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. 

Episode 2: Guts

I think it’s safe to say that “Guts” is a much different animal than “Days Gone Bye.” And not necessarily for better or for worse. It was just different. The action was amped up, the character development was toned down, and our characters moved into position like chess pieces in our overall story building to an attack. While I did not enjoy “Guts” as much as “Days Gone Bye,” I certainly felt it was a welcomed change of pace and definitely an interesting episode of television.

Bottom line up front: Last night we got to see not only how far our characters will go to survive in a world ruled by the dead—but how far our show creators are willing to go when it comes to gore. I have never witnessed a scene like the one of Rick chopping up the corpse with an axe. While it was gory, "Guts" added comedy to several disturbing moments. I thought the humor that was added in this episode—like when Glen puked while being smeared with zombie guts—was nice as it put us to ease a bit after the somber, dark premiere.

How about that opening? I mean I’ve seen sex scenes on TV before but that one just felt dirty. Seeing Shane all over Rick’s wife as they snuck away for a quickie made me shudder. Especially seeing her take her husband's wedding band from around her neck and toss it to the side. It was a short scene that gave us a glimpse of what kind of hell is in store for Rick when he finds his family—that is if he ever finds out about the “affair”. I put affair in quotations because I’m wondering: Is it really an affair if you think your husband is dead, but have had no physical proof? Just curious. Regardless, The Walking Dead is two for two when it comes to effective opening scenes!

Early on in "Guts" we meet Glen, the character that helps Rick escape the tank, as well as a group of his fellow survivors: T-Dog, Andrea, Morales, Jacqui, Ed and Merle. (Am I forgetting anyone?) The only issue that I had with this episode is that I felt it may have introduced too many characters at once, but that may have been intentional. This is a show that has a lengthy bit of time to work with all of these characters in the future. Perhaps introductions are all we need at this point. I’m sure we will spend plenty of time getting to know these characters in the future—at least the ones that don’t get killed off—but for right now, we just needed them to get the hell out of downtown Atlanta and back to camp.

Another thing I wanted to take note of: How awesomely cinematic are the shots of an apocalyptic Atlanta? They really took the time to dress this show and make it feel like a almost lifeless world.

I think I’m going to start a new thing in my columns—David’s Favorite Zombie. Last week’s would be a no-brainer: The half-zombie woman crawling through the grass, grabbing for Rick. The few scenes she was in were grotesque and heartbreaking. This week the award goes to (drum roll, please): the rat-eating zombie Glen and Morales discover in the sewer system. Man, that was gross (awesome).

I like that the theme of people grasping on to their humanity, which was heavily featured throughout the premiere (see Joey’s review), is still present here. For instance, there is absolutely no reason at all for T-Dog to go back to unchain the despicable character Merle. Not only did he insult T-Dog repeatedly, but he beat him to a bloody pulp. So why did T-Dog go back to help his attacker when he could have just left him there? It seems to me that the act would have been more for him than for Merle. I don’t think that he could have lived with himself knowing that he left a man to die on the roof. I think that he knew the guilt would have been too much for him. But alas, T-Dog wasn't successful in his mission to help Merle, as he tripped and dropped the key, leaving Merle stranded on the roof.

Will they go back to help Merle? The previews for next week seem to say yes, but the real question is what happens when they do? I have my doubts that Merle will be ”eternally grateful” to whoever comes back for him—but that’s just me.

What were your thoughts, observations, or criticisms? Please share by commenting below!

Final Verdict: 8.5 out of 10 Headshots.