| Straker |
01-23-2014 08:37 AM |
So, I realise I'm way late to the party, but I have spent the last 3 weeks watching the first 3 seasons.
Ive wanted to watch this show for a while, but I rarely invest the time into watching tv shows like this
and either stop watching after a few episodes or never get round to watching them in the first place.
Spoilers ahead although I imagine everyone but me has seen this show by now anyway.
Season One
Pretty much flawless. Characters dont really get a chance to become too fleshed out due to the story moving along at quite a pace, but some strong acting gives a good feel for who the characters are. Everything feels genuine and intense which helps keep a sense of urgency and anticipation even when the zombie action is taking a back seat. High point? First episode was stellar, loved the character of Morgan and really hoping he features in later seasons.
Season Two
Slower paced with some new characters and some surprising exits. Think the new characters add a great extra dynamic and its interesting to see the characters start to evolve. I'd like to see more of some of the lesser characters from the original group. Felt like Dale wasn't used enough and the relationship between Andrea and Dale could've been developed more. Feel the same way about Lori who at times only seems to exist within the show to further distance Rick and Shane, although at least the character is aware of this, even if it is a writing mechanic to increase tension. I'd have liked to see Lori a little darker and more obviously self serving, kind've like a Lady Macbeth type of character. High points? Didn't see the finale playing out the way it did, some big shocks. Loving Maggie and Hershel and the developing closeness between Daryl and Carol. Low Points? Don't really 'get' Andrea. She'd make more sense if she was 16-18, right now her character seems unintentionally naive and capable of the insanely stupid.
Season Three
More surprising exits but a few welcome returns too.... Pacing moves up a gear from the outset showing the group developing into more battle hardened survivors. I think the episodes where Rick distances himself from the group really allow the story to flow and other characters to become more integral. The Governor is a great addition and there have been some quality episodes and story lines developing. Michonne is a good addition to the cast, but Andrea continued to annoy right to the end.
Its great that we got to see a little more of Morgans story, finally. For me, I feel like two of the most subtly important characters in the show are Morgan and Carl. Without these two its really difficult to tell the story and put the world into context. Carl is more obviously relevant as he is Ricks son and the youngest (active) cast member, but I feel like Morgan is almost as integral because he is the perfect character to represent 'everyone else'. Morgan represents all the people who are just like Rick and the group of survivors we are following. He's a good guy trying to cope with an extreme situation and his life mirrors Ricks in so many ways. His journey might be different or remain untold, but he helps remind the show and the audience that this is about real people, not super heroes and villains. He was there at the start of Ricks story and I hope he is there at the end too.
Also, I want to add that I think the show does a great job of not being too heavy handed with moral signposts. The 'good guys' aren't all wearing white hats and the 'bad guys' aren't all wearing black hats. Sometimes they both do things that might seem out of character for a hero/ villain and the show doesn't try to guide the audience through what is right or wrong.
Haven't watched any of season 4, although I've caught glimpses of spoilers from the shows that have already aired. I'll probably just wait for season 4 to finish its run before watching it, so I can watch them in one run. I'm too impatient for this one episode a week thing!
I could say more but I've already said way too much. :shocked:
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