Monday, October 17, 2011

"The Walking Dead" and Praying for More Bloodshed: A Television Review ("What Lies Ahead")

Directors: Gwyneth Horder-Payton.

Writers: Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard.

The group of Atlanta survivors from the last season of "The Walking Dead" decide to head for Fort Benning after the CDC explodes. On their way there they encounter a "zombie herd" and all hell breaks loose. Then, a girl goes missing and the real drama begins. Thankfully this season seems to be moving more towards the genre of horror with some great action sequences and make up effects from Scanlan Backus and others from the K.N.B. Effects Group. The music is sad initially, while the last then minutes of the show turned into too much soul searching. Overall, the premiere episode, "What Lies Ahead," for Seas. 2 was an exciting mix of action and drama set in a ZA (zombie apocalypse).

This is the first showing in film or television that this reviewer has heard the term "zombie herd" and this description is pretty accurate, as a zombie mob moves in on the survivor's convoy. They look like cattle ready to feed. The survivor's recreational vehicle has broken down due to a loose radiator hose. This gives the characters a chance to turn on each other and for the zombie herd to close in. Then the action begins with Andrea (Laurie Holden) taking a flat head screwdriver to the eye socket of a grey shuffler. Daryl (Norman Reedus) goes straight for another shambler's cranium with a sharp blade. The blood effects really had this zombie fan smiling, while even more gory action was to come. Later, a vivisection and a forest set zombie autopsy was almost too much and the tone of the series is set early, one of horror.

There are more thrills this year. In the face of a zombie herd/horde Rick (Andrew Lincoln) uses brain power over might to hide from the swarms. They use car wrecks to hide under or putrefied bodies. This stealthy approach to survival seems like a good choice until Andrea ruins the quiet. Then the plan falls apart, with the presence of so much rotting flesh creating much of the tension.

Later, the final ten minutes turns into a slow burn. Rick and Carole (Melissa Suzanne McBride) turn to "JC (Jesus Christ)" for some meaning in the ZA or a "sign." For most zombie fans that meaning might be more run and gunning or zombie heads exploding. Also, that sign is a big hint that God, if he/she exists, is more malevolent than the characters might like. Also, the final scene is a traditional sensational ending entwined in tragedy. This is a good choice on the part of the writers, as the series promises more tense living and tension. Expect even more unliving characters in the next episode, "Bloodletting."

There is a whole week to wait until the next airing this October, 23rd. And despite a return to some of the deep soul searching of Seas. 1, there is enough action here and plot development to keep most horror fans interested. Also, any of the problems associated with the ever dwindling budget for the show does not seem to be hampering production noticeably. In the end, "What Lies Ahead," delivers more tension, gore and even more intergroup conflict than Seas. 1.

Characters/believability: 7 (there is so much conflict between characters that it seems that almost everyone hates everyone else, the character Glenn needs to lighten things up).
Story/plot/subplot: 7.5 (this whole story is really a pitstop in the forward progression of the story, but the adjunct was still fun to watch).

Overall: 7.25 (the show is not without its hurdles, the improved action is welcomed and so is the tension).

More on this episode can be found at the AMC:

What Lies Ahead at the AMC Website

Another review of this episode at Blogomatic 3000:

What Lies Ahead Reviewed by Phil


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