I was going into this season of Walking Dead with more than a little trepidation. I mean AMC has not had the best track record in the last few months for cooperation with their money making series like Mad Men and our own Walking Dead, of course. Darabont is still at the helm for now but with the rotating lineup of writers I was afraid that the season would be weak. I am pleased to "say so far so good". Episode 1 had just about every kind of drama that a zombie fan could ask for.
**warning may contain spoilers**
This episode starts off with Rick basically doing a recap on his trusty walkie-talkie for his friend that he left in his home town at the beginning of season one. This my friends is the last non-tense moment of the episode. Shortly into the episode the convoy runs into a huge traffic jam/ graveyard. Now this is a point of contention for me as to why there are dead bodies in the cars. Shouldn't they all be walkers if they were killed by walkers AND if they weren't killed by walkers, "why are they dead in their cars?" This by far isn't enough for me to dislike this episode... im just a bit anal about these things. That being said, the band of survivors takes an opportunity to resupply from the stranded cars and fix the RV.
The tension really starts to become palpable when a herd of walkers heads their way. The survivors hide under the cars and watch the feet of the walkers go by. At least for me this created an overbearing feeling of needing to hold my breath for them. That is what this series does so well: it creates a feeling that you want these men and women to survive. I've never felt fear for a character when they weren't being attacked but I felt it for these poor lost souls as they have to lay silently waiting for the dead to pass.
Just as they think it was over one of the group, a child, is spotted and chased into the woods. Rick pursues and in the end the child comes up missing. They then decide to take a group in to find her and become increasingly split over whether or not to keep looking especially at night when it will be hard to spot walkers. This is where the show and story always had to go, where the needs of the few can no longer outweigh the needs of the group.
Just as you think all is quiet and there is nothing else that can shock you about this premier... well.. you're wrong and its a "wow they really don't care who they kill do they?" moment. In my opinion it is a great moment because in this world everyone is susceptible to pitfalls and sudden violent death.
All in all its a must-watch for sure. It was 90 minutes and I've watched it twice already. If you loved The Walking Dead before then be happy cause it hasn't missed a beat. Oh and if you have never seen it...well firstly, why not? Secondly, are you really a horror fan? third..well I dunno, just watch the damn thing..geesh.
David Winterborne
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