The Watcher - The Walking Dead, series one, episode four

SPOILER ALERT!

This review is for episode four of The Walking Dead, which doesn't air in the UK till Friday 26th November.

Consider this your only warning!

AMC's The Walking Dead has been an absolute triumph so far.

Great cast, beautiful direction and scripts that - despite the post-apocalyptic setting - sparkle when appropriate and then break your heart. It has been everything I hoped and proves what I have been saying for a long time - TV is a medium that deserves more intelligent drama. Film is still considered the zenith of audio-visual storytelling, but a television series can truly develop characters and plotlines, whereas films are often left just documenting a snapshot of the characters' stories. When TV does this right, it can be incredibly sophisticated and emotionally engaging.

Episode four is the ante penultimate instalment of the first series and the first one written by the comic series creator, Robert Kirkman. By the end of the hour-long, I could see why this is his episode.

In and of itself the episode has some beautiful symmetry, bookended by the two sisters Andrea and Amy. Sometimes, foreshadowing can seem ham-fisted and trite. Here, it just served to emphasise the deeply upsetting events at the end.

The other triumph in this episode is Merle. Michael Rooker's incredible performances in the last two episodes means that he can basically sit this one out; yet Merle still looms large over proceedings. I can't help but believe that the horror at the camp at the end was wrought by Merle in a twisted act of revenge. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

If I have any criticisms, I have to say I am unsettled by the slightly cheesy idea that Jim has prophetic dreams. Still, I happy to see how this unfolds as dreaming has a fine tradition in good horror stories.

In fact, my main criticism is of the sub-plot about the gang defending the old folks' home. I actually liked it, but it seemed a little out of place and I would understand if others found it somewhat ridiculous. The idea of these guys defending the elderly makes complete sense to me, especially when you consider the cultural background these people come from, but the early tough guy stand off is at odds with their later, friendlier attitude. Again, I can understand them wanting to show teeth and make the other side back down, but threatening to toss Glenn off the top of the building seems brutally cavalier considering they are basically decent people.

Thankfully, the cast have already gelled enough to sell me this whole incident. Lincoln and co. make a compelling little unit. Jon Bernthal has also brought a compelling Shane to our screens - breathing multiple dimensions into a character I almost instantly loathed in the comics.

Even though I knew some of the characters were likely to have only a limited run on the show, I was surprised how much I have warmed to most of them (not you Ed, you creepy wife-beater - don't think I didn't miss the implication that you have other sick tastes too, good riddance). So when Kirkman began his now legendary brand of zombie justice, I genuinely felt stunned. Not even Joss Whedon is that brutal.

And Greg Nicotero's zombie effects get better and better. Wow.

Episode four. One hell of an ending.

Ben Fardon has renewed hopes the HBO decides to make a Preacher TV series. And if they don't, maybe AMC would like a sister show for The Walking Dead...

Bite Sized Morsels - The Prowling The Savannah Digest

Slowly, like a belligerent teenager who is just starting to grasp the realities of life, Prowling The Savannah is pulling its socks up. The Proud Lion blog is aiming to produce more new content to a regular schedule each week.

Here's what you might have missed last week:

The Watcher - Skyline
Wednesday saw one of our new features debut with a double hitter. The Watcher will review the best of current superhero, science fiction, fantasy and horror TV, films and more. Last week new contributor Phil Davies took a look at Skyline...

The Watcher - Misfits, series two, episode one
...and Stefan Harkins reviewed the start of the new series of E4's Misfits.

New Beginnings - Teen Titans #88
On Thursday New Beginnings returned, spotlighting the best new comics around. Whether it be an issue one, or a new jump-on point for an existing title, this weekly column will give you an honest review of any hot new issues clamouring for your attention. This week, new contributor Matt Puddy had a read of Teen Titans #88, which saw the introduction of Damian to the team.

FACT x IMPORTANCE = NEWS
Finally on Friday, another new column. My weekly look at the biggest news from comics, gaming, TV and films. Amongst other things this week, we had trailers for Green Lantern and Cowboys And Aliens.

Right, you're all caught up on our first new week of content. There's more to come this week, with new columns hoping to join the party.

Gamers rejoice, Big Game Hunting will be returning soon too, with a look at new board games and RPG or feature articles on classics or trends.

And at weekends we're hoping to launch showcase some strong opinions. Watch this space!

FACT x IMPORTANCE = NEWS

OK, time for the new (and hopefully weekly) Friday genre news round up. The best in TV, film, gaming and comic book news from across sci-fi, fantasy and more.

LUKE... I KNOW WHAT YOUR GETTING FOR CHRISTMAS, LUKE... I'VE FELT YOUR PRESENTS...

They always say, start with a joke. So here's the trailer for Family Guy's Return Of The Jedi spoof. Hopefully this will be funnier than the last one. I saw some of it at the New York Comic Con and it was really good. Check out who is playing Admiral Ackbar...

YOU DO TOO MUCH; YOU'RE NOT SUPERMAN, YOU KNOW

And so to the biggest news from Marvel this week. They are (yawn) killing off a character. Aren't we all sick of the revolving door of death in comics? Well, the small silver lining to the cloud is that it's Ultimate Spider-Man; since the recent to re-energise the Ultimate universe, they are taking bigger risks with all the characters - so I'll certainly give this a look. Marvel.com have the full story here.

RING IN THE CHANGES

DC have a few big things going on this week. First up, you surely can't have failed to see this...

Staying with Green Lantern, DC released this teaser image this week:

And finally they announced that Doomsday was coming back, starting with the Steel one-shot in January. Marvel responded with a humourous Doop teaser.

3:10 TO PLUTO

Details of Jon Favreau's new film are started to appear this week. First the poster and now the trailer:

It's a superb trailer and a great cast. I didn't much care for the comic it was based on - mainly because the art work was really flat. Favs seems to have found the heart of the concept and really made something quite fun. Cowboys And Aliens is out next year.

QUOTH THE RAVEN, `NEVERMORE.'

Finally, A Game Of Thrones fans finally got their first look at the forthcoming HBO TV series this week. EW.com had ten photos on their website, with more and a set report if you pick up the latest issue.

Ben Fardon used to hate Westerns. That changed almost ten years ago now. Damn you Joss Whedon.

New Beginnings - Teen Titans #88

This month we have a new jump on point for Teen Titans. Now if honest, this isn’t a title I have followed in the past opting more for Marvel’s Young Avengers (stifle the groans please). Even so I have an understanding of the premise and dynamics the comic has always held or steered towards from watching it on TV a few years ago.

From the start Teen Titans #88 hits you with a bright, colourful cover which screams forward movement. It’s dynamic looking and almost bursting out of the page, if it was 3D then you would be receiving a body part in the face, which makes it an appealing title to pick up even on a whim.


The story opens with a nice ambiguous narrator which unfolds nicely towards the end of the issue without having a direct impact on the Titans. The main story is used to explore who the different Titans are and how they fit without offering a deluge of their history.


Instead it focuses on the personal dilemmas of some of the more major characters. There’s an interesting moment of weakness in Superboy when Cassie leaves an open statement about their relationship. Highlighting the destructive Ravager on the team – contrary to what the Teen Titans stand for – is also a nice touch.

Yes, knowing all of the background would help to a degree but it isn’t completely essential - the story gives enough information for anyone who wants to know to find out. The running lines then pan out far enough to tempt and tease, leaving you wanting to read more.

Looking back at the cover it gives a second insight in to the new direction. The iconic Robin figure has been missing and the honour now falls to Damien, who swaggers in with his usual juvenile arrogance. My only criticism would be that this feels inconsistent with the rest of the DC universe. Personally as I’ve not seen this yet in Batman and Robin, I felt that this was misplaced. We are still awaiting the new Batman Inc. and already they are shipping Robin into another title before the Batman bombshell has fully gone off and given a full picture.

From a visual point of view I would have to say that my other minor disappointment would be the artwork. For me, Nicola Scott’s pencil work feels a little uneven and inconsistent when portraying the characters - Superboy’s muscle and body size for example. In other parts, her work seems bland and lacking detail.

It left me feeling that Doug Hazlewood’s colouring saved it on more than one occasion, creating more depth than was actually there. However, I also have to echo my thoughts on the cover which was Scott’s work too and in doing so I’ll leave this parting shot. Read the issue, take it in and then look again at the cover. Consider what is shown and also what it not. I hope you see it too.



Matt Puddy hails from a fairly normal life. He likes TV, games, playing sport and has within the last few years found a new love for reading comics.
Always happy to try something new and is a open minded person. His new found love for American comics have come more from finding Proud Lion and starting to read more DC, Marvel and Top Cow comics (to name a few); Matt has always had a fascination with Manga, Anime (such as Naruto, Bleach and One Piece) and general Japanese culture.
Jack of many trades, master of none, happy with that. He would be more apathetic but can't bothered...