The dead have risen, for Season Four!
The Walking Dead has returned with a vengeance with the Season Premiere episode, 30 Days Without an Accident. According to Entertainment Weekly, 16.1 million viewers tuned in, with an 8.2 rating among adults 18-49 (up 30 percent from the Season 3 Finale).
Sadly, it’s been so long since I’ve watched an episode, I had to consult IMDB for some of the character’s names.
Director Greg Nicotero took the reins from newly christened Showrunner Scott Gimple and seemingly force-feeds the audience several of this season’s themes. The whole episode feels different, with Rick’s Gang becoming agricultural activists, uncharacteristically smiling a lot (very out of character) and WAY too much PDA (Daryl grumbles this has become, “a damn romance novel” and unfortunately I agree).
Six or seven months have passed since Season 3 ended and Rick’s become a farmer? Not really. Unfortunately, planting a pistol in The Prison’s dry Georgia clay bore no fruit. Apparently, a Council — taken directly from the graphic novel — has been formed as a form of government for The Prison’s populace (per Showrunner Scott M. Gimple on Talking Dead) and they worry of Rick’s safety… foreshadowing alert.
Michonne’s a bad-ass horse whisperer, who hands Rick an electric shaver? How does The Prison still have enough fuel for the generators? There shouldn’t be any power available, especially for such a large crowd of people.
There’s something about Glenn making supply runs, making him feel at home (about one of the only familiar parts of this episode from seasons past). Terrapin and Sweetwater Brewing made their product-placement debuts in the same episode that Blue Moon Brewing (AKA Coors) sponsored a quick chat with Nicotero. When the Zombie Apocalypse breaks out, I’ll definitely be craving more microbrewed beers.
With the rooftop collapsing, it seems like a lot of stuntmen were hired to fall into the grocery store (More than likely, with my inside knowledge of how the show pinches pennies, it was probably one stunt person used over and over.).
With all the new characters introduced in this episode, thankfully there was a brief thinning of the herd with Zack and Patrick’s deaths. The introduction of the Carol-Daryl-Beth love triangle has briefly arrived, which feels even more forced than ever. According to Gimple, “Every character gets a story” this season and, “things are going to get worse, rapidly.” Thank goodness, because nothing really happened in this episode.
Wrapping things up, the prospect of a spreading airborne virus throughout The Prison’s vicinity has been broached. More news, as it breaks.
Strength: We’re back!
Weakness: Many plot elements feel way too forced.
WTF Moment: Creepy Clara in the woods, offering way too much exposition.
Notable Quotes:
– “Tired of losing people.”
– “Your face is losing the war.”
– “Things break, but they can still grow.”
– “I don’t want to be afraid of being alive.”
– “I don’t like killing ’em on the fence. I hate it.”
– “People are the best defense against Walkers… or people.”
Review: 3/5