Zombie Time!
Recently I was trying to find a show to watch with my sibling, and then I remembered that the walking dead existed and that I wanted to give it a go at some point. After the first few episodes I realised how good it is. It is honestly amazing!
I think one of the things that the show does really well is being unpredictable. I find it quite easy to predict what will happen next in shows and movies. There are tell tale signs that lots of shows use e.g if a character is explaining their past in a kinda hopeful way they are probably about to die, or if a character walks into a forrest on their own they will probably die. The walking dead show uses a lot of these tropes, so you think you know whats going to happen, but whats clever is they dont do the predicted outcome. e.g in the first episode when Rick goes into the stairwell and lights a match to see, my immediate instinct is that there is going to be a zombie that will jump out, why else would he have to light a match to see if not a setup for a jumpscare. But Rick goes down the stairs and leaves without a single zombie or scare. They make you expect a scare but then dont give you one.
This is really effective with giving the show stakes. Normaly some one walking into the woods alone isnt that stressful because youve already realised that they are going to die so theres no surprise, but since the walking dead will have nothing happen after a character looks like they are going to die, it makes you always on edge. Uncertainty is so much more stressful and it makes character deaths or big events so much more impactful as they can come from anywhere.
An intersting thing from reading the comic ahead of watching the show is that I thought that reading the comic would spoil the show as I would know what would happen ahead of time. interestingly the show follows the comic in quite a few of the locations and characters, but also flips some things around. e.g the stairwell in episode 1, in the comic Rick falls down the stairs wrestling a zombie. However the fact that in the show nothing happens is made even more powerful and freaky for people whove already read the comic as your certainty is destroyed.
The little guys!
The chacters in the show are done so well! I love so many of them. Rick and Shane are lovable. Daryl is cute and kinda sweet, especialy when he gets a little kiss on his head <3. I know the shows meant to be serious and spooky but I find so many of the characters lovable, especialy when they get character growth and are kind too each other. What I think the show does really well is that all the characters motives and reasons for thier actions are belivable and understandable. Even if somone does somthing kinda evil you understand why they do it, no one is evil for no reason, apart from Meryle.
Ending
Thanks for reading this episode of Cool stuff! I hope you enjoyed it! I know these arent the most coherent things to read, but I hope it was at least a bit interesting.
P.s if you have any suggestions to improving the accessibilty of the website please leave a comment on neocities! I want to make sure this place is fun for everyone!
See you soon!
Cardboard Witch <3 :3