Episode 2: Guts, Take 2

Guts opened with one of the simplest tension building techniques: Silence. We live in a world of such constant sound that when it's taken away, we get uncomfortable. The smallest crack, creak, or cry will elicit jumps. So when Lori goes off on her own, away from chattering people, we're using our ears more than our eyes. We're automatically worried because she's on her own, in the woods, in a zombie infested world. In your typical horror movie, anyone who goes off on their own isn't likely to come back. Our anticipation of something devious was toyed with and manipulated, followed swiftly by our emotions. You have to wonder how soon after Rick was abandoned in the hospital that Shane and Lori started their tryst. David asks a good question in his post: Is it really an affair? We'll find out together, friends! Maybe next episode, but I wouldn't bet on it.

More than anything, Guts moved the story forward. After spending an hour and a half getting to know Rick, Duane, and Morgan, we now jumped into hectic downtown Atlanta. A ton of characters were introduced but we never got to know much about them. I find myself having to use IMDB to get the names right. The only time we got to see much from these new characters was when Rick was with them, which could wind up hurting the show in the long run. These characters need to stand out on their own away from Rick. Despite character development taking a backseat here, great character moments were not scarce. Merle and his power-trip, Andrea and Rick in the jewelry store (are we looking at a potential love square?), Glenn cruising down an abandoned highway, T-Dog losing the key...Nice hints at the people underneath. Since they're a part of the main group that includes Shane, Lori, and Carl, we'll have another four episodes to get to know them.

While I hate to beat a zombie-devoured horse, I want to address something David mentioned: Humanity. After this episode, and having read a bit of the comic, I feel confident saying that humanity will be the biggest theme of this series. Nothing's black and white (which is itself a black and white statement), and it follows that there's shades of gray of humanity. We saw a lot of good in Days Gone Bye. That might have been the most we'll see in a single episode all season because Guts shows us that apocalypse is not the best catalyst for getting over prejudices, ignorance, anger, addiction, loss, etc. This is not uncommon in the zombie genre. It's another staple, but The Walking Dead gets to draw it out for at least one more season (it's been renewed for a 13-episode second season!). We'll really see it at play with the "Governor" story arc, if they get there. And it's one of the most fascinating aspects of post-apocalyptic movies, to me at least. I wonder how society would crumble, how quickly the worst in people would come out. Guts started us in that direction and I can't wait to see how desperate this group gets.

After Days Gone Bye, I read an article with Frank Darabont about the restrictions AMC put on them. Darabont responded there were no restrictions. When it came to gore, they could show whatever they wanted. On Sunday night, only the second episode, we were treated to the disemboweling and dismemberment of a zombie. Not satisfied with that, the zombie guts were then smeared on Rick and Glenn, complete with intestine necklaces for both. Preceding this scene, Rick and co. tried to figure out how the zombies identify one of their own and someone living. I liked that a lot. The scene wasn't dwelled on, but it was one of those subtle things I feel sets the series apart (yeah, yeah, I know it's early). Rarely do the characters ever try to infiltrate the zombies or discuss what mechanisms they're using. I think it expands the zombie mythology. These things are dead, yet the senses of smell, hearing, and sight still work. What else is firing away in their brains? I don't really expect to get an answer, but they're simple conversation leads to other, more complex ideas about zombie physiology.

Overall, I had fun watching it. What stood out the most were those character moments and Rick and Glenn among the walking dead (I am the most clever person I know). More than anything, though, this episode set up different characters in different, terrible situations. Rick says he's going back for Merle, Merle's brother won't be happy, Shane and Lori have to come to terms with Rick being alive, T-Dog may well have to deal with Merle being alive and pissed.

Final Verdict: 8.329 out of 10 Head Shots. The lack of character development hurt, especially in light of introducing more than five new people. But there were great scenes and the set-up is there.