FACE OFF: “Walking Dead” introduces new characters from the graphic novel, but you may not recognize them. (
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Hide if you value your non-undead life because yes — dammit! — they’re walking again!
After what seems like, er, a lifetime, “The Walking Dead,” the flat-out scariest, best, most unusual show to ever hit the small screen, is back, and I’m loving every sickening minute of it.
While last season had its big moments, the story focused more on the tragic triangle among hunk-of-burning-love Shane, annoying Lori and stoic, heroic Rick than on basic guts and gory glory.
While I loved the complexity of the triangle, it wasn’t until the end of the season that my head blew off with tension and shock. That wasn’t just a good thing, it was a very good thing.
This season, however? Let me just say I watched it in the newsroom with a headset on and didn’t realize that I had been screaming out loud. OK, this isn’t necessarily unusual behavior in a newsroom, but it is unusual when it comes from watching TV.
The season opens after last year’s game changer which began when Shane lured Rick into an open field, forcing Rick to knife his former best friend through the heart, only to have Shane turn all zombie on him. It was then that little Carl did what his father failed to do — put a bullet through Shane’s brain.
Meantime, 6 bazillion zombies were right behind them, causing the group to fight for their lives, flee, regroup and find a place to live.
I’m happy to report that, no, the group we’ve come to love is not safe. In fact, every day that passes makes them less and less safe. The world, it seems, is so full of zombies in various degrees of decay all looking for a nice, 10-corpse meal.
While I won’t tell you what happens, I’ll say time has passed and Lori is nearing her delivery date. Not good times for her, since she’s afraid of giving birth to a zombie, hubby Rick has no use for her — and neither does her son, little Carl.
But Rick does lead them to that abandoned (not really) prison. Now they have to take the place, kill off the armed former-now-zombie guards, and the incarcerated murderers — some living, some dead.
New characters from the graphic novel will be introduced — but not necessarily as you know them.
Last year, we got a glimpse of the sword-slinging Michonne (Danai Gurira), who rescued Andrea (Laurie Holden) from near death. The two have now teamed up, although Andrea the sharp-shooter looks like she might be heading to zombie land herself at any minute.
Then there’s The Governor (David Morrissey), who runs his own group of viciousness that Rick will have to deal with.
I’m also happy to report that T-Dog has been allowed to step up to the plate with a much larger role.
And then there’s Hershel. Oh my God, Hershel — what the hell have you done and what have they done to you?
To paraphrase Rick: This is not a democracy anymore. Right. Now it’s a democrazy.