“Guts” was an appropriate title for the second episode of The Walking Dead. Rick’s plan to trick the zombie walkers was inventive but it also presented us with a significant splattering of symbolism as Rick and Glenn literally and figuratively became the walking dead.
I find it poignant that in order to survive the immediate zombie threat, the survivors themselves had to become the walking dead. Covering their bodies with zombie blood and guts so that the walkers wouldn’t be able to detect them as anything living, signified a shift in the mentality of our characters while offering a different take on the show’s title – The Walking Dead
On an underlying level I can’t help but wonder whether this temporary measure represents a much deeper, more permanent transformation? While the rain ultimately cleansed Rick and Glenn of their zombie stench, reinstating them back into their ‘human form’, it’s worth considering their faux zombie act as the subconscious foreshadowing of their internal decent.
It’s interesting that the walkers are depicted as vicious animals with an automatic need for self-gratification in mind. From the human perspective they lack the necessary components that, at times, define being human – compassion and kindness. But in this post-apocalyptic wasteland, will the humans use their extreme situation as an excuse to act without kindness and compassion? Will they pick and choose when to be human and when to be a zombie? What dangers will this carry for the individual and wider humanity?
Which brings us back to the question of who the titular ‘Walking Dead’ refers to – is it the walkers, or the human survivors?
Now for some quick thoughts on the good and bad aspects of the episode.
THE GOOD
- Glenn. Great introduction to the character. Rick’s saviour and ultimately the group’s hero in this episode. I enjoyed seeing this gutsy character sacrifice himself for others in the face of his own fear. He also brought a much-needed humor to the fray. And that final shot of him tearing down the highway? I so felt that.
- Group Dynamics. It was good to have a group of characters (mostly) working together to solve the immediate problem of survival. I’ve already warmed to Glenn, while Andrea, T-Dog and Merle Dixon are interesting in their own right. Rick’s growth throughout the episode was also good to see. He took on the leadership role and led by example – laying down ethics of survival, while being wise enough to realize that they’re living in a lawless society – stealing doesn’t matter – ‘help yourself’, but ‘small-mindedness is going to get us killed, so I’m going to chain you to this roof!’ Great stuff, Rick.
THE BAD
- A slight come down from the first episode – it wasn’t as expansive or fraught with emotion. I also think that despite being a cop, Rick has adapted to this new world remarkably fast. A necessary aspect of the story, or perhaps that will be given more context over the course of time.
- Some moments felt a bit rushed or not as well executed as they could have been. Although I enjoyed the ‘becoming zombie’ scene, I thought it could have been done a bit better, with more tension and focus. Put it this way, I didn’t totally buy that Rick and Glenn were at risk during those moments.
Best Character: Glenn
Best Moment: The final scene of jubilant Glenn tearing away in his new ride after a successful decoy mission.
Episode Rating: 7/10
The clip used above is owned by AMC.
PERSON OF INTEREST Renewed For Season 2
TERRA NOVA: Season 2 Decision Delayed Until 2012
ONCE UPON A TIME: The Comprehensive Character Guide
SHERLOCK: Reichenbach Fall -- Explained
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.22 Brave New World: Part 2
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ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.22 A Land Without Magic
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.21 An Apple Red As Blood
FRINGE OBSERVATIONS: 4.21 Brave New World: Part 1
ONCE UPON A TIME OBSERVATIONS: 1.20 The Stranger
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I have to agree that this episode was a bit of a come down from the first. But its not Christmas every day. (Did I just compare the introduction of a zombie inducing plague to Christmas?)
Speaking of the first episode, one of the main themes introduced was that of human compassion. Will your compassion for humanity wither and die on the vine or be enhanced by this unique zombie apocalypse? So, while I was watching Glenn and Rick take their George Patton walk (Ol’ Blood and Guts!) I was reminded of the axiom, “If you really want to understand someone, walk a mile in their shoes.” Certainly Glenn and Rick walked that walk. So will their experience give them new perspective to what its like to live in the zombie world or will they suffer utter distaste and feel their compassion ebb away?
Rick did conduct that nice little memorial service for the man whose body parts he chose to wear. But walking the “gang” green mile might alter that compassion.
Shane’s stock continues to drop with me. His preservation of power comes from not taking risks and exploiting other peoples fears. Add to that, during the cringe inducing “love making” scene at the beginning I noticed he rolled Lori into what I’m interpeting as a submissive position to affirm his dominance over her. I thought it repulsive.
Lastly, I’m with Glenn. Even in a post apocalyptic zombie world I’d be howling with delight if I was driving a brand new Challenger down an empty highway.
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“Speaking of the first episode, one of the main themes introduced was that of human compassion. Will your compassion for humanity wither and die on the vine or be enhanced by this unique zombie apocalypse? So, while I was watching Glenn and Rick take their George Patton walk (Ol’ Blood and Guts!) I was reminded of the axiom, “If you really want to understand someone, walk a mile in their shoes.” Certainly Glenn and Rick walked that walk. So will their experience give them new perspective to what its like to live in the zombie world or will they suffer utter distaste and feel their compassion ebb away?”
I enjoyed your perspective on this Dave. I think this will be one of the things I’ll be looking out for in future episodes. How far will their compassion extend under the most testing of circumstance? When all is said and done, are they made of superficial compassion – or will it prove itself to be true?
And does it have to be one way or the other – will something happen at some-point that will change or define who they are as people? I guess that last one can’t be answered until they die – assuming they’re not already the walking dead.
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Ah, Buffy in the Banner. I love it. I miss the Buffster and her friends. I wonder if SMG will ever be offered a decent role again. Success is a fickle bitch. Didn’t Ben Linus say that?
This week’s TWD was missing the ‘I have to shoot my zombie wife’ moment that worked so well in the pilot. I think this week’s attempt at an emotional equivalent was Officer Friendly’s eulogy of zombie-dude, but they hacked him apart with such a lusty zeal that I lost that lovin’ feeling in a hurry.
Seeing that racist redneck stranded on the roof was just a freebie for all of us viewers who can think of someone in our own lives that we’d like to feed to the ‘geeks’. I already know who I’d pick.
I hope they don’t spend the next 4 weeks tap dancing around this upcoming showdown between Shane and Rick. I’m kinda hoping that Shane gets his ass kicked soon…and hard. So far, I’m not liking Lori at all and, frankly, I’m not sure that Shane isn’t the man she deserves. Officer Friendly would be better off with that blonde chick he met at the mall. Of course, they could both use a shower.
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Glad you like Buffy on the banner, Page. They’ll be more serialized/mythology icons appearing soon.
What IS SMG doing these days? And yes, I think Ben did say something along those lines (in reference to the island or destiny – gotta love Ben!).
Indeed, TWD 1.02 did miss that ‘zombie wife’ tension. I bought that emotional weight. This episode didn’t really have that. As you mentioned, the zombie eulogy felt a bit flat. I didn’t get it to be honest – too forced (although I guess it might eventually say something about Officer Friendly’s grip on his humanity – will there come a time when he doesn’t feel bad about such acts?). I thought the, “sorry this had to happen to you,” from the first episode was more effective, given that Officer Friendly said it before blowing her brains out.
I’m not a fan of Lori or Shane either at the moment. And I’d really love to know how much time has past since they left Rick in the hospital because they sure seem to have forgotten him quickly. Pendant moment aside.
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what type of shoes does glenn wear
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