The Walking Dead

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[Jim di Griz]

As they are filming World War Z here in Falmouth this weekend, we thought it appropriate to watch the start of The Walking Dead.

Wow, what a great series this is shaping into! I knew Andrew Lincoln from another programme he did some years ago called Teachers - a comedy, so quite different from this new one and I must say, I'm very impressed with how he handled this role too.

Okay, I know that zombie action isn't necessarily interesting for everyone; this rendition though has made the genre more accessible for everyone with a very human story that isn't focused on solely hunting the undead down. A lot of thought has been put into the story itself, its cinematic presentation and a myriad of little details that make the atmosphere so plausible - touches like mouldy bread left on the baking trays of an office canteen; or zombies that just sit and wait in busses (no matter that they're burnt out) because it's what's familiar to them.

There is genuine human dignity and pathos shown for the zombies in this too - they are after all victims of circumstances beyond their control and Andrew Lincoln's character Deputy Sherrif Rick Grimes takes it upon himself to remind other of that, even performing mercy killings when necessary. I will say here that it is a necessarily gory series, with plenty of no compromises camera work. I'm glad they didn't clean that up or tone the imagery down to a 'perceived level of decency' for gore that the networks feel the public might comfortably be persuaded to endure.

We watched four episodes straight through last night (we only get one disc at a time through Love Film - but that's okay) so two more to go in a few days time - and we're very much looking forward to that!

Odd thing is, apart from seeing the cover advertised a few months ago I hadn't really heard of this series. Thyri pointed out that there is quite a following out there and it's just me who hasn't been looking in the right directions on the web...which is true.

Second series is due to start airing in the US later this year and so we'll be looking forward to that too.

If you'd like a glimpse, here's the IMDB page: The Walking Dead

[spaceboy]

Due to the recent free TWD games I decided to finally watch the show.  Netflix only has the first 6 episodes so I'll have to find out how to best watch the next batch.  I watched the first episode, and really liked it, convinced my wife to watch it with me and now we've gotten through 5! 

It really is done extremely well with the right mix of tension, character building, gore, and scares.  But you are right there is a real humanity to the show and it delves as much into the tension between surivors as it does with the scary situation they are in.

[Jim di Griz]

Still waiting on season 2's release on DVD which should be next month. I hope you get the time etc to watch that when it comes out - at east that'll be thirteen episodes instead of just six.

Glad you both enjoyed it.

[spaceboy]

yeah, I'm hoping netflix has season 2 soon after the dvd release, though renting the DVDs is an option - I'd rather get them as part of my netflix sub .  So Season 3 is starting this year then - I wasn't sure how many seasons had actually been produced already.

[BBoyyoBB]

Really enjoy the show as well.  Looking forward to season 3.  I watched the first 6 episodes on netflix as well and got hooked.  Ended up searching for season 2 episodes on the internet to get through those.  Good stuff.

[spaceboy]

Were you able to watch them through AMC's website or somewhere else?  We have Hulu Plus but my wife said they're not available on there.

[BBoyyoBB]

Honestly I can't remember where I watched them.  It's been awhile and I didn't save the links.  I remember just searching with Google until I found a site that had them.  I'll see if I can find it and let you know.

[spaceboy]

No worries man, we found some sites which we may or may not check into.  I'm thinking Netflix should have them soon since the DVDs are coming out on the 28th.  We'd rather watch them on the TV than the PC anyways.  Another option is Amazon instant video, it costs a couple bucks per episode, but I think they're out there quickly so maybe that's something I'll do for season 3.

[Jim di Griz]

Just bought season two and will be watching some tonight  Oh, the anticipation...

[Jim di Griz]

Five episodes watched, so almost half way through the season in one sitting 

The pace has altered and the story is developing a few diverse threads, some of which are carrying on from season one while the rest appear as main story moves forward. No spoilers but some are damn uncomfortable moments - just people being people really, but powerful reminders all the same.

So far, tension has been the main and over-riding feeling throughout the atmosphere, rather than the constant fear and desperation from the first series. The episodes have had the tranquility of nature to them, yet you always feel the threat of what might happen hidden under the surrounding insect buzz.

As an aside, having read about the game, I now realise that the guy Rick talks to on his radio at dawn, is possibly the main character from the game/comic.

Anyway, really enjoying it and I'm curious as to where the rest of the series will take us and of course, series three is now airing...

Really going to have to get that game now.

[spaceboy]

Hey, sounds good. I'm still waiting on season 2 to show up on netflix. I can tell you that the guy Rick meets in Episode one and talks to on the radio is not the protagonist from the game.  As a fan of the show, you definitely need to play this game.