Monday, October 14, 2013
Michael Allen
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Writers: Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Charlie Adlard and Scott M. Gimple.
Cast: Lauren Cohan, Norman Reedus, Emily Kinney, Andrew Lincoln, Chandler Riggs, David Morrissey, Danai Gurira and Steven Yeun.
Epis. 1 of Seas. 4 for "The Walking Dead" was split into a dual narrative as usual. This time writer and current showrunner Scott M. Gimple managed to cover a lot of story in a short fourty-two minutes. New characters were introduced, action elements occurred and a new threat was introduced to the prison, an influenza-like virus. All of these elements created for a sometimes chaotic and often dramatic premiere, for Seas. 4.
Most fans of "The Walking Dead" know how this episode developed. For those who have not seen "30 Days Without an Accident," Rick (Andrew Lincoln) is gathering more residents back at the prison, which is located somewhere outside of Atlanta, Georgia. The new faces in this episode included: Zach (Kyle Gallner), Karen (Melissa Ponzio), Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) and a "Where's Waldo?" like character. Rick went off on his own to set some animal snares and he meets up with a very mentally disturbed woman, who likes to keep zombie heads in a bag. On another front, a supply run gets into trouble, inside a supermarket. One character does not make it back out, again. Several sub-plots and side stories are developing. For instance, Carole is teaching children how to stab with knives. All of these elements blended well in this fictional zombie apocalypse.
The new characters had some trouble just staying alive. Zach, Beth's new friend, was too busy idolizing Daryl (Norman Reedus) to watch his own back and this character was just as quickly introduced as he was outroduced. The young "Where's Waldo" character also had trouble staying alive. A virus is infecting animals, including Rick's new pig and this pathogen is being passed onto some of the survivors. "Where's Waldo?" falls before you can say: "there he is!" As well, Bob brings some of his experience as a medic in the US Army to the group. Unfortunately, he does not bring many smarts. Bob brings down much of a liquor store and also a large zombie horde from the ceiling, onto his new friends. Also, Tyreese has been busy since Seas. 3. He now has a new friend named Karen, who he likes to tag around with. Lots of new relationships are starting in this season of "The Walking Dead."
The narrative structure of this zombie series is still following a usual pattern. A small story tags along with a larger one. In this episode, the smaller story involved Rick and his new, lonely friend. Never trust an Irish woman, who looks at you like you are her next meal. Rick goes against any form of common sense and follows this mystery woman back to her impoverished camp. Only a few minutes of this episode was focused on Rick and his three questions for newcomers. Much of the time was spent with the supply run, in a nearby town. Here, Daryl, Michonne (Danai Gurira), Glenn (Steven Yeun) and a few others were looking for food and likely some stiff drinks. Instead, some other walking stiffs showed up and the action was truly macabre. Zombies were held in place by their intestines. Others simply crashed through the ceiling. And, there were several film and story elements that contrasted with each other. Rick's smaller story was more quiet, mysterious and less crowded, compared to the larger, action packed outing. These differing approaches to story show that writer Gimple is ready to offer a diverse narrative, in a tense environment.
"30 Days Without an Accident" proved to be an exciting outing. The zombie attack and the infectious threat are keeping the show tense, while drama and relationships are forming under dire circumstances. Rick, the show's reluctant hero, continues to see too much death. The other survivors are becoming desensitized to all of the death. Beth (Emily Kinney) barely bats an eye after hearing of Zach's death. Also, it will be interesting to see how the characters react to zombies lurking in the prison, again. Zombie fans are sure to find an enjoyable outing in this episode and Epis. 2, "Infected," will likely further develop looming threats on the horizon.
Overall: 7.5 out of 10 (lots of story told in only a few minutes, new characters, new conflicts and a great action scene in the middle of it all, the show seems to be lampooning actor Norman Reedus' popularity outside the show).
More on "The Walking Dead" can be found at the AMC:
The Walking Dead at the AMC
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Posted in: 2013,andrew lincoln,horror,review,rick grimes,still,stills,the walking dead,the walking dead season 4,zombie,zombie apocalypse,zombies
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