The Walking Dead (New Show On AMC)

[thebruce44]

If you want an idea of how powerful it can be to see a main character killed off, go watch a show like Breaking Bad or Sons of Anarchy. My girlfriend cried for about 30 min last night when her favorite character in SOA got killed (we are behind so its not a spoiler). When Lori died, I didn't feel much of anything. Take away the Zombies and I wouldn't even be interested. This is a show that is going to kill off a lot of people, and that could be a lot more intense.

 

Yes, its entertainment like a mindless action movie. It has its place, but it could be so much more and I wont feel like I'm being a source material snob in vocalizing my wishes.

 

I watch both of those shows so I'm not sure what your point was. I love SOA, probably one of my favorite shows right now. I agree that The Walking Dead could be a lot better, though I don't think it's all because of character development. All I'm saying is I think people are being a little too picky because I actually have seen more character development this season than last. So I think the show is definitely trending upward.

 

Are you not sure what my point was or you just don't agree with it. I think I made my position pretty clear but if you are confused I can expand on it.

[Raw Biz]

If you want an idea of how powerful it can be to see a main character killed off, go watch a show like Breaking Bad or Sons of Anarchy. My girlfriend cried for about 30 min last night when her favorite character in SOA got killed (we are behind so its not a spoiler). When Lori died, I didn't feel much of anything. Take away the Zombies and I wouldn't even be interested. This is a show that is going to kill off a lot of people, and that could be a lot more intense.

 

Yes, its entertainment like a mindless action movie. It has its place, but it could be so much more and I wont feel like I'm being a source material snob in vocalizing my wishes.

 

I watch both of those shows so I'm not sure what your point was. I love SOA, probably one of my favorite shows right now. I agree that The Walking Dead could be a lot better, though I don't think it's all because of character development. All I'm saying is I think people are being a little too picky because I actually have seen more character development this season than last. So I think the show is definitely trending upward.

 

Are you not sure what my point was or you just don't agree with it. I think I made my position pretty clear but if you are confused I can expand on it.

 

I guess your point was those shows have better character development so they are more powerful? I don't know, I took that comment as you assuming I don't watch those shows but I do. And like I said, SOA is one of my favorite shows on right now. My point was you don't necessarily need great character development to be able to enjoy a show. I think sometimes people analyze stuff like that too much. But to each their own I guess.

[pretendastronaut]

My point was you don't necessarily need great character development to be able to enjoy a show.

 

I don't think the character development crowd is arguing we don't enjoy the show, we're arguing that the show could be so much more. I fully agree, the show is entertaining and I'll continue to watch it, as I've said, they've gotten far, far better at pacing and tension then they were in the end of season one and start of season two. Despite my nitpicks, this has been a more enjoyable season than the previous two, but of the Walking Dead properties I've taken in (comic, video game, show), it's the weakest of the three.

 

I think sometimes people analyze stuff like that too much.

 

You're on an entire forum of people who over-analyze things, this shouldn't surprise you!

[Raw Biz]

I don't think the character development crowd is arguing we don't enjoy the show, we're arguing that the show could be so much more.

 

Well yeah I definitely agree with that. Like I said, Season 2.1 was pretty weak until the last episode.

[chadomac]

Well, I just did a Walking Dead marathon from mid-season 2 to present. Spoilers below...

 

I agree with you guys about Lori's reaction after Rick told her he killed Shane. It made absolutely no sense and was just horribly written. I could not wrap my head around how she could be upset with him when he told her it was self-defense. Also, she pretty much begged him to kill Shane a couple episodes prior by repeatedly telling Rick how dangerous Shane was. Just made no sense at all, I can't believe how horribly that part was written.

 

Michonne IS annoying. That scene with her and Andrea in the zombie-head-trophy-room could've went in a very different direction if Michonne would've just explained what was going on like a normal human being. But she can't do that, because she just stays silent and looks annoyed all the time. That's her "thing" - and it's not interesting - it's obnoxious.

 

And I don't know if it's on purpose or not, but I think they're making the Governor seem too normal so far. I didn't read the comics - just what some of you have said in this thread - and I just think he's not bad enough to be a "bad guy" yet. That may change in the next half of the season.

 

Overall, I don't regret getting back on board with this show because the pacing and action has picked up quite a bit since the first season and a half. As I think Robert mentioned, the great action is keeping me interested despite the bland characters. I don't feel emotionally invested in any way though, because the writing just isn't making me care that much about anyone on the show. I definitely don't see how anyone can call this "moving" television. Not with these characters.

 

On the other hand, I'm totally in to seeing how Daryl and Merle get out of the situation they're in to start the next half of the season. If the action keeps being as good as it has been, I will probably stick around.

[thebruce44]

I watch both of those shows so I'm not sure what your point was. I love SOA, probably one of my favorite shows right now. I agree that The Walking Dead could be a lot better, though I don't think it's all because of character development. All I'm saying is I think people are being a little too picky because I actually have seen more character development this season than last. So I think the show is definitely trending upward.

 

Are you not sure what my point was or you just don't agree with it. I think I made my position pretty clear but if you are confused I can expand on it.

 

I guess your point was those shows have better character development so they are more powerful? I don't know, I took that comment as you assuming I don't watch those shows but I do. And like I said, SOA is one of my favorite shows on right now. My point was you don't necessarily need great character development to be able to enjoy a show. I think sometimes people analyze stuff like that too much. But to each their own I guess.

 

My original post wasn't directed at you at all. If it was I would have quoted or addressed you at the beginning. It was just an observation to compare the deaths of two characters on two different shows that I've witnessed recently, one much more powerful than the other.

[RobDeer 45]

Man, I keep thinking about this randomly, this show has so much potential...it's unreal. I mean they could drag this on for so long, have so many different scenarios to deal with. They got to get the audience to connect more with these characters 1st. That will make everything so much better. Good show that could be amazing.

[FenderMan]

Is anyone going to the "Evening With The Walking Dead" show at The Pabst in February? It looks to be really cool with a Q and A with members of the cast, behind the scenes footage and never before seen footage. It's a show exclusive to Milwaukee. I bought tickets for my wife and I for Christmas and she's super excited.

[mtrebs]

Is anyone going to the "Evening With The Walking Dead" show at The Pabst in February? It looks to be really cool with a Q and A with members of the cast, behind the scenes footage and never before seen footage. It's a show exclusive to Milwaukee. I bought tickets for my wife and I for Christmas and she's super excited.

 

I'm going to this with some friends of mine. I'm excited to see what they present and to see some of the cast from one of my favorite shows.

[RobertR]

I spent some time getting caught up with Walking Dead over the holidays. Overall, I think it's in a far better place than it was at this point last year, although I think it's character work is really lacking. At least among the main characters. Rick is a really underwhelming leader, partly because he can never really have a clean victory due to the nature of the show, and Michonne is being forced down our throat as cool, when really all she's done is scowl a lot. OTOH, the Governor and Merle have livened up the show a lot and stuff is happening at a good clip now. I don't particularly think there are many main characters that are intrinsically interesting, but they've gotten to the point where I don't find any characters actively annoying. That's progress.

 

It's also verging on comedy on how they can only seem to have one black male character on the show at any one time.

 

It's a good thing I like the premise as much as I do. Although, honestly, if American Horror Story did a zombie apocalypse storyline featuring Jessica Lange, I'd be all over it. At least I'd be confident in the acting and character work even if the plotting was insane.

 

Robert

[TracyThom]

I've been enjoying all things Walking Dead lately. I've picked up the two Walking Dead novels written by Robert Kirkman on audiobook. Rise of the Governor is excellent. A must read/listen. The Road to Woodbury is skippable.

 

I also played through the video game. I'm talking about the one available on PC/XBox 360/PS3 and not the Facebook game. Amazing drama and emotion. That's the first time I've ever cried at the end of a video game. It goes to show that you don't need fancy graphics and gameplay as long as the story is top-notch.

 

As far as the TV show, I've got a feeling this half-season is going to move at a snail's pace. They are setting up the big confrontation between Rick and the Governor for the end of the season. In the meantime, most episodes will just spin their wheels without advancing the story.

[pretendastronaut]

The video game is really amazing. I played through it a handful of times and can't recommend it enough.

[RobertR]

I could probably look it up myself, but how long did the Prison/Governor arc last in the comics? While I think that Season 3 is a big improvement in most regards, the overall arc seems to be mostly spinning its wheels the last few weeks setting up the big confrontation.

[berniebrewer4life]

I could probably look it up myself, but how long did the Prison/Governor arc last in the comics? While I think that Season 3 is a big improvement in most regards, the overall arc seems to be mostly spinning its wheels the last few weeks setting up the big confrontation.

 

Reminds me of the Farm story arc.

[davego]

It been (in my opinion) better than the Farm piece. That got brutal, but agreed that we can move things along now.

[pretendastronaut]

I could probably look it up myself, but how long did the Prison/Governor arc last in the comics? While I think that Season 3 is a big improvement in most regards, the overall arc seems to be mostly spinning its wheels the last few weeks setting up the big confrontation.

 

This is something I had posted near the end of season 2;

 

Next season could be really intense, if you know the Governor storyline. I can't imagine they'll take it anywhere near as far as the comic did though (don't worry, no spoilers for the non-comic book folks). Season 2 is taking the whole season to basically cover about 5 issues. The Governor storyline takes about 21 issues. Either next season will be intense start to finish, or they're going to have to drastically change the story. Or I guess maybe try to extend it out for two seasons, as you could probably divide the whole Governor saga into 3 main parts.

 

It's been a strange handling of the storyline. They took quite awhile to actually get the Governor storyline up and running and now that they've done that they've had uneven pacing of the storyline. The last few episodes have been fine, but they haven't done much for getting us anywhere.

 

I was wondering during last night's episode if they would wrap up this story in this season or not. I'm guessing they will at this point.

[thebruce44]

The pacing has been pretty bad.

 

I think I need to go back and reread the comics now. I remember the Govn. doing something really bad to Rick (no spoilers) right away, so I know they have veered off that path.

[RobertR]

Watchmen is about as densely packed as any comic book and it's obvious that about 4 hours would have been enough to cover just about everything in those 12 issues. Certainly 5 hours would have been plenty. I can't imagine that Walking Dead is that dense.

 

The first part of the season had enough different things going on that I thought the pace worked. Plus, Andrea seemed a lot less important to the plot. We pretty much know the Governor is a crazy, despot now just biding his time before he strikes and although I think "Clear" was one of the best episodes of the whole series, the overarching plotline isn't advancing for no good reason.

 

Maybe in subsequent seasons they can break the storylines down further so that you get one arc done in the fall and one in the spring instead of stringing it out over the full season with a cliffhanger in the middle. They're better off being a plot based show than a slow boil character based show.

[RobDeer 45]

I thought this weeks episode was pretty solid. It seemed to get more emotions going for me. I know it's building to the confrontation with the Gubbner, but it got me pretty excited this week. I actually think they did a little character building this last episode, more than they have in the past. It felt good, like they let us inside a number of characters. I know we've all been screaming for it, and maybe it wasn't an amazing effort, but I think they are making an effort. Again, I just think this show could go from really good to great.

 

I read some older posts on the 11th page of this thread. I know there was a lot of spinning and there were a lot of flaws in season 2, but I actually enjoyed the time at the farm. I found myself thinking a lot about what I would do if this happened in real life. Figuring out how to survive and provide for myself. I know it was slow at times, but I think the show needs times like that and not just a constant threat of something big happening. Just a thought.

[RobertR]

I'll agree that the film does need to be more than plot driven. I just wish they were better at it when they do it.

[homer]

The pacing has been pretty bad.

 

I think I need to go back and reread the comics now. I remember the Govn. doing something really bad to Rick (no spoilers) right away, so I know they have veered off that path.

 

NO!!!!!! That's precisely why people don't care for the show. They keep comparing it to the comic. It's not the comic. It's TV. I never read the comic so I have no basis of comparison and I'm enjoying myself just fine. It's not Mad Men or Lost or Breaking Bad but it's entertaining.

[radman12484]

The pacing has been pretty bad.

 

I think I need to go back and reread the comics now. I remember the Govn. doing something really bad to Rick (no spoilers) right away, so I know they have veered off that path.

 

NO!!!!!! That's precisely why people don't care for the show. They keep comparing it to the comic. It's not the comic. It's TV. I never read the comic so I have no basis of comparison and I'm enjoying myself just fine. It's not Mad Men or Lost or Breaking Bad but it's entertaining.

 

Exactly why people don't like the show, because it's different then the comic apparently. I never read the comic either and I love the show. I rarely get into shows and this is one of them I am into. I can't wait to see what happens with what we have left and then waiting ALL summer for Season 4 to start.

[pretendastronaut]

I'm no doubt the one who most references the comic book in this thread, so I think I should state that I don't criticize the show for straying from the comic book, in fact I never read the comic book until after season one of the show, so I'm not speaking as some story purist who doesn't like how it got translated.

 

Yes, I do refer back to the comic book as a frame of reference, and I do point out ways that Kirkman has done better in the comic than he's been able to do in the show. But I've said earlier in this thread that the two are entirely different mediums and it's unfair to expect them to be the same.

 

But none of that is to mean there aren't valid critiques of the show that are vocalized by myself and others (many of whom have never read the comic to the best of my knowledge) in this thread. Somehow people keep taking that critique to mean we're arguing the show is awful; if the show was awful I just wouldn't watch it, I actually watch very little television and I'm quick to toss a show out, so staying with the show despite my issues with it still speaks to it being worth some time.

 

Also, I would recommend anyone interested in checking out the comics to do so, there's a lot of story that is different and, as comics go, Kirkman is pretty bold in his story and he does things you don't see many people do in long running comics like this.

[thebruce44]

The pacing has been pretty bad.

 

I think I need to go back and reread the comics now. I remember the Govn. doing something really bad to Rick (no spoilers) right away, so I know they have veered off that path.

 

NO!!!!!! That's precisely why people don't care for the show. They keep comparing it to the comic. It's not the comic. It's TV. I never read the comic so I have no basis of comparison and I'm enjoying myself just fine. It's not Mad Men or Lost or Breaking Bad but it's entertaining.

 

I criticize the show for its pacing, poor character development, and sloppy writing. I read the comics a while back and don't care if they stray, though I would prefer they follow it when their new ideas aren't well fleshed out.

[Raw Biz]

Just about every show has its flaws. The Walking Dead is still better than just about everything on network tv. The only shows I might like better on network are Parks & Rec and Community (which are also flawed) but they are a completely different type of show. CBS is crap and I can't believe its been the #1 network for I don't know how many years. They have a formula for every comedy and for every drama and it's just rinse recycle repeat. There's very little thought behind those shows because they are so formulaic and procedural. I mentioned this earlier in this thread but I think sometimes people's expectations are too high, especially when you compare this (and other shows on HBO, AMC, FX, Showtime, even USA/TNT) to the crap on network tv.

 

/endrant