "reality" of the walkers to Herschel, but then Sophia brought Herschel's point back equally hard on Shane. Shane had no problem getting his hate on and blowing away faceless walkers without any compassion, as they weren't Herschel's family to him, but "things". Then Sophia turns up, the shoe's suddenly on the other foot and Shane's frozen out and the group falls apart.

Rick's the only one to man up and put Sophia down, not because he wants to or because he's filled with hate, but because it's what needs to be done. It was a perfect echo of the scene with the crawling walker in the very first episode ("I'm sorry this happened to you..."). Rick has compassion and respects who the Walker's used to be. It's not a casual thing to dispatch them, but it is necessary. That empathy is what sets him above Shane.

Limping Shane was outpacing Otis anyway. Otis unhurt still could not keep up with limping Shane...

I totally agree. February should be very interesting!!

Fantastic insight into the final sequence and what that told us about Shane, Herschel and Rick.

Have to feel real bad for Herschel; since the travelers showed up, his farm sanctuary has been totally up-ended and much of what he had previous has been lost (Otis, his Walker relatives and friends).

It would not surprise me if a heart attack or something completes the tragedy.

Finally saw The Talking Dead from last night. Things from the show are below:

Kirkman himself said that Otis was the one that put the walkers in the barn, and that once he died they were the ones that had to do it now. This may mean that nobody else on the farm knew about Sophia...not that that would stop Shane from going postal on him. The last part is my thought...


They said that it was indeed a turning point for Rick...and the fallout of that would be seen.

Kirkman is not opposed to having Darryl show up in the comic...but his plans that are already set kind of make it really difficult.

Kirkman wants Michonne in the show...to at least stop people from asking him when she is going to show up.

Kirkman also says that killing characters in the book is easier, and there are times when he just does it without thinking through it to much. On the other hand, killing characters on the show is harder, because it essentially firing a cast member...which he doesn't really want to do.

Breaking from keeping the TV show and comic separate for a moment-- Michonne's arrival has the potential to be one of TV's finest moments, and I DO hope they use that!!


SPOILER FROM SNEAK PEEK OF NEXT EPISODE:

The sneak peek for next episode I saw last night definitely shows that Herschel was unaware of Sophia being in the barn.

Herschel is as fascinating on-screen as he is in the comic.

Dave's previous post about that final scene will stay with me for a long time... and explains in words what made the episode a winner so very well.

Like Hershel, I was SO tensed up during that final scene even BEFORE the final reveal! I gotta admit, they really surprised me with that one. I should've recognized all the misdirection going on, but I fell into the "they're gonna find her alive!" camp after daryl reinforced the Cherokee rose bit. As the episode neared its end run, I thought, "I guess they'll leave that for the second half of the season."

When it first showed those little legs, I was thinking, "is that Mrs. Hershel?" But as the camera slowly panned up, I recognized the clothes. I think I realized it before my wife when I yelled, "oh my god--that's Sophia!"

Most shocking moment on a TV show I've seen in a long time--probably the most shocking since the moment I realized Jacks 'flashback' at the end of Lost season three was actually a flashforward. I think this one tops that one in its sheer emotional impact.

For a second there, I thought Carol might run to Sophia and get bitten by her--something that would echo a scene in the book. Powerful, powerful scene that effectively completed the half-season and set up some real conflict for February to pick up on.

This is one terrific season and series, and I would have to disagree with those who feel it was "slow" or not as compelling as the first. The character development has been outstanding, IMO!

I *definitely* thought this was going to happen-- and am glad it didn't! I actually hope to see Carol and Darryl form a relationship now!

I was actually expecting something like that to happen at the end, only with Sophia coming out of the woods. I never thought about her being in the barn.

Also, I'd have to agree with Dev that Shane's point of view DID make a lot of sense within the context of a zompocalypse. However, I'd have to say that Dale's did as well. (Good, tense scene between the two, btw!)

The ultimate tie-breaker, though, is what Shane did to Otis. I'd rather be following a principled, human Rick than a cold, detached Shane. (I mean, how long before Shane would turn on me?) I love how the show is exploring this dichotomy in much greater detail than they did in the comics. It was there even then but probably resolved too soon.

Loving Carl this season, as well. Loved that he got to cuss and get in Shane's face a little! makes me kinda hope that things end between the two eventually as it did in the books.

But, as this episode proves, you can't count on things working out like they do/did in the source material--and I'm glad for it!

EDE- are you reading the comic or trades yet and if so, how far along are you?

No, not yet.

*DISlike*

One thing to remember here, is that while we know what Shane did, the characters in the show do not. We can make a more fully informed decision on who we would rather follow, but the characters cannot.

It does set up a great situation where, in classic horror movie fashion, we can yell at the screen "don't trust him!!! He's going to kill you!!!"

Another thought I just had is this. Dale saw Shane line up Rick in his sights, and has said as much to Shane. He also seems more than willing to get up in everybody's business. Then why the hell has he hot said anything to Rick. "Oh, by the way Rick...the guy you trust with your life was banging your wife while you were 'dead' and came this close to shooting you in the back - literally."

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this info comes out now, since Dale's last encounter with Shane went so piss-poorly.

Inside The Walking Dead-- The cast looks ahead

a 4-minute piece I haven't seen anywhere else, from AMCtv.

I'm curious as to what point in the series marked Frank Darabont's departure from the show. If Sunday's episode was post-Darabont, this bodes very well! If not, it's still wait-and-see.

Looks very promising... especially the impact of losing Sophia the way they did...

For the record, I read #1 tonight!

...and...

Online, I take it?

Yeah, free download!

...and...

...and since then I have downloaded/read the first two TPBs.

To the comic thread with you!!!

YAY! Darryl found Sophia after all... drinks are on him!

*poof*

Man, it sure SUCKED having a Sunday go by without a new TWD ep! Well, at least we only have a two-month wait this time.

Meanwhile, I was surprised no one made a comment about this statement i made earlier, regarding the Sophia reveal:

I know we have some Lost fans watching this. Any comment, either way? Also, Lost fan or not, can anyone think of a more shocking TV moment on any show? I'm curious to see how the moment ranks with you guys!

Emotionally, it does top the Lost reveal. One of the best emotional moments on television in a while for me.

I don't know about shock value though...it's close, but I thought there was a chance that Sophia might be in the barn. Or at least I thought it would be really wild if she ended up being right there the whole time...

The reveal of the 'rubber man' identity in American Horror Story was more shocking to me. In fact, that show regularly has shocking reveals.

As for the Sophia revelation, I think I am less shocked by it because it was just perfect symmetry. And, actually- someone on the EW board had speculated she'd be coming out of that barn in the last scene the morning the episode aired, and that might have softened the surprise for me. No doubt that it was one of the most unforgettable scenes!

Hm. I haven't watched AHS yet. It's been on the edge of my radar, but I keep forgetting about it. It's an ongoing story, as opposed to a new story every week/Twilight Zone-type thing, right?

However, I would say that if a show truly has a "shocking reveal" practically every ep, it might kinda dull their impacts. Pure speculation, though.

It's a very different critter, as the Lost moment was pretty much a "OMG! Nothing is what I thought it was! Where do they go from here?" kind of moment, where this was more a surprise with strong emotional consequences kind of shock.

It both shocked me AND touched me emotionally. In hindsight I know I should have expected it, but the misdirection absolutely worked on me! The reactions of the other characters really drove it home for me, as did the disbelief that the show would drastically alter the fate of a character from the book like it did.

AHS is one ongoing story with lots of awesome flashbacks telling the history of the house and people who have lived and died therein.

I know...there are big differences, but the common denominator for me was my overall shock level. Certainly, they resonate in different ways and push different buttons in the viewer, but both definitely share a "GOTCHA!" vibe.

(Am I right in thinking that the flashforward reveal was Lost's biggest shock, at least?)

I should have separated out the emotional moment from the Lost comment. It was meant for the Sophia reveal.

I'm actually not sure about that. Libby being shot would also be a contender. There are other contenders, such as Libby's being shot.

For me, the big Lost shocker occurred early on when we leaned Locke was in a wheelchair and could walk again. Libby being shot was another big one. For whatever reason, the Jack flash-forward moment was never as mind-blowing to me as it's been to others.

So the Sophia moment has it beat in the way you're describing.

Other shockers for me that might have it beat include AMC's other great series, Breaking Bad and the end to season 3. I won't ruin it for those that have never seen it. In Veronica Mars season 2 finale we get a SHOCKING revelation to a subplot we thought long tied up that is emotionally devastating--just like Sophia leaving the barn but perhaps more so. And in Deadwood when Bullock's step son is surprisingly killed in a freak episode I was shocked and emotionally knocked for a loop--perhaps the saddest and most surprising tv death for me ever.

So, er, all potential bigger shockers and all the company that the Sophia moment belongs in, which is my way of saying I'd rank it among the best of all time.

Twice for emphasis, eh?

Well, in my case I already knew Libby was a goner because I started watching Lost regularly with Season Three. It was a sad moment to experience on DVD (after already having seen S3) but Libby's and Ana Lucia's deaths seemed consistent with the other previous deaths of Boone and Shannon and the later death of Mister Eko--all kind of sudden and having degrees of senselessness to them. Libby's was probably the most painful and heartfelt of all of those, though.

I think the later major deaths on Lost were somewhat less shocking but higher on the emotional scale than most of these.

Sophia wasn't a character we knew very well at all, but seeing the other characters invest so much time and emotion into finding her really made that reveal pay off in a big way. I was really affected by Carl having to witness the whole thing and Lori doing her best to comfort him, even as she herself was devastated by it all.

I'm with others in that I found it compelling, but not shocking. You want shocking, the reveal of the killer in Twin Peaks and the events that followed moments later, that was shocking.

The prominent suicide in Battlestar Galactica was pretty shocking, as was the reveal of the "Four".

Henry's Death on MASH was certainly a game changer.

As for Lost, I'd say Echo's death was pretty shocking for me, as I was attached to the character and wasn't aware the actor had asked to be let go.


American Horror Story is only on episode 4 in Canada, I hadn't even considered "Rubber man" had an identity beyond a manifestation of the house. I'm intrigued now.

There were quite a few moments like that in this series. Maybe not to the extent of the suicide...but there were plenty of twists and turns along the way.

One of the best season endings of all time. Totally gut wrenching.

Yeah, I was waiting for someone to mention the M*A*S*H shocker. I didn't watch that one as a kid, but I can understand the sentiment. A great show and a great moment.

The Battlestar suicide...definitely shocking. It staryed with me for a while after watching the ep. I liked that character but never really knew him or her like I did some of the others. kinda lessened the impact somewhat for me. Of course, you could argue that this moment showed exactly how little we knew the character.

Again, we didn't know Sophia much at all either, but TWD set us up masterfully to care about her through her effect on the others. I think it was a really effective arc with the set-up and eventual pay-off.

Of course, I was the kid who watched "Psycho" and was totally shocked and surprised (and fairly creeped out!) by the ending!

I suppose Bobby showing up in Pam's shower a year after his death on Dallas has to qualify as a pretty shocking moment, however lame the eventual explanation for it next season turned out to be.

Oh yeah, an entire season relegated to a dream is the very essence of shitty jump the shark moments! As I recall, the explanation leaked long before it actually aired, I'd guess purposefully so as to lessen the outrage to its impact in advance.

The amazing thing is how they had to screw over a years worth of development in the lives of all of their other characters just to bring him back!

*poof*

It's funny to me that when The Newhart show did it in their last episode...very last scene...I thought it was freakin hilarious.

*poof*

I re-watched the first 2 eps of season 2 last night.

the herd on the highway scene is so up there with any big-screen zombie film!

It was a mistake for Rick to ever leave terrified Sophia... better he kept her with him, since he could have had her hide in a tree ahead of him while he "stoned" the 2 walkers.

The church zombie scene intrigued me... the 2 male zombies moved to attack the gang, but the female zombie looked more terrified than anything and made no move to attack. Very interesting, best not to dwell on it, as surely she would have tried to attack sooner or later.

First scene at the Greenes, we do see that boy and one of the unnamed blonde-haired girls along with Patricia and Maggie.

I thought it was weird that those zombies were just sitting in the pews at the church as if waiting for service to begin. Like they "remembered" their previous lives.

Reminded me of Morgan's wife-zombie returning to their house every night, trying to get in.

I don't think I like the idea of the zombies having some sort of memory of their lives.

This was also hit on in the very first episode, when the little girl walker stops to pick up a doll. It does seem like a very very select few zombies do have that memory of previous life... which makes their situation all the more horrific for me.

I think it is effective as a way to garner a kind of sympathy for the zombies from the viewer, but don't think it is very "realistic" (I know, I know, what part of this IS realistic?)...

*poof*

You've sold me with your NotLD example... also I remember them gathering at the mall in DotD was referred to as some remembered force of habit, or something similar...

This also helps explain why that enormous mass of zombies had not wandered off from the High School FEMA shelter in the 2nd episode.

Yeah, the acting out stuff from their previous lives is a pretty standard zombie trope. Isn't their a scene in one movie where a zombie finds a razor and starts shaving its flesh off?

Re-watched the 3rd and 4th episodes last night:

Shane and Otis were in a DIRE SITUATION. Zombies at every turn... there's no doubt. HOWEVER...

Shane indeed make a bad and unnecessary and needlessly cruel judgement call in shooting Otis.

At the time he decided to shoot Otis, they were quite a distance ahead of the zombies, and there's no reason NOT to think they BOTH could have made it to the truck had they continued the pace they were keeping. Shane's shooting Otis in fact very nearly doomed them both!

The well zombie plot... pure filler. No sane person would ever dare drinking that water again after removing that hideous waterlogged zombie.

Herschel and Dale are both fascinating characters... Herschel has a way of delivering his lines that I find both soothing and slightly annoying. And Dale, it is becoming apparent that he likes to run things in secret... quietly doing little things here and there in secret mastermind fashion.

Dale kind of gets on my nerves. Way too nosy and meddlesome. I know the writers want us to sympathize with him as the conscious of the show, but somehow that makes him more annoying. But he is necessary to the show, if only to stir the pot.


As for the zombies acting out stuff they used to do while alive... I dunno. I'll get used to it, I guess. I think I'm comparing the show too much to the comic. It bugged me when the zombies ran and used tools (the brick to smash the window) in Atlanta, too. I need to accept the show has it's own set of rules...

I've enjoyed this season much more by doing just that... Comic? WHAT comic?

The next 2 episodes...

Carol's finest moment was telling Darryl hs is every bit as good as Rick and Shane. I'd love to see them as a couple- but do NOT think it is going to happen, which is going to devestate me (and Carol).

The courtship -or whatever- of Glenn and Maggie is wonderful to watch... I *love* Maggie.

Shane & Andrea? Super! Perhaps my two least-favorite characters can go riding off into the sunset together!

Darryl coming out of his Merle hallucination to the reality of a zombie biting its way up his boot toward flesh is still one of the scariest moments for me on re-watch (and then, here comes another one from the woods!!)

Some truly intense scenes with Shane and Dale when Dale calls him out on Otis... Shane is bobbing and weaving like the snake in Rikki Tikki Tavi and Dale is his mesmerized terrified prey. Good stuff.

These are Herschel's 'peeps': Maggie (who is well-known), Patricia (older blonde from the operation scenes and gathering chickens for the barn-geeks)), Jimmy (young -and VERY cute- boy who offers to help look for Sophia, Unnamed young blonde girl (if they gave her a name, I missed it-- she appears most during the "gun training" scene, along with Jimmy), and then Otis (r.i.p.)

With that small a staff, it is no wonder Herschel -despite his misgivings- was coming around to letting them stay on... that's a BIG-ass farm to run.

Have just caught up with the fantastic latest two episodes of the The Walking Dead... but before I discuss them I just want to make a quick comment about some other discussions in this thread -

I'm not cool with all the spoilers to other shows that people have been dropping. Fortunately for me, I've seen most of those shows (except American Horror Story but either those posts didn't reveal too much or else I managed to scan my eyes past them in time) but anyone who hasn't seen LOST for example (and here I'm thinking mainly of MLLASH but there are probably others) will have had some of the best moments of that show spoiled here in this unrelated thread.

Anyway, complaint over - back to TWD.

*AMAZING* ending! Devastating! Heart-breaking! Powerful! I *DID NOT* see it coming at all! And it made the so-called "slow" search-for-Sophia storyline of the season all worth it with this incredible climax.

Shane is such a dickhead! I still really like the character but they're definitely pushing him into villain territory now. I predict the event that ends the first TPB to occur at the end of this season now.

Dale's actions seemed a little weird in this last episode. What was he hoping to accomplish by hiding the guns? They still need them right? And his sudden suspicion that Shane killed Otis seemed a little unfounded based on what the character knows (compared to what the audience knows). I didn't buy that whole confrontation.

A writer at the AV Club was complaining that not enough main characters get killed off in this show. They believe that the zombies need to make more kills in order for us to believe the threat. I could not disagree more! I almost had to check that Dan Didio isn't moonlighting as a writer there! The kills need to be sparse and shocking IMO so that when they do happen they have an impact. Like this emotional ending for Sophia. It wouldn't have been the same punch to the gut if T-Dog, Daryl and Maggie (for example) had all died in recent episodes.

I'm curious to see where the show goes from here now. Obviously Hershel will want them off his farm after this incident but I can't see any reason why he would want to go with them. (I disagree that the farm would now be any more overrun with zombies than it was before because all the zombies from the barn are now dead.) I'm looking forward to seeing them back on the road again though and God-help-me but I'm actually looking forward to seeing Michonne introduced too. Fingers-crossed I like her more here than I do in the comic.

Can't wait for the rest of the season.

I do plan to watch LOST one of these days but haven't let any LOST discussion 'sink in'; I just skim over it usually. I have no idea who any of the LOST characters are...

re: American Horror Story, there's no hard spoilers in this thread, and definitely DO watch when you can- it's pretty badass for the most part!!

You remind me, I never did re-watch the final episode... I will do that today and report back!

^ I definitely plan on catching up on AHS at some point. My sister is very into it and keeps recommending it to me too.

IS IT FEBRUARY YET?!?!

Full series marathon on the 31st...

From Entertainment Weekly's site... I'm not sure how much of any of this is true- esp. since the writer makes some leaps like referring to TWD as Darabont's "creation"- but it certainly is interesting.

Read what ALMOST was the Season 2 opening episode of TWD:

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/09/frank-darabont-walking-dead-season-2-plan/

I read about that...it would have been interesting, if not a distraction from the main story.

Revised credits may give a clue to the new direction of the show:

http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TVhRXkhqQE3nlj/season-2-alternate-title-sequence

Now that...that was awesome!!!

The 1 week countdown has begun!

Season 1 marathon on Saturday... Season 2 marathon on Sunday... all friggin' zombie weekend!

It IS!

Looking forward to a lot of discussion tonight following Season 2.2's first episode.

Everyone should expect spoilers galore!

Can't believe this was never brought up here. The article I'm linking to ABSOLUTELY CONTAINS TWD COMIC SPOILERS FROM THE FIRST 6 ISSUES!


Is SHANE exiting the cast of TWD?

Random pondering: It seems the liklihood that Whitney Houston's death will lead to higher viewing of the Grammys (and may therefore hurt TWD's ratings) is pretty high.

Thought I posted this but it seems to have been lost (apologies if it turns into a double post).

I was waiting for Rick to not

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">put a bullet through the second guy's head.</span></span>

So it seems the survivors still don't know the big secret about the walkers:

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">That the dead come back regardless of whether they were bit or not.</span></span>

I expect this will be a major plot point/nasty surprise at some juncture soon.

Ratingswise, TWD is un-freaking-stoppable, as last night's episode smashed all previous records:


http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/02/13/walking-dead-ratings-return/

Overall, it was a very slow episode. In hindsight, it almost had to be after the tense, emotional finale of the first half of the season. The episode would have worked better had we seen it immediately after that one, IMO, rather than a couple months later.

That said, the last few minutes were pretty awesome! Even more awesome is the preview of there being immediate consequences and a pretty intense episode presumably to come next week. Rick's lack of reaction in the aftermath was pretty damn chilling in and of itself.

The one thing that really didn't work for me was Lori's big rush to go retrieve Rick. It sure didn't seem like they'd been gone that long.

It was definitely a slow episode, but I thought it was pretty effective overall.

Anyone who reads TWD knows that the zombies aren't really the greatest danger that the survivors face--it's themselves and other survivors. The end of this episode effectively begins to illustrate that point better than any in the show's run thus far. That looks to continue next week.

I think Darabont's departure is actually going to be a GOOD thing. Rick bad-assing up did it for me, for sure.

I was so worried they were going to befriend those guys, but once dude peed on the floor, I knew they wouldn't be THAT stupid.

I'm excited for that development actually, Lardy. I know Kirkman is a big fan of that angle (me too) in the book and I was going to be surprised if he didn't play that up in the show sooner than he had in the source material. It's nice to have a different threat to work around besides zombies.

Despite what some would call the slowness of the episode, I actually felt like more was set up or progressed in some way in this episode than the last four or five. I'm looking forward to seeing how some of the characters like Herschel and Daryl progress now that they've been broken from their molds and mindsets from the first half of the season. The development with Lori also makes me wonder if they aren't shaking up her pregnancy from the books.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">The previews feature a swarm of Walkers near the town where the bar is. Not surprising given all the noise people have been making the past two episodes. The reason I actually look forward to Yet Another Zombie Swarm is because I hope this and the other human group help force our "heroes" to get off the farm finally and roam about. I admit I've been spoiled now that I've caught up on TWD comics and would love to see how the show adapts Rick and company's time at other locations.</span></span>

It's kind of interesting that Daryl seems almost more devastated by the events of the mid-season finale than anyone else. In retrospect, it makes a lot of sense, but I hadn't really expected it.

They probably spent so much time on the farm due to budgetary constraints. carol watches it religiously and I watch an ep here or there with her.

And they should know... don't eff with a Rick.

Impressive episode, I thought. I was nerve-wracked the entire time. In fact, this may have been the best episode to date, especially in regard to me thinking I knew what would happen next. I knew NOTHING.

Very, VERY good indeed! All the action (and gore!) was in the first half, but the second half was very impressive dramatically as well. Things are definitely heading somewhere!

My wife spoke of something that I've been thinking about: were those men scouting from a certain place the comic readers have seen before?

It was a good episode, my only complaint is that everything seems like a setup to an obvious conclusion (Glenn manning up, Darryl choosing between the group and Merryl, Shane vs. Rick), so I'm hoping there's some surprises instead of it going where we think it will.


Why is T-Dawg even on this show? Talk about leaving a character high and dry.

MONSTER sized TWD ratings continue!

How about THAT? KICK ASS episode tonight.

After the point was made with Beth and Andrea, I didn't even mind that scene. It made sense.

And the Rick/Shane/that boy scenes were nothing short of spectacular.

By Grabthor's Hammer, twas an episode.

This half of season two is sooooo much better than the first half!

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I was really ready to kick Andrea for enabling Beth, but in retrospect I liked those scenes. Andrea appeared happy that Beth ultimately chose to live, which makes her more sympathetic after her unorthodox assistance. It's all in the perspective I suppose, and I can see Andrea with her past wanting Beth to be totally "in the game" or get out.

If Shane does get written off soon like rumors are suggesting, it'll be interesting to see if Andrea warms up to the others more or becomes the new 'group wild card'. Perhaps Shane will betray her trust somehow?

I liked the "wait, were these guys even bit?" conversation with the corpses. I'm ready for more aspects of the book to start creeping into the show.

Did anyone else notice Glenn, Herschel, Carl, Carol, Daryl, Dale, T-Dog, Patricia, and Jimmy were all absent? It didn't really feel like it though with all the name dropping. We've never had so many regulars off-screen since the first episode, have we?</span></span>

I want a spotlight on Jimmy so bad. I think it might be a fun 'teen's perspective' subplot to explore his background and then give him some motivation or purpose on the show. After all, he's an adolescent boy who presumably lost his parents who is hiding out with the conservative family of his girlfriend (who doesn't seem to care for him much anymore). Have zombies brought him and Beth closer or drove them apart in his mind? Herschel was against the idea of him going out with a gun as if he were his own son, so it'd be fun to explore why he's so protective of a boy dating his daughter (get the shotgun!). Would he want to try and be a role model for Carl? Try and impress/befriend Rick's crew again? Were his own family members in the barn? If not, why weren't they? Kind of like Jacqui from last season, there's this untapped character I just want fully utilized yet he probably never will be.

Of course, that should probably all be explored after they figure out what to do with T-Dog.

I have to say at this point I am enjoying the TV episodes a little more than the graphic novels, but both are top notch. It has been great that the TV version has gone off on a tangent somewhat from the comics, making them both fresh and original and unpredictable.

Want to see a spin-off TV series with Shane and Andrea on their own as: The Zombie Hunters. Andrea would sport an eye patch and bazooka while Shane frequently consults his ESP powered split personality.

*poof*

One of the best eps yet, IMO, complete with several RZKs!*** As good as last week was, finally seeing Shane and Rick go at it and get everything all out in the open was really terrific. Lots to build on here!


***<span style="font-size: 10px;">Righteous Zombie Kills!</span>

Finally caught up with the show. The last two episodes have been great.

I think that Wick had a change of heart at the end, and was really on his way out with the kid.

I seem to remember that someone in charge had said that they were going to address the Docs conversation with Rick this season...I hope they do, and the thoughts above may very well be it.

Well I didn't see THAT coming.

I totally did! Though I thought he might just get bitten and lose a limb, ala the book.

Now can I totally not see Carl being the next castmember to exit... meaning can I be (pleasantly) surprised by it?

I did not see that end for him coming...that's for sure. When the thing attacked him, I thought they <span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">may go the leg route, and then eventually have him get bitten.</span></span>

Bad choices for Carl this episode came back to hit them hard. Do Ricks bad choices set up something even worse?

Lashie...

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">I can see things going the route of Shane Vs. Rick and Carl playing out his part in that scenario...to make up for what happened here.</span></span>

I know the analogy's not perfect, but the scenario as it played out reminded me a lot of the Peter Parker/Burglar/Uncle Ben story. Anyone else think of that?

But...WHOA! Definitely caught me off guard. I think many of us who are fans of the comic have been so obsessed over whether a certain other major character might meet his end by the end of the season that this death probably took us by surprise. Like the Sophia thing, it was well set up and probably should have been more obvious.

I will miss this character and this particular actor. Coming in to this series, he was one of the only two actors (the other being Laurie Holden) whom I had seen play any roles prior to TWD. He was also the first actor featured in the main credits whose character has passed on to this point. Brutal, disturbing scene and a well-played episode by this actor from start to finish.

I enjoyed Carl's role here, as well. I thought everything he did was believable and well-played by the child actor Chandler Riggs. In the comic Carl has always been one of the more fascinating characters to watch develop, and it's good to see the producers aren't afraid to explore that dark territory in the TV series.

So....anyone else who's a fan of the comics think Randall's group is based out of a town called Woodbury? In case any of you haven't heard, a certain "governing" character has been announced as having been cast for the third season. Here's one of the articles announcing as much if you missed it!

*poof*

I've been impressed with the choices made in the last two episodes. In what I thought was a predictable setup for the end game, the show's veered in new and interesting directions.

Carl has not been dealt with properly until this point and now he becomes the moral pivot of the show. Laurie's fears of him becoming "hard" are all but realised and Rick, Laurie (and Shane) have to deal with the fact that just surviving alone won't cut it if it makes a monster out of Carl. The show suddenly pushes the battle for his soul into the spotlight as the driving metaphor for all of the characters struggles. All the more fitting that the one unequivocally "good" characters has just been lost, leaving the damaged ones the responsibility to guide Carl.

Interesting episode.

I loved how they got everyone all focused on the threat from the other group of humans, and then, suddenly, bam! Random Zombie attack takes out a main character!

I also love how Carl represented the larger group as a whole throughout the episode. Carl has always been a great character in the comics and now in the show he's emerged as one of the most important characters in a whole new way.

Every episode since the return has been very strong.

Some nice smaller moments too for Andrea (changing her vote--good for her!), Glenn, Hershel and even Patricia ("will he suffer?").

For the record, I think it would be totally awesome if T-Dog somehow managed to survive the entire series! Like we're in Season 6 and he's still managing to show up like two minutes every other episode and is all like "Man, I'm still here!"

I forgot to mention sarcastically in my review that it was an awesome T-Dawg moment what with him muttering a single line and all.

Seriously, I feel kinda bad for the guy who plays him! I hope they let the guy do SOMEthing other than, perhaps, have a gross death scene. Only Patricia and whatsisname (suicide girl's boyfriend--hell, I don't think he was even in the big debate scene, was he? Oh...I think he was watching Carl, IIRC.) have had less to do at this point.

Hell, I'll admit it, I teared up a little during Dale's final scene and have the two subsequent times I saw it.

I didn't see the swerve coming with Dale at all. Looking back, the quick bit near the beginning with Dale trusting Andrea with where the guns are now stored serves as a quick summation that the two were back on decent terms with each other.

<span class="spoiler_containter"><span class="spoiler_wording">Click Here For A Spoiler</span><span class="spoiler_text">Since I read the books, I was expecting a bait and switch as well. Maybe he'd be able to hide the scratch for a bit, or simply have to have a leg cut off ... but no. I'm really going to miss him. I feel like there's a "voice of reason" among the TV characters that's absent, with Herschel and Andrea not quite ready to step up. I do hope this is the kick in the pants Andrea needed to stand on her own without Shane and want to help the group stay together rather than drive them apart.

If the rumors with Shane are true, it's crazy to think we'll lose three of the original cast this season. I thought the forthcoming bloodshed with Woodbury would be bad. Perhaps they're spreading the losses out instead?</span></span>

LULZ!

Suicide girl's boyfriend's name is Jimmy. I don't know suicide girl's name though. (Beth maybe??)

Hmm. Suicide Girl would make a pretty cool name for a bad-ass villain lass... she'll probably show up on DC's sure to be craptacular Earth ("THIS IS NOT THE JUSTICE SOCIETY") 2.

Interview with Kirkman. Talks about Dale, the Governor, hostage lad and next year a little,

http://comics.ign.com/articles/122/1220034p1.html

I did NOT see that ending with Dale coming! But I loved it! (Even though I'll miss the character and the actor.) I hope the writers continue to shake things up to surprise the readers of the comics. And I echo MLLASH in the hope that that surprise comes in the form of a horrific, gory death for that annoying brat, Carl. (Although I do think the young actor playing him is doing a great job.)

I also echo EDE in the hope that T-Dog stumbles his way to the end of the whole show. Haha That would be great! I'm putting money on it now, though - as soon as he gets more than a line or two in an episode, he'll be dead by the end of it. Mark my words.

Still really enjoying this season. Yes, the WHOLE season. I think it's been much stronger than the first on nearly all fronts. I think I'm actually enjoying the show more than the comic right now. In fact, I don't think it- I know it. The comic has gotten boring and repetitive and the characters even more unlikeable than normal IMO.

Can't wait to see how it all ends up in the last two episodes of the season. A few months ago, I was sure Shane would be toast by the end of it. But now I'm not so sure. It seems like he's kind of resolved his issues with Rick/Lori for the moment and with all this drama with the Governor's (?) people brewing, it doesn't seem like they'll have time to get back to it before the season's over.

Sorry to see that character go... will be interesting to see how Andrea is impacted... Shane too... not that much was keeping Shane from going all the way over the edge, but at least there was a pesky voice of reason buzzing in his ear...

Felt it was a great payoff tonight. Many fans of the show, especially those who have not read the comics, will not like that death, but I felt it was richly deserved and nicely executed by the actors.

AMC is known for shows not afraid to take risks. This will help further that rep.

Two massive episodes in a row, and next time out looks totally wicked.

Two things though...

Why can't Lori watch her son for more than 10 seconds at a time?

Where did all those Walkers in the woods come from? Or are they from another direction that our guys were not in?

The woods suddenly being full of walkers was jarring and poorly done. Aside from that, everything else was BOOBS ("boobs" is the new "tits")!

I hate to lose this character as well but agree with Cobie it was richly deserved.

Letting Randall think he was free and clear strikes me as especially cruel.

BTW-- I am totes excited about next week's "Night of the Living Dead"-ish looking episode (makes up for them suddenly inserting a boatload of zombies in the woods out of nowhere)!

And with that, MLLASH'S OFFICIAL LIST OF DEATHS FOR NEXT WEEK:

You can put this in the bank-- THESE characters WILL be dying:

T-DAWG: As cute as it would be to see him make it to the end, he's OUTTAHERE y'all.

JIMMY: You remember him, he was even shown tonight hammering something to remind you!

SUICIDE GIRL (Beth?): Yep, you shoulda did it right the first time... now you're zombie chow!

CAROL: She'll be joining Sophia as of next week.

Do YOU have any death predictions?

My predictions:

T-Dawg - I agree. He just isn't going to make it. I do believe that he will get a righteous send off though.

Hershel - Daddy gonna go down with the ship (farm) to protect his youngins.

Jimmy and Suicide Girl - are both fodder, neither has much to contribute to the continuing narrative.

I think that will be it though. This will open up more room for the following next season:

Michonne - She is confirmed to be appearing at some point, so why mot next season...especially with The Governor showing up.

Tyrese and the two teens - Good a time as any to bring them in next season as well.