AMC is on a roll. Of their four original series, three of them are absolutely amazing (I haven't seen Rubicon yet, and I intend to watch the first, and now only, season, despite its cancellation; also, I plan on going over Mad Men's fourth season and discussing Breaking Bad at some point). Their newest, The Walking Dead, is the first one that is based on an existing work, Robert Kirkman's comic book series of the same name. Only three episodes have aired so far, so this will be more of a primer than an analysis.
The show, much like its comic book origins, is about a small band of people living together in the wake of a zombie-pocalypse. And both the series and the comic have the same statement to make: even in the wake of a terrible tragedy that changes our very way of life, people will still be people. We will still be capable of great heroism and selflessness, but we will also still be capable of horrible acts. Racism, mistrust, and greed will all still exist, and they may actually be ratcheted up by the dire circumstances. When your survival depends upon being extremely careful and well-armed, you might not be willing to give a stranger the benefit of the doubt when they ask you for help. They may be trying to take something valuable from you to save themselves. On the other hand, strength in numbers has never mattered more, so wouldn't mutual trust and help benefit everyone?
So far, the show has been fantastic in pretty much every aspect. The actors are strong, the zombie effects are amazing, and the storytelling and direction have been incredible. The stairwell scene in the pilot is one of the most terrifying things I've ever seen (and if you've seen it, you know how much that matters, based on what happens... and what doesn't).
Anyway, I don't want to say too much else, so enjoy the real and fan-made opening credits:
Up next: Avatar state! Yip yip...
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