Some shows continue to get better with age. THE WALKING DEAD
has become just one of those shows. It could end up stale, with storylines
repeated and nothing new added to the mix. Instead it always keeps you
guessing, always challenges your emotions and offers one of the best dramas on
TV today. While never receiving the kudos it deserves or even being nominated
for an outstanding drama Emmy, it is far and above most dramas on TV today.
And let me say that this is a shame. Far too many write this
series off as nothing more than a horror story, a show that’s all about flesh
eating zombies and trying to survive. Those that think this are missing the
bigger picture and my guess is they’ve not watched more than 2 or 3 episodes.
The reality is that while there is the whole zombie apocalypse story going on
that’s not what the focus of the series is. Its focus is on the people trapped
in this situation, how they survive, how they relate to one another and the
lives they try to form together in the midst of this situation.
At the end of season five the people of the town of
Alexandria were forced to recognize that there are still bad things happening
in the world. They’d grown too comfortable in their enclosure, most never having
to confront not just the zombie horde outside their gates but the rest of the
world, other survivors like themselves who might offer difficulties in just
staying alive. Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) has shown them this.
As season six opens the group discovers a quarry filled with
zombies that could be released at any time and attack Alexandria. Rick and his
group devise a plan to release the zombies and direct them in the opposite
direction. And of course something ruins their plan and things begin to get
dicey. The zombies eventually attack Alexandria. The townspeople discover that
they will have to fight to survive this new world.
But this isn’t all that happens during this season. In
addition to having to deal with zombies Rick and the people of Alexandria learn
there are other groups out their trying to survive. One group is the Wolves, a
pack like group that attacks and takes from anyone they find. And entire
storyline revolves around Morgan’s capture of one of these attacks that he
shows mercy to. Another group are the people of the Hilltop Colony, a peaceful
group that they begin trading with. The worst group though are the Saviors who
are anything but. Confrontations with this group culminate in perhaps the most
intense cliffhanger of all time, one that has been and continues to be talked
about to this day in anticipation of the solution when season 7 begins.
This season also offered something different that stirred
controversy as some people enjoyed the idea while others hated it. This was an
entire episode that discuss just what had happened to Morgan (Lennie James)
after Rick and his group left his compound and before he united with the group.
The episode ran longer than most and focused solely on Morgan and how he
changed from marauding warrior to pacifist before finding Rick again.
But perhaps the most controversial episode involved the fate
of Glenn (Steve Yeun). Episode 3 finds him trapped and surrounded by zombies
while atop a dumpster with Nicholas. Unable to deal with the situation any longer,
Nicholas shoots himself and as he falls drags Glenn off with him. For weeks the
show’s producers held us in suspense wondering about the fate of Glenn. No
spoiler for you if you aren’t aware of the outcome but my guess is by now you
know. At the time it was the sort of series item that had people talking for
week after week. Was Glen alive or not?
The most suspenseful moment though happens in the season
finale as Rick and his group go on a road trip with the intent of ending the
battle with the Saviors. *SPOILER ALERT*. The group discovers that the Saviors
are a much larger group than expected and end up captured. In the last minutes
of the show their leader comes out, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Those familiar
with the character from the comics were sweating this moment out. As each
member of Rick’s group is forced to kneel in a semi-circle Negan informs them
that one of them must pay. He brings out a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire
and the moment slowly pass as he discusses which of them will feel the blows he
intends to inflict. We are left with that in the air, a new discussion topic
that has people talking months after it aired and an anticipatory public
waiting for season 7 to find out the answer.
A few other surprises can be found in this season but I
won’t reveal them. Instead give this season a watch. Add it to your collection.
Discover why I say this is as much a drama series as it is a horror story,
possibly more so. Observe and enjoy the display of acting that this show
offers, the special effects that will startle most and the story telling that
will pull you in and have you waiting for Sundays each week to find out what
happens next. Until then watch the series and enjoy it on disc. You won’t
regret it.
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