The Walking Dead (2010)

The Walking Dead (2010)
Director: Frank Darabont (Pilot)
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Cast: Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Laurie Holden, Lennie James
Police officer Rick Grimes leads a group of survivors in a world overrun by zombies.

Episode #1: Days Gone Bye
Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes gets shot during duty and ends up in a coma. On waking up he finds he's in what at first appears to be a deserted hospital. Doesn't take long until he finds the truth that he's been sleeping while his town, country and possibly the whole world as become overrun by flesh-eating zombies. Rick's only goal now is to find his wife and son, luckily he finds hes not the only living survivor.

Fantastic action packed debut episode of the Frank Darabont created television version of Robert Kirkman's epic zombie comic The Walking Dead. Having been a fan of the comic many years I'm glad AMC the American cable station behind it have done it justice. Just the right mix of action drama and gore which thankfully isn't too CGI heavy (though they clearly use it for some of the blood spurts). Andrew Lincoln as Grimes might take US viewers a little while to truly appreciate with brief signs of his British accent showing but I personally think he's well cast and can't wait to see him grow even more in the role.

(9 out of 10)

Episode #2: Guts
At the end of the first episode we learnt Rick's wife and child could of been taken to a local military camp, only he hadn't imagined the hordes of zombies (known in the show as walkers) had grown into this many and ended up trapped inside a tank. Thankfully a man named Glenn helps him escape to temporary shelter inside a local store, where he and a small group of survivors have been staying. Not being secure enough the small group makes a plan to escape that involves disguising both Rick and Glenn as walkers using the decayed guts of a zombie.

Even more action than the first episode, and featuring a great slice of acting by Henry Portrait of a Serial Killer actor Micheal Rooker as a racist redneck. I really enjoyed this had a smile on my face the whole episode, the use of the siren blazing car attracting undead masses was a fantastic ending to the episode. The good news is AMC have commissioned 13 more episodes for a 2nd season, as its become their the biggest viewed show, and even one of the most viewed shows in the history of cable.

(9½ out of 10)

Episode #3: Tell It to the Frogs
reviewed when aired

(not yet rated)

Episode #4: Vatos
reviewed when aired

(not yet rated)

Episode #5: Wildfire
reviewed when aired

(not yet rated)

Episode #6: TS-19
reviewed when aired

(not yet rated)