I’m not a really a fan of The Walking Dead TV series. Having experienced the zombie apocalypse through its original medium, comic books, the TV show has come off as a boring, underwhelming experience, that swaps logic for scenarios derived from an episode of the DayZ of our lives (ARMA fans, you can thank me later for that).
But now, the show might finally be picking up, if these third season promotional shots are anything to go by.Rick Grimes and friends are headed to jail in the upcoming series, but this time, they’re doing so to escape the undead, as maximum penitentiary also equals maximum safety.
Solid walls, jails, fences and leftover ordinance means that the crew will be able to bunker up, but ask anyone who has read the comics, and they’ll let you know that their penal paradise isn’t as welcoming as previously imagined.
“I’m incredibly proud of the prison,” said showrunner Glen Mazzara to Entertainment Weekly.
I think our crew has done a great job. It’s a huge sense of scale and magnitude I haven’t seen on any other show as far as construction. What’s important to us is, the prison itself is now a character in the show.
It’s a haunted house, it’s scary, it’s frightening, and there are parts of the prison that are always terrifying, that are always inaccessible to our group.
It’s not necessarily the blessing that the prison in the comic book turned out to be.
“Grace Walker, who’s our production designer, has really put this thing together,” Executive Producer and Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman said. “It looks absolutely amazing.”
Can the Walking Dead inject some life into their zombified denizens, and actually remain interesting? Hopefully with this third season, I can finally be proven wrong about my doubts, and settle in for a good hour of entertainment, come October.
Am I the only person who copped an Avengers feel from that first pic?
Last Updated: July 3, 2012
Kervyn Cloete
July 3, 2012 at 14:29
Season 1 was great. It might not have followed the comic verbatim, but it certainly captured its essence. And then showrunner Frank Darabont got given the boot, and it all fell apart in Season 2. Both the mid-season and season finale may have been incredible but everything in between was a laborious drudge.
I have no idea how they could have thought that it would be good idea to take a single story arc out of the comic, that is really only about 4 episodes max’s worth of story, and then try to stretch it for an entire season.
One thing I have been in two minds about with this adaptation is the inclusion of Shane who was killed off in the comics I think in issue 2 or 3. By having him there, it gives the show a protagonist. However the writers then simply use him to do some of the more morally questionable acts that Rick was forced to do in the comics, which in turn takes a way a hell of a lot from his character.
Gavin Mannion
July 3, 2012 at 14:44
I have to agree that parts of Season 2 dragged but I did love it..
Andre116
July 4, 2012 at 13:35
I actually liked both seasons so far. And I also like that they’ve taken a different route with the tv show. Keeps us comic fans interested in the show instead of having us know what will happen next. I hope this show stays with us for a very long time. There is certainly enough material for it.
Yes, it does not compare to the comic, but it still is an excellent series. I don’t mind the bits that drag that much. Part of what keeps me interested in zombie/post apocalypse films/series/games is how the people try to get on with their lives when everything is messed up. I think the show shows that nicely, often leaving me pondering what I would when the inevitably zombie apocalypse happens. ( I already have a crossbow b.t.w.)
On a side note. Why are there not more zombie shows. It seems like such an easy concept really. You need some make up experts and a good story. Does not seem like it would need as hugh a budget as say Falling Skies or Terra Nova. Why have someone in SA not started making such a show yet!
Kyle
July 3, 2012 at 14:34
I loved the first season… I haven’t been able to find the second season at video stores… 🙁
Gavin Mannion
July 3, 2012 at 14:44
I got it from iTunes…
Kyle
July 3, 2012 at 15:19
Thank you! I’ll take a look when I get home 😉
Kyle
July 3, 2012 at 14:37
Why does Rick look so much like Bradley Cooper???
Kervyn Cloete
July 3, 2012 at 15:44
While I admit that Andrew Lincoln doesn’t look a lot like his comic book counterpart, I don’t really see the Bradley Cooper resemblance.
Kyle
July 3, 2012 at 17:57
I apologise. I should’ve been more clear. He looks like Bradley Cooper in the top image, not in general…
Kervyn Cloete
July 3, 2012 at 18:00
Oh, right…..
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….Still not seeing it 😀
Kervyn Cloete
July 3, 2012 at 15:47
With Michonne (the katana wielding lady at the end of Season 2 for the non-comic readers) and the Governor’s arc coming up, I’m really eager to see if AMC will have the balls to put it all on screen.
If you think that you’ve seen shocking stuff happen in the 2 seasons thus far, you’re sorely mistaken. The stuff that happened in that story arc, gave pause to even my strong resolve. It was easily the hardest hitting and most vicious character arc I’ve read in a comic book ever.And the messed up thing, was that there was even more messed up stuff that followed it.
Andre116
July 4, 2012 at 13:25
Ja…I somehow don’t think they’ll be featuring all of Michonne and The Governors adventures. Think that might be pushing it for a tv show. I still cringe when I think of those couple of pages. Good stuff.
James Francis
July 4, 2012 at 13:37
There was shocking stuff in season 2? All I heard saw was lots of talking intermingled with the sheriff looking like he’s about to have a nervous breakdown. It’s hard to watch a character-driven show that slowly gets you to loathe every character.
James Francis
July 4, 2012 at 10:02
There’s a season 3? I thought the show bored itself to death…
Don’t really care. If season 3 is any good, I’ll wait for the fan feedback before taking a look. As far as I’m concerned, the show owes its fans BIG for the crap that was S2…
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