End Zombie Prejudice - Watch 'The Walking Dead'

http://www.amctv.com/originals/The-Walking-Dead/

Do you like television shows that feature characters with depth, who you can relate to even if there is nothing relatable in your life to theirs? Do you like television shows with rich dialogue, where a turn of a phrase can evoke any range of emotion? Do you like television shows with beautiful cinematography, or award-worthy directing? Do you like television shows that put you on the edge of your seat, then leave you teetering there as the closing credits roll, and you wish next week’s episode would begin at that exact moment?

Then, for God’s sake, why aren’t you watching AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’?

I know why.

Zombies. Yeah, that nearly turned me off, too.

Yes, there are an awful lot of zombies in the show. And, yes, they are about the most unattractive thing on television since Angela Lansbury. (I kid. I kid. Angela Lansbury is a wonderfully talented actress and a beautiful person.) And, yes, they are creepy and can scare the bejesus out of you.

But, if the zombies (or “walkers” as they’re called in the show) are the reason you’re not watching ‘The Walking Dead’, then you’re allowing yourself to miss one of the best shows on television. Not just one of the best new shows, but one of the best shows. Period.

Once upon a time, a few years ago, you probably wouldn’t watch a television show if it was about Vampires either. Now, most of you probably watch either ‘True Blood’ or ‘The Vampire Diaries’ or have seen or read the ‘Twilight’ series. You were able to overcome your monster prejudice for the undead with fangs. You gave blood suckers a chance. Now, give brain eaters one, too.

Here are some of my reasons why ‘The Walking Dead’ deserve your attention.

First off, it’s AMC, the new kings of exceptional television. Every show they air is a masterpiece of writing, directing, and acting. There’s a reason why ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ clean up each awards season. Even the short lived ‘Rubicon’ was interesting and well written. (It was slow-moving and drawn out, but I actually found myself enjoying it a lot, and getting sucked into the plot) Where HBO once ruled with ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Carnivale’, and ‘Six Feet Under’, that network has turned to shows that are either ultra-slick (‘Entourage’), ultra-sexy (‘True Blood’), ultra-dry (‘In Treatment’) or just over-the-top all-together (‘East Bound and Down’). These programs are, for the most part, still wonderful in their own right, but for the best hour on television, there’s no better place than AMC. Every show on AMC deserves a chance, even if it’s about monks taking a vow of silence…or zombies.

part of the ensemble cast of
'The Walking Dead'

Second, the cast is brilliant. You won’t recognize any of the main actors, but you won’t forget their characters once you watch the show. From the stubborn determinism and bravado of Rick Grimes to the alpha-dog turned subservient malcontent of Shane Walsh, each character is meticulously developed, and so intricate that you barely notice as their personalities start to shift; as they begin to realize the life of take-out Chinese food, reality shows, and interior plumbing has been replaced by twenty-four hour zombie watch, constant fear, and blood and dirt soaked clothing.

Third, the stories are more about surviving in a foreign world where at any moment you could die, and facing a complete unknown, than they are about the zombies. The zombies are the antagonists, the obstacle or villain. (Though, I balk at the word ‘villain’ because it indicates the zombies are actually intentionally attacking the humans, when in fact, it’s more of a mindless search for food.) The real story lies in how these people act and adapt; how they begin to live an entirely different kind of life, much along the lines of ‘Lord of the Flies’ and ‘Lost’.

Fourth, the action is intense. Every minute of every episode is filled with tension. Even the tender moments, which there are quite a few, have overtones of tension. You never know when something is going to go wrong, or a zombie is going to come out of nowhere, or one of the survivors is going to go insane from fear. There’s no telling what could happen next, but you always feel something will.

one of the excessively violent, but
very cool, scenes

The action is shot as well as anything television has produced recently, and there is plenty of it. There are some very uncomfortable scenes of excessive violence and blood, mostly at the expense of the undead, and there are some very disturbing moments that will make you want to turn your head or shield your eyes. But, you won’t. You really won’t. Because, you won’t want to miss what comes up next. But, it’s no slasher show either. Although a particular scene can be excessively gory, it’s not a program where buckets of blood and fake organs are constantly spilled. Nor, are scenes created explicitly the scare the crap out of you. The characters don’t do the stupid things people do in horror movies that lead to their demise. The show walks the fine line between tension and fear, and balances with high-wire walker precision on that line.

a tender moment between main character
Rick Grimes, his wife, and son.

You will find yourself cheering on the survivors. You’ll start worrying about them. You will start caring about them. You will start screaming at them when you see a zombie approaching or when they are doing something you think is a mistake. You will tear up. You will laugh out loud. You will get angry. You will bite your nails and you will hide your eyes. And you will enjoy every single minute of it.

Do yourself a favor. This Sunday, December 3, 2010, AMC is running ‘The Walking Dead’ marathon starting at 4:30pm, leading up to the abbreviated season’s final episode. (Only six episodes for the innagural season, which sucks. Don’t worry, though, it’s already been renewed for Season Two, so you don’t have to worry about getting deep into it, like FlashForward, then being left with the television equivalent of blue balls.)

So get a big bowl of popcorn, a 12-pack of a beverage of your choice, send the kids on a playdate or to their grandparents, and get ready for six-and-a-half hours of the best show on TV. Or, at least, set your DVRs to record the thing and watch it at your leisure. Whichever you prefer.

I didn’t think I’d like it, and I was right.

I love it. I think you will too.

Zombies, zombies, and more zombies.

Here's a trailer to get you ready for the season:




all photos courtesy of amctv.com