So, I just finished watching the season finale of AMC's The Walking Dead, and I have to admit that I was expecting a larger exit on the part of some of the characters.
To sum things up, the series this far as been a roller coaster ride of triumphs and pitfalls. The story kept me involved so far, and the characters suffered and persevered against the dead. Despite their emotional turmoil they continued to cling on to hope that an answer or solution existed somewhere to the plague.
My own personal interest in this show was invested in how these characters dealt with the odds that were stacked against them. Each character lost friends or family along the way, but the idea of finding a solution always remained their focus.
Enter Rick Grimes, and the possibility of finding salvation at the CDC.
Ever since the end of episode five, I wanted to know how this first (successful) season of a zombie TV series would end. For myself, the series reached a climax at the end of episode five with Rick screaming "You're killing us!" And then the doors to the CDC's facility opened.
During episode Six, I thought two things marked this episode with a pivotal point that, I assume, would give direction for the rest of the series.
The introduction of the scientific perspective added a dimension of understanding, lament and sympathy. Dr. Jenner's explanation of the phenomenon informs but also brings the realization that the plague has already gone far beyond reversal. Jenner reveals that the facility has been set with a contingency protocol that would activate in the case of a facility power outage.
As we soon find out, the facility had been running on backup generators and a clock has been counting down to complete disposal. The entire facility had been set to self destruct to prevent the escape of any of the dangerous infectious diseases kept in containment.
Dr. Jenner puts into perspective the idea that there's nothing left to do or fight for. It's the same idea or realization that many zombie movies touched upon. The whole world is dead, what else is there to hope for or continue escaping for? Jenner locks everyone in the facility as a way of releasing them from their misery of living and hiding in a world that no longer holds any hope or salvation.
It truly is a difficult and pivotal moment in the series where tensions are high and characters are divided.
Dr. Jenner eventually changes his mind and unlocks the doors. Rick thanks him, but Jenner tells Rick that the day will come when he wished he had stayed. Jenner whispers something in Rick's ear before we follow the rest out of the facility. I guess this is something we'll find out at some point in season two.
One character does stay behind and perishes along with Dr. Jenner in the massive fireball that consumes the entire CDC facility. The remaining characters leave behind the last bastion of salvation and head out in search for another sanctuary.
So, my verdict, the first season ended on a medium-high note with the realization that there is nothing safe left and no hope for a return to normality. The characters are destined to find their own way to survive from here in out. I honestly felt that the number of returning characters would be smaller because several opted to end their lives in the blast, but changed their minds a few seconds before the explosion. How or what changed their minds? This is something that we'll most likely also find out in season two.
On another note, a friend of mine sent me a link to a news article that stated that Frank Darabont had let go of his entire writing staff at the end of this first season. I scratched my head and thought - What? From my understanding this sort of move happens with British shows quite often, but its unheard of on a American show.
The article went on to say that the show will continue without a set writing staff and will look into the possibility of hiring freelance writers to continue moving the series forward. There's an interesting opportunity, and all I can say is its about time freelancers got a piece of the pie!
Well, this whole news bit needs to be confirmed first by other notable sources before I or anyone can take it seriously. Right now it seems more like a rumor. However, rest assured that if it is confirmed, the freelance writing world will jump at the opportunity. I, for one, would be excited to try to get a piece of the pie!
So, season one of The Walking Dead gets a thumbs up from me.
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