I never planned on blogging about TV shows. I usually am so indulgent in my television shows that I will watch anything. If I were to blog about my favorite shows, it would go on forever. I wanted to write about this show, because it is new and I want to bring attention to it. I actually haven't written a blog at all in months, but this show inspired me to go back.
Before The Walking Dead, AMC aired Sarah Polly's Dawn of the Dead as a horror marathon. This could not have worked better. By playing Dawn of the Dead first, all of the things that are missing in the new genre of zombie movies was not only shown clearly, but also remedied. In zombie movies, they are usually depressing, but I have always been a little discouraged by the lack of mourning that the characters show for their loved ones. They will cry, but immediately move on, as they go into survival mode. One member of the living group always hides a bite and turns into a zombie. I can say that the film I Am Legend is a fairly good exception to the cliches of the genre. However, it really comes down to the fact that movies do not have time to explore the complexities of an apocalypse.
The Walking Dead is described as a show about a man who wakes up from a coma finding himself in a zombie apocalypse. This is a great description, because it does not give much away. Even from the pilot it is clear that the show will have a much more interesting plot than a man wandering around fighting zombies. I don't want to spoil the plot of the show or the events in the season premiere. It is simple enough, but it is the style that makes this show noteworthy.. If you really aren't into horror movies, I don't suggest watching the show. However, I usually am so terrified by zombies that I can't watch a zombie movie without the lights on and a hammer in my hand. The show is scary. Some of the makeup is the best that I've seen. It does not hold back on the gore. I laughed that they cut a lot of gory scenes in the movie I had just watched, but saved them for their own program.
We only meet a few characters in the first episode. I'm assuming that more will be met as the main character travels on his journey. There are characters, who are alive, but who have emotionally given up. There is real grieving shown. There is mercy shown, as the main character says to one of the "walkers" that he is sorry this happened to them. This zombie apocalypse is treated with care and sensitivity. It's not the situation, where everyone moves on without questioning what the point of staying alive in this situation is. I actually found myself crying while watching the 90 minute pilot. Do not get me wrong. The show, which is based on Robert Kirkmans' comic book of the same name , has it's share of violence. It is scary. It will not leave the zombie aficionado wanting anything, but to watch the next episode.
I expect nothing but the best from this show. AMC has a history of doing things well or not at all. The creators and producers of the show have worked on Dexter, The Shield, The Shawshank Redemption, Aliens, and The Green Mile. The make-up is incredible, actually being more frightening that of many zombie movies that I have seen. The Walking Dead will have your heart wrenching in one moment and hugging your knees in suspense in the next moment. Do not wait until this comes out on DVD. The pilot episode will replay at 10pm Nov 5th, 2am Nov 6th, and 2am Nov 7th, before the 2nd episode airs next Sunday at 10pm. Go set your DVR for series recording right now. While True Blood is between seasons, The Walking Dead will fill that spot in your heart that makes a Sunday night something to look forward to again.
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