SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!
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Hold on a second… Let me catch my breath. It’s time to take a brief intermission. New episodes of The Walking Dead won’t air until February, so until then, let’s take a little walk down memory lane and reminisce about the first six episodes of Season Two.
Season Two started off with a bang: Scavenging survivors appeared in a near post-apocalyptic wasteland as they ravaged broken down cars in a freeway funeral of many people. The overall number of Zombie deaths have been dwindling, not a lot of action happening in Season Two so far. Hoping the action gets picked up a bit in the last half of the season. The Zombie special effects are amazing. The cheap-looking explosions, few as they are, are horrible. Please upgrade the production value or stop including them on the show.
Zombie Herds made their first appearance. After laying down the “rules” of the show in Season One, many were quickly broken. A lost child in the woods. Many grueling injuries. New characters. Characters rolling in the sack while ignoring the Zombie Apocalypse. Happening in back-to-back episodes. A couple of characters get fleshed out with a little more backstory, while others get totally ignored. Many conflicts are set up to cause plenty of drama. Some have already taken effect. Herschel’s Farm. Such a great concept. Just what the show needed. Time to build upon the past and make the final six episodes better than ever. No more filler episodes, please. We’ve already lost one of the main supporting characters, looking forward to see who else is expendable. In the comics, Robert Kirkman killed off the main characters all the time. Hopefully, some of that philosophy will rub off onto the TV show. Keep the show fresh and never stale.
Character Breakdown:
– Rick: The focal point of the show. At first oblivious Lori and Shane had an affair. Then in denial. Now acceptance. Not exactly realistic. Takes the moral high ground when everything around him has gone to Hell. Ever the authority figure.
– Shane: The anti-hero. Ever loyal to “Best Friend” Rick, even though he lied about Rick’s death, stole his wife and son, obeys Rick’s orders until he snaps. Now taking up residence on The Dark Side. Most likely impregnated Lori. Killed Otis. All-around bad guy. Hope he splits from Rick, causes craziness on his own for a bit.
– Lori: The ultimate Antagonist. She’s the worst. Worse than Shane. I hate her. Covered up her affair with Shane. Hid her pregnancy from her husband. Only redeeming characteristics are her cooking abilities and defense of Rick to The Others. Feels shamed loyalty to Rick, although she has driven a stake through her heart more than a few times. She’s become The McGuffin. She’s an excuse. I look forward to her death on the show. Rick deserves better. Focus on more deserving characters. Like Glenn.
– Glenn: Always the delivery boy. Or the navigator. He’s starting to get some depth. He can’t tell a lie. He has a thing for Maggie. He wants to be accepted into the group. And wants more responsibility. He’s still the heart and soul of the show, but spends most of the time in the background. I want him to be featured more.
– Maggie: Newly introduced character. Herschel’s only child who matters. We still don’t know a lot about her, but she’s Herschel’s right-hand man. She quotes from The Bible. She had a fling with Glenn. Starting to realize her mortality. And her vocalization of the dead from “sick people” to “Walkers” clarifies her stance. She gets it, now. And here’s to hoping she joins the core group and becomes a feared zombie hunter away from The Farm.
– Herschel: Main Good Guy/Bad Guy of Season Two. Offers safe haven for survivors in Herschel’s Farm, a surprising place of peace, located in the eye of the storm of the Zombie Apocalypse. He’s a veterinarian. But also works on humans. The moral voice of his group. Doesn’t believe the dead are zombies. He claims they’re sick people and can be rehabilitated, although has not shown any proof that rehab is possible. Hopes Rick and his group will quickly leave his compound so he can return to peace. Accepts Rick, but opposes his violent actions. Possibly flees Herschel’s Farm in upcoming episodes.
– Daryl: The Redneck Renegade. Hunter, Tracker. Unlikely Leader. He’s been thrust into the role in search of Sophia. Highly skilled at using a crossbow. Possibly sparking a romance with Carol. Beaten-Down Little Brother to Merle.
– Merle: Racist Redneck. Appeared in half an episode as a figment of Daryl’s imagination. Represents Daryl’s Inner Rage. Location: Unknown. But shall reappear. Most likely becomes the main Antagonist, known as The Governor. Or not. Stil a rumor.
– T-Dog: Most Overlooked Character. Gets a few lines of dialog per episode. Highlighted on Episode #2. Hasn’t really been heard from ever after. I wish he had more of a presence on the show. I like him. He needs to take charge, have a sit-down with Rick. Have a meeting of the minds. Until then, he’ll keep fading to the background. Or at least, until Merle returns. Then he’ll be back.
– Andrea: Annoying Character #2. Like her, then loathe her. Mostly hate her, but less than Lori. Needs to choose alliances: Either with Rick or Shane, can’t be both. After a quickie in the car with Shane, seems like she’ll be heading down the dark lane sometime soon. Rumored to eventually live happily ever after with Dale (as in the comic), but questionable to happen in the TV show.
– Carol: Servicable supporting character. Not my cup of tea. Unbearable during Sophia’s six-episode search, strong willed. Survived abuse by her husband, until he was attacked by Zombies. Might have sparked a budding romance with Daryl. Performs best when in the background, not the spotlight.
– And the Rest: Everyone else is Zed Fodder. There’s only so many minutes per episodes. Not everyone can make the cut. Or spotlight. These are the people who run around in the background, or get attacked by the horde. Or show up, time to time, and never mention their name. They’re interchangeable. And forgotten. The rest of Herschel’s kids are useless. Do NOT highlight any of them who aren’t named Maggie. And PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! Please stop highlighting the kids. Kill them off, already. This ain’t no kiddie apocalypse! More Zombies, Please!!!
Conflicts Setup So Far:
Shane vs. Rick. Shane vs. Dale. Shane vs. Otis. Shane vs. Lori. Lori vs. Rick. Maggie vs. Glenn. Maggie vs. Herschel. Herschel vs. Glenn. Merle vs. T-Dog. Merle vs. Rick. Merle vs. Daryl. Merle vs. Everyone.
Half-Way Point Review: 3.5/5