The Walking Dead
November 9, 2010
Well, it’s finally happened. The thing every zombie enthusiast has been waiting with baited breath: The Walking Dead tv-series has started, with the first two episodes aired.
My opinion?
Weeeeell, I don’t want to sound like yet another fanboy, so I’ll just keep this very low-key, and state that it’s the single most awesomestest zombie thing ever. Okay, maybe that’s exaggerating a bit, but it is rather good. I’ve been a fan of the comic book since issue #1, and the series has managed to capture the feel of it very nicely, without making it boring and predictable for readers of the comic. In other words, they’ve changed it just the right amount.
The thing I’ve always loved about the comic is that it focuses on the most important aspect of the genre (in my view, at least): the characters and their interaction. The format has allowed the writer – Robert Kirkman – to create a cast of interesting, well-rounded characters that feel human enough to relate to and care for. I hope that as the series goes on, it manages to do the same. It shouldn’t be too hard, with Kirkman himself onboard as well.
The series has launched with phenomenal success, and that has lead to a great piece of news. This from AMC’s press release:
(November 8, 2010) AMC announced today the renewal of “The Walking Dead” for a 13-episode second season. Since debuting Sunday, October 31, “The Walking Dead” has broken ratings records, with the series reaching more Adults 18-49 than any other show in the history of cable television.
Today’s announcement also includes Fox International Channels’ (FIC) global renewal for a second season, following record-breaking premiere ratings in 120 countries in Europe, Latin America, Asia and The Middle East. “The Walking Dead” was the highest-rated original series premiere ever to air on FIC simultaneously worldwide.
“The ‘Dead’ has spread!” said Charlie Collier, President, AMC. “No other cable series has ever attracted as many Adults 18-49 as ‘The Walking Dead.’ This reaffirms viewers’ hunger for premium television on basic cable. We are so proud to be bringing back ‘The Walking Dead’ again, across the globe.”
Zombie fans of the world, rejoice! A minimum of two seasons will allow for real in-depth character development. Compared to your average zombie movie with a running time of approximately 1½ hours, it’s a whole other world. Not wanting to take anything away from the likes of Romero or Max Brooks, but this just might become the penultimate work in zombie pop culture.
If you’ve missed the few first episodes, get them no matter the means. If you’re from the good ol’ US of A, you can see the first episode here.
Check out The Walking Dead’s official site for more.
For more on the comic, see here.
Dawn of the Lead 
Really liked and looking forward to episode 2 and now a definite season 2.
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I have only seen the first episode so far (I am watching it on FX when it airs on Fridays). So far I am impressed, bar a couple of minor quibbles (for one, the shitty song that they played out the first episode on was bad, the lyrics a bit literal, a bit first year film student-y. It jarred me out of my suspension of disbelief).
Like you mentioned, so far they have made just enough changes to the story to keep a fan of the comics interested without making it feel like a different setting: it is unquestionably The Walking Dead but just different enough that I am not getting that weird feeling that I got when I saw Watchmen
So far its an adult show with high production values and good direction that is true to the source material without being slave to it. About zombies. I really, never thought that I would see the day 🙂
I enjoy True Blood (a show that The Walking Dead is commonly being compared with) but True Blood is ridiculous, trashy fun. The Walking Dead is getting a far more adult treatment, which is great. I enjoy schlock zombie movies as much as the next guy, but the genre needs a few more serious entries. I am thrilled that this looks like it may be one of the definitive ones.
That the show has already been picked up for a second season is fantastic. Based only on the first episode (and the comics), long may it continue.
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What can I say, this comment very much sums up what I’m thinking, with a very apt TB vs. TWD comparison. Zombies for adults, and not because of the gore making it R-rated (or NC-17 or K-18, depending on your country). That’s really something that the genre has needed.
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It was ok, it could not live up to the hype.
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Elaborate, by all means! 😀
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I loved it. I bought all the comics, big fan of them all. It is great that they are changing it up. Why make a show if it is going to be exactly the same?
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[…] can’t not-include TWD, can I? For my comments on the subject, see this post. We’re having our second TWD get-together with three of my friends this Friday to watch […]
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