The Walking Dead on AMC...

[G.I.Jim]

I just watched the 4th episode (AGAIN, because my wife fell ASLEEP the last time! ), and I'll be catching up on the 5th one tomorrow while I'm at home sick. The preview looked pretty good, so I'm anxious to see what happens! Still digging this show, but I don't know where they're going with this story. It seems to be spread out a little loosely. Guess we'll see soon enough.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Exec producer, Frank Darabont, who wrote the first two (and best) episodes has fired the entire 'Walking Dead' writing staff. I have to say, I sorta agree with this. When your season is only six episodes long, every one should be a knockout.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/the-wal ... -season-2/

[G.I.Jim]

Exec producer, Frank Darabont, who wrote the first two (and best) episodes has fired the entire 'Walking Dead' writing staff. I have to say, I sorta agree with this. When your season is only six episodes long, every one should be a knockout.

http://www.deadline.com/2010/11/the-wal ... -season-2/

This really doesn't bode well for the show. Who knows though... they might get some amazing writers, and really take off with it! Guess we'll see in a few hours how the final episode turns out.

[jrnyman28]

Producer Gale Hurd "clarified" that some of the writers have other commitments or projects that could be picked up. So not all were fired, some just could not commit to another season a full year later...

[G.I.Jim]

After seeing the final episode... I HOPE he fired everyone! That was the most lame ending I've seen for a show. Talk about anti-climatic. The building blows up and they drive off? That was freaking weak as hell!

[artist4perry]

I think they should have had the zombies having Thanksgiving and roasting marshmallows over the blazing building. Pass the arm, and the cranberry sauce please! Brains! LOL! At least my version could have been funny.

[G.I.Jim]

I think they should have had the zombies having Thanksgiving and roasting marshmallows over the blazing building. Pass the arm, and the cranberry sauce please! Brains! LOL! At least my version could have been funny.

I agree! Would have been MUCH better than the shit they threw out. I'll wait to judge them on the next season (now that they have their feet wet), but it can only get better from here.

[artist4perry]

I think they should have had the zombies having Thanksgiving and roasting marshmallows over the blazing building. Pass the arm, and the cranberry sauce please! Brains! LOL! At least my version could have been funny.

I agree! Would have been MUCH better than the shit they threw out. I'll wait to judge them on the next season (now that they have their feet wet), but it can only get better from here.

I wanted to know what happened to Stumpy the White supremest. Will zombies ever re-discover love? Will they reach a DEAD END.............snicker.

[G.I.Jim]

I think they should have had the zombies having Thanksgiving and roasting marshmallows over the blazing building. Pass the arm, and the cranberry sauce please! Brains! LOL! At least my version could have been funny.

I agree! Would have been MUCH better than the shit they threw out. I'll wait to judge them on the next season (now that they have their feet wet), but it can only get better from here.

I wanted to know what happened to Stumpy the White supremest. Will zombies ever re-discover love? Will they reach a DEAD END.............snicker.

Lol! I agree with you about the one-armed bastard! Why the hell didn't they go anywhere with that story arc? I don't get that at all.

[verslibre]

I wanted to know what happened to Stumpy the White supremest. Will zombies ever re-discover love? Will they reach a DEAD END.............snicker.

Lol! I agree with you about the one-armed bastard! Why the hell didn't they go anywhere with that story arc? I don't get that at all.

Because this isn't Sons Of Anarchy, where everything is in your face, is handled with teeth-gritting intensity 24/7, and is answered in the space of a couple episodes.

Each episode of The Walking Dead basically covers a day in a week, in case you haven't noticed. Technically, you haven't "seen" Merle for the equivalent of three days. Merle could have taken the van anywhere — if he was the one who took it.

Jeez, don't you people like a little mystery with your flicks, or is it all Jerry Bruckheimer/Uwe Boll shit with "y'all"?

[artist4perry]

I wanted to know what happened to Stumpy the White supremest. Will zombies ever re-discover love? Will they reach a DEAD END.............snicker.

Lol! I agree with you about the one-armed bastard! Why the hell didn't they go anywhere with that story arc? I don't get that at all.

Because this isn't Sons Of Anarchy, where everything is in your face, is handled with teeth-gritting intensity 24/7, and is answered in the space of a couple episodes.

Each episode of The Walking Dead basically covers a day in a week, in case you haven't noticed. Technically, you haven't "seen" Merle for the equivalent of three days. Merle could have taken the van anywhere — if he was the one who took it.

Jeez, don't you people like a little mystery with your flicks, or is it all Jerry Bruckheimer/Uwe Boll shit with "y'all"?

I was joking around...........It is called a sense of humor? LOL! I wonder if zombies have weenie roasts?

[verslibre]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

[artist4perry]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

I has another brother. Mom never told me! Dibs on shotgun!

[G.I.Jim]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

[artist4perry]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

[G.I.Jim]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

Hey, I'm not in college yet, so I can still do that!

[artist4perry]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

Hey, I'm not in college yet, so I can still do that!

I still wanna know if zombies have weenie roasts or not!

[verslibre]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

Trust me, I don't expect much in the way of grammar and diction on this board.

[verslibre]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

Hey, I'm not in college yet, so I can still do that!

I still wanna know if zombies have weenie roasts or not!

What's the point of a roast when zombies like their weenies raw?

[artist4perry]

I wasn't replying to you, sister.

B-L-O-W-M-E-B-I-T-C-H-!-!-!-!-!-!

Datza one word?

Hey, I'm not in college yet, so I can still do that!

I still wanna know if zombies have weenie roasts or not!

What's the point of a roast when zombies like their weenies raw?

This is true! Ketchup or Mustard?

[verslibre]

"Nobody, and I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog." — "Dirty" Harry Callahan


Does that answer your question?

[artist4perry]

"Nobody, and I mean nobody, puts ketchup on a hot dog." — "Dirty" Harry Callahan


Does that answer your question?

I DO. With a little mustard, some relish, some onions.............cheese...........nom, nom, nom...............

[The_Noble_Cause]

After seeing the final episode... I HOPE he fired everyone! That was the most lame ending I've seen for a show. Talk about anti-climatic. The building blows up and they drive off? That was freaking weak as hell!

Gotta say, in all my years of TV watching, I have never seen a TV show suffer such a rapid metoric fall from grace. Even LOST and Battlestar Galactica managed to string audiences along for a couple solid seasons. TWD couldn't even keep their shit tight for SIX measily epsiodes. What a letdown.

[Peartree12249]

Zombie mayhem, underlying plot line, so far the zombies are still ahead! I root for the zombies! They just want to be loved? Don't we all? All they ask for is a little brain..........arm.........leg.............spleen,.............now is that too much to ask? Snicker..........not a reality show for sure. Gotta love impossible situations! We watch faithfully every week!

Will the white supremacist be reunited with his hand? Will he become a zombie? Will his ordeal make him ready to sing love and harmony with all the other living folks of different diverse backgrounds? Tune in next week to see if he becomes an snack or gains a new nickname of Stubby.

[artist4perry]

Zombie mayhem, underlying plot line, so far the zombies are still ahead! I root for the zombies! They just want to be loved? Don't we all? All they ask for is a little brain..........arm.........leg.............spleen,.............now is that too much to ask? Snicker..........not a reality show for sure. Gotta love impossible situations! We watch faithfully every week!

Will the white supremacist be reunited with his hand? Will he become a zombie? Will his ordeal make him ready to sing love and harmony with all the other living folks of different diverse backgrounds? Tune in next week to see if he becomes an snack or gains a new nickname of Stubby.

I have been making ornaments for the art show...........tooooooooooo.........long! LOL! One more Christmas Jingle and I will sna...........too late! No more Brains!

[verslibre]

After seeing the final episode... I HOPE he fired everyone! That was the most lame ending I've seen for a show. Talk about anti-climatic. The building blows up and they drive off? That was freaking weak as hell!

Gotta say, in all my years of TV watching, I have never seen a TV show suffer such a rapid metoric fall from grace. Even LOST and Battlestar Galactica managed to string audiences along for a couple solid seasons. TWD couldn't even keep their shit tight for SIX measily epsiodes. What a letdown.

Wow, what were you expecting?

I see this six-episode half-season as a six-hour prologue for everything else to come.

BSG was not perfect and was a GREAT series, but it definitely had dud episodes.

And LOST...that word describes any soul that chose to keep watching that overrated pile of crud after the pilot. What a convoluted mess.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Wow, what were you expecting?

How about more than two episodes that don't suck? Is that really too much too ask?

I see this six-episode half-season as a six-hour prologue for everything else to come.

Sounds like you still have faith that the writers know what they're doing. I don't. Glad you enjoyed it.

BSG was not perfect and was a GREAT series, but it definitely had dud episodes.

Over the course of a regular TV season that is to be expected and even understood. Over the course of six episodes, it is just incompetence.

[verslibre]

You thought TWD blew that hard? Wow, you're like, the hardest critic EV-ARRGHH!!!! [/zombie groan]

Even people that are lukewarm about it still liked the first two episodes, and the last one. It's the "camp" episodes that most viewers seemed to have an issue with. Not all people are keen on dialogue and characterization. The show didn't have enough blood 'n' guts for some folks, I reck'n.

Still, it kicked ass for AMC, ratingswise. The last ep garnered the highest of the six. The second season can't get here soon enough.

[RedWingFan]

Following up on this. I really liked Season 2 too. Here's thoughts from Frank Darabont on plans he had for the series. Think this would have been a great episode too.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52526

Dear Eric,

Sure, I’ll confirm that storyline. Why not? Big caveat here though:

CraveOnline is much mistaken in saying this was for a “web series.” This was never meant as a web gimmick, this was intended for use in the actual TV series. I wanted to kick off the 2nd season with the flashback episode Sam describes, which would have followed a squad of Army Rangers getting trapped in the city and trying to survive as Atlanta falls. 



The idea was to do this with a very focused “you are there” documentary feel. Not going all shaky-cam, but still making it a bit rawer and grainier than the rest of the show. We’d start with a squad of maybe seven or eight soldiers being dropped into the city by chopper. They have map coordinates they need to get to; they’ve been told to report to a certain place to provide reinforcement. It’s not a special mission, it’s basically a housekeeping measure putting more boots on the ground to reinforce key intersections and installations throughout the city. And we follow this group from the moment the copter sets them down. All they have to do is travel maybe a dozen blocks, a simple journey, but what starts as a no-brainer scenario goes from “the city is being secured” to “holy shit, we’ve lost control, the world is ending.” Our squad gets blocked at every turn and are soon just trying to survive. I wanted to do a really tense, character-driven ensemble story as communications break down, supply lines are lost, escape routes are cut off, morale falls apart, leadership unravels, mutinies heat up, etc. (Yes, this approach owes a spiritual debt to a number of great films, including Walter Hill’s Southern Comfort.)

Along the way, I thought we could briefly dovetail this story with a few established characters from the show. Not to overdo that, mind you, because it could get silly and too coincidental if you load too much into that idea. But I thought it would be great to veer off on a quick narrative detour that brushes our soldiers briefly up against some people we know. Picture our squad arriving at a manned barricade where some civilians are being held back from leaving the city on shoot-to-kill orders to stop the spread of contagion, it’s a panicked high-intensity scene, and in this crowd of desperate people we find Andrea and Amy. The barricade gunners panic, the civilians start to get mowed down by machine gun fire, and in this melee the girls get pulled to safety by some old guy they don’t even know. It’s Dale. He’s nobody to them, just some guy who saw the opportunity to do the right thing and reacted in the moment. This would have been perhaps a minute or two of the episode, just a cool detour like the various outposts the soldiers encounter in Saving Private Ryan, but we would have witnessed the moment that Dale meets Andrea and Amy, seen where that relationship began. I also felt it would be a great way to get Emma Bell back into the series for a moment, because she was so wonderful and we were all so sorry that her character died and she had to leave the show. (Of course if this “brush with established characters” idea didn’t work in the script stage, I’d have tossed it out. You try a lot of ideas like that as you go, see how they play. But I thought this one stood a pretty good chance of being engineered to work well.) 



So the story follows these soldiers through hell as the city falls apart and the squad implodes, with Sam’s soldier being the main character and the moral center of the group. He becomes the last survivor of the squad, and he finally gets to the map coordinates they’ve been trying to get to from the start: it’s the barricade at the Atlanta courthouse intersection from the pilot where Rick later finds the tank. The soldier is still alive when he gets there, but he’s been bitten. He’s accomplished his “simple” mission, but he’s gone through seven kinds of hell to do it (including being forced to frag his squad leader), and now he’s dying. And he crawls off into the tank just to get off the street and under cover. As his fever builds and the poor guy starts to hallucinate, he pulls his last grenade and considers ending his life. He sets the grenade down on that shelf for a moment to reflect on all the shit and misery that brought him to this sad end-point of his life, and to dredge up the courage to pull the pin...but before he can act, the fever burns him out and he dies. 



The kicker comes in the last moments of this episode:



After the soldier dies this squalid, lonely death...and after a quiet lapse of time...we do a shot-for-shot reprise from the first episode of the first season: Rick comes scrambling into the tank to escape the horde...blows that zombie soldier’s brains out...now Rick’s trapped...fade out...the end.



The notion was to take the “throwaway” tank zombie Rick encountered in the pilot, and tell that soldier’s story. Make him the star of his own movie, follow his journey, but don’t reveal who he is until the end. The idea being that every zombie has a story, every undead extra was once a human being with a life of his/her own...was, in a sense, the star of his own life’s movie. And we’ve followed this one particular guy and seen how his life ended; we witness his struggles, see his good intentions and his failures, and we experience his godawful death in this tank. That’s why I cast Sam as that tank zombie in the first place instead of just casting some extra. I had this story in mind while filming the pilot, and I knew I’d need a superb actor to play that soldier when the time came.



And then starting with Episode 202, we’d be back with Rick’s group and back in step with the flow of the established story from last season.

I always had in mind to throw in a “wild-card” episode every season, maybe as a season opener or closer. Just a separate story more in the feel of an anthology series, one that appears completely off the track of the regular series but actually does wind up tying in somehow by the fade-out. They did that sort of thing on LOST on occasion, and I really respected it. It always seemed like a bold choice that trusted the audience and rewarded their loyalty with a totally unexpected surprise episode every so often.

That’s it from me. I hope things are well on your end.

Best,

Frank

[jestor92]

I've only seen the first 6 episodes on Netflix and it was a solid show. I can't wait until they put the 2nd season on Netflix