Prelude to the Pilot

Okay…

First thing is first. I have heard quite a lot of buzz about this show. Primarily, they are from friends and other media sources which will remain nameless. This show is based on a comic book of the same name. No, notPrelude to the Pilot but The Walking Dead. Do I seriously have to break it down for you? Well, it is a blog; therefore, I should.

One thing that will remain certain is that though I was (or still am but no longer buy them) a bit of a comic book collector; I have never touched any of the Walking Dead series. Hey, the first issue of Spawn may not be as valuable as it once was but with any giving historical fact rests the value of how much this comic book is going to increase in price in the near future. Then when this happens, I can go for the big kill. Do not worry I am not getting my hopes up. Particularly, it was quite an awesome decision to ignore the comics because I would have ultimately found myself comparing the show with the comic book rather than developing an analytical perception of the show.

Secondly, it seems pretty obvious what the show is about. Just by looking at the cover or the image posted above one can certainly identify that is my ex-girlfriend. No, wait! That does not sound right. Excuse me, one can certainly identify that this show is about zombies. Yes, that is it… zombies. I have lost count as to the many times I have felt like a zombie, but let me tell you this: it sucks! However, the dream of me being a zombie while having sexual intercourse with a beautiful young lady was BADASS! I sure wish that dream would occur over and over and ahhh. Ah, yes…nothing just happened. I swear! Please, believe me. But yes, the show is about zombies.

I sure hope that this show is loosely based on real zombies. And by real zombies I mean old school zombies. And by old school zombies I mean the zombie world George Romero imagined and drafted for us then finally directed. Now, the problem lies on the misconception of the film28 Days Later.

It does not bother me to see zombies run for about 20 feet or so. To me that is logical. However, when watching these “new zombies” run for a 50 yard dash then clearly there is something wrong. Just because these “new zombies” or infected people are viciously attacking and infecting others with their virus it does not formulate them as zombies. If it were so, then vampires would be zombies. And werewolves are not short of this argument. So, if you want to consider them as “new zombies” then that is on you. Just make sure you understand the distinction between the zombies as we know them and the steroid enhanced zombies depicted in the film 28 Days Later. Let it be clear, 28 Days Later is not at fault here. We all know who really is and let it be known that it is not the audience. However, the idea illustrated within the film gave those people (not the audience) the understanding to acknowledge, “This is what the public wants and this is how We (Yes, capital W) will confuse them.”

If you think about it, what are the stages of bringing an idea to life?

Stages are as follows:

1. The idea

2. The prototype

3. The Supervening of social necessity (The need for something)

BOOM! The idea becomes a blueprint awaiting its foundation. Think outside the box; even if it has six walls.

I am guessing, however, that the show premiered with nothing BUT bombshells and they all went off with I do not know what. Why? Simple. I have yet to catch the premier of this show you silly puppets. Nevertheless, the bombshells must have been immense because after two episodes the Walking Dead was picked up for a second season. Not too shabby. Now, the two big questions are as follows: how much have the comics increased in revenue? And, how do the fans feel about the show?

Well, without further ado let’s get this ball rolling.

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I just had a strange thought…well more like a few questions: what happens with all these dead zombies in the show? Does Joe the trash man comes in with a special broom for dead people? If he does, I hope he pushes them away while saying, “Okay…move it along people…nothing to see here. Or, maybe they are offered as free people? Since they are dead, it makes a lot of sense. Plus, it-would-be-awesome! Beer! Beer! …no, wait…wait. I got a better one: Dead! Dead! Dead people here!

Days Gone Bye

Okay…
Well, our journey was introduced with misery. This leads me to my following question: what is the deal with some of these new shows coming out? The first ten minutes of these shows are introduced by “the happenings” (or aftermaths) then the back stories leading to “the happenings” unfolds. I do not know what this deal is, but I take it the writers (or producers) of these shows assume or believe that this is how the audience will be seized. This is how the viewers’ pupils will be magnetized on the screen. I do not get it, but at times it works. And the Walking Dead is not short of this argument. But one thing that remains certain is that everyone is unique. Great minds think alike sometimes. But great minds are not drafted on blueprints because the mind is an invisible force; it holds the greatest ability—im-ag-i-na-tion. Imagination! The imagination leads to a hero. The hero: One of the City of Kentucky’s finest—Officer Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). The entire misery scene with Rick passing thru reminds me of something out from the film Mad Max. There was not much dialog; which worked out great because it kept me intrigued. I know what you are thinking, intrigued? Yes, this is a zombie show. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure this out. But I do not know who Officer Rick Grimes is. I was not even aware that he was an actual cop until it was actually confirmed. Just because Rick is wearing a cop uniform I cannot acknowledge him as cop. For all I knew, Rick could have been wearing a Halloween costume. After all, the first episode to this show premiered on Halloween. But I was intrigued because I was desperate in knowing where the first zombie was and how was that zombie reaching a demise. Then it happened. I could blink a hundred times and I still managed to savor the scene. I blinked a hundred times more and the first glimpse of repetition was exposed—the opening theme.

The opening theme to the Walking Dead seems patriotic. Think George Washington and his wooden teeth, peace on earth, damnation deliverance, and a brand new American flag (no pun intended) and you have a visual understanding of this show’s opening theme.

As the show progressed, Officer Grimes’ partner was introduced and his name is Officer Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal). Here is a fun fact: Rick’s partner’s last name has been used on characters more than casinos slots have ever been touched. This was where the writers first exercised the use of a back-story. After a few bites of fries and small talk inside the squad-car, a call comes in which leads them to the middle of nowhere. There, all hell breaks loose and Rick finds himself in the last place he thought he would be that day—the Hospital. Since it was more than just a scratch, Rick needed a long time to recuperate. Hence, the title—Days Gone Bye…

After a series of days gone by, Rick abruptly woke up in the Hospital and discovered that his city has been overtaken by flesh eating zombies. Conversely, Rick managed to make friends with the first two survivors he encountered, Morgan Jones (Lennie James) and his son Duane (Adrian Kali Turner). Here is another interesting fun fact: actors Lennie James and Adrian Kali Turner do not appear on the list of cast for this show on imdb.com. This means you have to do a little more than digging to identify each character. Interestingly, exactly five walkers (zombies are referred to walkers for logical reasons which I cannot reveal) do appear on the list of cast on the same website. How the hell are five walkers more important than the two survivors Rick generated a bond with? Well, that certainly beats the hell ‘outta me. Nevertheless, this bond makes this show powerful. This demonstrated that dramatic scenes are capable of extracting the viewers’ fixations of zombies and focusing them on the powerful connections between these characters. Only one time was this ever pulled off and it was in the film 28 Days Later.This is the first horror film than can actually be called a film in my book because always remember there is a clear cut difference between a movie and a film. Rick’s bond with Morgan and Duane is friendship. However, Rick’s mission is to search for his family—his wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and son Carl (Chandler Riggs). Unfortunately, there are two sides to their story; the one Rick knows and the one Lori understands.

As the episode neared an end, Rick traveled thru town on a horse just like the one on the promotional posters for the show. At first I thought, ‘Well, there are cops who do travel on horses but the real question is, where did he

get it and how did he managed to get on it?’ Well, this episode thoroughly explained it. And it was not because he is a police officer from Kentucky either. As Rick roamed thru the wrecked town, a foreign aerial apparatus led him to make a devastating wrong turn. How devastating? Imagine the LA Riots in 1992. There was no surrender. No escape. No Mercy. Or at least that is what Officer Grimes thought until a friend in need became a friend indeed.

I give this badboy – 5/5

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Is it possible to forget how to sleep? Is it? Boy, do I need some sleep. I have been wide awake since 7: AM…two days ago. I think I feel a yawn coming up…nope, false alarm. Now, I truly feel like a zombie… In the beginning there was nothing. That is lovely, but how about some damn sleep?! This feels like someone stole the Sun and the Moon. That seriously makes no sense. Hmm…Guts.

Guts

No guts. No glory. Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…because it is the quality which guarantees all others.” However, Alexander Hamilton believed that everyone is selfish and out for themselves. Rick’s new pal, Glenn (Steve Yeun), is short of this argument. Or is he? During this episode, Glenn became a great source for Rick. Clearly, it makes sense to state that everyone in this show is out for themselves, but who can they trust. Who can they rely on? For now, they have to try and trust each other but with caution. Besides… a plan must be structured, followed, and executed. A code means nothing. As Rick managed to escape from his previous devastating encounter, he rendezvoused with new comers: Andrea (Laurie Holden), Marle Dixon (Michael Rooker), Morales (Juan Gabriel Parejas), T-Dog (IronE Singleton), Jacqui (Jeryl Prescott) and last but not least Glenn. These were six people that were not on the same page but were at a slightly better pace than Rick. After all, one (in this case six) must stay ahead of the game. “Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver… The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter,” once said Winston Churchill. After a moment of misunderstanding and comprehension, a plan elaborated a la Shaun of the Dead but with brute force. A person fantasizing about necrophilia would absolutely feel hatred towards these individuals at this moment. When I see a 1960s Ford Mustang getting destroyed during a scene in anything film related, I tend to get devastated and aggravated then start cussing up a storm at the screen; this is when you know you are infatuated with something. People with necrophilia fetishes are not short of this argument. Ready to rock & roll, their plan was magnificent because it proved to be highly effective. However, the rain unjustified the plan’s execution. Just when I thought it cannot rain all the time…this happens. But there was no need to fear. At least Rick and Glenn had the greatest instrumental method for an escape—legs. That and fast wheels.

There was hope after all. The hope for Rick to congregate with his family inched closer by the hour—miles per hours. I wish I could state that there was no reason for him to be alarm, but I cannot. To Rick’s knowledge, missing picture frames were the only clues to their whereabouts. If only he knew that his wife and child were alive and kicking. If only he knew that his partner, Shane, was alive as well. However, if he and his family ever get the chance to reunite in the near future, Rick should be dispassionately pleased with Shane for taking care of his family during his absence. I know what you are asking yourselves, “Why would Rick be dispassionately pleased with Shane?” Well, I will tell you why. Shane was being extremely generous by protecting Rick’s family because that is what partners do; they look out for each other. One hand covers the other. However, one opposite attracts the other. “Hey, by opposite do you mean when a man and a woman are attracted to each other they will end up having sexual intercourse?” Umm… what was it that Sarah Palin used to say? Ah, yes… “You betcha!”

My only quibble is that I am now the bearer of the jigsaw puzzle. Something is seriously wrong here. If Shane and Lori are together now, this means that Rick was in the hospital for a period of six months to year. However, this would not make any sense because Rick would not be alive at the moment for lack of nutrients. Keep in mind that when Rick woke up he was the only living person inside that hospital. Secondly, Shane’s and Loris’ relationship does not look fresh for a second. This can only mean one thing and one thing only. This can possibly mean that Lori has been having an affair with Shane while he and Rick were patrolling inside the squad car when the town was overrun by the real walking dead—civilians.

Hmm…My theories have not failed me yet, but Come whatever may…

I give this badboy a – 5/5

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Why? Why is there never anything on television on Sunday nights? I know it is not the best day of the week, but jeez! I can understand one or two channels not showing anything, but all of them? Hmm…Tell It to the Frogs.

Tell It to the Frogs

As far as I am concern, this episode should tell it to the frogs (no pun intended). In no way was I wowed by this episode. Quite a few things happened during this episode that should have dropped bombshells on the face of the plot. However, those bombshells all went off with a…eh. I was deeply confused. Rick finally reconciled with his family. Sounds great, does it not? Yes, it really does. However, there is a “but” here. Where was the disposition? Where was the frame of mind? Where were the emotional money shot taken as Rick embraced himself into his family’s arms? The sentimental moment was not quite there. The scene felt as if Rick, Lori, and Carl have not seen each other in over a day. The scene felt empty. Aside from what he does not know about his wife’s affair with Shane, Rick barely had a dialog with him. Yes, Rick and Shane had a scene where a strategic plan was discussed, but most of their interactions were hello nods. I know what you are thinking, “Hello nods? As in nods that you give a person you do not know while walking passed them on the street?” Exactly! Get the reader a cigar. This is Rick’s partner. Rick’s partner! Shane is the third person Rick shared most of his life with everyday. However, the best interaction Rick and Shane shared was nothing more than a nod, really? Wow!

What about the other survivors? The survivors are doing wonderful thanks to Rick. The idea of Andrea, Jacqui, Amy (Emma Bell), and Carol (Melissa Suzan McBride) missing something once cherished was excellent. This really gave a realistic appeal to the episode. However, something remained very wrong during this episode. The world is overtaken by flesh eating zombies; yet, the humans (or these characters) seemed to be quite fond of the situation. Perhaps this is because they are alive, but they are acting way too casual in relations to the disastrous matter. Over two weeks ago, I lost my favorite winter hat. I was seriously aggravated with that. To this day, I still am. I had that hat for over eight years. The hat was sort of my life style. Now, think about your life style being ripped apart, how would you feel? I bet you would feel angry. If you do not then that is on you. But just think for a second…think of that mood downgraded to a minimum. Once you have done so you would understand the experience of this episode. Some expressed emotions and some lacked it. I doubt that the mood presented on the screen was the same as in the graphic novel because it was very lethargic. The scene did not quite feel right to me.

I give this badboy – 2.5/5 – Believe me this episode was not bad at all. However, if it were not for the mood of the episode I would have probably graded it much higher. The first episode demonstrated very powerful and moving scenes which I thought were incapable of being pulled off. In this episode, I was expecting the same acknowledgement but it was hardly ever there. Hopefully, this will pick up during the latter episodes…

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Look what the cat dragged in! I know what you are asking yourselves, “hair?” No, the cat did not drag hair inside. And no, it is not a rat in his mouth! Well…perhaps that one time…

Sorry for the delay! I was in hiatus. I had my face shoved in…books. I was studying for the magnificent GREs. I express magnificent in an exuberant sarcastic manner. Just the thought of those abbreviated letters makes my stomach turn. At least I can state that I am back. I AM BACK! …with a vengeance and causing mayhem or something like it. And I promise to keep my pants on while doing so. However, I never signed anything so…your move internet.

Let me get this baby rolling…

Vatos

“Vatos Locos forever ese!”

Who just had a Bound By Honor moment?

This guy! (Yes, the one doing the blog.)

Bound by Honor is such a badass film. I have been tempted to watch the film just because of this episode’s title. The film is long but it is well worth it. Now, that is something to thank The Walking Dead for! Do not judge me. I repeat, do not judge me! This episode reminded me of the miniature motorcycle scene from the movie Dumb and Dumber when Harry tells Lloyd: “You know Lloyd, just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber you go and do something like this… and totally redeem yourself.” Of course this is not to state that what this show is doing is dumb. No. No. No. This is to state that during my previous blog, Tell it to the Frogs, I was under the impression that this was where the show was going to go…down-hill. This episode was much more promising. But this was to a small extent. Think of it as the greatest dream ride at Disney Land. When this dream ride has finished your last words are, “Was that it?” Exactly. Man, if I only had a nickle for every time a woman said that to me. Um, okay…nevermind that. Moving on…

Niccolo Machiavelli once said, “Before all else, be armed.” An unexpected storm was coming. Only one person foretold it but was not sure why. This was only a dream escape—a living nightmare. This was like a shotgun blast with dozens of pellets flying straight forward with an unknown agenda. Jim (Andrew Rothenberg) was flirting with this agenda. This awful plan was filled with unexplained dangers, but nothing has ever been accomplished without the possibilities of danger. This is the mess Rick and his current crew are facing while continuing their search for Merle. What kind of mess you ask? Well, the title of this episode should give you the greatest clue of them all and I am not talking about any zombies. The greatest risk are being faced by the humans which seems to indicate to me that the REAL walking dead is none other than mankind. Yes, mankind must fight their way out of zombie playground, but how can mankind be trusted when they encounter themselves as homogeneous? As the situation between mankind quickly escalates, the zombies outsmart the living by pulling a fast one on them. In the game of chess there are pawns then higher ranks. In this playground the living became the outnumbered pawns while the zombies evolved into generals havocking slaughters and maneuvers.

I give this badboy – 4/5

I am probably going to be out of line here, but I would not hold my breath for the ratings to reach a complete five level from my part. When each episodes starts out, they appear to be marvelous. However, after their commencements, every other episode manages to become comedic and at times will eventually decimate. There are only two episodes left, so there might be some hope for this badboy after all…

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People will always be people until their death. There is no doubt about that. Sometimes you have to love stupid people for their amazing actions. But sometime, well, sometimes there is the need for retaliation. Punching bag you have no idea how much I love you. I realized I have never said it to you directly, but I really do. You are such a great stress reliever when I give you an ACTUAL person’s name. You are my sunshine my one and only sunshine. Ah, to die…to sleep…no more. Wildfire…

Wildfire

Well, for the most part I do not quite get the title of this episode. Though it reminded me of Danny Trejos’ señorita tattoo on his chest (this is from the Bubble Boy movie for those that do not know), I misunderstood the title’s relation to the plot.

When I think of wildfire, I think of retaliation. Where was it in this episode? That is easy—nowhere. Perhaps there was some type of internal burning. But again this internal burning should cause you to retaliate, should it not? Perhaps I am in the singularity, but I think this show was produced without an ounce of thought that it was going to be such a success. The zombie makeup is incredible, but the storyline is borderline victorious. The story builds up great in this episode, but when it reaches its climax it gives you the run around. Think of it like this:

In a game show you will be given the famous three door choices. You are belligerently anxious to discover what the hell is behind every one of those doors, however, you can only pick one. When you finally pick a door and for the sake of argument you pick door number two, you are fully dissatisfied with what was behind that door because you thought it was a round trip to a distant country or a new car. Unfortunately, none was behind door number two.

The episode picks up from where the previous one ended. After the humans’ most recent zombie attacks or walker attacks, they all agreed to find refuge elsewhere. However, some felt unsafe about the sudden decision and decided to depart from the group. This was a very touching scene because after sharing and trusting their lives with others they had to express their goodbyes. I despise these types of goodbyes; the type of goodbyes that makes your eyes watery. For this I fully applauded the show. When the characters in this show act with a sense of deliverance, it makes the show nearly invisible—unstoppable even. Sometimes you have to thank the small scenes because it makes the show exactly what it is. However, these bombshells do not always go off with a bang as mentioned on my previous The Walking Deadblogs. Sadly, this is when the show falls into collision course. Hopefully, for the second season the writing and the acting will get some sort of tune up.

As Rick and the rest set off to complete their mission, all must accept and agree uneasy decisions. One of which included Jim and this is all I can give away. As the journey reaches an end, the episode was exposed with a magnificent silhouette but with a cliffhanger that left me saying, ‘Really?’ while frowning. I am trying very hard to enjoy this show, but for some reason it is just not cutting it for me. Some of the comments I have read for this show are comparing it to something that would be playing on the Lifetime channel. I hate to say it, but it is tough to disagree with such comments after witnessing the ending to this episode. There is only one episode left for this season of The Walking Dead and already I have heard such rumors that the ending was pretty weak. This does not sound very convincing nor promising, but this is me wishing those rumors are just rumors and I will eventually put an end to them.

I give this badboy – 3/5

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When the river sounds, it is because it brings something…

TS-19

This episode revolves around TS-19. TS stands for Test Subject. The plot to this episode generally dealt with this “test subject” which revealed a bizarre amount of information that was once concealed from the public (and perhaps misunderstood by the general audience). TS-19 opened Pandora’s box with a joker exploding from it. This jack in the box laughed in my face and I did not enjoy it because I was immensely confused with just about everything that was going on with this episode. I can understand a sack of potatoes, but why are you selling the sack of potatoes with oranges on the inside? Confused? You are not alone. From my point of view this episode was clearly rush to get something done and finalized. Period. End of story. Quite a number of things and outcomes could and would have been avoided with a slightly different structure and execution.

However, without an excellent execution bruits will stir up and make a mockery of just about everything. Naturally, rumors are always speculated but until they see the light of day; then and only then can these rumors be justified. Well, here I am putting rumors to rest. What am I referring to? On my previous post of The Walking Dead I mentioned that I heard a lot of rumors that the last episode of this show was weak, but overall a decent show. The trouble that lies within each of these rumors is that there are never any explanations to go with them. Perhaps the best explanation will be provided here. Sadly, this is one explanation that I have failed to mention and that is music. The music for this show is very poor. The selection is decent but the use of it is terrible. Prior to the finally there were quite a number of howling survival scenes which were never accompanied by a strong musical performance. Think of a marvelous fight scene ruined by its use of music and you got the fight scenes from this show. Think of the film “Fight Club” blended with music from the show “Seinfeld” and you will perfectly comprehend what I am referring to.

Generally speaking, some of the greatest and famous scenes ever performed were not all accompanied by music. But with The Walking Dead this was hardly the case. The ending for this season was priceless and it truly went off with an unbelievable bang—literally. Unfortunately, the producers decided to fade to black with Bob Dylan. Once Dylan’s fingers stroked his guitar it created a recipe for disaster. Don’t get me wrong Bob Dylan is a sentimental and passionate writer but let me be frank and state that he is a terrible singer; but his words are powerful and his lyrics are portraits awaiting to be mastered by a maestro. A perfect example of how Dylan’s music was brilliantly exploited was in the film Watchmen where the commencement of “The times they are a changing” song was beautifully and brutally exposed through a series of imagery which defined a cruel story of sorrow and bravery. In this final episode the use of his music ruined a perfectly demented ending because it was improperly used. The show’s theme could have easily been utilized to close the season by performing it in an entirely different manner. This was something that the producers from “Sons of Anarchy” successfully remastered during a chaotic or bizarre scene and it worked beautifully if not perfect.

This show has unknowingly developed a trademark. All of the opening scenes left me breathless, however, the climax left me scratching my head (yes, there still is hair there…thank you!). My suggestion to the reader is to rent the show, watch it, and judge for yourselves. Please please please, do not… I repeat, do not take my word for it because after all this is the land of confusion and superman will never be here now or ever. Yeah… yeah… its a line from the song “Land of Confusion” by Genesis. So, frame me! Hey, at least I am giving them credit, even though the awesomeness of that song speaks for itself. But with all seriousness, judge the show on your own. Eventually, you will determine at any giving time, “Oh, I see what he was referring to but I do not (or do) fully agree with him.” And this is okay because I just hope you completely enjoyed my posts.

I give this badboy – 4/5

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