Genre: Sci-Fi | Horror | Thriller

Air Date/Time: October 16th at 9/8c (special 90-minute episode)

Network: AMC

Directors: Ernest Dickerson, Gwyneth Horder-Payton

Writers: Ardeth Bey, Robert Kirkman

Summary: AMC’s critically acclaimed original series, The Walking Dead, is back with its much anticipated second season. When we last left the The Walking Dead, the characters were in the midst of a high-intensity struggle to survive, fleeing the CDC as it burst into flames. In Season 2, they are still on the move, facing more threats and obstacles than ever.

Based on one of the most successful and popular comic books of all time, written by Robert Kirkman, AMC‘s The Walking Dead captures the ongoing human drama following a zombie apocalypse. The series follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Teachers, Strike Back), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. However, instead of the zombies, it is the living who remain that truly become the walking dead. Jon Bernthal (The Pacific, The Ghost Writer) plays Shane Walsh, Rick’s sheriff’s department partner before the apocalypse, and Sarah Wayne Callies (Prison Break), is Rick’s wife, Lori Grimes. Additional cast include: Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey DeMunn, Chandler Riggs, IronE Singleton and Melissa McBride.

Welcome Back Zombies! And yes they are back, with a vengeance. The episode begins with an almost literal goodbye to season 1, but they have not left behind any of the quality of the effects, writing, acting, or production.

There have been rumblings of concern that the effects in the second season of this series would suffer for various reasons, but that’s certainly not the case with the first episode. By now most fans of the show have seen either clips or stills from what looked to be a car park overrun with walkers. It is EPIC. I usually hate being spoiled on a big scene but I have to say that for once, knowing what’s coming actually makes the tension greater. And it’s not the only effects achievement of the episode. A quick reminder, however; this is one of those shows during which you do NOT want to be eating. Enough said.

As for the story line, season 2 picks up just two days after the season 1 finale. They have a new goal but of course there are, ah, bumps along the way. New alliances begin to form within the group, as others begin to separate. This particular episode is a subtle but intriguing exploration of how various members of the group deal with their own guilt. You’ll see. It’s wonderful writing, not least of which because it doesn’t, sorry, smash you over the head with it, and would be easy to miss with everything else that’s going on.

And that’s one of the things that makes this series so great. If you want monsters and gross-out scenes, you’ll get em. If you want an exposition on interpersonal relationships, or the nature of faith and the randomness of fate, it’s here too.

I had a couple of problems with the group appearing to break the “rules” of life amongst the zombies, but a second watch solved most if not all of my concerns. If you have similar issues after a first watch, give it a second watch and hopefully you’ll feel a little bit better about it.

My initial gut (sorry) reaction to the episode, beyond being so happy to see a fresh episode, was tainted by not only the concern for accuracy within its own mythology, but also the fact that I didn’t like the way certain characters were behaving. Which was, of course, their intent. After a second watch this of this extra-long opening episode, I’ve decided to not ding them for being such excellent actors. Kudos to the entire ensemble, excellent work by each of them.

Some of the characters are starting to change, others are given more screen time, the group is moving on, the effects are even better, and I can’t wait for episode two.

I give The Walking Dead: Season 2, Episode 1 “What Lies Ahead” Five out of Five Stars.