It’s finally February and everyone is about to get what they have been wishing for since Christmas. The Walking Dead returns after its way too long mid-season break! According to the AMC network’s blog, The Walking Deadbrought in over 15 million viewers for its mid-season finale. With 15 million viewers you’re pretty much guaranteed that almost everyone in your classes is a fan of the show…or they’re seriously missing out!
The Walking Deadhas significantly picked up in ratings and speed of the show since changing directors. Originally the show was led by Frank Darabont, (The Shawshank Redemptionand The Green Mile) and while still captivating, it moved at a much slower pace. The show is now directed by Glen Mazzara, originally from Queens.
According to AMC, Mazzara was originally brought on as a freelance writer in 2010 for The Walking Deadand now he’s running the show.
If you’re an avid fan of The Walking Dead you can see the change of tone and speed in season three compared to season two. Season three has moved much faster, showing the group moving in and taking over the prison with amazing formation and fighting skills. We also get to meet The Governor and see how he runs his “peaceful” town of Woodbury. The fan favorite, Michonne comes into play, with her samurai swords and pet zombies.
This season has also been extremely gory, more so than previous seasons. In the beginning we watched Rick literally chop of Hershel’s leg with an ax. Maggie has to perform and impromptu C-section on Lori in a boiler room, while zombies are running around killing the other group members. We also experienced the emotionally charged scene of Lori saying goodbye to her son Carl, which resulted in Carl having to step up and kill his own mother to prevent her from becoming a zombie.
Season three will start right back up with more emotional family drama and lives at stake with Darryl and Merle Dixon, two brothers having to fight each other to the death, ordered by the manipulative Governor. We are going to see the war unfold between the prison and the town of Woodbury in the remaining eight episodes of the season. If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, you know from past seasons, eight episodes is more than enough time for major life changing events to happen to these characters.