does FC like "The Walking Dead" on AMC?

[Deadshort480]

Ugh, this whole post is with a iPhone, so please excuse the spelling.

One of the issues I have is that I read the graphic novels and I find them more realistic in the sense of a zombie apocalypse. While there are moments of true emotion, it is more about the tasks at hand. At the forefront of those tasks is survival, by any means necessary. The show is afraid to go where the graphic novel goes because of viewer sensitivity. This detracts from the overall story and they have to make too many changes in an attempt to make up for that. Tyrese is a prime example. If Tyrese becomes the powerhouse he was in the comic it's going to be strange. This guy was all calm and quiet before, but becomes suddenly changed. That would be weak. If the writers just follow a cue from the comic that would be easy to do, but I don't know what the hell they are doing most of the time.

The show is written like a friggin soap opera now and it is starting to get on my nerves. Carl's character seems to be the only one who understands the urgency of the lives they live now. Carl shooting that kid was the most realistic and best part of the episode for me. In that moment Carl let everything go and understood that this is the way if the world now. Everyone else seems to be hanging on to the past as if things are going to go back to normal. Since Carl is so young, he doesn't have a whole lot of normal to remember and dwell on. This anarchy is Carl's new life and he understands that. Michonne may be the only other character that understands this. In the comic, everyone seems to understand this.

The reason there is a rush is because this is TV. When shit gets slow and repetitive people stop watching. You need to keep the viewer interested. We're talking about a friggin zombie apocalypse, this isn't Little House on the Prairie. there needs to be substance and character progression. Right now, this show is losing me because stick figures in a flip book have more character progression. These charqcters in the show just aren't believable to me. The reason shows like Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Game of Thrones, and Boardwalk Empire keep people interested and coming back is because the plot lines and characters are believable. I want to know more about the characters in these shows. Things that are pertinent to the storyline actually happens in these shows. I don't give as hit if Glenn wants to marry Maggie. There is a guy out there that wants to feed your head to a zombie and you are cutting engagement rings off of walkers. Give me a god damn break!

What happened in the Walking Dead last night that had any importsnce to the core group? Andrea dying? She hasn't been an integral part of the group for an entire season. I was glad when she died. Her character was an annoyance. Milton dying? Who gives a shit? He wasn't an important character at all. So the Gov killed all his people. Big deal. It was either going to be him, the group, or walkers in the long run. The Governor as a major threat still? It's going to get old. They have to have new things happen. If the Gov just becomes the group's arch nemesis, how far can they actually go with that? They aren't even moving along plot lines of the individual characters. Besides the shitty story between Glenn and Maggie, nothing else has happened. Why haven't Darryl and Carol gotten together? What's with the looks that Herschel's daughter gives Carl? Why should I even care about whether any of these characters live or die when the story never makes me interested in them?

Can we talk about this nonsense of bringing like 20 elderly and children back to the prison? Why? Why introduce more characters that aren't going to matter? Are they just setting up another slaughter that won't matter? Like I said, what is making me want to watch again in October? Not a damn thing. They could have done any if a million different things to leave us with a cliffhanger making the viewer say, "Holy shit, I can't wait for October!". Instead, I just don't care.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Well, I would say that what happened with Carl is important to the core group. And Rick's reaction to Carl's actions you could say was also important.

"This isn't Little House on the Prairie."

I guess I think there is substance and character progression? And I guess I am still interested? Guess we have to agree to disagree on that front. And to me, what's interesting is that even though it is a zombie apocalypse, the show tries to tell a smaller story within that chaos. That's not to say I wouldn't mind a bigger story in the future...

I do think Milton's death was very important, considering what a decent man he was and what he had to offer the "New World." Maybe not the "core" group, but isn't part of the enjoyment the fact that there can be so many characters to think about? I could phrase that better, but I'm too vaked to right now, but I think you know what I mean. But I definitely agree that they did not spent as much time on the core group as they probably should have. Maybe the show is going to get much bigger next season and they're laying the groundwork? I don't know.

I will agree that Glenn and Maggie get annoying. They could be cut and I wouldn't be too upset about it! I also agree that the death of Andrea may not have been as important as the writers and producers were hoping for.

As far as the Governor goes, I don't think he will be a story they go to again and again, but I see him more popping up as an "x factor" when they're not expecting it. I think there will be plenty of other "devils" they will have to face beside the Governor.

I actually thought bringing the elderly and children back with them was kind of sweet. The wisdom of the elderly and the innocence of children might be just what the group needs to get out of the funk that the prison has them in...

The ending definitely wasn't a "holy shit, what is going to happen next!" but... isn't that a little cliché? I mean, it CAN be cool, but at the same time, I grow weary of a show following a pattern, particularly when it is a cliffhanger. It's been done. I think they were more interested in completing a story arc, and laying a little groundwork. Not an ending for everyone, but... sometimes less is more, right? I was actually impressed that they didn't do a typical cliffhanger, but instead left you wondering what the point of it all is supposed to be, and not just wondering what is going to happen NEXT. I know that if all I care about is what happens next, I often lose sight of the importance of what has happened up until that point.

 

[Deadshort480]

What really did happen this season though? Think about where and how they started and where and how they ended. In the end, all they have now is more mouths to feed without the food to do it. They didn't really lose anyone besides Axel. They gained Michonne, which is huge.

It would be extremely smart of the writers to have the Gov disappear for like two season and then have him come back, out of nowhere, in the middle of an episode, in the middle of a season, with a crazy vengeance.

Most characters on this show really seem like they are there to be killed off eventually because they just never really convince the viewer to care. I say most because there are exceptions like Shane, Dale, and Laurie. I would have cared about Andrea's death at one point, but her character really became idiotic. She was making stupid decisions when, earlier in the show's history, she was a strong and intelligent character. The writers kind of turned her into a bimbo and that made me not care. Actually, it made me want her character to be killed off. Right now, everyone is just there. It's hard to describe, but it feels like they are just seat fillers. Herschel used to have a voice. Carol started to become a strong person, but they never pursued that. Herschel's other daughter has had about ten lines of dialogue this season besides her singing. She is so forgettable that I have to refer to her as Herschel's other daughter because I have no reason to remember her name. Rick became looney as a fuckin tune and fell so far out of character that I was actually telling my wife at one point that I hoped they would do something really drastic by killing him off. Glenn and Maggie are Glenn and Maggie. They should kill Maggie off and turn Glenn into a shell of a man. That would make for good TV. I did not care about one person in Woodbury. They were mostly nameless faceless extras. They could have really done something with Milton, but didn't. They could have really done something with Martinez (hoping they still will!), but they didn't. When it came to the Governor, I just wanted to see him get what was coming to him. I wanted to see Michonne do what she really could have done to him, but it never happened because it would have been too extreme for television. As I said earlier, Carl and Michonne are the only two I really care about at this point because they are actually developing as characters.

The cliffhanger didn't have to be something drastic or cliche. Rick lined up in a scope, walkers crashing over a prison gate, or showing a group shot of the new people and zooming in on one shifty eye member all would have been too cliche. There are other options. Carl pinning the star on his chest, a train whistle in the distance, a massive horde of woodland creatures appearing as though they are fleeing from something, a faint voice crackling over a radio, Herschel's other daughter coming out all panicky with the baby and saying "something's wrong!". Just something, anything, instead of a god damn fade to black. As far as I'm concerned, that's a wrap up to an entire series, not a season. They saved all the townspeople and lived happily ever after. Fade to black...

 

[Nbajunkie]

Why is Darryl still alive? nothing against him but with Merhle dead I think that gives him character closure.He was a made up character after all. And then they could truly introduce Tyrese as a true badass,cliche? no because its the right thing to do, damnit! not run a daycare/nursing home out of the prison...

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

What happened this season? Well, as you said, Rick went looney, but seems to be getting better now. Carl went looney, and seems to be getting worse. The Governor was introduced. Michonne became a major figure. Merle returned and died. Tyrese was introduced (though probably underused), the whole prison inmate storyline unfolded, and... we got to hear "Herchel's other daughter" sing twice!

I agree that the Governor should disappear for a while and just show up suddenly once you've forgotten about him.

And in all fairness, they faded to black on a crooked cross that was probably Lori's grave. What does that mean? But yeah, you could say it was something of a series finale, not just a season. But, at the same time, that leaves the next season open to just about anything. Maybe that is the idea? The end of one story and beginning of another?

And... if nothing else, that "season" finale sure has got you thinking a lot about the show! Maybe if you watch the season again, knowing what happens, then you will appreciate the smaller details this season had to offer? I think this season's fault was that it may have just been TOO subtle at times, and not subtle enough at others...

And then they could truly introduce Tyrese as a true badass,cliche? no because its the right thing to do, damnit! not run a daycare/nursing home out of the prison...

... Awesome thoughts here, guys! I love that this show is making people react so passionately!

 

[Deadshort480]

Darryl is a fan fave. I read something before this latest season about them thinking about killing off his character. I think it would make for great TV, then you have people like my wife that says she would probably stop watching if they killed off Darryl. In their minds they see no reason to kill him off. I think they would have plenty of reason to keep him around. The attraction between him and Carol could be pursued. They hint at enough! They could even have Darryl take the reins as leader. Imagine Darryl becoming the leader, his story is front and center, he and Carol begin a romance, he fucks up in his leadership role and Carol dies because of it, Darryl now becomes the guy who will sacrifice himself every time because he has nothing else to live for, traveling a path that basically turns him into an even sadder version of the brother he couldn't save.

They could have Darryl leave the group and hunt down the Governor. That could be an amazing subplot.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Darryl is a fan fave. I read something before this latest season about them thinking about killing off his character. I think it would make for great TV, then you have people like my wife that says she would probably stop watching if they killed off Darryl. In their minds they see no reason to kill him off. I think they would have plenty of reason to keep him around. The attraction between him and Carol could be pursued. They hint at enough! They could even have Darryl take the reins as leader. Imagine Darryl becoming the leader, his story is front and center, he and Carol begin a romance, he fucks up in his leadership role and Carol dies because of it, Darryl now becomes the guy who will sacrifice himself every time because he has nothing else to live for, traveling a path that basically turns him into an even sadder version of the brother he couldn't save.

They could have Darryl leave the group and hunt down the Governor. That could be an amazing subplot.

I would REALLY like to see more of Darryl's and Merle's relationship before the apocalypse started. But then I fear this show might become too much like Lost, where every other episode seemed to have more and more flashbacks and it kinda got old. I guess that's a good question - how much do you want to know about a character's history to appreciate who he or she is on the show in the present?

 

[Buildozer]

Andrea RIP .. what a lazy written finale IMO.. what i have read of the comics are awesome.. its much more short spoken and no less clear.. if anything more clear... which saves time for the whole point.. oh ya zombie situation happening hah

 

[Deadshort480]

I usually watch every episode multiple times because they do make a lot of nods to the comic that go unnoticed. There hasn't been a whole lot of subtle details that I've caught. In all honesty, this season just wasn't all that thought provoking and as I said, from the beginning of season to the end, nothing really drastic happened. In the end, they now just have more mouths to feed. They are in the same place with the same people +1 major and a bunch of extras. The whole season just for that? It was like watching a movie and finding out at the end it's all a dream. It's bullshit, it's filler, it's a way of telling a story without ever having a real ending.

The only reason the finale has me thinking about the show was because it sucked and I like to bitch about sucky things. I am definitely not speaking about it because it was thought provoking, exciting, or interesting. They really should have just followed the comic story line and added a few things here and there. The CDC was never in the comic and that entire part of the plot was awesome. From little hope, to hope, to joy, to despair, to no hope, to back on the run with more information and wisdom than they had before. Storyline and character progression at an excellent pace.

 

[Deadshort480]

I would REALLY like to see more of Darryl's and Merle's relationship before the apocalypse started. But then I fear this show might become too much like Lost, where every other episode seemed to have more and more flashbacks and it kinda got old. I guess that's a good question - how much do you want to know about a character's history to appreciate who he or she is on the show in the present?

See, in Lost I thought that the almost endless flashbacks were necessary and quite ingenious when it came to character development and plot progression. One cannot compare Lost and Walking Dead though. For a good portion of time on Lost they were just people stranded on an island. This made for plenty if time for character development and flashbacks. In Walking Dead there is a sense of urgency at all times because of so many reasons. Lack of food and water, lack of ammo, overabundance of walkers, and general mistrust of outsiders. Things have to happen fast because it is the most dire of situations. Flashbacks have been limited to things that happened either right before, right at the beginning, or during this apocalypse. It is more suitable for these characters to share with each other the stories of their pasts rather than just show the viewers through flashbacks. I really, really hope they never decide to make use of flashbacks. I think it would definitely detract from the characters bonding with each other.

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

I usually watch every episode multiple times because they do make a lot of nods to the comic that go unnoticed. There hasn't been a whole lot of subtle details that I've caught. In all honesty, this season just wasn't all that thought provoking and as I said, from the beginning of season to the end, nothing really drastic happened. In the end, they now just have more mouths to feed. They are in the same place with the same people +1 major and a bunch of extras. The whole season just for that? It was like watching a movie and finding out at the end it's all a dream. It's bullshit, it's filler, it's a way of telling a story without ever having a real ending.

The only reason the finale has me thinking about the show was because it sucked and I like to bitch about sucky things. I am definitely not speaking about it because it was thought provoking, exciting, or interesting. They really should have just followed the comic story line and added a few things here and there. The CDC was never in the comic and that entire part of the plot was awesome. From little hope, to hope, to joy, to despair, to no hope, to back on the run with more information and wisdom than they had before. Storyline and character progression at an excellent pace.

I guess we just fundamentally disagree on this one. I feel like I've enjoyed the season, seen major character development, been on the edge of my seat, and am quite excited to see more. Not having read the comic, I don't have any other rendition to compare it to, and perhaps that makes a difference.

And if I had a dime for every time I heard someone say they didn't like something because "it wasn't like the comic..."

Also, I think there's a big difference from watching an episode multiple times and watching a small series of episodes together. Little things you might forget, might not notice, make more sense when seeing groups of episodes together. Not preachin', just sayin'!

For example, does anyone remember that the season premiere started with a zoom out from a zombie's eye, and the season finale started with a zoom out from the Governor's eye? Small detail, maybe bad example.... but I just noticed that tonight!

In Walking Dead there is a sense of urgency at all times because of so many reasons. Lack of food and water, lack of ammo, overabundance of walkers, and general mistrust of outsiders. Things have to happen fast because it is the most dire of situations.

Isn't this almost exactly the situation the people in Lost were dealing with? Just replaces "walkers" with "monsters."

It is more suitable for these characters to share with each other the stories of their pasts rather than just show the viewers through flashbacks. I really, really hope they never decide to make use of flashbacks. I think it would definitely detract from the characters bonding with each other.

A very good point. But aren't there a lot of things that the characters wouldn't be willing to talk about? Events that have greatly shaped their character? Events that they could only show as a thought in the character's head?

 

[mrboote]

I enjoy zombie stuff, so I will continue to watch even though it's constantly slightly disappointing.

The authors of the comic stated in a an interview that the title referred to the protagonists (deep right). Boy howdy, are they ever dead from the neck up!
Why don't they live in a two story house and cut the staircase out? Pull the ladder up behind you and no zombie can get you. When that deus ex machina plot furthering hoard slowly and loudly attacks, have someone drive away real slow, playing the motorhead.

Yeah, all the lulls give you chances to think up shit like that, while horror movies keep the tension high enough for your brain to fully register how implausible everything is.

 

[goatgobaahh]

Regarding the cross at the end. What causes a cross to shake and the peg to fall off? Something eath shaking!

But if you guys really like this show you should probably watch breaking bad

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Anyone watching this thread who isn't here tonight... is going to wake up tomorrow and think... WTF is all THIS?!!

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

Yeah, all the lulls give you chances to think up shit like that, while horror movies keep the tension high enough for your brain to fully register how implausible everything is.

Are people disappointed in this show because it refuses to decide if it's horror or drama?

Regarding the cross at the end. What causes a cross to shake and the peg to fall off? Something eath shaking!

But if you guys really like this show you should probably watch breaking bad

So... you're saying dinosaurs have come back to life too? Hmm. Zombie dinosaurs....

And you bet your ass I watch Breaking Bad! Been a fan since the first episode aired!

 

[Buildozer]

i think the thing is that it just can't, and seems to refuse to compare to the comic.. from what i have read of them at least.. and i think that a lot of zombie fans that are disappointed, probably just want closer to the comic style than not.. or at least closer to a classic zombie movie.. summed up a little more on the character development would make me more happy anyway.. i like less talking.. it leaves more to the imagination.. i'd rather just see reactions based on the point they want to get across; instead of them talking all episode about something and showing it blow up physically in another.. they can skip the talking in that case IMO and it would be more interesting and fun to talk about

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

i think the thing is that it just can't, and seems to refuse to compare to the comic.. from what i have read of them at least.. and i think that a lot of zombie fans that are disappointed, probably just want closer to the comic style than not.. or at least closer to a classic zombie movie.. summed up a little more on the character development would make me more happy anyway.. i like less talking.. it leaves more to the imagination.. i'd rather just see reactions based on the point they want to get across; instead of them talking all episode about something and showing it blow up physically in another.. they can skip the talking in that case IMO and it would be more interesting and fun to talk about

Well why should it try to compare to the comic? They're two different mediums...

It's a good point though, with all the talking. Writers do tend to self-indulge!

 

[Buildozer]

not that it should try.. the comic has is a different vibe.. a graphic novel vs. tv show... one is a book and one is a tv show, both are story and have visual.. but TWD show seems to be more drawn out intentionally and it only hurts IMO.. maybe production costs limit it to drawn out dialogue etc. maybe it is just the writers running on hah.. either way i'm losing my enthusiasm w/ this show.. i'm not done watching yet but it better get crazy next season or else. hah

 

[Deadshort480]

No, you can't compare the situations of Lost and Walking Dead. Almost the entire first two seasons of Lost were island exploration. The smoke monster and the Others were dangers that showed up intermittently. There was enough downtime that they could really concentrate on individual characters and their back stories. Even as the story progressed there was a threat of danger and there would be moments of danger, but it never got really, really bad for everyone until those mercenaries showed up.

In WD there has been constant danger in the Walkers. That threat is everywhere. On top of that they have no readily available supply of food, water, and shelter. On top of that there is the threat of outsiders. With all these threats there is no real downtime. Anyone could die at any moment. A far, far greater sense of urgency than the situation in Lost.

The thing about the flashbacks is that the story of the Walking Dead is about these people, in this situation, at this moment. The people they were before are gone. Their pasts don't matter. This is a new life in a new world. Getting into flashbacks would defeat that. We have to see who they are from here on out, not who they were. What does it matter who they were? Those people don't exist anymore.

I've also heard that the title The Walking Dead is in reference to the living people and not the dead ones. I dint know where it originated from though.

 

[goatgobaahh]

Anyone watching this thread who isn't here tonight... is going to wake up tomorrow and think... WTF is all THIS?!!

ALLS IM SAYIN IS THIS THREAD HAS GOTS SOME PERSONALITIES!!

So... you're saying dinosaurs have come back to life too? Hmm. Zombie dinosaurs....

And you bet your ass I watch Breaking Bad! Been a fan since the first episode aired!

Good because if you weren't...well...you'd have a THE BEST show to occupy you for a week or two!

ps: I actually love both shows, although I feel the walking dead season 1 is what this show could've been. I mean seriously go back watch ANY season 1 episode. Then try to watch anything that airs today. HUGE difference in writing (did anything happen?)

 

[Buildozer]

.....ps: I actually love both shows, although I feel the walking dead season 1 is what this show could've been. I mean seriously go back watch ANY season 1 episode. Then try to watch anything that airs today. HUGE difference in writing (did anything happen?)

no doubt.. season 1 had me riled up. and it just slowed down so much that one or two episodes a season keep me around now..

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

'

Their pasts don't matter. This is a new life in a new world. Getting into flashbacks would defeat that. We have to see who they are from here on out, not who they were. What does it matter who they were? Those people don't exist anymore.

I don't think it would defeat it at all. Who they were makes what they are now all the more meaningful and symbolic, in my opinion. To go back to Breaking Bad for a moment, just because Walter has become Heisenberg, does that make his former self a moot point? Absolutely not. It only adds to the effect. Not a perfect comparison, but either way, I don't think the people they were are gone, just as I don't think the people the zombies were are gone.... but... that's a whole other thing... But to say "here's a bunch of characters whose pasts don't matter..." I don't think it flies...

"We may be through with the past, but the past ain't through with us."

I don't really agree with your Lost interpretation, but... that's for another thread!

EDIT:

ps: I actually love both shows, although I feel the walking dead season 1 is what this show could've been. I mean seriously go back watch ANY season 1 episode. Then try to watch anything that airs today. HUGE difference in writing (did anything happen?)

That's weird 'cause I thought the show was pretty heavy-handed in the 1st season and it seemed to me more of a novelty than anything else...

 

[Deadshort480]

I know you want keep comparing TWD to other shows, but it doesn't work. Comparing a story about the near end of mankind and a group of survivors to a show about a normal guy becoming a meth king is no comparison at all. In this show, they deliberately do not venture into the character's pasts because their pasts do not matter. If it was any other way they would have already delved into histories. They don't because it is not significant to what is happening now. There is already not enough happening, how would taking away 15 minutes of that to show a flashback of one of the good times between Darryl and Merle or a fight between Rick and Laurie going to add to anything that is happening while trying to survive being killed by walkers and insane people?

 

[EveryDayAmnesiac]

There is already not enough happening, how would taking away 15 minutes of that to show a flashback of one of the good times between Darryl and Merle or a fight between Rick and Laurie going to add to anything that is happening while trying to survive being killed by walkers and insane people?

Well, I would probably want something more meaningful than that...

I admit, my comparison was weak, but ... is a normal guy becoming a meth king really that much different from a normal people becoming survivors of a zombie apocalypse? They're both pretty out there, and involve radical changes in character... ultimately, I don't think their pasts are unimportant to the world they're living in. Their past is what is going to haunt the decisions they have to make in the present. Their past is what, I think, ultimately going to make what they have become meaningful. And I find that more interesting than another zombie attack. Just my .

 

[Deadshort480]

is a normal guy becoming a meth king really that much different from a normal people becoming survivors of a zombie apocalypse?

Really?

I know that sarcasm is very hard to pick up in written word so I have to ask if you're serious.