Concerns about the Living Dead #49

...perhaps a better title would be CONCERNS ABOUT THE WALKING DEAD. It has been only 24 hours since the series ended its second season and I'm still at a loss as to how I actually feel.

Please be forewarned. If you have not watched the show, or are not caught up, or are planning to take a gander in some horrific, zombie gut-crunching, epic marathon of all 20+ episodes which have aired since the darn thing started, you are being warned.

SPOILERS ABOUND.

If you're okay, I'm okay. So, read on...

Other than some random "holy shit" and "I can't effing believe it" and "I couldn't love this show more" moments which have found themselves posted on Facebook (my go to place to let the world--or my friends rather--know what's going on my zombie-riddled mind), I haven't really taken the time to put down my thoughts.

What I've said from the beginning, or at least after the first 4 hours aired, is that in my long and educated zombie movie history, I've never had this deep of a connection w/ the characters, and in fact w/ the story. While I adore my Romero, television just allows for that more profound attachment to be formed. It's inevitable. And if it's done this well, it's just bound to happen. Zombies mean so very much to me. They define me. They complete me (thanks Jerry Maguire). I've been writing about zombies and loving all things zombie for 27 years...since I was 10, for goodness sake. Other than perhaps some fiction (Stephen King's CELL--a relatively recent read--comes to mind), I've never had a chance to get to know so many details. THE WALKING DEAD provides this in spades. I think it's been a real adjustment for me to understand this. It took some time to make the connection that this length and breadth is what makes it so important and moving to me (obviously the production values, performances, writing and everything else hold the honor as well). it's the journey. That's the bottom line for me. The road trip. The time.

I've never read the comic books, other than perhaps a few scattered viewings at a comic shop or friend's house (Serena). Frankly, I'm glad I don't know anything. Of course, with the introduction of Michonne (sp?), anything and everything is being discussed online. There's no escape.

Which brings me to the major reason for my need to make note of this program. There's been a fundamental change (beginning in last night's finale)...a shift in the show, and honestly, I don't know what to make of it...or if I like it. I don't know what's in store for us next season (that Godawful wait to October is going to kill me), except "the prison", "the governor" and the pretty clear plot point that "Merle" will be making a return (which I've been waiting for, hoping for) to the show. This Michonne character intrigued me. Don't get me wrong. The jawless, armless eunich zombies certainly had my tongue wagging (if alas, their tongues could not). And of course, I'm thrilled that Andrea was saved. I love her too much, and I ADORE Laurie Holden. One of the connections I made after last night, is that this "Michonne" character was something straight out of Silent Hill (with Laurie Holden). I've always associated that with more fantasy (cuz zombies ARE real, right?) or sci-fi or SOMETHING. But this new character feels like a change I'm not ready to accept. It's all been so gritty, so soap opera-y, and also so "real". This sword-wielding, zombie-toting hot, comic book chic just seems so out of place. Is anyone else experiencing this feeling too? I don't know anymore about the character than what I've just seen in the finale, but it's a jarring turn. Add on top of this, my EXTREME anxiety that the statis of safety on Hershel's farm came to a crashing, bloody halt, and I'm really, truly on edge about this. About a television show. But, if anything in fiction has kept me up nights and made me take a scouting look around the corner, it's zombies. I'm really unnerved about this radical change from reality to fantasy. And from where I stand, that's exactly what it is.

On a lighter note (sort of), I was thuh-RILLED at the barage of zombies outside the farmhouse and barn. All of the scraping and shooting and four-wheeling and chewing. It was straight out of Night of the Living Dead and it seriously warmed my heart.

The recent deaths on the show have left me disoriented and saddened. Shane was clearly turning more and more psycho by the minute, but he had the right idea. He just went about it in the wrong way. Besides, Joe Bernthal was kinda hot (a for sure future addition to my Stew of Sin--Andrew Lincoln as well). Plus, the loss of Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn--a STUNNING character actor and TREMENDOUS final show for him) had me very unsure of myself. What is going to happen to this group?

The fact that the big "Jenner Reveal" was finally aired, well...it makes for a pretty bleak outlook. And what of the unborn kid?

I am very saddened that Hershel is without his beloved farm. It's a testament to the writing and performances (Scott Wilson, I'm lookin' @ you) that you could see and feel his loss. He looks like a little kid and it also is particularly scary to see his about face from his faith to this dark reality. I was PETRIFIED that Hershel wouldn't make it. Counting my blessings that we have more time w/ that character.

And Rick. Deep end? I don't know, but the fact that they revealed his actions against Shane was a shocker. I really expected that this news would hidden for a bit of drama for several episodes of the new season. "I killed my best friend for you people." Pardon my curse, but that is a FUCKING brilliant line.

One more thing before I wrap this up.

This show is all about the details. I love the fact that nothing is shown or said that will not end up meaning something later on. The moment from last night's episode which struck a chord for me was the return to the highway where the season began. Seeing the provisions set out for Sophia and the now faded message scrawled on the car windshield. Well, it just about killed me. That whole situation was a lifetime ago...but so vivid and sad and terrifying.

It takes me to so many other zombie films which show something, make it important and then you get your last glimpse of it...knowing that it is behind you forever. No looking back, no returning. What was once so important is now just useless. I'm thinking of Andy's Gun Shop in the remake of DAWN OF THE DEAD--that last shot as the shuttle buses drive by. I'm thinking of the original DAY OF THE DEAD--making their way through the halls, past their bunks and into the caves...they'll never see those things again. And on a more personal note, I'm reminded of many moments from my own zombie scripts. Important (or seemingly important) items/locales/moments which the characters and the audience don't get to see again. I realize I'm rambling on. It's almost midnight. I don't know if any of this makes sense.

My main point. This show means so much to me. It's more than about the gore. More than about the zombie apocalypse that has haunted my dreams and my pen and my computer keyboard for literally decades. This show is...everything that I'm about, and to have it done so well and with such care...it means a lot to me personally.

I made a snide remark on FB today. It was portrayed as off-hand and goofy, but I think I meant it as a firm truth.

"need I remind you that I have loved zombies for 27 years? All you late-comers need to remember that first came Romero, then me. That is all."

This show was for me. I love that zombies are so big right now (despite what some agencies have stated), but I guess a part of me wants it to still be special...unique to me and a few other die-hards. Then again, I've always been a pretty selfish dude.

Anyway, I'm nervous, scared, thrilled and wary about what will happen to our friends and MY show once it returns in October.

THE WALKING DEAD is more than just a show (for all you casual viewers), it's a gift...well wrapped, with bright blood-red ribbon and a heartfelt dedication to George A. Romero and the fans he groomed, created and loved.