Category Archives: The Show

Thoughts on AMC’s Interview with Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier)

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Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further.

A few days ago, AMC posted this interview with Melissa McBride who plays Carol Peletier on The Walking Dead. In her comments she talks about actually getting to kill zombies this season, hanging around on set, and how she gets along with Norman Reedus.

McBride raises a couple of interesting points when talking about killing walkers. The first is the emotional impact of having to kill something that “is supposed to be somebody.” Even though walkers are nameless strangers, they were still people too and it would be hard to get over the emotional impact of killing them at first. I’m sure at a certain point survival instincts would take in and you would just stop considering them living beings. Her second point is more along the lines of a technical problem. When killing zombies you have to be precise, but at the same time you want to be careful not to injure the actor playing the zombie. That must be pretty difficult. I’m sure like any other action shows or movies people still get bumps and bruises despite efforts to be safe.

No surprise that she gets along with Norman Reedus off-set as well as on it, since everyone on the show says good things about him. I thought it was cool that she spends downtime just hanging out watching other people on set. I’d probably want to do the same thing, just watching everything unfold and seeing what’s going on in the scenes without me in them.

Her bit at the end is funny too about losing weight so that Daryl can pick her up at the end of episode 6. I was so happy that she was finally discovered alive and that Daryl was the one to find her, since they clearly have an attraction going on. It was sweet how he scooped her up and carried her out.

Hopefully Carol will make a quick recovery in episode 7 and won’t be too scarred by her experience.

Dial ‘R’ for Rick: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6 (Hounded)

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Steve Yeun as Glenn in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6

Steve Yeun as Glenn in The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Merle and Michonne have a bloody face off in the wilderness, while Rick talks more to his mystery caller, and Andrea hopelessly swoons over The Governor. Also, members from Rick’s prison crew and citizens of Woodbury finally cross paths under unfortunate circumstances.

Did anyone actually think The Governor would let Michonne leave Woodbury without trying to kill her once she was out on her own? I know I wasn’t surprised to see Merle out in the wilderness with a couple of men stalking her in The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 6 (Hounded). I got a chuckle out of her “Bitergram” as Merle put it, but mostly I was relieved that Michonne finally showed some creativity and personality in her arrangement of zombie body parts in the form of “Go Back.” At least she tried to warn them before unleashing the fury with her katana.

It was bloody and beautiful to see her slicing and dicing The Governor’s men just like she does in the comics. What caught me off guard was Merle’s attempts to help the younger guy keep it together. Although he threatened to kick the dude’s teeth in, Merle seemed to be genuinely trying to mentor to the up-and-coming henchman. I liked how Merle kept asking the kid about how to pronounce his last name. There was something comically tragic about Merle trying to say the youth’s name before putting a bullet in him. I get the distinct impression that Merle’s lies to The Governor about killing Michonne will come back to bite him as bad a hungry walker.

Back at the prison Rick talks more on the phone to the woman who contacted him at the end of episode 5. He even goes as far as to tell Hershel about the calls, which is pretty brave considering he turns out to be imagining them. This is just like the comics, where Rick loses his mind after Lori’s death, and invents the calls in his head. I was fairly certain the show would do the same thing, however I wasn’t expecting them to reveal that Rick was crazy so soon. In the comics, Rick talks on the phone for a while, maybe months before he even reveals his conversations to anyone. I’m glad that talking to Lori on the phone helped Rick get his head out of his ass, so that he would remember Carl and the baby.

Every time I think that I can’t love Daryl any more as a character, he does something new to score additional points like the conversation he has with Carl. As they’re clearing out a hall in the prison, I love how Daryl opens up about his own mother’s death and offers to condolences to Carl for his loss. At this point Daryl is a better parent than both Rick and Lori. They better not kill him off. If they do I will be pissed.

I should be annoyed with Andrea for falling for The Governor’s charms and sleeping with him, but she continues to prove that her judgement is terrible so I can’t be too upset with her. You know who got me really agitated though? Michonne! I couldn’t believe that she just sat idle while Merle kidnapped Glenn and Maggie. I understand that she was nervous, but it was obvious that Glenn and Maggie were kind people considering that they were shopping for a baby. Her appearance at the prison gates with baby items in hand was a fantastic way to end the episode and a great way for Rick to meet her however.

Did Michonne make you angry for hiding instead of helping? Take my poll and let me know your thoughts.

Were you surprised to see Carol alive at the end of the episode? Are you excited to see the impending showdown between Rick’s team and The Governor? Will Glenn crack under the pressure of torture? What do you think will happen in episode 7?

 

Mad Merle Beyond Thunderdome: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 5 (Say the Word)

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Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Following Lori’s death, Rick loses his mind and storms off in a violent rage, forcing the rest of his group to find food for the new baby. In Woodbury, The Governor’s dark secrets are revealed, and Michonne tries to convince Andrea that they need to leave immediately.

Literally as soon as The Governor mentioned his daughter in Episode 4, I knew that we would probably see him with a zombie girl in The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 5 (Say the Word). That’s because in the comics, The Governor cares for his zombified niece like she’s still alive, except feeding her flesh and her and keeping her chained up in his apartment. I like that the writers decided to make her his daughter instead though, since it gives the plot point greater emotional impact, especially during that creepy opening scene where he’s brushing her hair. As a loving father, he becomes sympathetic, and less outright evil.

What makes your skin crawl even more is the shot where The Governor is looking out the window with his daughter covered up, and sees Michonne staring at him outside. It’s almost as if she knows exactly what’s going on without actually seeing it all clearly. Feels very Hitchcockian.

Michonne continues snooping around Woodbury, reclaiming her sword, and making The Governor angry by killing his collection of zombie specimens that were locked up. Again, from the moment I saw those caged zombies, I knew we’d be seeing another element featured in the comics: The Governor’s zombie Thunderdome. I didn’t necessarily expect to see him put on the sadistic game in the same episode however. It’s completely unsurprising that a thug like Merle feels right at home in a ring like that.

I don’t care how insane things became after the zombie apocalypse; I would never find amusement in something that twisted. Although I do get where The Governor was coming from when he rationalized it to Andrea by saying it taught people not to be afraid.

Speaking of Andrea, I wanted to find out what Michonne said that almost convinced her to leave Woodbury. It was frustrating how they cut away just before Michonne could explain herself. But it’s more troubling that Andrea decided to stay despite those words. I’m glad Michonne is on her own again and curious to see what dastardly plans The Governor has for her.

Rick lost his mind just as bad as he did in the comic after Lori’s death. I was pretty annoyed with him for throwing a tantrum, leaving everyone else to care for the baby. At least we got some quality time with other characters in the episode. Oscar and Axel showed their sympathy for the dead, and that they’re reasonable guys who want to help. Glenn also opened up to Hershel, saying all the kind things we all were thinking about T-Dog. And my favorite part of the episode: when Daryl tenderly cradles the baby in his arms to feed her, as everyone huddles close to discuss names.

I’m really surprised how closely the show is following the comic this season, compared to the first two. It’s kind of refreshing to have some clue as to what might happen next, but I hope it’s not a permanent trend since I don’t want it to become too predictable.

What was your favorite baby name? Share your thoughts in this week’s poll.

Also, were you surprised about The Governor’s zombie daughter? Did you think his zombie Thunderdome was screwed up or did you understand it? Who do you think was on the phone when Rick answered it at the end?

 

Thoughts on AMC’s Interview with Sarah Wayne Callies (Lori Grimes)

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Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further.

Earlier in the week, AMC posted this interview with Sarah Wayne Callies, who played the recently departed Lori Grimes on The Walking Dead.  They asked some obvious questions about her character’s recent demise, as well as ones about dealing with her departure on a personal level, but there were a couple of amusing anecdotes in there.

It was pretty funny to learn that the cast of the show hosts big dinners to send off the people whose characters die. Although I wasn’t surprised that Steve Yeun mirrors his character Glenn a bit in real life, with nervous uncertainty when it came to planning Lori’s death dinner.

What was even more hilarious though was hearing that Andrew Lincoln is bad at driving. I think the topic would be perfect for a viral video starring Lincoln, where he jokes around about having a rough time escaping zombies in a car.

Do you think Lincoln would be game?

What Happens When You Assume: Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4 (Killer Within)

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Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori in The Walking Dead

Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori in The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary:  At the prison, things go horribly wrong for Rick and company when a saboteur lets walkers in and sounds the alarms. Meanwhile, Andrea starts to have her doubts about leaving Woodbury as she grows more attached, Michonne suspects The Governor of foul play after does some snooping, and Merle talks about going out to find Daryl. 

You know the annoying expression: When you assume, you make an ‘ass’ out of ‘u’ and ‘me.’ During The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4, I felt pretty assy and I bet Rick did too for assuming that Andrew, the axe-toting prisoner from the season premiere, had become zombie chow. Not only was he alive, but he was really pissed, and understandably so, considering he was left for dead.

As they show the mysterious figure carrying a fuel jug, cutting open the prison gates, and using the deer carcass to attract zombies, you get casual hints that it’s Andrew, based on the clothes and his footwear. Later in the episode when he’s revealed to be the culprit who was sneaking around in the woods, it’s not terribly shocking or satisfying however. I was really hoping that someone more fascinating was spying and trying to mess with them.

It was badass though when one of the other prisoners shot Andrew. I’m glad that they were finally able to convince Rick that they’re worth trusting. I was getting really annoyed about how no one was willing to let the decent prisoners join their group. Literally Rick was at the point where he would rather turn the poor bastards loose on the road then take them in, and it was just wrong.

In the melee caused by Andrew’s sabotage, unfortunately we saw the untimely deaths of two main characters: Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and T-Dog (IronE Singleton). Both were sad, but personally I was more distraught over the loss of T-Dog. The moment he got bit, I literally yelled “Nooo!” out loud. He was just a consistently nice, honorable character even down to the end, when he bravely sacrificed himself to hungry walkers so that Carol could escape. And speaking of Carol, it sucks that everyone thinks she is dead.

Lori could be incredibly obnoxious, although it was still difficult to see a mother pass away at a time when her baby would need her care more than ever. At least her character redeemed herself a bit this season. I feel incredibly bad for Carl who not only had to be scarred for life by seeing his mom in labor, he had to ensure that she didn’t become a zombie after she died.

Should be interesting to see how they figure out how to take care of a baby without a mother around to feed it. I’m also curious if Rick will take Lori’s death as hard as he took it in the comic, almost losing a bit of his own sanity.

Nothing at Woodbury happened which was that eventful. Even The Governor was so bored he was just hitting golf balls. Andrea just further proved that she has terrible judgement when it comes to men (i.e. The Governor) and Michonne continues to earn points with me for her distrust of the falsely benevolent leader. Hopefully The Governor will let Merle go looking for Daryl soon. I’d like to see the Dixon brothers reunited.

Which character’s death hit you the hardest? – Take my poll and let me know your thoughts.

How long do you think it will take Rick’s group to find Carol? Do you think Michonne will actually convince Andrea to leave Woodbury? Will The Governor let Merle go looking for Daryl? What else do you want to see happen this season?  

Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3 (Walk with Me) Recap

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Andrea and Michonne in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3

The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Andrea and Michonne search for survivors to a mysterious helicopter crash, but in the process, they’re apprehended by Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker) and a band of strangers. The pair is taken to a heavily guarded settlement ruled by a seemingly benevolent leader called The Governor (David Morrissey). Can he be trusted though?

If you’re like me, and you’ve been anxious for more focus on Andrea and Michonne, The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 3 (Walk with Me) doesn’t disappoint. In fact, Walk with Me is all about Michonne and Andrea.

For a scene that should be full of intrigue, the helicopter crash during the opening, surprisingly lacks punch. That’s mostly because you don’t find out much about the military men in the chopper or where they’re coming from. However, there’s plenty of gripping tension in the moments when Andrea and Michonne are hiding outside the crash site, looking for survivors. Director Guy Ferland uses some wicked cool camera angles to build suspense, like an over the shoulder shot from behind Michonne where the samurai sword on her back diagonally crosses the frame.

Ferland also expertly emphasizes their fear when Michonne’s walkers start growing loud and ornery, nearly giving away their position. The finest part of that whole sequence though, is the reveal where we find out that Merle Dixon is not only alive, but he’s in league with the men searching the crash site. Best of all, he and Andrea instantly recognize one another when Merle delivers the famous line you’ve seen to death in Season 3 trailers.

I like that this Merle is very different from the one we encountered in the early episodes of Season 1. It’s obvious that he’s a changed man, less gruff and offensive, with enough humility to make him a more sympathetic character. There’s still something not quite on the level about him though, and Rooker does a fantastic job of disguising that fact to the other characters.

The Governor is an even greater master of deception, a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. He oozes charisma, Southern charm, and conviction. He acts benevolent, but he’s definitely got darker motives as witnessed by his massacre of the military men and his weird zombie-head fish tanks. I appreciate that the TV show doesn’t set him up as a cartoony villain. He’s a layered character who’s not purely evil and nihilistic like he is in the comics. I’m looking forward to learning more about him.

As a huge fan of Michonne from the Walking Dead comics, I’m thrilled to see her getting more attention in this episode. Just like in the comics, she is a woman of few words, although in the show her character gains much more depth because Dana Guirira, the actor portraying her, uses her face to say all kinds of things her mouth doesn’t. Michonne’s expressions at Andrea, reveal just how much she likes being cooped in Woodbury and how little she trusts The Governor. If she’s even a quarter as deadly as she is in the comics, I can’t wait to see her unleash rage on anyone/anything who crosses her.

And now, on to discussion questions:

Did you trust The Governor when he said that he wants to rebuild society? Did you believe him when he said Andrea and Michonne could come and go as they please?  Merle is clearly not the same, but do you think he’s as bad as he used to be? Do you think the next episode will just be about Michonne and Andrea again? Or will the show return to the prison?

Thoughts on AMC’s Interview with Scott Wilson (Hershel Greene)

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Earlier in the week, AMC posted this interview with Scott Wilson, the actor who plays Hershel Greene on The Walking Dead. They asked him about his how he thinks Hershel’s new disability will shape the character and about his increased hair.

I agree with Wilson that Hershel will have to prove to everyone else in the group that he’s not a liability in his new condition, and I’m hopeful as well that Hershel will be able to fashion a prosthetic to keep up. Personally I’m not too worried about him now that he survived the initial bite, since a character in the Walking Dead comic lived for a while after undergoing the same accident. I assumed however Hershel’s long hair and beard were something the producers requested to show the passage of time within Rick’s group, although I was surprised to learn that the additional hair was Wilson’s idea. Way to go on that one! Hershel looks much cooler rocking the beard and mullet. Now if only we can get him to wield a shotgun again.

Perhaps the funniest bit was at the end of the interview when he was asked about what the cast does to blow off steam. Apparently they play golf, which is amusing to picture. Not surprising that a refined British chap like Andrew Lincoln is getting pretty good. My first thought was everyone still in their wardrobe out on a course, but obviously that would be silly. It also reminded me of when the characters on Lost made their own golf course. And I think we all know how that turned out…

Walking Dead Season 3 Ep. 2 (Sick) Recap

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Norman Reedus as Daryl in Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 2

The Walking Dead Copyright 2012 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 3 post contains spoilers. Please wait until after watching, before reading further. Similarities and differences between the show and the comic are also discussed, but whenever possible, details of the comic are left ambiguous in case you decide to start it later on.

Summary: Rick’s team frantically attempts to save the Hershel’s life, while trying to work out a truce with the prison’s other newly discovered inhabitants.

Thankfully, Episode 2 (Sick) of The Walking Dead Season 3, picks up immediately where where Episode 1 left off, so you don’t miss a minute of action. After amputating Hershel’s leg and the encountering the prison’s survivors, Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and T-Dog desperately try to stop the bleeding. They manage to rush Hershel back to their cell block, where Carol, Lori, and his daughters provide care, but without medical supplies his fate is uncertain.

Next, Rick, Daryl, and T-Dog regroup and explain to the cooped up prisoners exactly what has been happening on the outside. I find the prisoners’ inability to digest the situation comical; one of them is so dumb, that he asks to borrow a cellphone. Once everything sinks in, everyone quickly realizes, that an agreement must be formed about sharing resources, since the convicts insist on staying.

Unlike the comic, which gradually builds up tension between these two factions, I dig that the show just drops you right into it. Rick and the long-haired leader of the cons are instantly at odds over their arrangement. Rick continues to be a commanding leader, telling the prisoners how it’s going to be rather than haggling. In exchange for half the food, Rick and his friends offer to help clear out a cell block for the other men.

Again, the prisoners’ stupidity hilariously abounds when they fail to comply with simple zombie killing instructions. Instead of going for the head and staying in formation like they’re supposed to, the idiots scatter and start shanking the undead in the guts. My favorite part of the episode is when the long-haired dude takes a swing at Rick. The punk gets a badass machete to the head in the most satisfying kill of the episode, maybe even of the season so far. Unfortunately another prisoner crosses Rick and ends up becoming zombie chow. I understand why Rick feeds the second prisoner to them, but I don’t think it’s necessary. I like that he lets the two gentle-seeming cons live, however I’m curious to see how they get along with everyone in the long run.

Faster than in the comic, Rick is becoming a darker character who makes hard decisions to ensure everyone’s survival. As the leader, he also appears to be emotionally distancing himself from the group, especially from Lori and Carl. It’s a joy to see Lori eating more humble pie in this episode, when she admits to being a lousy mom and wife on multiple occasions, though it’s kind of sad that Rick still wants nothing to do with her.

I still appreciate that this show keeps me guessing even though I’ve read the Walking Dead comics. Hershel’s situation literally kept me on the edge of my seat and when they showed a mysterious party spying on Carol from the woods, I legitimately had no idea who it was.

Who do you think it was spying on Carol? Are you happy Hershel appears to be okay for now? Do you agree with Rick’s decision to feed the second prisoner to zombies? Do you think Rick and Lori will patch things up at some point?

Walking Dead Season 1 Ep. 1 (Days Gone By) Recap

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Rick about to shoot girl zombie

The Walking Dead Copyright 2010 AMC TV

Warning: This Walking Dead Season 1 post contains spoilers. If you haven’t seen this episode, please wait until after watching, before reading further.

Summary: After being shot, Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), wakes up in an abandoned hospital, shocked to find his loved ones missing and his town overrun by flesh-eating zombies. A Good Samaritan Morgan Jones (Lennie James) and his son Duane (Adrian Kali Turner) fill Rick in on what’s happening and help him get back on his feet. Rick then sets out to find his wife and son in Atlanta, Georgia, where he believes they’ve found safe haven.

Even though AMC’s The Walking Dead is based on Robert Kirkman’s zombie comics, the creators establish in the very first episode that blood and guts aren’t the main objective. There’s gore and a very tense survival tale at its core, but ultimately the series is about human beings trying to hold onto sanity in a screwed up world. I think that’s why the show appeals to people who haven’t read Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comics and normally might not watch zombie movies. The characters live in a post-apocalyptic setting, where they consistently have to make hard choices they wouldn’t have faced in their previous lives, and that creates some gripping drama.

Right in the opening scene of Days Gone By, you’re drawn in. The solitary Rick wanders through a barren, eerily quiet landscape. With almost no ambient sounds, the tension slowly becomes greater as your pulse quickens and you experience immense dread. You know something bad is about to happen, and the payoff comes when he discovers a zombie girl. Reacting quickly, Rick makes the difficult decision to put her down. After this opening, I knew I was going to have fun with the series.

From there, you’re taken through a flashback where you meet Rick’s partner Shane (Jon Bernthal), and discover the circumstances of how he got shot. In Rick’s conversation with Shane about women, you can already get a sense that Shane’s not the greatest guy based on his sexist comments. I could tell that although he is Rick’s friend, and he’s loyal, he’s definitely someone to keep an eye on.

The remainder of the episode is a really intense emotional roller coaster, as you watch Rick cope with the loss of his family and to accept his new-found circumstances. You also experience Morgan’s suffering over the loss of his wife. In his brief role, actor Lennie James gives a heartfelt, pained performance when his character tries to finally take care of his zombified wife. This whole act really fleshes out the human part of the show nicely.

Before the show goes right back to scary peril, you at least find out that Rick’s wife and son are safe under Shane’s care. The problem is that they aren’t in Atlanta, and the city is a death trap. So once Rick arrives there, he’s overrun by a herd of zombies, forcing him to hide inside a tank. Episode 1 ends as superbly as it began, with an aerial shot of the horde of zombies swarming the tank. Ominous music plays as the screen fades to black and the credits roll. With this, they almost imply the question “What will happen to our hero next week? Tune in to find out.”

When you saw the first episode of Walking Dead did you like it immediately? Or did it take you a few weeks to get into it? What was your favorite scene/part from the first episode? Were you surprised how quickly they showed you that Rick’s wife and son were okay?

Walking Dead Takes Over ‘The Soup’

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The Walking Dead Facebook page, posted this silly video today of Norman Reedus and Steve Yeun killing zombies on ‘The Soup.’ I love that people from the cast are such good sports about lampooning the show and joking around. I think that really proves that they know their target audience: nerdy horror fans who appreciate self-parody.

There are some pretty obvious stabs at celebrities in this, but it’s still amusing. Heck creator Robert Kirkman even turns up. It’s funny how awkward Steve Yeun is when he is hosting ‘The Soup,’ and mostly just disturbing to see Norman Reedus in a bikini top. There’s a moment when Joel McHale is taking a video with his phone, accidentally taping his face instead of the zombie-killing, which I really wanted someone to bring up. The disappointed look on his face would have been great once he realized he missed the zombie killing action.

Apparently I didn’t realize this was the second episode they’ve done, so I watched the first one (below), and honestly I think the it’s funnier. Hard to beat someone in a giant maxi pad costume with an AK-47.