My family has been infected by zombies
My family has been infected by zombies. It’s true. And, to be honest, it’s my fault. I guess I should explain…
It happened when I least expected it. I guess I should have expected it. I had been writing about zombies and reading about zombies and laughing at zombie cartoons for the last several months. But, I never thought they would actually break into my own house and infect my family.
It started one Sunday afternoon. At first, everything was normal; at least, I thought everything was normal. But, before I knew it, my wife and my daughter had been infected. I tried to protect them; I thought I had protected them. But, it was too late. I could tell right away that they were infected.
Within a few days, my son was infected also. My family… infected by zombies. My WHOLE family… infected… defiled, spoiled, tainted, transformed…
… by The Walking Dead!
You see, even though I’ve been writing about zombies for the last few months, I had never actually seen an episode of The Walking Dead. I prefer the older, psychological horro movies and books to the newer, gorier versions. (For example, one of my favorite authors is Edgar Allen Poe.)
But, since I’m writing for Zombie Theology (and since I’m, in fact, one of the administrators), I decided that I should start watching the series. AMC TV showed all of the episodes from Season 1 in the hours leading up to the premiere episode of Season 2. I started watching the Season 1 episodes that Sunday… and I started watching them alone.
Why did I start watching them alone? Because my wife does not like horror at all! And, my son and daughter have not been interested in zombies. So, I started watching the Season 1 episodes of The Walking Dead by myself. Soon, my wife and daughter wandered into the room and began watching with me. I stopped the DVR, but they said I could finish watching that particular episode. (I don’t remember which episode it was…)
By the end of the episode, they were both hooked! (My son was working, so he was not infected that afternoon…) They made me (or strongly requested) that I start over with the first episode. So, Sunday and Monday, we watched all six episodes of Season 1. Then, about a day late, we watched the season premiere of Season 2 together.
Within a few days, my wife and daughter had enticed my son to start watching as well. Because of his work and school schedule, it took him a little longer, but within a few days, he had caught up with us. He was infected also!
So, why does my family enjoy The Walking Dead when they don’t like horror or zombies? Because of the story lines! They are enjoying the characters, the plots, the relationships, the intrigue, the secrets… everything about the series.
I asked my wife about the zombies and the gore. She said, “The Walking Dead is not really a zombie series. It’s a good series that happens to have zombies.”
So, my family is infected… and I think it’s my fault.
Loading ...
Your wife is right. It’s not really about zombies, though they are around. It’s about how we as humans manage to deal with current social situations in a world that has been dealt a nasty blow. The drama of it all is fantastic. I loved how the idea of dealing with raising children in this season (currently season 2) has been handled. Plus the background stories of the events that lead up to everything currently is great fodder for each character to have to deal with.
This show will go down in television history as breaking new ground in a lot of areas. It’s fresh (despite the fact that it’s about rotting, walking dead,) and appeals to many people who don’t usually like horror. That in it’s self is a major achievement! Much like LOST had people following it because it was different.
Any idea where I can get those zombie car decals?
Try this link: http://www.kalanlp.com/index.php/products/decals.html
-Alan
It may not be “about zombies” but the zombie kills are pretty sweet, last week’s partially severed head zombie was awesome!
I agree that the special effects are outstanding, Dan. The behind the scenes of the zombie in the well show just how much work went into that outfit. I love watching special effects stuff. The severed head bothered me a bit. Not by the gore of it, for heaven knows I love a good gore fest. It’s the logic behind it. If the head is severed, how can the body still move?
The head can still work the jaws and eyes, but the body isn’t fully attached except by a few strands of flesh and not by the neck bone, where all information from the brain is transmitted to the body. This very thing bugged me in Romero’s Land of the Dead where one zombie attacks someone but before it can bite, it had to flip it’s head up on to it’s shoulders to do so.
Illogical… highly illogical. (hmmm… perhaps my inner Spock is coming through. Fascinating. LOL!)
That is a great point and one that I hadn’t thought of! Still very cool though!
Yeah, the special effects were great, but there’s no way that I would have drunk water out of that well even if they pulled the zombie out intact… especially with 4 other wells on the property.
-Alan
completely agree.
My family, and now friends, have also been infected. I think you’re right about this being a series where zombies are in the background which allows the storylines to pursue other areas of exploration. But then again, for me that’s really been the appeal of the great zombie films in that the threat of the cannibalistic undead creates scenarios for all kinds of social, cultural, religious, and ethical questions to be explored.
John,
Thanks for the comment! I’ve loved how they have begun to touch on some of the ethical questions. While I don’t expect to agree with all of their answers (that would be boring, wouldn’t it?), I do hope they continue delving into these issues.
-Alan
Although not traditional “zombies,” I think 28 Days Later is another great example of this.