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Waking from a coma to a world overrun by zombies, policeman Rick Grimes must learn how to survive in this post apocalyptic nightmare. Armed with firearms and supplies, Rick sets out into this dangerous world, searching for his missing family, hoping to find them alive and well…this is The Walking Dead.

Title: The Walking Dead
Written by: Frank Darabont (teleplay), Robert Kirkman (graphic novels)
Director: Gwyneth Horder-Payton
Company: Darwoods Productions
Original Air Date: November 14, 2010
Length: 60 min.
Rated: TV-14
Episode: “Tell It to the Frogs”

*Spoilers*

Our continuing coverage (episode 1) (episode 2) of this “continuing story of survival”…continues….

Last time, Rick and Glenn had set out to reach some vehicles through a heard of zombies, covered in zombie blood and guts (yuck), hoping to mask their sent. Rick’s plan seemed to be working until a freak rainstorm began to wash away their “zombie camouflage.” The zombies took notice and attacked, but the guys were able to hack their way through and make it to the trucks. While Rick used one of the trucks to pick up the others, Glenn distracted the zombie heard outside by driving around in car with its alarm blaring. The gang escaped with the exception of Merle, who was left handcuffed on the roof thanks to an unfortunate key mishap. With this disaster behind them, the rest of the group set out to meet up with Shane and the others.

“Tell It to the Frogs” begins with Merle having a mental break down, still handcuffed on the top of the roof. His level of craziness goes into over drive when zombies finally reach the door to the roof and attempt to break through the chain and padlock keeping the door sealed. As Merle’s fear grows, he first believes that this fate is what he deserves, but soon begins to beg God to help him, and then declares that he has never begged God for anything before and isn’t about to start now.  Merle finally gets it together enough to attempt to free himself by using a belt to try and reach a saw that was left on floor some feet away from him.

Meanwhile, things seem to be going pretty great for Shane as he continues to develop his relationship with Carl and Lori. This happiness doesn’t last long, as Rick and the others finally return from the city. Lori, Carl, and Shane are shocked and overwhelmed at seeing Rick alive and well. Over a campfire Rick fills the group in on his journey so far, and they all discuss what to tell Daryl about what happened to his brother, Merle. That night Rick and Lori renew their marriage and decide to look at these circumstances as a second chance for them.

The next day, Rick’s guilt over leaving Merle gets the best of him and he debates with Lori if he should go back and rescue him. When Daryl returns from hunting and learns what happened to his brother, he is furious and attacks Rick. Shane and Rick are able to subdue him, and Rick announces that he is going to go back for Merle. T-Dog and Glenn agree to join Rick and Daryl on the rescue mission. Shane and some of the others are against the mission, especially after a zombie is found near the camp. Rick informs them that he dropped a bag full of guns and ammo in the city and that if they go back for Merle, they can also retrieve these items. With that settled, Rick and the others drive off, back to the city in hopes of finding Merle and the supplies they need.

With this episode the character drama once again took center stage vs. last week’s action packed episode. We finally are getting to know some of the other characters and learning about the group dynamic. These character driven stories get us invested in these people and make us care about what happens to them. Andrew Lincoln’s performance so far has been excellent, he is Rick Grimes! He demonstrated Rick’s leadership and ingenuity in the last episode, and this week he has shown that Rick is also a family man with a strong moral center. I can’t wait to see what’s in store of these people next week; see that, I care about these characters already.

Nick Zamora
nickz@comicattack.net