Tag Archives: The Walking Dead

Robert Kirkman Discusses Shocking Death on The Walking Dead

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:::Warning Spoilers Ahead For the Latest Episode:::

Most fans of “The Walking Dead” are no stranger to death in the series. But even with that in mind, sometime a death is still just shocking and unbelievable. If you have read the comic books that this show is based on then you know that the death in last night’s episode occurred wayyy earlier than expected. It was an unfortunate night for everyone who watched.

I can safely say I was not prepared for the death of the fan-favorite character Dale. Dale is played by Jeffery DeMunn and he made his final appearance during the last episode. And yes, his exit was just as gruesome as you would expect from “The Walking Dead.” In case you missed it and need to know, Dale was injured by a roaming zombie and then mercifully euthanized with a bullet to the head by Daryl, played by Norman Reedus.

Robert Kirkman, who is the executive producer of the AMC hit series took time to discuss the decision to kill the character of Dale.

“Dale’s death comes at a time where he’s very much needed, [Rick and the gang] are trying to make this decision on what to do with Randall. The farm is becoming increasingly dangerous. There is still tension between Rick and Shane, despite the fact that it appears that they’ve put much of their differences behind them for now. They need that moral compass [in Dale], and it’s been taken away.”

Kirkman has also promised fans that Dale’s death will not go in vain. It will have some major repercussions on the rest of the cast and the season. You can bet that among those it will affect the most will be Carl as he was partially responsible for the death of Dale. (Earlier in the episode, Carl had gone into the forest alone and taunted a *seemingly* immobile zombie, which you guessed, would be the one to injure Dale.)

“It’s interesting to see Carl doing kid stuff: going out on his own, trying to prove he’s strong enough to kill a zombie, proving that he’s deserving of carrying a gun,” Kirkman said. “He instigated this whole situation. We’re going to deal with his emotions and what comes from him causing Dale’s death to a certain extent. That’s definitely one of the big repercussions where Dale’s death affects these characters.”

Fans of the comic books will note that Dale’s death is a deviation from the original comic book text. In the comics, Dale goes on to survive several SEVERAL issues before finally being bitten by a zombie.

Kirkman explained the changed by saying,

“One of the things we wanted to do is show how dangerous these zombies actually are. We were sitting around the writers’ room early on in the planning of season two, and we thought, you know, there aren’t a lot of zombies actually succeeding in what they’re trying to do. They eat people here and there, but we’ve never really had a zombie actually take down one of our main characters — at least not for a while, not since the first season. We wanted to remind people how dangerous these creatures are. It also threw a wrench in everyone’s plans to take Dale off the table, so those two ideas merged into one until we eventually came to offing this character.”

One of the biggest loses from the death is not the character it self, but the actor. DeMunn has long been one of the favorite actors on the show. Kirkman, however, has said that they did not treat his departure lightly.

“It’s a tremendous loss,” he admitted. “It’s difficult. It’s difficult for the cast, because they’ve become pretty much a family hanging out in rural Georgia. They keep each other company. It’s definitely a big deal [losing Jeffrey]; it sucks for everybody. Jeffrey in particular brought a serious sense of gravitas to the role and definitely legitimized this show by gracing us with his presence. We were lucky to get an actor of his caliber. He added a lot to the show, and his presence is definitely going to be missed.”

But Kirkman defended the choice with one last line.

“this is ‘The Walking Dead.’ It would be inaccurate to portray this show as anything other than completely dangerous, and in order to do that, you have to lose characters from time to time.”

So while the death of this character, as he put it, sucks, there is at least a good reason behind it. No one wanted to see Dale killed this early on, but sometimes you have to remember, zombies are not playthings…. they will kill those you love. When Z-day comes, just remember that. (Oh and also don’t taunt a zombie even if you think it is immobile)

AMC Accidentally Leaks Major Walking Dead Plot Twist

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:::Warning Don’t Read If You Don’t Want To Know The Death:::

For anyone who watches or has watched AMC’s “The Walking Dead” you are no stranger to its intense plot and crazy revelations as the goup tries to survive. Most of us tend to not like knowing the fate of characters early on but now most of us don’t have a choice because AMC has accidentally revealed the shocking death of one of the main casts members way before it happens.

Most fans have known there was going to be a shocking death at the end of the second season but AMC has officially let the cat out of the bag.

Due to a mistake within the marketing department for the network’s DVD release, it was revealed that Shane is soon to be dead. Shane, played by Jon Bernthal, is going to be killed at the end of season 2 (although this isn’t a surprise to those who read the comic books.)

On the AMC website there is a ad for The Walking Dead Limited Edition Season 2 Blu-ray 4 Disc Set which will be released in August. The ad has one little line that has thrown fans into a tizzy.

The ad says that the bonus features include:

“the making of the barn, an extended zombie gut scene, Shane’s last episode…”

This mistake has definitely gone under fire by fans all over the world. Fans tend to not like spoilers but AMC has said that the ad was not meant to go on the site.

“The post on the AMC store was completely unauthorized, AMC said in a statement. “The matter is currently under investigation.”

“The Walking Dead” producer, Gale Anne Hurd, recently teased the “jaw dropping” second season finale by saying, “I have a feeling even with inveterate tweeters during episodes…there may be some significant periods of silence, because people may not be able to click on their keyboards.”
And now it is painfully obvious what she meant.
I have been dreading Shane’s death ever since it became obvious he was ready to move on to another show (Bernthal was in talks to play the lead in TNT’s L.A. Noir pilot)
As mentioned earlier, Shane’s death is hardly a surprise to readers of Robert Kirkman’s original comic books. In the comics Shane is killed relatively early on in the series and in one of the most shocking ways possible.

Personally, I loved Shane (even if he got a tad bit rape-y in that one episode) and am a little bummed to know of his impending death as we watch the series progress.

The Walking Dead Governor: David Morrissey

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With AMC’s hit television show “The Walking Dead”, the development for season three is well underway. As the mid-season premiere for season two broke cable records as most watched show, it’d be a shame not to capitalize on the momentum. I’m more surprised a season four hasn’t been guaranteed yet; then I remember how “Heroes” turned to dung in the second season before my very eyes. I could have written a better storyline on a napkin while drunk.

So for fans of the comic who’ve been reading ahead in the series, we already have a general idea of what to expect; we’re just really hoping that certain storylines are followed over others. So it turns out we’re not going to be seeing the Governor until season three. That’s okay, they still have to find the prison first. What is awesome though for those hardcore into geek lore is who will play the Governor.

The part will be played by British actor, David Morrissey according to Deadline. Hmmm… British actor you say? If he’s worth his salt in anything, he’d have been in some kind of awesome British television show, right? His IMDB photo didn’t spark any recognition in my old brain matter, but it might be because he wasn’t wearing the costume. In the right set of clothes, Morrissey turns into the Next Doctor!

Hit with a Cyberman InfoStamp; patent pending; Jackson Lake in his fugue state is imprinted with all the factual events and collected observations of the Cyberman enemy known as the Doctor, simply the Doctor. The one, the only and the best!

That right there is all I need to know to be happy with the selection for the Governor. Mostly because I’m a biased because he was in the Doctor Who Christmas Special back in 2008.

Originally the speculation on who would be the Governor was John Hawkes, based on the words of Tom Savini; who really wanted the role. Sorry Sex Machine. You can read about it here in the article The Rise of the Walking Dead Governor.

As Hawkes has the acting chops and Savini had the looks for the part; when compared to the comic book version of the Governor; I’m surprised a third person wasn’t considered who could satisfy both acting and looks. Maybe even some slicing actions for cutting off the hands of the enemy? That’s right, I mean Danny Trejo, the Machete! Oh well.

Savini didn't make the cut.

The Governor who appears in The Walking Dead graphic novel series, written and created by Robert Kirkman, is a twisted man who rules over a fortified township in a zombie plagued world. Not only is the character created as a returning antagonist, rapist and sadist, but has his own novel also penned by Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga as well in, “The Walking Dead: The Rise of the Governor.” The Governor will meet up with Rick Grimes and the rest of the Walking Dead in season three. If the television show remains true to the comic books, it won’t be pretty.

Either way, I’m happy to see David Morrissey get the part. Even if he has to play the despicable Gov.  Allons-y!

The Walking Dead Continues to Kill in the Ratings

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After the huge success of the mid-season premiere for “The Walking Dead”, the show continues to garner high ratings. The mid-season premiere was the most watched show in the history of cable television with 11 million viewers combined; from both time slots. The next episode, number 9 of season 2, didn’t yield as many viewers, but still nothing to laugh at with 8.5 million viewers combined. Again, this doesn’t even begin to count the ones that found online alternatives to watching the show.

Already “The Walking Dead” has been signed for a third season. With things moving as slowly as they are, I’m sure the cast will be almost off the farm by then. Gah!

The episode begins with a little flashback of Lori learning her lesson for being an idiot. Ignoring the conventional wisdom of the buddy system, she left last episode to find Rick who’s in town finding Hershel; who in turn is finding solace at the bottom of a bottle. Lori decides that the best way to navigate her way to town is to drive fast while looking down at a road map. Was she that confident in a world where there are no other drivers around? She’s surprised by a slow walking zombie in the middle of the road. Instead of driving through it, she brakes and swerves, totalling the car.

To outline how stupid she really was and to send a message to the rest of the world, I was hoping that they’d show her driving again, but this time looking down to text message.

So the scene begins with what appears to be night time and a zombie scratching at the car windshield, trying to get at an unconscious Lori. Coming too, Lori gives a little scream realizing how much danger she’s in. The scream resonated in me and made me go, “Good. I hope you die.”

The television adaptation has so far been a source of irritation for me. It depicts the cast from comics which I complete enjoy, but have churned out something that I can’t stand but won’t look away either. Is it good writing or am I just that faithful to the source material? The characters portrayed on television want to do so much to live, yet they’re not willing to think anything through.

Robert Kirkman, creator and writer of The Walking Dead comic, and executive producer for the AMC show went on to comment on the episode. This was in an interview with Entertainment Weekly who lead off with, “No one could say that this episode was not action-packed.”

Kirkman replied saying, “That’s true. I mean, look, there’s all that tension in the bar with those people outside and we barely even see them. It was a really cool move on [the part of showrunner] Glen Mazzera working with David Leslie Johnson on this script. They’re this strange outside threat and I think it makes them more scary because everything is played inside and it’s all done off the looks of Scott Wilson and Steven Yeun and Andrew Lincoln. I think the performances in that scene are tremendous.”

The performance of the scene may have been tremendous, but that’s only thanks to the actors doing their best to go along with the faulty writing.

We then go back to Rick, Glenn and Hershel. Having killed two interlopers who had clearly escalated their threat potential. Rick in a sweeping badass movie kill both of them where they stood. That was smart thinking that was completely on instinct. Somewhere a writer must have said, “We can’t have that! Quick! Make him an idiot again!”

With the new threats around them, Hershel somehow mans up and maybe realizes the people he’s taken in are complete idiots. Why are they idiots?

When more outsiders who come looking for their recently shot friends walk towards the bar, Glenn’s first reaction is to push his back against the door as it opens. He had all the time in the world to get in front of it. Was he trying to simulate a locked door? Doesn’t matter because they now know that someone is in there. I think Rick gives Glenn the face of, “You just got in my way. They were going to walk in and I would have had the element of surprise and clearly killed them.” Yes, this is what I’ve interpreted and read into. Bite me.

They all had guns, element of surprise and could have avoided any of them getting in any real danger.

“Yo, someone in there? If someone’s in there, we want no trouble. We’re just looking for our friends.”

Rick who’s just shot Glenn the, “You screwed this up for us look.” Lapses back into his moral and narrative ways; the annoying way he speaks into the radio; first beginning with, “They drew on us.” Then goes on to explain how he’s killed their friends and that they should be reasonable; unlike their dead friends; and go their separate ways. I’m sure Rick would have understood if it was the other way around, right? “You killed Shane? Awwww. Bye.”

The episode, entitled ‘Triggerfinger’ then turns into a gun fight. Let’s speed this up. Outsiders die or abandon their friend who’s impaled himself on a fence. Rick and the gang save him and bring him back to the farm. The show then slows down and turns into something else entirely. I believe it can be boiled down to Office Politics. Why didn’t they shoot this portion of the show like a fake documentary the way they do with The Office.

Shane doesn’t like Rick making all these decisions that he believes are wrong. If he was in charge, he’d do things differently and better. Less taxes and all that rot. Andrea and some others back Shane. Meanwhile Shane secretly confesses his stalker like love for Lori and how she belongs to him.

The show now is setting up into camps. Team Rick and Team Shane. Screw that noise. If they’re so interested in fighting for the zombie matrix of leadership, then I’m voting Team Zombie. Where the Hades is the horde?

Watch the Visual Effects Featurette For The Walking Dead

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AMC hit show, “The Walking Dead” is often praised for its visual effects. Many critics have commented on the visual appeal of the show as well as the content. AMC recently released a featurette showcasing the visual effects of the series.

“The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book series, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. It is currently in the middle of its second season. AMC announced in October 2011 that the show would be renewed for a third season due to the fact the premiere of season 2 broke cable records in their demographic. On January 14, 2012, AMC announced that the third season will contain an extended episode order of 16 episodes.

The Walking Dead tells the story of a small group of survivors living in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. Most of the story takes place in the Atlanta metropolitan area, as the survivors search for a haven away from the shuffling hordes of predatory “walkers” who devour and infect any living thing they catch. The plot is focused primarily on the dilemmas the group face as they struggle to balance their humanity with their survival.

The group is led by Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln (You can see an interview with Lincoln here), who was a sheriff’s deputy in a small Georgian town before the zombie outbreak. At every turn they are faced with the horror of the dead walking again, the changing dynamic of their group, and hostility from the scattered remains of a struggling human populace who are focused on their own survival now that the structures of society have collapsed.

You can watch the exclusive featurette below:

The Walking Dead Game Pulls a Redeker Plan

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The Walking Dead franchise splits off again, this time becoming a video game adaptation. Originally a graphic novel series, The Walking Dead has since been adapted by AMC into the most watched cable show currently in the history of television.

The franchise is hot and there are lots of merch already out there for The Walking Dead. Not many television series inspire action figures of their characters or melee weapon sets like machetes and knives. Yes, the stuff television Carl finds in the show is a product placement.

So if the franchise is so hot, why isn’t the game out yet?

Well first off, a quality game takes time to develop. Especially for high graphic consoles that don’t want the feel of a 1980’s side scroller or a generic flash game. Development of a game can take years for a console and is at a disadvantage when compared to say, a social media game found on Facebook.

Secondly, investors don’t care about any reason you give them. The franchise is almost at it’s apex of popularity and Telltale needs to come up with a solution to their dilemma. You know, aside from putting the game out there to begin with.

Enter the webs how, “Playing Dead” a web series designed at looking into the development of the game. Is it meant to be a take on playing possum, pretending you’ve ceased to be and joining the choir invisible? Or can it be taken as someone playing the walking dead video? Honestly the title itself is a bit unsavoury. I’m almost cranky over it for no explicable reason. I thought, “Talking Dead” was a good show name; a show that examines the series and thoughts on zombie survival. Playing Dead just invokes my ADHD to look at other things.

The show is actually by Telltale. It’s a stall tactic to reassure potential customers that this hasn’t gone away yet, and they’re oh so close to getting it done. Don’t leave yet!

In the show, developers and designers are asked what appears to be scripted questions about the game. They talk about the tone, progress and how everything ties in with the comic book. That’s time they could have been using to actually make the game.

Here is the official description of the game from Telltale’s official website:

“Learn about the game by watching PLAYING DEAD, a video series that takes you behind the scenes of the creation of the upcoming The Walking Dead video game based on Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic series. Playing Dead is the online source for exclusive looks at The Walking Dead video game and interviews with the talent responsible for bringing the world of The Walking Dead to life. Check this space for new episodes of Playing Dead regularly.”

In the novel World War Z written by Max Brooks, a plan was enacted to give humanity the best chances of survival. This was called the Redeker plan, an intentional sacrifice of a human population in favor of a more defensible location. This is what Telltale is doing right now. Playing Dead tries to keep the interest alive and bring focus to a game that’s unavailable.

The game is touted as a adventure game but it seems it’ll be more of a Choose Your Own Adventure type as you’re not given free reign of the world unless it’s part of the puzzle or quest. In the interview with lead designers Jake Rodkin and Sean Vanaman, they discuss how the game will be split into five episodes and any decision a player makes will carry through month-to-month. So a character saved or abandoned might come back to haunt you later. This seems to be more like Telltale’s Back to the Future game, with it’s decision tree type gaming. I certainly hope their Walking Dead game isn’t as cartoon like in appearance.

The next episode of Playing Dead promises an talk with The Book of Eli writer Gary Whitta. Yes, a movie about a blind man who’s deadly with a blade. I saw the movie too, it was called Zatoichi when I last saw it reincarnated.

The Walking Dead” Season 2 Midseason Premiere Kills the Cable Rating Record

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“The Walking Dead” from AMC broke their previous record of most watched show. Previously set at 7.3 million viewers for their Season 2 premiere in October 2011, the show outdid it self hitting 8 million viewers this time on February 12 of this year reports the Huffington Post. Combined with the encore showing, it was really more like 11 million. That’s not even counting online downloads.

According to AMC, the premiere was the “strongest telecast for any drama in basic cable history.”

Charlie Collier, president of AMC, had this to say about the show:

“‘The Walking Dead’ is one of those rare television programs that reaches both a core genre fan as well as broad audiences simply looking for a great, character-based story. We’re so proud of and grateful for the amazing team on both sides of the camera who works so hard and is so committed to making this a unique programming event.”

“That ‘The Walking Dead’ is now the most watched drama in the history of basic cable is staggering, just like our zombies.”

“It is a great night for AMC. We’re thrilled to see this incredible record breaking response to ‘The Walking Dead,’ and ‘Comic Book Men’ is off to a strong start as well. Congratulations to the teams behind both of these shows,”

Comic Book Men that Collier is referring to is a comic book reality show by Kevin Smith; Silent Bob nooch! It aired right after “the Walking dead” and was watched by only 2 million viewers. Which to me means that only two million of the viewers are comic book fans who probably read the original The Walking Dead graphic novels..

Forget about the ratings, hocking loosely related spin offs and the money symbols burning out their retinas. What about the show? Warning: Spoilers.

Show begins of course where they last left off. With the shooting of Zombie Sophia. The dust settles and it’s up to the farmers to go nuts and get dangerously close to the walkers. “I know. Let’s all be stupid and cry over our dead zombie relatives, then give them a chance to bite us.  Yes, scratches and bites is all it takes.  That’s why she’s all catatonic.

This is further compounded by Andrea walking around without a care in the world into dark barns and trucks loaded with destroyed walkers. Is this the development of la belle indifference where she is unable to see real danger or a sign that she’s become used to this? She doesn’t even go into the barn with her weapon drawn.  She could have fell backwards in the truck and into an open mouth that bites her from the impact of a pot hole. This is where I see the show finally spiraling into zombie movie domain. The theme? When idiots attack.

I cannot express how much I dislike Shane Walsh on the show. The bullying he does, the contempt on his face, the attitude that he carries himself with, and the way of which he continuously rationalizes his actions. I am continuously annoyed with him. Is there no other development of his character other than flip out and be loud? If that’s the goal, then Shane is a well written character. I feel sorry for John Bernthal the actor who plays him. I hope he doesn’t get type cast.

So Shane continues to flip out on Rick and vies for the matrix of leadership. Shane opens a barn full of walkers to prove a point, instead of safely killing them from the outside. Rick however has to make the hard choices such as shooting Sophia. The show is becoming less about zombie survival and more “Who’s the Boss?” but without comedy.

Poor Dale. Dale is the only one privy to watch the dead frog sing and dance when no one else is around. Shane only likes to reveal his true nature to him. Why? Maybe because he believes no one will side against him. Dale even attempts to explain this to Lori, but they’re all immune to logic. Here is a version of what I heard:

Dale: Shane. He’s dangerous.

Lori: Yes, he can be a hot head.

Dale: No. I said dangerous.

Lori: Hot head?

Dale: *sounding it out now* Dane-Jer-Us

Lori: * slowly * Haw-Tuh Heh-Ed?

Dale goes on to explain that Shane is a threat to their survival and he’ll eventually kill again. I recall saying this fairly recently in The Walking Dead Game: Dead Reckoning article.

To prove that the supporting cast is become more Teflon coated against logic, Lori is all annoyed asking that Rick does not abandon them to find Hershel; one of his kids is sick and he’s gone missing.

“We need Hershel for the baby.” Oh snap! Logic! W…What do I do? Quick, get Shane to flip out!

Then there’s the introduction of new survivors, all bent on shacking up with the rest of the Walking Dead cast and exuding feelings of unsavory intent.

When Rick refuses to let them join or reveal their main base, we hear “I thought we were friends.” All over bearing bullies and rapists tend to say this.

I was surprised that the writers didn’t drag the two interlopers story out and make it into a douche fest between them and Shane.

How did the show redeem itself in less than five seconds? Bam! Another head shot! Followed by some more gun play. I hope this is the beginning of a new running gag or theme. All premieres and finales end and begin with head shots. Maybe this will lead up to Shane’s final close up.

After all, Shane is getting too big for his britches, and only one guy gets to wear the sheriff’s hat around here.

“The Walking Dead” Season 2 Episode 9 Sneak Peek

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Can’t wait for the new episode next week in “The Walking Dead?” Well hopefully this will help you make it that long stretch till next sunday. Episode 9 of season 2 is entitled, “Triggerfinger” and we have two sneak peeks for the new episode.

The comic book turned hit television show has been taking the world by storm. After its midseason premiere that rocked the ratings, many will be looking forward to this new episode.

In “Triggerfinger” Rick, Glenn and Hershel find themselves in another deadly battle when they are trapped in a bar and get involved in a gun fight of survival. Lori comes across danger when she is unexpectedly hit by a car. Shane also attempts to rescue her and return her to the farm.

Another clip from the sneak peeks shows Andrea criticizing Shane over his methods of getting what he wants. But the argument ends when Shane points out that he and Andrea have something in common.

You can wait to watch “Triggerfinger” on Sunday, February 19 at 9/8c on AMC or you can wait to watch the new episode after watching the two exclusive clips below:

Read An Exclusive Interview With Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln

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The midseason premiere aired last night to wide acclaim by fans an critics. And recently Eli Rosenberg over at AMC did an interview with Andrew Lincoln, who portrays main character Rick Grimes on the hit show. They talked about his role on the show, shooting the second half of the season and the secret that even his wife doesn’t know.

In case you just stumbled on this article and haven’t seen the amazing series, The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed for television by Frank Darabont. It is based on the ongoing comic book series, The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.

You can see some of the questions Lincoln was asked below:

Rosenberg: Lincoln

Q: What was the bar scene like in Episode 8?

A: That was an incredible scene! We were so lucky to get such cracking actors. And we didn’t play the problem, we just played the fact that this is a reunion of human beings. The tension is inherent in the fact that they encounter this other group.

Q: Rick’s presence at the farm has been described as antagonistic this season. Do you ever feel like you’re a bad guy on your own show?

A: Yeah, I think I do a bit. I don’t normally see it like that though, because you never look at your own character as the problem. I’m appealing to this man’s spirit.

Q: Was the scene when Rick had to kill Sophia a difficult one to shoot?

A: I was talking about this the other day thinking, my goodness who’d have thought I’d build a career as a child killer in a huge internationally acclaimed show? What does that say about the state of things! Look, as an actor I was even going, “Please let her be alive.” It’s a gut-wrenching moment. Conversely, it’s a brilliant beginning to the second half of the season, which is a much darker and more dangerous exploration of these characters.

Q: Rick and Shane have a somewhat tense way of relating on screen. What’s your relationship like with Jon Bernthal?

A: It’s a nightmare to work with that man! But really, Jon Bernthal is like my American brother. He reminds me — I hate to say it — of a little bit younger version of me. What he’s done with Shane is magnificent as a character and I love the see-saw nature of their relationship. They’re like warring brothers — but they’re both so similar.

Q: Do you know what Dr. Jenner said to Rick at the end of Season 1 — and did Noah Emmerich actually say that to you?

A: Yes he did.

Q: Have people tried to pressure you into telling them?

A: My wife doesn’t even know. Man, I take my job seriously!

You can see the full interview with Andrew Lincoln here.

The Walking Dead Game: Dead Reckoning

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Celebrating the return of TV’s scariest show “The Walking Dead”, a flash game have been released online in anticipation of season 2 beginning this weekend. In this game you control Shane Walsh; played by Jon Bernthal.

The game starts off establishing that before the television adventures that fans are familiar with, there was the untold beginnings. Set at the earliest stages of the outbreak, you help Officer Shane Walsh Keep himself and his people safe from harm. The two objectives: “Prevent people from being killed or turned into walkers…and keep yourself alive!”

This game is more like a pick your own adventure comic book. Though the sounds are creepy, the options you’re given are limited.

  1. Do something stupid that you’ll know will end up getting you or someone killed
  2. Do something counter to Shane’s character and try being reasonable.
  3. Do something that wastes your time and brings you right back to the other decisions.

While I played this game I kept thinking, “Where’s option 4? Flip out and be loud?”

 Set during the earliest stages of the outbreak, you run around as Shane and wonder more how this person ever became an officer of the law to begin with. A side story involving one of Shane’s exes reveals a little of what we suspect from the television show. While flipping out and being loud, Shane asks his ex why she lets her current boyfriend beat her. She replies with “You were no saint either when we were together” which suggests that he’s exactly how we picture corrupt police enforcement.

While Rick’s lights are still out in the hospital, it’s up to Shane to run the rest of the law in town. When responding to one of his co-workers advising him to be careful, he says, “Of course. I don’t have my head stuck up my ass like you.” Again, Shane is just not likable. Check out the game Dead Reckoning at the AMC TV website.

This brings me up to one of my pet peeves about the show. Why is Shane still alive? Forget that this show is based on the graphic novel of the same name; Though I do love the tank scene in the pilot of the show, the scene was spot on visually to the comic. Also forget that like the comic book, Shane’s character doesn’t make it out of the Atlanta camp; read the comic if you want to know why, it’s epic. If it wasn’t for these little changes, I wouldn’t be surprised by the show and we wouldn’t have Norman Reedus; a freakin Boondock Saint! ; on the show throwing around all sorts of Spiritus Sancti ass kickery.

Why is Shane alive when he’s clearly a liability to the survival of the rest of the crew? He’s not the bad ass of the group that the rest can say, “At least he’s our bad ass.” No, he’s a douche with a gun. Other than flipping out and being loud, there is no real function for him within the group that someone else can’t step in to take over; video games taught me to shoot. So let this be a lesson to you when; not if; the zombie apocalypse comes down.   Make like a tree and use the Shane-types as your Redeker Plan.

*Apologies as only those that have watched Boondock Saints and read World War Z will get the last line.