The Walking Dead: Season 2 (Review)

There is no hope and you know it now, like I do, don't you? There is no hope for any of us. - Hershel Greene

Season Two of The Walking Dead left many in the fanbase divided whether it surpassed the first season or was a huge sophomore slump. Personally, I believe that Season 2 does a good job of expanding on the promise of season 1 while also delivering something new. That's not to say that it isn't a flawed season, however it is definitely a good season. So if you enjoyed season 1 and would like to see where the story goes, then keep going with season 2! I have a feeling most of you will not be disappointed. Be prepared for a few slower episodes in the first half of the season, but the action really starts to pick up at the halfway point. Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against slow episodes. I actually believe that the first half of this season is successful in its purpose of expanding on characterization and setting up the action for the latter half. The production value is still rather impressive and those of you who were pleased with the quality of the first season will not be let down by the second.

Now for my in depth review explaining what I think are the high and lower points of a rather intriguing season of The Walking Dead. Beware of many spoilers below!

We pick up directly after the first season as our group is desperately trying to reach Fort Benning. They find their way to a freeway full of abandoned cars and decide to scavenge for supplies. This season can easily be characterized as a season of first for The Walking Dead. The first big first we get is our first larger walker herd. The creative team does a great job at introducing us to this new threat. While our group is finding supplies on the freeway Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Dale (Jeffrey DeMunn) see a large herd heading directly toward them. They warn everyone telling them all to hide under cars. This scene is pulled off extremely well, providing excellent tension and drama. While watching the viewer can feel a sense of the claustrophobic atmosphere and fears for each of our characters while seeing the walkers as an even bigger threat than in the previous season. This scene also stands as the catalyst what is the entire first half of this season. While the walkers are passing one of them notices Carol's (Melissa McBride) young daughter hiding. This causes her to flee for her life resulting in her being lost in the woods. While searching for her Rick's son, Carl (Chandler Riggs) is accidentally shot in the chest by a man named Otis, who takes Rick and him back to a farm where he says his friend Hershel (Scott Wilson) can save his life.

This is where fans begin to divide on this season. Contrary to the comic book, a large majority of Season 2 takes place on the Greene Family Farm. This however, does not bother me. Yes, the search for Sophia takes seven episodes. Yes, there is an episode or two that seem to run a little slow. But I believe that these episodes are necessary to expand on the newly introduced characters, as well as our core group. A perfect example of this is Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun). In large part because of the development we get from him in this season he easily became one of the most beloved characters on the show. A huge highlight is how his relationship with one of Hershel's daughters, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) develops over the course of this season. Glenn is still the somewhat shy, witty pizza delivery boy who saved Rick's life just out of kindness, but in this season we get so much more from him. He even starts to establish himself as more than just the errand boy in part due to the help of Maggie.

The main theme of this season is the group losing hope. This is the common thread that drives all of the storylines present in the thirteen episodes. This leads us to another big first that this season delivers: Rick's first human kill. After learning that the barn on Hershel's farm is full of walkers that he has been gathering hoping to cure, Shane (John Bernthal) decides to go rogue and open the barn while Rick is out discussing with Hershel. He and the rest of the group proceed to massacre all of the walkers in the barn including members of Hershel's family. Rick and Hershel walk up on this, causing Hershel to watch as his family members are put down. When all is said and done, Sophia walks out of the barn. Rick once again has to take charge and put her down. This event is what sets off the entire second half of the season, which I believe is the best run of the first two seasons.

As I said earlier this season is a season of firsts. These include Rick's first human kills and the first major character deaths of the series. The season ends on a shocking emotional level due to a death that I will refrain from spoiling, just in case. Really, this is still one of the most emotional deaths in the series. We also get the introduction of a special character that goes on to greatly impact the rest of the show.

Season two delivers a strong return for the show. The writing seems to have taken a much welcome course change, mainly due to the departure of Frank Darabont. This is the season that you can start to see Robert Kirkman having more control over the direction the show is taking, which in my opinion is not a bad thing. The cinematography is still well executed, however not to the creative levels it reaches in later seasons. The make-up effects are still up to standard sometimes even surpassing the first season. There are some budget problems with the CGI, but I mainly noticed them because I work in the VFX industry so the average viewer may not.

Overall, Season 2 of The Walking Dead is a solid entry in the franchise. It does a great job at expanding on the groundwork laid by the first season and excels in areas the first lacked. I definitely recommend it to any fans of the zombie genre and fans of drama in general.