AMC's The Walking Dead returns this weekend, kicking off the network's Fearfest lead-up to Halloween. The first season of the survival horror adaptation of Robert Kirkman's comic series debuted with a fantastic pilot and even more fantastic numbers as it quickly became the prestige network's biggest hit. The early and rousing success - critics, viewers, everyone - led to a surefire second season renewal despite what would follow...
Now, this is where you and I may differ or where I'll finally voice what you've been thinking all along, the show became, well, terrible. Somewhere during those six episodes the writing slipped toward the melodramatic, the acting was more painful to watch than the kills and, well, the stakes were not nearly escalated to the same level as the comic. There are a few moments very early in the comic's run that highlight, nay, cement that this is a story where no one is safe. You may think they're a lead character then the next chapter they're being eaten, turned and/or blown away by the survivors. This was important to lay the groundwork of constant unease, of being in a perpetual state of fear, a tone which was often lacking in the television series.
The first season just didn't live up to the hype, to the quality of the network or the quality of the source material. However, I'm not ready to write this one off just yet because there is still a lot of promise. Therefore, the off-season turmoil and ensuing shake-ups, first the writers and then showrunner Frank Darabont himself, came as no surprise to me. In fact, I saw it as a beacon of hope (even in the face of the money woes) knowing the show would be in different creative hands. It also didn't hurt that most of the terrible acting was killed off last season and only a few more need killin' to leave what could be a very good ensemble.
Lastly, this wouldn't be the first series that had a lackluster first year while it struggled to find its footing (in fact, Parks and Rec has one of the most forgettable 6 episode first seasons ever and now, I love that show). Of course, these are just a few of the general or surface reasons that I'm going to be giving this survival horror series another shot on Sunday. In more detail, here are the five main reasons why I (barely) still have hope for The Walking Dead Season 2...
The Off-Season - Sure, some of the issues were budgetary but the shake-ups that occurred in between seasons suggests that I wasn't the only one smelling something rotten besides the decaying undead bodies. First, showrunner Frank Darabont announced that all of the writing staff, save Kirkman and his number two Glen Mazzara would not be returning to pen the second season. Yes! Second, Darabont himself was put on the chopping block, apparently over budgetary issues, bumping Mazzara up to Showrunner and effects guru Greg Nicotero to Executive Producer. The show also had to start casting in the off-season and some of the actors the brought in (for example, Scott Wilson to play as Hershel Greene) assuage my fears that the terrible acting will continue. Fresh blood for the show, and not just for the zombies to munch on, offers some promise moving forward.
(In)Fidelity - This is a tricky situation for any adaptation, especially when you're dealing with a hit, fanboy-ish property, because in so many ways you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. While I don't think the deviations from the source material were always successful, I am buoyed by the knowledge that the network and the writers are willing to deviate if they feel like it will improve the show's relationships, narrative trajectory or thrills. For example, the CDC situation at the end of last season didn't occur in the comics but seems like a perfectly logical (if not necessary) quest for our heroes. Now, there are definitely passages in the book which I want to see recreated shot for shot (literally) but I also admire and find solace in the fact that they have the stones to stray... just don't stray too far from the themes, characters and plot points central to the series. One final note of interest, is Shane and what they plan to do with his character since his path has been altered... or at least delayed.
The Network - There was nothing pretty various contract disputes and money issues that have plagued AMC and its three hit series Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead. However, when you cast aside the money woes (the first two shows, while being critically acclaimed and have amassed cult followings, do not exactly bring in waves of viewers) there is also little doubt about the quality of the programming. Mad Men is an exceptional show but the real gem is Breaking Bad, especially when putting it context of the promise of The Walking Dead, namely in that the creative freedom that AMC gives BB allows for some of the most gut-wrenching and gruesome sequences put on television - something that is a definite requirement when you're trying to pull off a legit horror series and also have Greg Nicotero's master make-up artistry to showcase. There are some unflinchingly gory and, more importantly, psychological shattering sequences in the graphic novel that they cannot afford to pussy-foot around if they want to satisfy the faithful.
The Source Material - This brings us to the source material itself. Although, I argued that the writers' willingness to stray from Kirkman's blueprint is a positive, there is also an unbelievable amount of wealth to draw from in the source material. We have new and awesome characters (Hershel, Tyrese, Michonne, The Governor), new settings (the farm, the prison) and tragic and devastating deaths (COMIC SPOILERS!) just waiting around the bend as our survivors leave Atlanta in search of, well, in search of anything safe. Don't expect to see all those mentioned above in this season (don't hold your breath on the Governor) but we know for sure that Rick will lead the group to the Farm... and if the reason they have to go remains the same (as hinted at by Gale Ann Hurd) then let the shocks begin. The best conflicts in the series arise when they're between human and human, pitted against one another in the nasty game of survival, suggesting that perhaps we, and not the zombies, are the real monsters and the most frightening. As I said before, there is a wealth of great material (shocks, scares, moral dilemmas) to draw from and I hope that they don't pull any punches.
The Secret - Lastly, and probably the most basic and fun reason to return to the series is the cliff-hanger... Even from my high-horse, looking down on the show, I was able to take away some excitement from the finale. I think heading to the CDC was a smart move on the writers' part and, once they arrived, highlighting the futility of their survival quest brought the tone back to an underlying sense of dread that needs to permeate almost every frame. The secret I'm referring to, of course, is what Jenner (the remaining CDC researcher) whispered to Rick in the final moments before the whole place went up - taking some of our more annoying cast members with it - which, if what I think was said, was said, it also makes what I'll call the 'Shane deviation' an even more interesting choice by the writers. Baby mama drama.
What we have here is a package. A number of things that, taken as a whole, still offer a chance for a really promising piece of horror television. Yes, I'm skeptical and if the first few episodes resemble the 'soap-opera' with zombies that aired every Sunday night starting last Halloween then I'm going to quickly throw in the towel. I can only watch a great fighter go so many embarrassing rounds... but hey, there's still time for a comeback.
The Walking Dead returns to AMC for Season 2 this Sunday with a 90 minute premiere at 9 p.m. ET. It will run for 7 episodes, then take a break before returning with the remaining 6 on February 12, 2012.