Out Of The Grave: This Week on The Walking Dead (Episode 1 / October 14, 2012)

Last Updated on July 23, 2021

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EPISODE 1: Seed

THE HOOK: With Hershel’s farm overrun, Rick and company are on the move again. They come across a prison which Rick feels would be perfect…once it’s purged of walkers. But the dead aren’t the only danger lurking in the shadows.

THE LOWDOWN: It’s damn good to see the gang back on TV and in action with a frenzy fueled tour de force–I would expect nothing less after the explosive season two finale. The first question many people no doubt have is ‘did they fix the pacing issue that plagued the first half of season two?’ It’s too early to say for sure, but if this episode is any indication I’m going to have to lean toward ‘yes’. I loved the pacing tonight and the tension was thick with danger. A prison is the perfect stage for a realm of terror, until it’s cleared out of course, but for now it’s serving up scares and walkers galore. The way they found it felt a little odd to me, with everyone talking about backtracking and how they’d been going in circles, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, Rick and Daryl just look up and say, ‘hey, would ya look at that.’ The look of sheer joy on Rick’s face was priceless. I don’t think anyone’s ever been so happy to see a prison.

Now speaking of Rick, dude’s grizzled as hell these days and all business. Shane, the baby, this life, it’s all worn him down to the point of no return and it’s noticeable. Hell, I don’t even think he’s trying to hide it anymore. Dude’s angry and God save the poor bastard who gets in his way. I like that though, he’ll need that darkness when the Governor comes a calling (no, we didn’t get a chance to see him yet). The Michonne sightings were a touch too scarce for my liking as well. She’s there, and we get a tidbit of info as to how her and Andrea have been doing (Andrea, not so well), but it’s brief. What we do see is money though. Newcomer Danai Gurira steals the show as Michonne. I can’t wait to see more of her.

Another worthy mention is the budget. All we’ve been seeing last season and upcoming to this season were accolade after accolade screaming how this is the best drama on TV, yet last season’s budget was cut down dramatically. This season sings a different tune. The money’s there, it’s obvious when you see the zombies. They look menacing in all the right ways and are guaranteed to make your skin crawl. There was one thing that bothered me about the opening scene though. Where in hell did they get suppressors for their guns? It’s an awesome discovery, but I’m not sure where they’d have come across them. Also, they can’t seem to find any food, but they seem to have plenty of gas.

THE WALKING DEAD SEASON 3’s first episode sends our crew out of stew pot and into a raging inferno of action and blood soaked carnage. This is survival horror (cough, cough, what the RESIDENT EVIL flicks were supposed to be Mr. Anderson) and despite changes from the comic (which I’m feeling is a good thing) I’m mesmerized by the idea of things to come. The trailers do have me confused as the Governor seems to have changed places with the dude who was in charge of PLEASANTVILLE type community Rick and the crew find in the comics, rather than the Governor running his own military type facility. It’s fine, I just think the writer’s are shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to meshing two things together that don’t quite belong. Either way, tonight’s episode was a blast and I’m looking forward to next Sunday.

ZOMBIE KILL OF THE WEEK: Michonne nails the shit out of this one (and will probably be the frontrunner for many a zombie kill this season) with a double beheading after impaling two zombies together with her sword. Badass.

BLOOD AND GORE: The violence is a much a character in The Walking Dead as any of cast and it’s nice to see they’re not shying away from it. There’s lots to enjoy tonight (the head shots still scream ‘CGI blood added afterward’, but I’ll let it slide) and here’s hoping they keep their word about not toning down the Governor. He’s a madman and I can’t wait to see him in action.

MOST ANNOYING CHARACTER: The most nerve grating character is still Lori (though Carol’s a close second). You almost want to feel sorry for Lori, being full blown prego at this point–which looks hella fake I might add–but you don’t because she’s a two timing whore who plays mind games. Damn baby, doesn’t Rick have enough on his plate?

COOLEST SCENE: I know I’m a sucker for always listing the “final scene” as the best–and then not telling you what it is so I don’t ruin the surprise, but that’s just how it always seems to play out. Let’s just say, we were all wondering if they’re going to do the ‘amputate if bitten’ end of things. Tonight you’ll get your answer.

FINAL VERDICT:

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