The Walking Dead -- TV Series Thread

[Swaggs]

I think this has been a good season overall, but I think they missed some really good opportunities with the prison. Two of the best "WTF" moments from the graphic novel are set in the prison and they have basically burned their opportunities with low-yield, short-term type of stuff (in my opinion). I think they rushed through the prison a little too quickly and never made it feel like "home."

Two WTF moments (GN Spoilers):

Spoiler

Thomas, the nerdy serial killer posing as a white collar criminal.

Tyrese's daughter and her boyfriend committing suicide, revealing to Rick that all (non brain destroying) deaths turn into walkers. And the resulting pilgrimage back to visit Shane's buried body.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by stevew

They should never have introduced Axel, Oscar, Tyrese and even Michonne if they were just going to marginalize them.

I think this is probably the right answer.

To this point, the only purposes Michonne has really served was to get Andrea out of her jam & to (re)introduce walkers as camo. Otherwise she's basically a drone with a cool sword.

That might all have been better served by using Star Trek redshirt to do at least the former, with the idea of walkers as cover being "discovered" by a regular character (or even a random character) based on the use of walker guts as cover in Season 1.

It's not the same universe & these are not the same characters, I get that ... but to this point all they've really done with them is to create an opportunity for real-world issues about the dopplegangers.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I think this has been a good season overall, but I think they missed some really good opportunities with the prison. Two of the best "WTF" moments from the graphic novel are set in the prison and they have basically burned their opportunities with low-yield, short-term type of stuff (in my opinion). I think they rushed through the prison a little too quickly and never made it feel like "home."

I had been confusing Axel with Thomas, so I experienced a lot of tense anticipation watching his scenes. All for naught, of course.

[Swaggs]

I dunno -- I think the Walking Dead universe is pretty conducive with letting some characters stick in the background for awhile and then step up when the storyline/opportunity allows for it.

[dave731]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

They learned this trick from Lost...

I was thinking the same thing...lol

[JediKooter]

Looks like the show will have a new show runner for season 4. After AMC and Darabount couldn't get along, the guy after him seems to have run up against the same wall with AMC and is out.

[Bad-example]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

Looks like the show will have a new show runner for season 4. After AMC and Darabount couldn't get along, the guy after him seems to have run up against the same wall with AMC and is out.

Any truth to the rumor the guy started talking about his personal life and was immediately fired?

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

Any truth to the rumor the guy started talking about his personal life and was immediately fired?

I didn't see that mentioned in the article I read.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

Any truth to the rumor the guy started talking about his personal life and was immediately fired?

Talking about his personal life where?

[Bad-example]

I just thought it was company policy to fire expendable employees when they start to show some back story...probably shouldn't post when I'm drinking.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

Looks like the show will have a new show runner for season 4. After AMC and Darabount couldn't get along, the guy after him seems to have run up against the same wall with AMC and is out.

More & more accounts seem to indicate the tensions aren't between AMC & the showrunners but instead are between Kirkman and the showrunners.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by JonInMiddleGA

More & more accounts seem to indicate the tensions aren't between AMC & the showrunners but instead are between Kirkman and the showrunners.

That very well could be it and would not surprise me at all. "AMC" could just be the generic catch all for "Kirkman" and they don't want to air out too much dirty laundry.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Bad-example

I just thought it was company policy to fire expendable employees when they start to show some back story...probably shouldn't post when I'm drinking.

I thought it was funny.

[stevew]

Ultimately it's Kirkman's characters and reputation at stake. I heard some theory that there was some decision making by Mazarra that just pushed the powers that be over the edge. I wonder if he made some decision and then got into fuck you creative control mode.

And this is all old news about the showrunner, right? Nothing new has happened in the last couple days?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by stevew

I thought it was funny.

Me too!

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by stevew

Ultimately it's Kirkman's characters and reputation at stake. I heard some theory that there was some decision making by Mazarra that just pushed the powers that be over the edge. I wonder if he made some decision and then got into fuck you creative control mode.

And this is all old news about the showrunner, right? Nothing new has happened in the last couple days?

I think so. I think the news about Mazarra came down a while ago.

Everyone fretted when Darabount left and the show was fine. Hopefully, the same will be true regarding Mazarra's departure.

If AMC is truly just dicking around it's most popular show ever, just to dick around with it, they are pretty silly.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

I think so. I think the news about Mazarra came down a while ago.

It was announced pretty early after the midseason break started.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by stevew

And this is all old news about the showrunner, right? Nothing new has happened in the last couple days?

Yesterday was the confirmation of his replacement, as well as the promotion of two others to executive producer status.

New York – February 27, 2013 – AMC announced today that the cast and crew of “The Walking Dead” return to Atlanta, Georgia on Monday, May 6th to begin production on season four. AMC also confirms Scott M. Gimple as showrunner and executive producer for the series’ fourth season to premiere in October with 16 episodes. Gimple has been on the show’s writing staff since season two. Co-Executive Producer, Emmy® Award-winning Special Effects Makeup Supervisor and Director Greg Nicotero and Producer Tom Luse have also been elevated to executive producers.

[JonInMiddleGA]

No comment.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Except maybe to say that the writer of this week's episode is the guy named as the show-runner.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Almost on cue perhaps, Michonne uses a different voice than we've heard in previous episodes & maybe begins the transformation into a meaningful character.

Or not.

edit to add: A couple of nice touches (especially the final scene) but tbh I'm feeling a bit bludgeoned by the point that it's a hard changed world.

[Swaggs]

I liked this one -- it flew by for me.

Good contrast between Rick/Carl and Morgan/Duane. Some good tension (I thought getting "trapped" in the car was kind of a good scene (compared to how the situation may have played out just after the outbreak) and I really liked the bookend scenes with the backpacked traveler.

[PackerFanatic]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I liked this one -- it flew by for me.

Good contrast between Rick/Carl and Morgan/Duane. Some good tension (I thought getting "trapped" in the car was kind of a good scene (compared to how the situation may have played out just after the outbreak) and I really liked the bookend scenes with the backpacked traveler.

Agreed - I really liked the stuff with Michonne and Carl and it finally showed something from both of them. A great, great episode...and holy crap, the rest of this season is gonna be nuts...

[hoopsguy]

Yep, was pleased with this episode in terms of a "not core plot" one. Thought there was meaningful plot development from each of the three characters. Getting a chance to narrow in on three players instead of serving a cast of ... well, I guess dozens ... certainly helps that cause.

Also enjoyed the level of detail that went into Morgan's quarters and the town. Definitely helped create a creepy atmosphere that was different than most of the other city scenes over the past three seasons.

[stevew]

Let's see

No governor, no andrea, michonne has words....suddenly it's a fantastic episode.

[stevew]

Kudos to whomever called them spoiling Morgan's return in the opening credits. That was groan worthy.

[Radii]

Huh, I expected a bit more gushing praise here I think! I think that may be my favorite episode of Walking Dead ever. That was an absolutely brilliant hour of television by any standard. The defense Morgan had put together to survive was simply awesome, the dialogue in the episode was gripping and moving, the scenes with Michonne and Carl were entertaining, tense, and meaningful. Michonne all of a sudden has a couple solid one liners for comic relief ("hey, the mat said welcome"). Morgan describing how his son died, and how he didn't have it in him to kill his wife as a walker, his despair about the state of the world... just an incredible scene.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Radii

Huh, I expected a bit more gushing praise here I think! I think that may be my favorite episode of Walking Dead ever. That was an absolutely brilliant hour of television by any standard. The defense Morgan had put together to survive was simply awesome, the dialogue in the episode was gripping and moving, the scenes with Michonne and Carl were entertaining, tense, and meaningful. Michonne all of a sudden has a couple solid one liners for comic relief ("hey, the mat said welcome"). Morgan describing how his son died, and how he didn't have it in him to kill his wife as a walker, his despair about the state of the world... just an incredible scene.

agreed with all of this

Next week's episode, with a healthy dose of the Governor and Andrea will probably be a giant turdball

[stevew]

Didn't catch the "Erin we tried for Stone Mountain -J" sign and the one walker that had the "Erin" name bracelet. Neat detail.

[Chief Rum]

Was I the only one, when Carl started to go off on his own again, that groaned, "Shit, 2nd Season Carl is back...grrr"

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Was I the only one, when Carl started to go off on his own again, that groaned, "Shit, 2nd Season Carl is back...grrr"

No, you were not alone on that.

[Blackadar]

Originally Posted by Radii

Huh, I expected a bit more gushing praise here I think! I think that may be my favorite episode of Walking Dead ever. That was an absolutely brilliant hour of television by any standard. The defense Morgan had put together to survive was simply awesome, the dialogue in the episode was gripping and moving, the scenes with Michonne and Carl were entertaining, tense, and meaningful. Michonne all of a sudden has a couple solid one liners for comic relief ("hey, the mat said welcome"). Morgan describing how his son died, and how he didn't have it in him to kill his wife as a walker, his despair about the state of the world... just an incredible scene.

I entirely agree.

Morgan remains my favorite character to ever be on the show - Lennie James has been brilliant with that limited role. You can't help but feel for his character and I wish he was on there full-time. Two of the best episodes are the two he was in and that's not a coincidence.

Combine Morgan's return with Michonne and Carl turning into Actual Fucking People and the episode bloomed into something awesome. Plus, Rick looks like he's come back to the world of the sane and that helps - having the main character go off the deep end didn't help the show.

I noticed the Erin thing - nice touch.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Was I the only one, when Carl started to go off on his own again, that groaned, "Shit, 2nd Season Carl is back...grrr"

I had a slight twinge of that, but not too much. The motivation was totally different. This wasn't "Carl as a bored kid just wandering around to see what the world is like and create some plot contrivance." This was Carl trying to take some responsibility for his sister and his attempt to deal with what happened to his mother, knowing full well that his father isn't in a place to do it. He certainly was feeling more competent than he actually is/was, but I found it to be a pretty good slice of the character and it showed some growth, as opposed to just being some random walk about.

Definitely hoping Michonne starts to open up more. It was a really nice change.

Morgan's traps were pretty eingenious. I am not sure if I have really seen their like before.

The bookend with the backpacker was great.

[chinaski]

Just brilliant. Loved every second of it. I think this gives us fans of the novel hope for what is too, finally, come of Michone.

[JediKooter]

Pretty good episode and it did fly by like it was only 20 minutes. I like how it ended with them backing up and picking up the backpack. Tough, cold, cruel world.

[Draft Dodger]

yeah, that was great. the only way it could have been better is if they'd accidentally run over the Governor and Andrea on the way home

[Jas_lov]

This episode is what the show should be, traveling around to different cities and meeting different people. The show drags when they get stationary like at the farm and now in the prison. Wrap up the Governor storyline, have a war at the prison and get back on the road.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by Radii

Huh, I expected a bit more gushing praise here I think! I think that may be my favorite episode of Walking Dead ever. That was an absolutely brilliant hour of television by any standard. The defense Morgan had put together to survive was simply awesome, the dialogue in the episode was gripping and moving, the scenes with Michonne and Carl were entertaining, tense, and meaningful. Michonne all of a sudden has a couple solid one liners for comic relief ("hey, the mat said welcome"). Morgan describing how his son died, and how he didn't have it in him to kill his wife as a walker, his despair about the state of the world... just an incredible scene.

Agreed, but gotta be honest here. It was the guy playing Morgan (Lennie James) that made this episode. Not sure those lines could have been pulled off with your standard actor and this episode would have been average without his intense delivery of that dialouge. Gotta be one of my favorite TV actors since seeing him in Jericho years ago. Other than that, yes, it is nice to actually see Michonne and Carl develop as a characters. Carl has actually been coming into his own way before this, but it was nice to see he and Rick still carry those pieces of humanity left despite what they went through.

[stevew]

supposedly Lennie James has a show in the works for AMC that debuts in the fall. I'm there.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Skip the "Previously On" segment just in case... you know whenever Morgan shows up again they'll spoil it by having flashbacks to episode 1 during that.

You called it.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Jas_lov

This episode is what the show should be, traveling around to different cities and meeting different people. The show drags when they get stationary like at the farm and now in the prison. Wrap up the Governor storyline, have a war at the prison and get back on the road.

Yeah, I would have been more content to have this governor nonsense if there had been another season spaced out after the farm. I feel like going back to back with stationary sets is nothing more than money saving.

[Antmeister]

Originally Posted by stevew

supposedly Lennie James has a show in the works for AMC that debuts in the fall. I'm there.

What kind of show is this? Do you have a link? Inquiring minds want to know. Well maybe at least me.

[dave731]

Originally Posted by Antmeister

What kind of show is this? Do you have a link? Inquiring minds want to know. Well maybe at least me.

Hopefully it is about surviving in a post apocalyptic world full of zombies?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Antmeister

Agreed, but gotta be honest here. It was the guy playing Morgan (Lennie James) that made this episode. Not sure those lines could have been pulled off with your standard actor and this episode would have been average without his intense delivery of that dialouge. Gotta be one of my favorite TV actors since seeing him in Jericho years ago. Other than that, yes, it is nice to actually see Michonne and Carl develop as a characters. Carl has actually been coming into his own way before this, but it was nice to see he and Rick still carry those pieces of humanity left despite what they went through.

I ended up watching this episode again last night because Lady H_B turned in early on Sunday.

Lennie James has killed it in both episodes he's been in. Absolutely killed it. He was really fantastic.

Carl has definitely one of the Most Improved Characters on television from Season 2 to Season 3.

Very glad to see Michonne finally come out of her shell and show her personality. I really hope that she continues down that path and doesn't regress back to glowering and mumbling a few words here and there. The character has some great promise.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

yeah, that was great. the only way it could have been better is if they'd accidentally run over the Governor and Andrea on the way home

I agree. Now that I think about it more, I'm not really impressed with the governor character...just another typical post apocalyptic dictator, like General Bethlehem from The Postman.

[Draft Dodger]

Originally Posted by JediKooter

I agree. Now that I think about it more, I'm not really impressed with the governor character...just another typical post apocalyptic dictator, like General Bethlehem from The Postman.

I wish shows in general would stop with the "bad-guy-that-people-think-is-really-a-good-guy" stuff. or at the very least, speed the discovery along a lot. even if you hadn't read the comic book, you KNEW he was going to be a bad guy in the end. so all these stupid, drawn-out scenes with Andrea and the Governor turn out to be sooooo fucking boring. and now we get to repeat it all over agan with the new folks. just let him complete the transformation to bad guy already.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I wish shows in general would stop with the "bad-guy-that-people-think-is-really-a-good-guy" stuff. or at the very least, speed the discovery along a lot. even if you hadn't read the comic book, you KNEW he was going to be a bad guy in the end. so all these stupid, drawn-out scenes with Andrea and the Governor turn out to be sooooo fucking boring. and now we get to repeat it all over agan with the new folks. just let him complete the transformation to bad guy already.

I think he's pretty much been a complete bad guy since the first episode we saw him. Zombie daughter in the closet, butchering the national guard unit, etc. I don't think the audience is supposed to believe that he's actually a good guy, but rather that he can be very charismatic and charming, which makes his role as The Governor all the more believable and makes him all the more menacing.

I much prefer his protrayl on the TV show, which is more subtle and believable, but as equally brutal and evil, than what he was in the comic, which was a much more transparent, mustache-twirling villain.

I think the actor has nailed the role. I found it damn creepy to see him slide back into the "good guy" governor role so easy with Tyrese and his crew, even after he had "gone off the rails."

Andrea does suck.

[JediKooter]

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

I wish shows in general would stop with the "bad-guy-that-people-think-is-really-a-good-guy" stuff. or at the very least, speed the discovery along a lot. even if you hadn't read the comic book, you KNEW he was going to be a bad guy in the end. so all these stupid, drawn-out scenes with Andrea and the Governor turn out to be sooooo fucking boring. and now we get to repeat it all over agan with the new folks. just let him complete the transformation to bad guy already.

I agree, after a couple or three episodes, we as the viewers, know that he's a bad guy. We don't need any more exposition or build up even if the characters in the show don't know yet. Don't get me wrong though, the actor that is playing the Governor, is doing an outstanding job. Just let him be a bad ass 100% of the time now, as that would throw a whole new wrinkle for everyone at Woodbury and how they try to handle it. "Well, he did organize us and protect us, but...".

But, that's me and my opinion and that's why I sit behind a keyboard and write stuff on a message board.

[chinaski]

Originally Posted by Antmeister

What kind of show is this? Do you have a link? Inquiring minds want to know. Well maybe at least me.

Info here: hxxp://www.deadline.com/tag/low-winter-sun/ and here: hxxp://www.freep.com/article/20130211/ENT03/130211043/AMC-s-Low-Winter-Sun-nets-7-5M-in-Michigan-film-incentives

[stevew]

What are the odds that (spoiler based on the fact that im not sure whether it's speculation or a true spoiler)

Spoiler

Morgan shows up and sniper kills people to save the day at the ultimate prison battle