THE WALKING DEAD

OCTOBER 31, 2010-PRESENT

This show came to our attention right after the first season went to video, and with all the good things we were hearing it was decided that a quick look was necessary but we were not really expecting that it would be anything good.  SHOCKER: it kept us engrossed from the moment the first segment began.  The dialogue (which everybody who follows Rustyscage.com knows we need it to the "Nth" degree) but it was all visual with a great Parrnell feel from the 2002 film "The Pianist."  It was immediately clear the quiet was putting the audience inside the head of lead character Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) as he wakes up from a coma to find the hospital in ruins and everyone  gone except for the "walkers".

BUT WAIT: 6 EPISODES will never be enough, as it is just the establishment of characters, peppering us with hints of more that has gone on while Grimes was unconscious.  Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) and son Carl (Chandler Riggs) have survived at the side of Rick's co-deputy, Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), which has us asking the question: What is going on between these two?  Some fans were originally familiar with the characters from the comic book series of the same name, but for those of us yet to have "been bitten" (pun intended) will have to wait for the full story.  The group soon becomes even stronger when Rick becomes their leader with his ability to balance their needs with the individual personalities of each person.  This is a much needed character who will counter the strength and willpower of those who have the "shoot first" attitude. Such is the case with Meryl Dixon (Michael Rooker), who puts the group in danger, so Grimes  handcuffs him to a pipe on the roof of a building. When Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas (IronE Singleton) goes back to get him, there is only a severed hand that remains.  His brother, Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), begins to deviate from his brother's footsteps, now focusing on the weapons and with his survival techniques he keeps the group fed.  T-Dog is a clumsy character who missed the boat of common sense and is the reason why the group was unable to get back in time to save Meryl. 

Andrea and Amy are sisters, and when their story picks up the older sister Andrea is taking baby sister to college for the new school year. When the outbreak begins, they quickly join the survivor group.   Dale Horvath (Jeffrey DeMunn) is clearly the most level-headed member of the group, but his age keeps him from becoming the true leader of the clan.  He tries to interject sensibility at every turn, but some in the group prefer to revert to action before having a complete understanding of the variety of incidents.  The one person who knows the strengths that lie within Horvath is Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride), who will take solace within his words when her daughter Sophia Peletier (Madison Lintz) goes missing.  Carol is married to her abusive husband, Ed (Adam Minarovich), who eventually gets killed by a "walker".   

Each personality is written from the eyes of the character and not for the storyline, which is rarely done in television anymore.  The writers are also allowing the characters and story to build naturally, not forcing them to change, giving the show an overall feel of realism in this most unreal setting of zombies.

RUSTY
10/31/10