Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Trending
    • Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport
    • En Garde!
    • BUWRU Still on Top
    • Hidden Histories: With The Archaeology Society
    • Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia
    • Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights
    • Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!
    • Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Flickr
    Seren
    • News & Politics
      1. Local News
      2. UK News
      3. Uni News
      4. World News
      5. Politics
      6. Comment
      7. Business
      Featured

      SABB Election: The Full Result Breakdown

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      Redevelopment plans and the culture of Bangor

      October 28, 2022

      Immediate closure of Menai Bridge following reports of structural integrity issues

      October 28, 2022

      Racial abuse victim calls for harsher sentencing following nightclub assault

      October 28, 2022
    • Arts & Culture
      1. Books
      2. Games
      3. Film
      4. Music
      5. TV
      6. Creative Corner
      Featured

      Bangor alumni podcast earns Hollywood cameo & BBC features

      By Amelia SmithMarch 7, 20210
      Recent

      Beabadoobee Concert Review: Welcome to Beatopia

      October 29, 2022

      Taylor Swift: Midnights Review – The Stories of 13 Sleepless Nights

      October 29, 2022

      Claire Concert Review: Claire Cottrill in Concert!

      October 29, 2022
    • Lifestyle
      1. Fashion
      2. Food and Drink
      3. Social
      4. Health and Beauty
      5. Travel
      Featured

      Country Highlight: The Netherlands

      By Emily ShoultsMay 6, 20220
      Recent

      Gilmore Garms

      October 28, 2022

      Fleeces and Funk

      October 28, 2022

      Cheerleading: Getting your kit together

      October 28, 2022
    • Discovery
      1. Science
      2. Environment
      3. History
      4. International
      Featured

      Brewing up a Storm: The History of Guinness

      By Emily ReadMarch 20, 20210
      Recent

      North Wales Ramblings

      October 28, 2022

      Hamza Yassin: The Hard Work That Is Making Luck Happen

      October 28, 2022

      Student’s Union Hosts Repair Cafe for Sustainability Awareness Week

      October 28, 2022
    • Sport
      1. Varsity 2019
      2. Varsity 2018
      3. Varsity 2017
      4. Varsity 2016
      5. Varsity 2015
      6. Varsity 2014
      7. Varsity 2013
        • Varsity 2013 Results
        • Varsity 2013 – In tweets
      Featured

      Bangor Muddogs’ American Football: a young woman finding her place

      By Jade HillMarch 23, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Students’ Union
      1. Union News
      2. Societies
      3. Volunteering
      4. Clubs
      Featured

      INTERVIEW: Be Period Positive

      By Caroline CartmillMarch 17, 20210
      Recent

      Interview: Lewis Thompson, VP Sport

      October 29, 2022

      En Garde!

      October 29, 2022

      BUWRU Still on Top

      October 29, 2022
    • Issues
      • Current Issue
      • This year’s issues
      • Last year’s issues
      • Seren Archive
      • Seren Teams
    Seren
    Home»Entertainment»The Walking Dead, Season 2
    Entertainment

    The Walking Dead, Season 2

    Sophie SmithBy Sophie SmithApril 21, 2012No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    The second season of AMC’s The Walking Dead has certainly had more ups and downs than a rollercoaster; events have rocked between fast paced, nail biting tension, shocking, emotional twists and far less endearing moments of inertia and stagnation.

    The extension from six to thirteen episodes, as well as the introduction of a new, apparently permanent camp at the Greene Family Farm, seemed to provide a golden opportunity to explore the human side of the apocalypse. Whereas season one appeared solely focused on the fight for survival against the constant presence of the undead, the increased length of season two would allow writers to develop the characters and examine the moral questions and repercussions that this constant struggle to survive would bring.

    And whilst this certainly seems to have been the intention, I can’t help but feel that the writers fell somewhat short of the mark. Despite having a cast of over fifteen characters, little to no effort was made to develop the majority of them; characters like T-Dog and Patricia exist as non-entities, lacking any decisive action or even dialogue, making me wonder why they are there in the first place? For me it feels like the writers have really struggled to create strong, interesting, or even just likeable characters. Lori in particular has been a source of controversy; not only is her attitude to gender roles incredibly sexist, but she is so erratic in her views and behaviour regarding Shane and Rick that she is often hard to follow, and almost impossible to understand. And the less said about Carl the better.

    Nevertheless, when the writers got the characterisation and story arcing right they got it spot on.  Their divergence form the canon of the comic books has been refreshing, for me, series antagonist Shane Walsh (who was killed off six issues into the comics) stole the show, his rapid downward spiral into primal survival mode allowed an intriguing exploration into the psychological effects of the breakdown of civilisation. His compulsive and totalitarian approach to the apocalypse drove the bulk of the interpersonal conflicts; his constant clashes with Dale and Rick surrounding the murder of Otis and inevitable fate of Randall were brilliantly brutal, and provided the backdrop for the key questions of the morality of survival.

    But one thing that I feel really sets this show apart from the random maiming and carnage of your usual zombie film is that it is capable of being poignant and emotional. Dale’s death was both completely unexpected and heart wrenching, demonstrating the powerful reactions that can be evoked when the writers take the time to properly invest in a character. Scenes such as Dale’s horrifying death clearly illustrate how the series has gone strength to strength in delivering the gruesome action sequences that define the zombie genre. Regardless of the internet trolls who ridicule the ‘amateur’ special effects, I think this season has had some of the best gore on TV; the walker who ripped his face apart clawing through the windshield of Lori’s wrecked car, and the walker whose head was so delightfully and revoltingly squashed beneath the wheels of the getaway car have provided memorable talking points and a triumph in digital effects.

    The farm setting has gotten a lot of flack for being the cause of stagnation within the show, but I’m more tempted to point the finger at the massive pacing problems that dogged this season as a result of the hiring and firing backstage. Whilst I feel the Walking Dead is still falling short of its true potential as a result, season 2 made compulsive viewing, and I have high hopes for the future. The dramatic step up in action and number of plot threads after Glen Mazzara’s take over as show runner has made me even more anxious for season 3, Rick’s ominous declaration that “this isn’t a democracy anymore” looks like the dawn of a new era for the show, the new ‘ricktatorship’ and the introduction of the eagerly anticipated characters of the comic book, will hopefully guarantee that season 3 will be even more turbulent and thrilling.

    AMC issue223 Season 2 The Walking Dead
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Sophie Smith

    Related Posts

    Is There Hope For Percy Jackson?

    October 29, 2022

    Stacks of Choice in Main Arts Library

    October 29, 2022

    Don’t Worry Darling

    October 28, 2022

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    MORE INFORMATION
    • ABOUT
    • ADVERTISE
    • CONTACT US
    • GET INVOLVED
    • MEMBERS
    Links
    • Bangor University Bangor University
    • Google+ Google+
    • Undeb Bangor Undeb Bangor
    About

    Seren is Bangor University Students’ Union’s English Language Newspaper

    We have editorial independence from both Bangor University and Bangor Students’ Union. Seren is written by students for students and we’d love you to get involved!

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.