“The Grove” is what I’d think of as the “Of Mice and Men” version of “The Walking Dead.” It’s a twisted tale of a beast without knowledge of how to survive in the world, and the inevitability that they’ll be a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Easily the most disturbing episode of the series yet, “The Grove” begins on a very eerie and absolutely surreal note that’s both cryptic and terrifying. Are we watching a dream? A flashback? A fever delusion? A memory? Or perhaps the life of someone who owned a sweet house in a grove once upon a time? One of the interesting ideas presented behind “The Grove” is the idea that perhaps Sophia died simply because she just didn’t see what was before her. Maybe Sophia didn’t view the walkers as a threat, or just didn’t view them as monsters when all was said and done.
Tag Archives: Zombies
The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 14: The Grove
“The Grove” is what I’d think of as the “Of Mice and Men” version of “The Walking Dead.” It’s a twisted tale of a beast without knowledge of how to survive in the world, and the inevitability that they’ll be a danger to themselves and everyone around them. Easily the most disturbing episode of the series yet, “The Grove” begins on a very eerie and absolutely surreal note that’s both cryptic and terrifying. Are we watching a dream? A flashback? A fever delusion? A memory? Or perhaps the life of someone who owned a sweet house in a grove once upon a time? One of the interesting ideas presented behind “The Grove” is the idea that perhaps Sophia died simply because she just didn’t see what was before her. Maybe Sophia didn’t view the walkers as a threat, or just didn’t view them as monsters when all was said and done.
The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 12: Still
“Still” is filler, but really good filler. It essentially feels in place this season to give Daryl more to do, while also focusing more on Beth. If you suspected Beth is nothing but a spoiled little shit since season two, than you’d be correct. Granted, she’s sweet, kind, and strong, but she’s also a sheltered little girl who’d rather do nothing than have a drink, than survive. She’ll go through walkers, and risk being eaten just to have her first drink. But then after spending the night in the trunk of a car in the middle of a herd, who can blame Beth for wanting to have her first drink before she croaks?
The Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 7: Crossed
One thing “Claimed” proved to me once and for all. Say what you want about Rick Grimes, but when he’s pushed in to a corner, he comes out fighting, and always comes out ahead. In season two he spent his time looking for Sophia and ended up saving Hershel and Glenn’s lives from two nomads mid-season. Season four he mowed down a zombie horde with a machine gun and his son alone, and tonight not only did he avoid a group of really violent nomads, but he also evaded them without drawing attention, and managed to come out fairly unscathed. I doubt they’ll ever really know what happened to Rick and his team after tonight.
The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 10: Inmates
The writers of “The Walking Dead” are really interested in emphasizing the fact that the Governor has taken away paradise for everyone around him. Once Woodbury went, so did Grimesville, or whatever it was called. “After” focused on the three core characters of the series (I’m glad Michonne is essentially a principal character now), and “Inmates” focuses on the remaining survivors of the prison, all of whom are at wits end, and on the verge of death. They’re worse off than they were at the beginning of season two, truth be told. The episode has its problems, in either case.
Reel Zombies (2008): Special Edition (DVD)
Many zombie fans will be quick to compare David J. Francis and Mike Masters’ mock documentary set amidst the zombie apocalypse to “Diary of the Dead.” Truth be told, I was prepared to consider it a knock off during the first twenty minutes, but that would be a disservice to “Reel Zombies.” Directors Francis and Masters don’t offer any pretension about their film and are pretty straight forward in its premise and how they’re not even remotely trying to offer social commentary. There’s no message about racism, or sexuality, or the government, it’s just a straight forward horror comedy. “Reel Zombies” won’t be accused of re-inventing the wheel, but even with its flaws, it’s a damn good horror comedy.
The Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 9: After
As much as I adore “The Walking Dead,” it’s always so much better when it focuses on silence and quiet dread. Scenes of Carl walking through a deserted suburb, or Michonne walking camouflaged within a herd are some of the most uneasy moments of the new episode. Much to my surprise, the series has been veering much closer to the comic books than it has been for the last four years, and it’s borrowed some of the best and most compelling story lines involving the aftermath of the prison invasion. There are a lot of callbacks to the first season. There’s a mention of Shane teaching Carl to tie knots, there’s a top down zoom in of a military tank like the final scene of the pilot, and now Rick and Carl have holed up in a house together exactly like Morgan and Duane did in the pilot.