Episode 1.01 “Days Gone By” Recap and Analysis by hemoWILLIEac
A Little Introduction
For those of you who don’t know, I am a huge zombie fan. I own (in my opinion) pretty much every zombie movie ever worth owning, play zombie video games excessively and even own a few zombie action figures for good measure.
I also love me some comic books. When done well, comic books can tell a story just as powerful and gripping as any on television or the big screen. So when I heard about Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead a few years back, I knew I had to check it out. Thank god I did.
Robert Kirkman has always referred to The Walking Dead as “the zombie movie that never ends”. Well, then it certainly couldn’t be translated into a two hour film. Zombies haven’t really been done on television before, except for single episode arcs on Buffy or Supernatural, so doing a zombie show seems like untapped potential.
When I heard about the people involved on this project, I got excited. This show has creative talent from movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Terminator, and Aliens. It also includes people who have worked on shows such as Dexter, Mad Men, and Battlestar Galactica. How could you not be excited with that collective resume on board?
I was quite nervous though, as I always am when something I enjoy is adapted. Regardless, I watched the pilot, and I’m here to share my thoughts.
Just a note to everyone, I will NOT be comparing the show to the book. One, the show should stand on its own. Two, I don’t want to spoil possible future storylines for those who haven’t read the book. Consider these recaps safe as long as you’ve seen the episode I’m reviewing.
Out of Gas
The pre-credit scene was fantastic. The lack of music helped pull you into this world instantly. Rick is obviously on a quest for gas, where we will join him once again later in the episode.
He passes tons of creepy scenery. Some sort of tent dwelling community was obviously trying to survive here. That apparently didn’t end well. The shot of the flies buzzing around the dead woman in the car was particularly effective.
The first zombie kill serves a very necessary purpose. Killing a little girl in the first five minutes basically lets the audience know that this show is not going to pull any punches. I would guess some people tuned out pretty quickly after that.
The exasperated look on Ricks face before he delivers the kill shot shows how he has become a man of action. Though he doesn’t want to kill her, he knows he has to. Nothing will keep him from his family. This is also our first glimpse at a zombie remembering something from their life, with the girl grabbing her teddy bear.
The opening credits rocked. Simple, quick and fittingly haunting. Bear McCreary’s score is really, really good. I would expect no less from the man who scored Battlestar Galactica.
Men Are From Mars, Women Can’t Turn Off a Light Switch
The conversation between Rick and Shane is funny and insightful. These guys are clearly more than partners, they’re best friends. We get some insight into Rick’s personal life, and the humor here definitely helps us cool down after that brutal opening scene. I’m totally looking forward to the future of these two characters and how the dynamic between them changes.
That garbage slam dunk by Shane was awesome. Just throwing it out there.
The difference between men and women is actually something that will come into play later in the episode after Rick meets the father and son duo. I’ll touch back on that in a bit.
And the Award for Worst Accuracy in a Featured Gunfight Goes To…
The shootout scene was intense, that car rolling was shot so well. The fact that eight cops took that long to take out three unorganized thugs was a little hard to swallow, but I’ll deal with it.
Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal really brought it in this scene; these two guys are great to watch together. I can’t wait to get to the juicy stuff between their characters.
Don’t Open Dead Inside (and Outside)
After we’re treated to a somewhat cheesily shot moment of Shane bringing Rick flowers, he wakes up to find the flowers dead and Shane nowhere in sight.
Everything about this sequence is perfect. From Rick struggling to walk or even speak, to his long journey through the abandoned halls of the hospital.
One moment that really stuck out for me was the “picked clean” corpse in the hallway. The special effects work gets to truly shine for the first time here. Greg Nicotero and the boys at KNB Effects have raised the bar as far as I’m concerned.
The gradual build up for something bad to happen is so intense. The scene in the darkened hallway completely destroys expectations. I honestly was convinced that Rick was going to light those matches and illuminate some unforeseen threat.
The loading dock is the first time my jaw has dropped for a TV show in a long time. The sheer destruction and number of bodies was shocking. Well done, Mr. Darabont.
On the Road Again…
On the journey home, Rick finds a bicycle lying in a park. Then he finds one of the most horrific pieces of practical special effects I have ever seen. The “bicycle girl”. Best zombie effect ever. Lincoln’s reaction to her is amazing. He looks so horrified, but at the same time you can see how sad he is just to see someone in this state.
Rick eventually gets home, to find an empty house. Lincoln makes this scene. The moment he starts questioning if he’s even awake is so powerful, and you could feel how there were so many emotions going through this man, he literally couldn’t move.
Rick leaves the house, unsure of his next move, as a zombie shambles down his street. I love subtlety in horror as much as I love over the top gore. The way the zombie slightly changes directions to advance on Rick in front of his house is so understated, but so creepy.
Then we get our brief introduction to the only other human characters we’ve seen in a while: Morgan and his son, Duane.
The shot of Duane approaching Rick from behind made my hairs stand up on end. I actually told Rick to turn around the first time I watched it. Morgan taking out that zombie was absolutely bad ass.
Hospitality and Heartbreak
Rick wakes up strapped to a bed in his neighbor’s house, only to be welcomed with an interrogation and a knife to his throat, which may actually be a step up from the previous time he woke up.
After that heated moment, Morgan and Duane treat Rick to some dinner. Morgan criticizing Duane on his lack of proper grammar both offers some brief humor and sets up Morgan’s inability to realize this isn’t the world it once was. Morgan’s hesitancy to let go is one of his biggest character flaws, but also one of the greatest strengths of his character. He is truly a man who refuses to be changed by the horrors of what he’s facing.
The sequence at night really helps to make the zombies feel more dangerous. In an age when “fast” zombies rule the cinema, this return to form might seem like a step back. But this scene shows that these zombies are drawn in waves to light and sound. They are very aware of their surroundings.
The scene with Morgan’s wife is as heartbreaking as it is terrifying. Her slow plod to the front door and the shot through the peep hold are about as scary as it can get. It’s almost as if she knows her family is in the house. Poor Duane seeing his mother is also an emotionally brutal moment.
Gearing Up and Splitting Up
Rick returns home with his new companions after dispatching a zombie with a swing even Babe Ruth would be proud of. Rick and Morgan talk about Atlanta, and we return to the men vs. women debate.
The guys head to the local police station and get a much needed shower. The shower scene got a big reaction from my group, and was a nice moment of lightness.
In the scene where Rick passes a gun to Morgan, mentioning that the scope is accurate, there is almost a knowing glance shared between the two. Rick gave him that gun specifically with the intention of Morgan using it on his wife, and Morgan knows this. Great moment there.
The men part ways with Rick off in search of Lori and Carl, and Morgan deciding to stay behind to deal with some unfinished business. You can tell that there is great mutual respect between the two men. Rick respects Morgan for his unwavering sense of character, and Morgan for Rick’s “man of action” approach.
The line about checking the radio everyday is a clever way to get Morgan back to the show at some point. Hopefully sooner rather than later, because Lennie James rocked it out.
Acceptance
The juxtaposition of Rick returning to the “bicycle girl” and Morgan trying to put his wife to peace is the most beautiful moment of the episode. Bear McCreary’s score hits a high point here.
Both men are attempting to kill their targets, but with vastly different results. Rick needs to do this to finally accept this changed world. In killing the girl, Rick makes the decision that regardless of who he was, he has to change if he wants to survive.
Morgan can’t leave his wife the way she is, and he can’t leave for Atlanta until he lets go. But ultimately, Rick can do what Morgan can’t. Be willing to change and to forget the old life.
No Gas Revisited
We join Rick again in his quest for gas after a brief glimpse at a small commune. Shane, Lori and Carl are all there, and things are a little more complicated than expected. With the revelation that Lori and Shane have gotten together during Rick’s coma, things will most certainly be a little dramatic when he returns.
Rick journeys to an abandoned house, some time after his encounter with the little girl at the gas station. There’s lots of atmosphere when Rick checks out the remnants of the house.
Rick scores himself a ride in the form of a horse, and they share a nice moment “bonding”. All of the scenery and camera work on the way into Atlanta is fantastic.
Rick should take some time to enjoy the beautiful shots, because from this point forward, the premiere is absolute chaos.
The Real Perils of Atlanta
What can you really say about the Atlanta action? It’s awesome, that’s what. The zombies awakening in the bus, was a very eerie moment, as was the dead soldier on top of a tank in the center of the city. This is the calm before the storm.
Rick rides through Atlanta and sees a helicopter fly by. He takes off down the street and rounds a corner, only to find himself facing HUNDREDS of zombies. God, I was on edge from that point forward. I knew Rick would survive, he is the main character. Still, I found myself wanting to yell at the TV, as if he could hear me. That is effective tension building.
After the zombies make a meal of Rick’s horse, Rick makes his way under the tank. As if the tension wasn’t brutal enough, Rick becomes completely trapped. He prepares to end his own life, when he notices a hatch in the tank. This moment did feel a little rushed to me. His realization happened so suddenly that it didn’t quite work.
In the tank Rick receives an unexpected roommate, who he takes care of quickly. I saw this scene in almost every promo for the show, but it still creeped me out. I also really enjoyed the sound effect of Rick’s temporary deafness.
Then we are treated to an awesome shot of the zombies swarming around him. The tank is covered. There is no way out. We hear a voice. “Hey. Dumbass.”
Anyone who has read the comic probably knows who the voice belongs to, but to those who don’t, be very excited because he’s awesome.
I wasn’t a fan of the closing music. I know they were going for a jarring mixture of pop style beats with the gory scenery, but it didn’t work for me.
Days Gone By
All in all, the episode was great. It drew you into the world, made you feel for Rick, and set up what will hopefully be a long running series. This show isn’t just about the zombies, it’s about the characters, and that’s what makes the difference.
This was not only the best pilot I’ve seen in years, but also the best piece of zombie fiction I’ve seen in years. Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, and the entire cast and crew should be proud. I can’t wait till’ next Sunday.
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Will Gibbs is a Michigan native and journalism student at Oakland University. He is a long time Walking Dead fan and self proclaimed "zombie survival expert." When he's not writing, Will enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and reading comic books. |
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The Walking Dead Podcast is dedicated to The Walking Dead television show on AMC as well as the comic by Image Comics. We report on news and rumors, and do an in depth analysis of both the comic and the television show. The Walking Dead Podcast is not affiliated in any way with The Walking Dead, Image Comics, AMC, or any of the owners/creators.
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WOW! Great review! Cant wait for the next one!
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