Writing is a solitary experience. It is like most anything else. It's about what I call the 3-D's: Discipline, Dedication and Drive. You have to want it, yes. But you actually have to work at it. A writing routine is important. Getting into a routine is key. I sometimes suffer there. I have the time. There is a fourth D. It' can be a killer to a writer. A downer. (No, Downer is not the fourth D).
Distraction. That's it. The Fourth D. Distraction.
Remember the song, Video Killed the Radio Star?
Facebook and other social networks killed the writer.
I remember back when I wrote on a typewriter. There was no internet. I mean, there might have been. People didn't have home computers. Facebook wasn't alive. Breathing. Twitter was more of a sound-effect. Birds flapping wings.
I wrote my first horror novel on a typewriter. The Party House. A slasher story. Took place in a ... well, yes, a party house. I was a fourteen year old busboy at the time. It was all I knew. It's what I wrote about. And I wrote about it without distractions.
Back in 2000, my first novel was published. Mind Play. A psychological thriller. I was then on target. Released a new book every year for seven years. Life got in the way. It has been a while since I've had a new book come out. That is until now.
Pulse Of Evil was recently released. It's in E-book and Paperback format. I have three other manuscripts started, and a young adult novel still under consideration by a different publisher.
It is the three started manuscripts that bother me. They, in and of themselves, are now a distraction. I know why. It's like being so hungry at a restaraunt, that you can't decide what to order. Too much selection. That is a distraction. Especially when you think it all sounds so yummy.
I know what I need to do. Of course I do. It's like wanting to lose weight. You know what you have to do to drop pounds. Meal portions, exercise and lots of water. It's simple. But people would rather spend money to meet goals. Weight Watchers, and diet-fads, buy books and videos on how-to. Those are not needed. They are frivolous at best. Meal portions, exercise and lots of water. Quite simple.
What I need to do is pick one tale.
One.
And finish it. Slave away at it. And get it done.
It's not like the other stories vanish if I concentrate on just one. They won't. They'll still be there. Waiting for my attention.
The tough part, though, is picking which one deserves my utmost dedication.
While writing this, I have narrowed the choices down to two. Hopefully by the time I hit "publish" I will have selected which manuscript I will choose and vigorously move forward...
Hmmm. I think I know.
In the mean time, while I get back to writing -- because, yep, you guessed it, blogging is not much different than Facebook, and Twitter, and YouTube, and the Internet -- it's part of the Fourth D. Blogging, although necessary, is a distraction from my actual writing -- why don't you check out some of the links below!
Look at the time. Way behind schedule. Got to run!
Phillip Tomasso
Pulse of Evil Book Trailer
Pulse of Evil For Sale (Just click on the book cover)
Other titles for sale for Kindle
The Molech Prophecy for sale on Nook/Paperback -- writing as Thomas Phillips
Showing posts with label zombies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zombies. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Walking Dead Follow Up: How Did Shane/Randy Become Walkers: 03-12-12
Looks like I was not alone. Last night's episode (Better Angels) of The Walking Dead raised many questions.
I blogged live during the show. You can read that here.
Things got crazy at the end of the show. When it ended I couldn't help getting worried. No I was not worried about all the killing. Or the fact that Carl is starting to creep me out. He's like some creature-kid from a Stephen King movie. But whatever.
No. What's bothering me is the fear that The Walking Dead is going to become like Lost. I don't think that is what's going to happen. But like I said. I worry. (And don't get me wrong. I dedicated years watching Lost. Week after week. Loved all the constant questions raised. Loved that everyone was assured answers were forthcoming. Bull-crap! Writers took a cheap, easy way out. Everyone was dead all along? Really? Dead all along?)
What everyone was dying to know--How in the hell did Randy and Shane become zombies?
Here's what I found. The TV show, as we all know, is based on the comics.
While I am an avid reader, I did not read The Walking Dead graphic novels.
In my own words, and in my best understanding, based on the comics -- the zombie virus is airborne. Everyone is infected.
If you are "Alive" and get bitten or scratched by a Walker, within a designated amount of time -- that person will become a Walker, as well. However, if a person dies of "natural" causes -- that person will come back as a Walker, too.
It all, now, comes down to destroying the brain/head of the person. Whether a zombie, or just someone who died.
I think back to the episode where Rick's group is holed up inside the C.D.C. (The one where Andrea wants to stay, and explode with the building). The guy left alive, left to run the C.D.C. whispers something horrifying to Rick.
Could it have been that the disease is airborne? That everyone is actually infected?
That would, in fact, be horrifying. Hopeless. Wouldn't it?
Uh-huh. Sure as hell would ... meaning maybe Andrea had the right idea. Giving up. Surrendering to an exploding death?
Yes? No?
This is my two cents. Love to hear yours. Send me comments, emails, feedback!!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of Pigeon Drop, Johnny Blade, Adverse Impact, Convicted, Third Ring, Tenth House, Mind Play -- and as Thomas Phillips, The Molech Prophecy
I blogged live during the show. You can read that here.
Things got crazy at the end of the show. When it ended I couldn't help getting worried. No I was not worried about all the killing. Or the fact that Carl is starting to creep me out. He's like some creature-kid from a Stephen King movie. But whatever.
No. What's bothering me is the fear that The Walking Dead is going to become like Lost. I don't think that is what's going to happen. But like I said. I worry. (And don't get me wrong. I dedicated years watching Lost. Week after week. Loved all the constant questions raised. Loved that everyone was assured answers were forthcoming. Bull-crap! Writers took a cheap, easy way out. Everyone was dead all along? Really? Dead all along?)
What everyone was dying to know--How in the hell did Randy and Shane become zombies?
Here's what I found. The TV show, as we all know, is based on the comics.
While I am an avid reader, I did not read The Walking Dead graphic novels.
In my own words, and in my best understanding, based on the comics -- the zombie virus is airborne. Everyone is infected.
If you are "Alive" and get bitten or scratched by a Walker, within a designated amount of time -- that person will become a Walker, as well. However, if a person dies of "natural" causes -- that person will come back as a Walker, too.
It all, now, comes down to destroying the brain/head of the person. Whether a zombie, or just someone who died.
I think back to the episode where Rick's group is holed up inside the C.D.C. (The one where Andrea wants to stay, and explode with the building). The guy left alive, left to run the C.D.C. whispers something horrifying to Rick.
Could it have been that the disease is airborne? That everyone is actually infected?
That would, in fact, be horrifying. Hopeless. Wouldn't it?
Uh-huh. Sure as hell would ... meaning maybe Andrea had the right idea. Giving up. Surrendering to an exploding death?
Yes? No?
This is my two cents. Love to hear yours. Send me comments, emails, feedback!!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of Pigeon Drop, Johnny Blade, Adverse Impact, Convicted, Third Ring, Tenth House, Mind Play -- and as Thomas Phillips, The Molech Prophecy
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Live Blog: The Walking Dead: Better Angels 3-11-12
Tonight's episode of The Walking Dead, is entitled: Better Angels. Time Warner's show summary states: "Someone dangerous may be loose near the farm; Rick, Shane, Daryl and Glenn keep the group safe ..."
Tune in tonight as I blog live during the show ... post questions, tweet questions, email questions ...
Quick re-cap from last week. Rick's group saved a young man. That young man was part of a larger group that posed a serious threat to everyone's safety. After saving the man, healing him, and a failed attempt at dumping him 18 miles away from the farm ... the group now faces a delicate crossroads. The fate of the young man. Treat him as a sort of prisoner around the farm. Or simply kill him.
Dale. Perhaps the voice of reason. The seasoned male of Rick's group, is appalled. The crossroads should never have come into play. Not in his opinion. The young man is a human being. Killing him makes them as bad as, if not worse, than the unknown people they fear (not talking about the zombies).
Dale storms out of the house, washing his hands of the plans to murder the young man.
Rick, Daryl and Shane escort the young man to the barn. Hands tied behind his back. Rick cocks his gun. Shane forces the crying man to his knees ... Rick asks if he has any final words ...
As the male begs for his life, as Rick raises the gun and aims at the center of the man's forehead --
It is Rick's son who shows up, telling his father, "do it, Dad. Do it..," that stops Rick from actually putting a bullet in the man's head.
Carl followed the men to the barn. Wanted to watch them take the life of the man from the other group ... the dangerous group ... Carl. He's a boy no longer.
And, unfortunately, Dale, who ventures off into the fields to investigate a downed cow, encounters a loose zombie --the one Carl freed from the mud--and is eaten. His stomach chewed open beyond repair.
There was no repair. Once bitten, even if his wounds could have been stitched, would have turned.
While Rick hesitates to put Dale out of his misery, Daryl steps up to the task and ends it ... Lights out, Dale. Lights out!
TONIGHT'S EPISODE ...
Dale says Rock's group is Broken. Best way to honor his death is to Un-Break it, and prove Dale wrong.
This -- during Dale's funeral. As Rick promises to do things the right way, Dale's way, Shane and "his team" mercilessly slaughter the walkers ...
T. Dog, Andrea, Shane ...
Gripping intro teaser!
Looks like Shane's already forgotten the talk between himself and Rick. He does not want to take orders. He does not agree with Rick -- and Andrea's in no mood to babysit Shane, despite Rick's pleasant request.
Carl confides in Shane he has a pistol. He's been talked to before about having guns. Like Shane, Carl has trouble following orders. Following directions.
It doesn't take a zombie expert to realize "his" zombie killed Dale.
Is there hope for Carl? Remorse, maybe? Or is he more like Luke Skywalker's father, destined for darkness?
Not exactly sure why Hershel's suddenly open-arms to the group. Not sure at all. I've seen every episode. Only thing I can figure, that night in the bar--where Rick killed two men saving Hershel--is what turned the old man around.
Lori? One week you are telling your husband that Shane is a threat. Dangerous. And now, now you mess with Shane's head -- apologizing, telling him you don't know who the father is of the unborn baby (Shane/Rick) ... why would you do that? Why now?
Because you know what? Shane is dangerous. She saw it. Rick saw it. And, hello, Dale saw it!
You made things worse Lori. Wow. You just made everything worse!
Just gotta point out. Are they driving a 4-door Hyndai Veloster? I only ask, because I drive a 3-door Veloster.
But I digress ...
Shane is up to something. Gee, wonder if Lori messing with his head and Carl choosing to confide in him, has anything to do with it??? Ah-yeah. I bet it does.
Glenn works on the RV. Andrea, what, suddenly, maybe regrets being a bitch towards Dale during his final days?
It's Glenn who feels he's let Dale down. Andrea too.
The three of them, after all, were something of the trio most of last season ...
Ok. As much as Dale grated my nerves, maybe I miss him some, too. Some. Not a whole lot. He was a bit of a whiner. No. A big whiner. I don't miss him. Not at all.
I think it's a little late to have the, I'm-going-to-die-your-mother-is-going-to-die-talk with Carl. Kid's been watching Walkers slaughtered, and non-infected devoured since day one of the outbreak. Despite Lori's issues with her son having a gun--a kid Carl's age should have been trained to use a weapon from day one!
But that's just me. But it's my blog!
I gotta figure out the young guy's name. I mean, he's about to be beat by Shane and I have no clue what his name is.
It isn't that Shane lost it, it's that the world has moved too far away for him to keep up. Change is too constant for him to keep his bearings. In a way, I do sympathize with him. (Oh, and thanks to T-Dog, I know now that the young guy's name is RANDY!!)
Shane wants to protect his group. To do so he needs to know where Randy's group is camped. For this, I do have respect for crazy-Shane. Crazy, crazy Shane.
Or is he acting? Switching sides. Double-agent. Shane, Shane, Shane, you crafty character!
Ok. Did not see that coming. Shane's Tree-Hugging -- gruesome! Love it!
I thought he was playing double-agent, all smart. But no. No. The plan is to simply attack and destroy the other group -- which Randy said, before being killed, that they were 5 miles down the road ...
Daryl won't be fooled. And we all know Andrea'll do whatever Shane suggests, whether she realizes it or not.
But Rick ain't buying Shane's shananagens ... Shane's all screwed up. He knows it. He better.
Oh yeah. Rick knows it, and now Shane knows that Rick knows. Did you see that look Shane gave Rick in the woods as they comb through leaves in search of Randy? Oh yeah -- Rick does not feel safe with Shane, and so Shane takes point.
Daryl -- the clever tracker -- can read the woods like a blind person with braille.
Shane has Rick go first. Deeper into woods. Further away from Daryl and Glenn (and the dead Randy Walker) ...
Daryl and Glenn learn that Randy was not bitten before becoming a zombie so much as his neck had been snapped.
But who snapped ... Wait ... Wait ... Shane! Shane snapped it! Shane is a stock-raving-mad-lunatic!
I don't like it. Rick with his back to Shane.
Could this be the end of the road for Shane?
It won't be Rick.
"At least have the balls to call this what it is. Murder!"
Shane thinks Lori and Carl will get over the death of Rick -- they did it once before.
Shane is melting down. "You've got a broken woman. A weak boy. Haven't got the first clue on how to fix it!"
Rick won't draw. He remains unarmed. He won't be suckered into a duel.
And, oh shit. I did not see it coming. I did not!
Rick plugs his blade to the hilt into Shane's chest!
Where the hell did Carl come from? Why is he holding a gun?
Carl! Carl! Don't point a gun at your father!
And how the hell did Shane become a zombie??
Had to do some research. Looks like Randy and Shane became zombies--not because they'd been bit, or scratched--but because the virus is airbourne. So when you die--for any reason--you will come back as a zombie. Bites and scratches from a zombie cause the living to become zombies. And now mere "natural" death may due it as well!
Remember the CDC episode where the Director whispers something horrific to Rick before the CDC building exploded? Could he have told Rick the virus is airbourne? Hmmmm...
It's been fun! Tune in next week when, you guessed it, I'll blog live for the Season Finale!!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of Pigeon Drop, Johnny Blade, Adverse Impact, Convicted, Third Ring, Tenth House, Mind Play -- and as Thomas Phillips, The Molech Prophecy
Tune in tonight as I blog live during the show ... post questions, tweet questions, email questions ...
Quick re-cap from last week. Rick's group saved a young man. That young man was part of a larger group that posed a serious threat to everyone's safety. After saving the man, healing him, and a failed attempt at dumping him 18 miles away from the farm ... the group now faces a delicate crossroads. The fate of the young man. Treat him as a sort of prisoner around the farm. Or simply kill him.
Dale. Perhaps the voice of reason. The seasoned male of Rick's group, is appalled. The crossroads should never have come into play. Not in his opinion. The young man is a human being. Killing him makes them as bad as, if not worse, than the unknown people they fear (not talking about the zombies).
Dale storms out of the house, washing his hands of the plans to murder the young man.
Rick, Daryl and Shane escort the young man to the barn. Hands tied behind his back. Rick cocks his gun. Shane forces the crying man to his knees ... Rick asks if he has any final words ...
As the male begs for his life, as Rick raises the gun and aims at the center of the man's forehead --
It is Rick's son who shows up, telling his father, "do it, Dad. Do it..," that stops Rick from actually putting a bullet in the man's head.
Carl followed the men to the barn. Wanted to watch them take the life of the man from the other group ... the dangerous group ... Carl. He's a boy no longer.
And, unfortunately, Dale, who ventures off into the fields to investigate a downed cow, encounters a loose zombie --the one Carl freed from the mud--and is eaten. His stomach chewed open beyond repair.
There was no repair. Once bitten, even if his wounds could have been stitched, would have turned.
While Rick hesitates to put Dale out of his misery, Daryl steps up to the task and ends it ... Lights out, Dale. Lights out!
TONIGHT'S EPISODE ...
Dale says Rock's group is Broken. Best way to honor his death is to Un-Break it, and prove Dale wrong.
This -- during Dale's funeral. As Rick promises to do things the right way, Dale's way, Shane and "his team" mercilessly slaughter the walkers ...
T. Dog, Andrea, Shane ...
Looks like Shane's already forgotten the talk between himself and Rick. He does not want to take orders. He does not agree with Rick -- and Andrea's in no mood to babysit Shane, despite Rick's pleasant request.
Carl confides in Shane he has a pistol. He's been talked to before about having guns. Like Shane, Carl has trouble following orders. Following directions.
It doesn't take a zombie expert to realize "his" zombie killed Dale.
Is there hope for Carl? Remorse, maybe? Or is he more like Luke Skywalker's father, destined for darkness?
Not exactly sure why Hershel's suddenly open-arms to the group. Not sure at all. I've seen every episode. Only thing I can figure, that night in the bar--where Rick killed two men saving Hershel--is what turned the old man around.
Lori? One week you are telling your husband that Shane is a threat. Dangerous. And now, now you mess with Shane's head -- apologizing, telling him you don't know who the father is of the unborn baby (Shane/Rick) ... why would you do that? Why now?
Because you know what? Shane is dangerous. She saw it. Rick saw it. And, hello, Dale saw it!
You made things worse Lori. Wow. You just made everything worse!
Just gotta point out. Are they driving a 4-door Hyndai Veloster? I only ask, because I drive a 3-door Veloster.
But I digress ...
Shane is up to something. Gee, wonder if Lori messing with his head and Carl choosing to confide in him, has anything to do with it??? Ah-yeah. I bet it does.
Glenn works on the RV. Andrea, what, suddenly, maybe regrets being a bitch towards Dale during his final days?
It's Glenn who feels he's let Dale down. Andrea too.
The three of them, after all, were something of the trio most of last season ...
Ok. As much as Dale grated my nerves, maybe I miss him some, too. Some. Not a whole lot. He was a bit of a whiner. No. A big whiner. I don't miss him. Not at all.
I think it's a little late to have the, I'm-going-to-die-your-mother-is-going-to-die-talk with Carl. Kid's been watching Walkers slaughtered, and non-infected devoured since day one of the outbreak. Despite Lori's issues with her son having a gun--a kid Carl's age should have been trained to use a weapon from day one!
But that's just me. But it's my blog!
I gotta figure out the young guy's name. I mean, he's about to be beat by Shane and I have no clue what his name is.
It isn't that Shane lost it, it's that the world has moved too far away for him to keep up. Change is too constant for him to keep his bearings. In a way, I do sympathize with him. (Oh, and thanks to T-Dog, I know now that the young guy's name is RANDY!!)
Shane wants to protect his group. To do so he needs to know where Randy's group is camped. For this, I do have respect for crazy-Shane. Crazy, crazy Shane.
Or is he acting? Switching sides. Double-agent. Shane, Shane, Shane, you crafty character!
Ok. Did not see that coming. Shane's Tree-Hugging -- gruesome! Love it!
I thought he was playing double-agent, all smart. But no. No. The plan is to simply attack and destroy the other group -- which Randy said, before being killed, that they were 5 miles down the road ...
Daryl won't be fooled. And we all know Andrea'll do whatever Shane suggests, whether she realizes it or not.
But Rick ain't buying Shane's shananagens ... Shane's all screwed up. He knows it. He better.
Oh yeah. Rick knows it, and now Shane knows that Rick knows. Did you see that look Shane gave Rick in the woods as they comb through leaves in search of Randy? Oh yeah -- Rick does not feel safe with Shane, and so Shane takes point.
Daryl -- the clever tracker -- can read the woods like a blind person with braille.
Shane has Rick go first. Deeper into woods. Further away from Daryl and Glenn (and the dead Randy Walker) ...
Daryl and Glenn learn that Randy was not bitten before becoming a zombie so much as his neck had been snapped.
But who snapped ... Wait ... Wait ... Shane! Shane snapped it! Shane is a stock-raving-mad-lunatic!
I don't like it. Rick with his back to Shane.
Could this be the end of the road for Shane?
It won't be Rick.
"At least have the balls to call this what it is. Murder!"
Shane thinks Lori and Carl will get over the death of Rick -- they did it once before.
Shane is melting down. "You've got a broken woman. A weak boy. Haven't got the first clue on how to fix it!"
Rick won't draw. He remains unarmed. He won't be suckered into a duel.
And, oh shit. I did not see it coming. I did not!
Rick plugs his blade to the hilt into Shane's chest!
Where the hell did Carl come from? Why is he holding a gun?
Carl! Carl! Don't point a gun at your father!
And how the hell did Shane become a zombie??
Had to do some research. Looks like Randy and Shane became zombies--not because they'd been bit, or scratched--but because the virus is airbourne. So when you die--for any reason--you will come back as a zombie. Bites and scratches from a zombie cause the living to become zombies. And now mere "natural" death may due it as well!
Remember the CDC episode where the Director whispers something horrific to Rick before the CDC building exploded? Could he have told Rick the virus is airbourne? Hmmmm...
It's been fun! Tune in next week when, you guessed it, I'll blog live for the Season Finale!!
Phillip Tomasso
Author of Pigeon Drop, Johnny Blade, Adverse Impact, Convicted, Third Ring, Tenth House, Mind Play -- and as Thomas Phillips, The Molech Prophecy
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Live Blog: The Walking Dead: 02-12-2012
Stop back here tonight. I will be blogging live during the premiere of tonight's Walking Dead. Please post comments, questions, and repost as much as you want. Otherwise, see you back here soon!
I will start this off with: Who is your favorite character, and why?
And, were you shocked with who came out of the barn, and what happened right after? Or did you see it coming?
You can also read my zombie short story, Vaccination, while you wait for tonight's mid-season premiere!
Walking Dead 1st premiered on October 31, 2010 and voted the “Best Television Series Drama at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.”
Cast of Main Characters:
Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)
Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies)
Carl Grimes – son of Rick and Lori (Chandler Riggs)
Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal)
Andrea (Laurie Holden)
Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn)
Glenn (Steven Yeun)
Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus)
Carol (Sophia's mother)
Sophia (Carol's daughter)
Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson)
Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan)
OK... Here we go ...
Season Finale -- Shane tries to take matters into his own hands. But it is Rick Grimes who steps up and handles the situation.
And the new mid-season opens where the old one ended ...
Friends and family members slaughtered as the exit the barn. Andrea drives a sickle through the head of a young girl's mother ...
Shane is pissed off that the farmers, the Greene's, new Sophia was in the barn...His temper gets them thrown off the land, despite Lori being pregnant.
Then Shane turns his anger on Rick--blaming Rick for putting everyone in danger to search for a little girl "that everyone of" them knew "was dead!"
I think, too it is time for them to move on from the farm. It served its purpose for the opening episodes in late 2011. With Carl getting shot. Letting Glen meet a woman to fall in love with. The barn was clearly the climax. And worked. Everything built to the barn. And to finding Sophia.
It's time to get back on the road. Time to start a new trek towards a new unknown destination. There is almost too much safety at the Greene farm. Too much normalcy. Bury the dead and get rolling!
The tension is thick. Building tight and hard between Shane and Dale. Shane's character is in terrible inner turmoil. Does it all stem from his relationship with Rick's wife? His inability to let go? To move forward? Is it justified? Maybe in the non-apocalyptical world, no. But based on all that has happened? I say yes. Shane's character is as borderline insane as the rest, with just enough additional doses of his own nightmare to tip him over the edge.
Burn the bodies of the dead. Bury the ones you know. Burn the rest. That's what Andrea said. And that's what they plan to do. Andrea has changed. A lot. Retrieving a severed arm and throwing it into the back of the pick up before jumping in after to sit among the piled corpses? Oh yeah. She is far from the same suicidal "victim" she'd been in Season 1.
And where in the world did Hershel go? Why would he pack his bags and leave? For booze?
Maggie's not going to let Glen go. Worried about his "team" bossing him around, does she see that her saying, "No", is as de-masculating?
So who is Shane trying to hook up with. Andrea still? Or Carol?
I like Dale. But he gets under my skin. Too righteous. Although--he might be right. Shane is out of control. We did all see what happened at the end of 2011. Shane and Otis were on a run. Going for medical supplies. Carl's life hung in the balance. When surrounded by zombies, with no way out, Shane did sacrifice Otis. Left him as bait so that he could escape. And escape he did. It was a pivotal point for Shane's character.
So Glen is "allowed" to go with Rick. Good for him. And, this may be thie first time Glen and Rick have had some time alone. Poor Glen-- he'd only ever told his mother that he loved her. He left Maggie hanging. She confessed her love, and he chickened out.
Overall, I like Glen. He played a great roll in 2011.
Showing more of the Greene family in this episode. With the exception of Otis, who Shane killed, Maggie and Hershel, I really don't know much about them. Beth? Bess? She's in shock over seeing her mother skull-stabbed.
And Daryl is "done looking for people". Is he? Is he really? Or is he, too unraveling. Why wouldn't he be? His brother was possibly killed in Season 1. He feels shuned by the others becuase he's clearly a redneck. He wants to love, but holds back.
Hershel's drinking. And Beth--yes, it was Beth, not Bess--needs him. Holding out for hope, Hershel realizes hope is a sham. "A bait and switch."
...And here we go -- 39 minutes in -- and some action. Lori is driving. Where? No idea. Maybe into town to find Rick and Glen. Is she distraught over Dale's news that Shane is crazy? When a zombie steps out into the street while (cliche) Lori consults a map. (It's a one-horse town. Not sure why a map is needed). She strikes the zombie -- or maybe he wasn't one, and rolls the vehicle. (Will she be okay? Will the baby growing inside her? Grrrr ... commercial ... great!)
...And back to the bar. Back to obvious talk, about the obvious lack of hope. Sophia stepping out of the bar with her sluggish, jerking walk, milky white dead eyes and growling was all the prove Rick, Hershel and perhaps everyone else needed to prove ... Hope is dead.
Who is this? Two more men looking for Last Call? (Were the men who entered the bar, disrupting a hopeless conversation betwen Hershel and Rick from early episodes -- like from Season 1? I couldn't see them close enough. I don't think so. I think--I hope, a new "clan" is being added to the mix. But I still want to see what happened to the group huddled behind closed doors -- the armed men, protecting a community of elderly and sick. Remember them? Remember Rick gave them half the guns he'd come across? What happened to them?
What about Lorie. Remember at 39 minutes in she crashed? Rolled her car?
Only ten minutes left! What will the cliff hanger be?
I don't trust Dave. Dave from Philly. Dave and Tony. The new guy that walked into the bar. Not at all.
Stole a gun off a dead cop.
Dave talks about everyone's rumors towards salvation. Coast Guard, Nebraska.
Fort Benning. Rick's plan. Rick's rumor.
Dave shoots it down. Lame-Brains runing the show. Go from pipedream to pipedream.
Ah, but Dave asks too many questions.
And yes. Tony is urinating in the corner of the bar.
It's coming. I feel it. Gun fight. A saloon brawl!
Dave seems sensative. Ready to pop. Living out of cars. Trying to connect. Trying to level experiences.
Rick ain't buying it.
Friends having a drink? That's what Dave wants everyone to believe.
Even innocent Glen--youg Glen who's in love but won't admit it--is apprehensive.
Not appreciating Rick's advice to keep looking, Dave goes for his gun.
But there is no out-drawing the New Sheriff in town. Officer Rick Grimes.
He draws and fires and blows Dave away. And puts two holes into the swollen gut of Tony.
...Meanwhile, back at the farm (always wanted to write that) ...
Bodies of the infected burn ...
... But what about Lori? Not a thing. Not a frame of an update!!! I guess that is the cliff hanger. Have to wait until next Sunday to check in, and check up on Lori's condition.
Hope you'll join me then!
(Please, leave comments, questions, feedback, whatever!)
--Phillip Tomasso
Author of (now for Kindle) Pigeon Drop, Adverse Impact, Johnny Blade, Third Ring, Vaccination
I will start this off with: Who is your favorite character, and why?
And, were you shocked with who came out of the barn, and what happened right after? Or did you see it coming?
You can also read my zombie short story, Vaccination, while you wait for tonight's mid-season premiere!
Walking Dead 1st premiered on October 31, 2010 and voted the “Best Television Series Drama at the 68th Golden Globe Awards.”
Cast of Main Characters:
Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)
Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies)
Carl Grimes – son of Rick and Lori (Chandler Riggs)
Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal)
Andrea (Laurie Holden)
Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn)
Glenn (Steven Yeun)
Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus)
Carol (Sophia's mother)
Sophia (Carol's daughter)
Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson)
Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan)
OK... Here we go ...
Season Finale -- Shane tries to take matters into his own hands. But it is Rick Grimes who steps up and handles the situation.
And the new mid-season opens where the old one ended ...
Friends and family members slaughtered as the exit the barn. Andrea drives a sickle through the head of a young girl's mother ...
Shane is pissed off that the farmers, the Greene's, new Sophia was in the barn...His temper gets them thrown off the land, despite Lori being pregnant.
Then Shane turns his anger on Rick--blaming Rick for putting everyone in danger to search for a little girl "that everyone of" them knew "was dead!"
I think, too it is time for them to move on from the farm. It served its purpose for the opening episodes in late 2011. With Carl getting shot. Letting Glen meet a woman to fall in love with. The barn was clearly the climax. And worked. Everything built to the barn. And to finding Sophia.
It's time to get back on the road. Time to start a new trek towards a new unknown destination. There is almost too much safety at the Greene farm. Too much normalcy. Bury the dead and get rolling!
The tension is thick. Building tight and hard between Shane and Dale. Shane's character is in terrible inner turmoil. Does it all stem from his relationship with Rick's wife? His inability to let go? To move forward? Is it justified? Maybe in the non-apocalyptical world, no. But based on all that has happened? I say yes. Shane's character is as borderline insane as the rest, with just enough additional doses of his own nightmare to tip him over the edge.
Burn the bodies of the dead. Bury the ones you know. Burn the rest. That's what Andrea said. And that's what they plan to do. Andrea has changed. A lot. Retrieving a severed arm and throwing it into the back of the pick up before jumping in after to sit among the piled corpses? Oh yeah. She is far from the same suicidal "victim" she'd been in Season 1.
And where in the world did Hershel go? Why would he pack his bags and leave? For booze?
Maggie's not going to let Glen go. Worried about his "team" bossing him around, does she see that her saying, "No", is as de-masculating?
So who is Shane trying to hook up with. Andrea still? Or Carol?
I like Dale. But he gets under my skin. Too righteous. Although--he might be right. Shane is out of control. We did all see what happened at the end of 2011. Shane and Otis were on a run. Going for medical supplies. Carl's life hung in the balance. When surrounded by zombies, with no way out, Shane did sacrifice Otis. Left him as bait so that he could escape. And escape he did. It was a pivotal point for Shane's character.
So Glen is "allowed" to go with Rick. Good for him. And, this may be thie first time Glen and Rick have had some time alone. Poor Glen-- he'd only ever told his mother that he loved her. He left Maggie hanging. She confessed her love, and he chickened out.
Overall, I like Glen. He played a great roll in 2011.
Showing more of the Greene family in this episode. With the exception of Otis, who Shane killed, Maggie and Hershel, I really don't know much about them. Beth? Bess? She's in shock over seeing her mother skull-stabbed.
And Daryl is "done looking for people". Is he? Is he really? Or is he, too unraveling. Why wouldn't he be? His brother was possibly killed in Season 1. He feels shuned by the others becuase he's clearly a redneck. He wants to love, but holds back.
Hershel's drinking. And Beth--yes, it was Beth, not Bess--needs him. Holding out for hope, Hershel realizes hope is a sham. "A bait and switch."
...And here we go -- 39 minutes in -- and some action. Lori is driving. Where? No idea. Maybe into town to find Rick and Glen. Is she distraught over Dale's news that Shane is crazy? When a zombie steps out into the street while (cliche) Lori consults a map. (It's a one-horse town. Not sure why a map is needed). She strikes the zombie -- or maybe he wasn't one, and rolls the vehicle. (Will she be okay? Will the baby growing inside her? Grrrr ... commercial ... great!)
...And back to the bar. Back to obvious talk, about the obvious lack of hope. Sophia stepping out of the bar with her sluggish, jerking walk, milky white dead eyes and growling was all the prove Rick, Hershel and perhaps everyone else needed to prove ... Hope is dead.
Who is this? Two more men looking for Last Call? (Were the men who entered the bar, disrupting a hopeless conversation betwen Hershel and Rick from early episodes -- like from Season 1? I couldn't see them close enough. I don't think so. I think--I hope, a new "clan" is being added to the mix. But I still want to see what happened to the group huddled behind closed doors -- the armed men, protecting a community of elderly and sick. Remember them? Remember Rick gave them half the guns he'd come across? What happened to them?
What about Lorie. Remember at 39 minutes in she crashed? Rolled her car?
Only ten minutes left! What will the cliff hanger be?
I don't trust Dave. Dave from Philly. Dave and Tony. The new guy that walked into the bar. Not at all.
Stole a gun off a dead cop.
Dave talks about everyone's rumors towards salvation. Coast Guard, Nebraska.
Fort Benning. Rick's plan. Rick's rumor.
Dave shoots it down. Lame-Brains runing the show. Go from pipedream to pipedream.
Ah, but Dave asks too many questions.
And yes. Tony is urinating in the corner of the bar.
It's coming. I feel it. Gun fight. A saloon brawl!
Dave seems sensative. Ready to pop. Living out of cars. Trying to connect. Trying to level experiences.
Rick ain't buying it.
Friends having a drink? That's what Dave wants everyone to believe.
Even innocent Glen--youg Glen who's in love but won't admit it--is apprehensive.
Not appreciating Rick's advice to keep looking, Dave goes for his gun.
But there is no out-drawing the New Sheriff in town. Officer Rick Grimes.
He draws and fires and blows Dave away. And puts two holes into the swollen gut of Tony.
...Meanwhile, back at the farm (always wanted to write that) ...
Bodies of the infected burn ...
... But what about Lori? Not a thing. Not a frame of an update!!! I guess that is the cliff hanger. Have to wait until next Sunday to check in, and check up on Lori's condition.
Hope you'll join me then!
(Please, leave comments, questions, feedback, whatever!)
--Phillip Tomasso
Author of (now for Kindle) Pigeon Drop, Adverse Impact, Johnny Blade, Third Ring, Vaccination
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