DJariya

I never said it was a 6 episode one and done series. They are indeed planning it to run multiple seasons at 13 episodes a season. I mean seriously why are you so impatient? If your truly unhappy with the show after the 6 episodes concludes, then fine move on. Also, I think it's a little unfair how you keep comparing this to other Zombie movies. I think it's pretty ambitious for AMC to work with Gale Anne Hurd, a very well respected Hollywood Producer, and Darabont to create this kind of series with a long term story arc rather than just seeing another retread of the genre in a 90 minute to 2 hour feature film. Superfro summed up my thoughts perfectly.

Trevor

You're probably right, but only because we're in a Challenge-free zone and I have more time for TV right now. Most months, I would have given up by now.

But again, I wasn't looking at this as a 6 episode run, as it seems certain to continue past that.
So you're saying that no zombie films have been innovative since the first one? Original concepts are still possible, just not evidenced in this show as of yet.
If it lasts I guess. So far, the time line isn't longer than most films. Also, I Am Legend covered multiple years sort of, didn't it?

That's great. I hope I'm not coming off as attacking anyone that loves the series. I'm all for different opinions. I'm sure many of you would roll your eyes at some of the handful of shows I watch (Mad Men, Community, Psych, House, 30 Rock, Men of a Certain Age). Maybe if I watched more TV I'd like it more, as perhaps it's a top ten show. But I only watch 5 or so shows....

superfro

Sounds like it was just officially picked up for a Season 2. (Just to confirm this point.)

No..I'm asking what would be needed to make it an original concept. Ultimately I think the zombie tropes carry throughout most of examples one could give, especially at this point in the genre, but I guess I'm stating the way they're telling the story, or at least the format it's in, is innovative compared to anything before it.

Sorry..I see my statement could go both ways. I meant more the format of the media being long, not the time progression in the story. We're looking at them making a zombie "movie" last for 6+ hours (and now at least 20+ hours). That's unprecedented.

Gizmo

It was renewed 2 weeks ago. This is just making it official.

DJariya

http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/amc-...-for-season-2/

Yup, renewed for season 2.

The ratings held up quite well for episode 2:

4.7M viewers and 3.3M in the 18-49 demos. The demos for this show are insane, especially for a cable TV series.

Trevor

I'm glad they trying it as well. I respect the creators and the network for what they're trying to do. I expected and wanted the show to be an all-time favorite.

But if they're failing miserably (in my personal opinion), I feel no obligation to give them a full 6 episodes. Nor would I you of a show where I feel exactly as I do. But sure, I imagine I'm in for all six since I'm bored with little to watch right now, with the hope and even some optimism that it improves.

majorjoe23

Last night's episode violated Chekhov's "When you show a grenade in the first act, you must blow up a zombie with it in the final act" rule.

Dragon Tattoo

See, the show's already busting up "cliches"!

Trevor and Mabuse have no idea what they're talking (complaining) about, over and over!

TwineTime

Luckily, the final act isn't for several more seasons. Look for Rick to use that grenade sometime in Season 6.

Navinabob

It's a popular myth; but actually a bloodhound tracks better in the rain as it drops the scent to the ground which is easier on them to track. If the zombies somehow gain an ability to smell better (not sure if they do or don't, never explained or explored later in the series) then the zombie gut smell would have started to fall south letting the "alive smell" peak outwards.

It could have also been their panic at the rain coming down and them speeding up? Later in the series they explore the dynamics of zombie behavior and how and when they decide to move or hunt in groups... I'm not gonna spoil anything but the comic readers might use that information to further explain the scene (I imagine they'll do the same thing in season 5 or 6 if the show survives that long).

MLBFan24

I thought episode two was great. And I'm glad it got picked up for a second season. With 24 gone, Human Target and this show are my two favs currently on air.

Trevor

I'd give a few idea but am afraid someone would griggs me.
So am I not supposed to post in a thread if I don't love a show? Or am I not supposed to respond to people asking me questions?

I think I've been quite polite and very brief in my comments.

bigsoos

I'm not sure if I missed it or not in the episode, but question:

DJariya

^^ It's fine Trevor. You have been more than polite in your criticisms. This thread would suck if it was all a love fest for the comics and the show. I know we all have different tastes and we're all not going to like the same programs/movies etc.

Gunde

The ratings are insane. Expect multiple zombie shows next year

DJariya

You don't need to spoilerize that. The episode already aired and is someone hasn't seen it, then tough shit. Anyways, it looked to me that he was driving out of town (that was same direction that Rick traveled heading into it) Then the episode ended.

Charlie Goose

Exciting episode this week. I was a little disappointed that Rick and Glenn didn't do the standard zombie moan-and-shuffle as they walked. I loved all the suspicious looks they got though.

Michael Rooker, awesome! He'll be good and pissed when we see him again. I can't imagine that we won't.

Groucho

They did a little of both.

NORML54601

That was great, the walkers lose higher reasoning skills but still make the facial expression of suspiciousness.

Navinabob

So does just about every pet I've ever owned.

And I love having people who don't like show post here; it forces me to watch the show more critically and drives some great dialog here. Some of the remarks of "crappy writing" were possibly warranted (police fight) and probably unwarranted (shooting wife).

I don't quite get all some of the "unoriginal" hated. I suppose nobody remembers all the hatred towards 28 Days Later and the remade Dawn of the Dead where everyone blasted them for not being true to the zombie mythology?

Personally I can't wait for the zombies to fade into the show's background like in the comic books. The comics are not about fighting zombies, they're about what happens to people when they exist day-to-day in a world where zombies rule and the horrific choices people have to make (and live with!) to survive.

"The Walking Dead" isn't a reference to the zombies guys... That's why the fans of the book love it so much.

redrum

when you have zombies who cares about story lines, acting, dialogue, etc.

Sessa17

I haven't read through the whole thread, so this may have been posted. But just in case anyone didn't know, AMC officially picked this up for a second season.

Raul3

Yeah, a few people already mentioned that. Thanks anyway.

About the picture quality, the first episode I watched in my projector and it looked really great. Last night episode I watched in my LCD tv, and that's when I saw all the "details".

grrr

I tend to agree with the criticisms of the show, and this episode was uninspired and significantly worse than the first. Rooker's racist character was paint-by-the-numbers, and no one else had any time allotted for character development. Overall, it felt as rushed as any mainstream network program whose writers don't have enough time to create more than a bare-bones script that moves us from point A to point B.

The good news is that things should improve. I read the complete run of the comic over the weekend, and the first five issues are far and away the worst of the run. After that it was like someone flipped a switch and the comic became both ambitious and literary (in a good sense). I'm hoping that the television program can do the same, though I don't expect it to really pick up any steam until they get Darabont off scripting duties (organ donor? ugh) and transition into the search for a more permanent home in season 2.

malichai

Yeah, I'm absolutely judging her now. I didn't care for her in the comic, but am actively despising her on the show.