Re: The Walking Dead-AMC
Posted: Tue Apr 02, 2013 11:21 amDidn't realize you made this thread Ryudo. Anyone who knows me knows that TWD comic is more or less my favorite series of any medium. I take the show as homage to the comic, nothing more.
Anyhow, here's my take on the finale: Mediocre to poor. Most of what occurred could have and should have happened mid-season. Too many filmography cliches to even take seriously, mainly Andrea's scene. I'll start with the good and work my way to the bad.
[Spoilers Incoming]
On the positive side of things, the Governor finally solidified himself as a formidable villain. No longer did he seem like a schizophrenic politician, but instead a cold blooded psychopath. It's nice to see Tyreese understand the severity of what is going on, finally. One point I like, to an extent, is that the series is different enough from it's source material that I can't imagine what is coming next.
As for the poor side of things. Everything mentioned in regards to positive factors should have happened already, it felt stretched instead of fleshed. The ending wasn't conclusive nor a cliff hanger, instead it felt more like limbo. That is the absolute worst thing to do before an extended break in programming. This seems to be a series trend from the second season onward. Mind you, I didn't hate the search for Sophia but let's put things into perspective. With Frank Darabont on board, we had an amazing six episode season one. It was riveting and even featured welcomed plot additions such as TS-19. The following six episodes without Frank had us looking for Sophia, nothing more. This is the difference in quality and we've been seeing a lot more of the latter than the former. Granted season three was much improved, but the improvements were almost all direct rips from the source material, any new additions almost entirely flopped.
The death of Andrea wasn't even shocking, it was necessary. The writing almost force fed this event. It's a shame it happened when she finally came to her senses. The end result is viewers dealing with a dunce for an entire season and seeing the death of a suddenly meaningful character. More or less, we never were able to experience Andrea as intended, entirely in part to poor writing.
Straying from the source material to make improvements and change up scenarios is a great thing, it keeps us all alert and interested. Butchering the material and literally slaughtering some of the most memorable moments however is despicable. Instead of countless dramatic events unfolding, group chaos and the feverish battle to find refuge... we received a bus of elderly people, more neutered prison and The Governor roaming about begging to be milked just a bit more.
Seriously speaking here, despite it's flaws I still love the show simply because of what it's based on. That said, I take it as homage which is what it is. I will however say this is the episode that completely confirmed it's worth in comparison to the long lasting comic. Preference aside, a certain degree of quality can be accurately depicted and properly judged. Thanks entirely in part to some lackluster writing, I can honestly say the show doesn't reach the same level of quality as the comic. At this point in both series, it's amazing just how much more has happened at a tangible pace in the comic. There is build up and then there is dragging a plot point in the mud, the show has done the latter and the upcoming break from programming is not going to help that notion.
With all of that said, I'll be there in October full of anticipation because there is still so much good in the series to be had. I'm actually very excited to see where they're going with it, seeing as the finale strayed so much from the source material, for better or worse. However I will say, it's easy to forgive the TV series whilst being continually impressed by the comic nearly every month.
Anyhow, here's my take on the finale: Mediocre to poor. Most of what occurred could have and should have happened mid-season. Too many filmography cliches to even take seriously, mainly Andrea's scene. I'll start with the good and work my way to the bad.
[Spoilers Incoming]
On the positive side of things, the Governor finally solidified himself as a formidable villain. No longer did he seem like a schizophrenic politician, but instead a cold blooded psychopath. It's nice to see Tyreese understand the severity of what is going on, finally. One point I like, to an extent, is that the series is different enough from it's source material that I can't imagine what is coming next.
As for the poor side of things. Everything mentioned in regards to positive factors should have happened already, it felt stretched instead of fleshed. The ending wasn't conclusive nor a cliff hanger, instead it felt more like limbo. That is the absolute worst thing to do before an extended break in programming. This seems to be a series trend from the second season onward. Mind you, I didn't hate the search for Sophia but let's put things into perspective. With Frank Darabont on board, we had an amazing six episode season one. It was riveting and even featured welcomed plot additions such as TS-19. The following six episodes without Frank had us looking for Sophia, nothing more. This is the difference in quality and we've been seeing a lot more of the latter than the former. Granted season three was much improved, but the improvements were almost all direct rips from the source material, any new additions almost entirely flopped.
The death of Andrea wasn't even shocking, it was necessary. The writing almost force fed this event. It's a shame it happened when she finally came to her senses. The end result is viewers dealing with a dunce for an entire season and seeing the death of a suddenly meaningful character. More or less, we never were able to experience Andrea as intended, entirely in part to poor writing.
Straying from the source material to make improvements and change up scenarios is a great thing, it keeps us all alert and interested. Butchering the material and literally slaughtering some of the most memorable moments however is despicable. Instead of countless dramatic events unfolding, group chaos and the feverish battle to find refuge... we received a bus of elderly people, more neutered prison and The Governor roaming about begging to be milked just a bit more.
Seriously speaking here, despite it's flaws I still love the show simply because of what it's based on. That said, I take it as homage which is what it is. I will however say this is the episode that completely confirmed it's worth in comparison to the long lasting comic. Preference aside, a certain degree of quality can be accurately depicted and properly judged. Thanks entirely in part to some lackluster writing, I can honestly say the show doesn't reach the same level of quality as the comic. At this point in both series, it's amazing just how much more has happened at a tangible pace in the comic. There is build up and then there is dragging a plot point in the mud, the show has done the latter and the upcoming break from programming is not going to help that notion.
With all of that said, I'll be there in October full of anticipation because there is still so much good in the series to be had. I'm actually very excited to see where they're going with it, seeing as the finale strayed so much from the source material, for better or worse. However I will say, it's easy to forgive the TV series whilst being continually impressed by the comic nearly every month.
And in regards to the season 3 ending its not aired in the UK yet.
