Frank Darabont’s pilot for The Walking Dead television-adaptation was frightfully captivating. For
readers and newcomers alike, the start-up to the new zombie television
programme became one of the best examples of the sub-genre in popular
entertainment. The entire Season 1 was written and directed with fine finesse
and paved the way for a sought after saga. Season 2 still packs a few great
gory punches but horrific lagging in occasional episodes does take away some of
the taut majestic morbidity of the first season.
After the lab incident ending
Season 1, Season 2 picks after the survivors’ escape. Finding themselves on a
long stretch of road, littered with cars, lorries and motorbikes, they start
looking for supplies. The tension grows as they riffle through the boots, cargo
holds and glove compartments of each vehicle, completely oblivious to a hoard
of zombies heading their way. As the “walkers” trudge through the cars - the
group now aware and hiding in and under a few of them – you are reminded of the
magnificence of the programme. With arse-cheeks firm and perched on the end of
the seat, you are left in fear about the possibility of a getaway. As they do
manage to run away from the groaning mass, they find themselves in expansive
woodland to which one of the members disappears into. This simple narrative
strand then becomes the catalyst for the groups’ evolving experiences within
the world of the walking dead.
Looking for the little girl
Sophie, alone in the vast zombie-infested woods, is a boring and irritating
plot angle yet it does lead to the survivors finding a new family. Rick et al’s
welcoming into the Hershel Greene farm is a pivotal event in the comic series
and Season 2 tediously hangs on the minutiae of it. The dialogue and
mind-numbing exposition are enough to put many people off the programme
half-way through Season 2. One episode is almost entirely devoted to a funeral
whilst the rest of the action gets forgotten. The life on the farm is rather
dull and only some occurrences (significantly the Barn) grab your attention.
The Walking Dead is great for balancing the reality
and the escapist enjoyment of the zombie apocalypse chronicle but sadly Season
2 drones on excessively with emotional realism. It never fails to feel
authentic and the acting is always tremendous yet the show often takes itself
far too seriously. The writing may at times be a bore and a chore to watch but
the acting ensemble’s growing confidence in their portrayal of their characters
is continually appealing. Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal and Norman Reedus
(getting almost a whole episode devoted to a Rambo-style character examination)
are notable mentions - they delve deeper into their characters’ psyches with
each episode and better their performances. The new additions to the cast (the
Greene clan) do bring about a lot of drama, conflict and passion to the story
but never seem thoroughly interesting. The only exception is Lauren Cohan’s
Maggie who exudes that country-girl charm and beauty, making her presence
all-the-more desired.
Renting or buying Season 2 on
DVD/Blu-ray will mean you don’t have to experience the break from episode 7 to
8 (which when televised had a three month hiatus). There are both advantages
and disadvantages to this as the break made the end of episode 7 brilliantly
tense whilst getting the chance to immediately watch episode 8 was problematic
during air-time (the advantage being DVD/Blu-ray viewers needn’t worry). Not
only was this divide an important aspect of the scheduling, it also marked the
return of the show’s strengths. After episode 8 it becomes as wonderfully
blood-thirsty and stirring as Season 1, leaving you with an epic finale and a
craving for the next season.
The special features for the
second season is to be admired – there has been a lot of thought and care put
into the creation of the show and this extends to the bonus features. One
stand-out feature is “The Sound of the Effects” that details the intricacy of
mixing an atmospheric ambience. Never forgetting the origins of the programme,
there is also a segment on the comic book series entitled “The Ink is Alive”
which warrants a watch.
Show: ***
DVD/Blu-ray Quality: ****
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