Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2.12

Sorry it took me so long to post, but what an episode, right?!?! I knew, given all the internet buzz and the comics, that Shane was likely to kick the bucket in the next two episode, but I was getting pretty certain that they were going to hold all their cards until the finale. I, for one, am really, really glad that they didn't. A finale filled with too many "wow" moments would have really made me mad, especially considering that it's only the regular 44 minutes long.

I will say though, as an angry comic book reader, I really wish it had been Carl to pull the initial trigger on Shane. They did throw us comic readers the proverbial bone by having Carl put down zombie Shane, but in the comic it's the other way around. It doesn't really matter that much; I'm just happy he's gone. Not that I don't like you, Jon Bernthal, but it was time. I will say that the show did a good job of throwing in a plethora of red herrings to suggest that it would be Carl to pull the trigger. You can trace moments of foreshadowing on that front all the way back to the first season, but the moment of Shane giving Carl the gun at the beginning of last Sunday's episode were pretty creepy. Very "why do I have a feeling that you're going to be the death of me?"

Some great zombie kills in this episode, too. My personal favorite was Andrea's pitchfork-to-the-face move at the beginning of the episode. Think Dale's death got her a little riled up? Maybe just a bit. But I bet that one will be nothing compared to what's coming in the finale. I'm not one who watches the show entirely for the guts and gore, but hey...it's not a bad side dish. With the zombie horde fast approaching the farm house, I'm assuming we'll see plenty of skull-bashing, brain-splattering delight. In addition, I'm assuming we're about to say goodbye to a few more characters (I'd place bets on at least one or two from Herschel's crew), and as I've stated before, rumors say we're about to see the first appearance of the samurai lawyer, Michonne. I can't wait. I'm hoping we get a first glimpse at the prison as well, but that might be a stretch.

What were your thoughts and reactions to this episode? Hopes for next Sunday? Let me know! While you wait for the episode, check out the very brief preview of next week below...

Review: The Walking Dead, Episode 2.11

If they wanted us to receive the message "this is not the comics", then message received pretty loud and pretty freaking clear.

In the comics, our buddy Dale lives long after many others are gone. He lives to see plenty of death and destruction, including the amputation of his leg after a zombie bite and the amputation of his other leg at the hands of cannibals. But now, while still on the darned Greene farm, Dale has become a walker buffet. I can only assume that the show's producers wanted to keep things fresh and keep people guessing. Goal achieved. Of course, I did read this spoiler before watching tonight's episode. I really wanted it to be a lie. Damn you, internet.

Overall, this episode was pretty good, plenty of drama and tension. I even shed a few tears when Herschel handed over his watch to Glenn...I know, I'm a girl. My only complaint right now is that even I, the loyalest of loyal Walking Dead fans, have become a little frustrated with the pace. It's not that I mind things moving slowly; I don't. It's more that I am assuming there are at least three things (finding the prison, Shane dying, and Michonne showing up) that are likely to happen before the end of the season. That just seems like a heck of a lot to shove into two episodes, so I wish they'd get on with it if that's the end point for the season. If they save it all for the finale, then the finale better be three hours long.

Your thoughts on tonight's episode? What do you hope to see before the show goes on break? If Shane does in fact bite the dust, who do you think will pull the trigger? If you're itching for next week's episode already, check out the preview below.

Top 5: Best Moments of Walking Dead's Season 2.0

#5: Nothing says romance like the zombie apocalypse...and looting...
I really love when a show that is this serious finds moments for happiness and light. As Dale says, "we can still find joy", and boy do Glenn and Maggie find it together. Now I know many of us are quick to judge the lack of thought that went into the decision to get it on in the pharmacy, but it's nice to see Glenn happy. And, if nothing else, the dialogue that led up to the encounter was pretty hilarious. I'm really liking the actress who plays Maggie (much more than I like Maggie of the comics).

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-4-glenn-maggie.php

#4: Michael Rooker's cameo
As an older sibling, I don't really get the whole "I love my older sibling and yet hate them at the same time" thing, but I'm sure my sister would be happy to explain it to me. Regardless, you have to love the raw honesty of the relationship between Daryll and Meryl. Without telling us a great deal about their history, you can sense the aura of abandonment and disappoint, even as it mixes with a sense of love and loyalty. Nice to see Daryll's demons, as he remains one of my favorite characters.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-5-merle-daryl.php

#3: Honesty is an important element in any relationship
I've read the comics...many times...so I knew that Lori was pregnant. But in the comic she never comes right out and owns up to her relationship with Shane. Eventually, Rick kind of admits that he knows, but this doesn't happen until long after Shane is dead. So when she was just like "yeah, I totally had a thing with your bff", I was pretty floored. But hey, honesty is the best policy. Right?

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-6-rick-2.php

#2: The first to go are the fatties
Well, better get myself to the gym or avoid encountering Shane in the apocalypse. Whether you can justify his decision to sacrifice Otis or not, I think we can all agree that it was an excellent moment from the series. It speaks volumes about where Shane is now and potentially foreshadows his actions in the future. I'm with Dale; Steer clear of this dude.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-3-shane-otis-2.php

#1: Well...we found Sophia, guys...
Yeah, totally didn't see that coming. And Nicotero did such a good job with the makeup in that scene that, if only for a brief moment, I thought "maybe she's alive". Great acting job in reaction on the part of Carol, btw. That's a hell of a way to end the first half of a season though. Nothing says "the gloves are off" like killing a child. Battlestar Galactica proved that in their miniseries. Looks like the same brutality will exist here, and I'm looking forward to it.

http://blogs.amctv.com/photo-galleries/the-walking-dead-season-2-episode-photos/episode-7-sophia.php

Come on, February! Best Valentine's Day gift ever! Until then, enjoy this article about the upcoming season 2.5, or watch this teaser video courtesy of AMC.

Zombie News: Walking Dead Foreshadowing?

For those who have read The Walking Dead comics, keep reading. For those who are strictly TV fans, do NOT read on. SPOILER ALERT!

So in conducting my daily zombie research today, I came across this article about Jon Bernthal, the actor who plays Shane. Apparently he has been signed on to a new film project that begins filming in Louisiana in early December.

Photo by Gene Page (AMC, 2011)  http://www.imdb.com/media/rm91795968/nm1256532

Now, while plenty of actors juggle the demands of both film and TV at the same time, might this be a sign of things to come? Might we finally see the oh-so-dramatic end of the first trade that many of us have been craving since episode 1.6? Is there a reason that Bernthal has the time to involve himself in a new project? What do you think? And if it's going to happen (I think it will), will it happen in the same way it goes down in the comic? Is AMC that gutsy? Your thoughts, please!