I have never been a zombie fan. Even though the concept of zombies began when I was a teenager in the '60's. This should have been a natural. But I have never been much of a horror movies fan. Zombies were never featured in my friend's Monsters of Filmland magazines, and so I never paid much attention to them. So what the heck is this show doing on my list?
Because zombies are wonderful and scary in this series based on the graphic novel of the same name.
The premise is that a deputy sheriff is shot in the line of duty, and goes into a coma. When he finally comes out of it there is no one around. He stumbles through the hospital hallways looking for people. But there are none and there has been obvious chaos. He stumbles outside where there are rows of dead bodies in the parking lot. He is confused and thinks it's all just the effects of the medicinal drugs he's been on. He meets up with a man and his son who explain what is going on. Apparently a strange disease has come about and all those infected die, but then rise again as zombies feeding on anything alive. The deputy decides to head to the CDC in Atlanta for some answers, but that turns out to be zombie central. He ends up in the company of other living people and their adventures start from there.
This is a story line that produces many interesting plot lines and story ideas. In fact there are people I work with that sit around and come up with scenarios of what they might do, and they combine ideas to come up with alternate plans of survival.
The first season and much of the second were directed by Frank Darabont, the director who brought us The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and The Majestic. He also created this show from the aforementioned graphic novel. Who knew he was also a horror fan? He handles this superbly. Episode after episode remain as compelling as the last. One really gets close to the well played characters.
The central character is Officer Rick Grimes played by Andrew Lincoln. His Officer partner is Shane Walsh played by Jon Bernthal. Through a weird turn of events, Rick Grimes ends up reuniting with his wife and son who had fled their hometown when the zombies -or "walkers" as they are referred to in this show - began their menacing ways. A group of people that have survived have all come together and are looking for a cure and a way to survive.
Gradually, one realizes who the Walking Dead are. It's not the zombies. It's the poor souls who have managed to survive thus far. It's these characters we care about. They are the walking dead. This thing is global. They have no real hope of survival. But they press on. They keep trying to survive.
The plot line possibilities here seem endless and this is a show that will keep you in your chair and wondering what will come next. In a disagreement with producers early in the second season Darabont left and the show suffered for it. But near the end of Season II it began to get back on track. So Season III will be well worth the wait.
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