User Reviews

I think it's safe to say that "Guts" is a much different animal than "Days Gone Bye." And not necessarily for better or for worse. It was just different. The action was amped up, the character development was toned down, and our characters moved into position like chess pieces in our overall story building to an attack. While I did not enjoy "Guts" as much as "Days Gone Bye," I certainly felt it was a welcomed change of pace and definitely an interesting episode of television.

Bottom line up front: Last night we got to see not only how far our characters will go to survive in a world ruled by the dead—but how far our show creators are willing to go when it comes to gore. I have never witnessed a scene like the one of Rick chopping up the corpse with an axe. While it was gory, "Guts" added comedy to several disturbing moments. I thought the humor that was added in this episode—like when Glen puked while being smeared with zombie guts—was nice as it put us to ease a bit after the somber, dark premiere.

How about that opening? I mean I've seen sex scenes on TV before but that one just felt dirty. Seeing Shane all over Rick's wife as they snuck away for a quickie made me shudder. Especially seeing her take her husband's wedding band from around her neck and toss it to the side. It was a short scene that gave us a glimpse of what kind of hell is in store for Rick when he finds his family—that is if he ever finds out about the "affair". I put affair in quotations because I'm wondering: Is it really an affair if you think your husband is dead, but have had no physical proof? Just curious. Regardless, The Walking Dead is two for two when it comes to effective opening scenes! Early on in "Guts" we meet Glen, the character that helps Rick escape the tank, as well as a group of his fellow survivors: T-Dog, Andrea, Morales, Jacqui, Ed and Merle. (Am I forgetting anyone?) The only issue that I had with this episode is that I felt it may have introduced too many characters at once, but that may have been intentional. This is a show that has a lengthy bit of time to work with all of these characters in the future. Perhaps introductions are all we need at this point. I'm sure we will spend plenty of time getting to know these characters in the future—at least the ones that don't get killed off—but for right now, we just needed them to get the hell out of downtown Atlanta and back to camp.

Another thing I wanted to take note of: How awesomely cinematic are the shots of an apocalyptic Atlanta? They really took the time to dress this show and make it feel like a almost lifeless world.

I think I'm going to start a new thing in my columns—David's Favorite Zombie. Last week's would be a no-brainer: The half-zombie woman crawling through the grass, grabbing for Rick. The few scenes she was in were grotesque and heartbreaking. This week the award goes to (drum roll, please): the rat-eating zombie Glen and Morales discover in the sewer system. Man, that was gross (awesome).

I like that the theme of people grasping on to their humanity, which was heavily featured throughout the premiere, is still present here. For instance, there is absolutely no reason at all for T-Dog to go back to unchain the despicable character Merle. Not only did he insult T-Dog repeatedly, but he beat him to a bloody pulp. So why did T-Dog go back to help his attacker when he could have just left him there? It seems to me that the act would have been more for him than for Merle. I don't think that he could have lived with himself knowing that he left a man to die on the roof. I think that he knew the guilt would have been too much for him. But alas, T-Dog wasn't successful in his mission to help Merle, as he tripped and dropped the key, leaving Merle stranded on the roof.

Will they go back to help Merle? The previews for next week seem to say yes, but the real question is what happens when they do? I have my doubts that Merle will be "eternally grateful" to whoever comes back for him—but that's just me.

Great Episode!

Foolish naive hope Gleen, loved him and Merle the chaos envoy. The helicopter seems pretty suspicious given the world they are into. It could be important for the story. Rick was pretty ingenious by hearing about how the walkers sense humans for the first time. And how did they know that they smell in the first place. Anyways, they got out after all saving everyone but Merle. He dropped the key ans some tools, so I think he will come back.

Rick was established in the pilot as a man who wants to find what is his, but what happens when more than just a few of the dead are entered into the mix? That's what Episode 2 shows us.

From moment one in Atlanta it's high octane action. Walkers in every single corner and alley. Glenn is the first person Rick meets, and also the second person to save his life in just a couple of days. He is then quickly told how stupid he is for what he's done by a whole group of angry survivors. Morales, Andrea, Glenn, T-Dog, Jacqui, and Merle.

This episode does a fantastic job making out just how broken the world has become. At first it might have just seemed like rural America took a hit, but now we see that refugee camps are a lie and the majority of the population is gone. That all gets accomplished while we also get a hell of a heist mission to get out of the city including handcuffs, Walker Guts, and Car Alarms.

Another phenomenal effort from Frank and the Cast/Crew.

I might have built up too much expectation after first episode last week and even though I still enjoyed this second part, I didn't find it as stylish nor compelling as the first one. Gone were all those long silences and eerie atmosphere that made the pilot so intriguing, scary and horrific (in a good one, of course). What was basically a one man show has now become filled with a series of new characters, most of whom are not defined enough to care. However what lacked in mood was definitely compensated by action packed sequences and a lot of gore, possibly even more than in the first episode, to the point of parody. Which brings me to ask: "what kind of a series does this want to be?" Is it going to be a horror series, or is it going to be a bit of a parody? The whole subplot about Andrew Lincoln's wife and her affair with the ex partner (and friend) scares me a little bit. I really hope this is not going to turn into a soap opera… I didn't particularly like the fact that the zombies themselves seem to have learnt how to run and jump over fences on this one. I thought they couldn't run on the previous episode. Are we back to "28 days later" territory again? And taking about ripping things off from other movies, the idea of having a group of people seeking shelter from zombies in a shopping mall is lifted from Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Also I thought that the whole dropping the key into the hole moment, was a bit silly… Surely they could have found a better excuse to leave that guy handcuffed. Anyway, the production value is still pretty high and I to be honest I did have a lot of fun watching this (in fact the episode felt faster than the first one did. Was it shorter by any chance?) but I am fearing that it could all possibly run out of steam or ideas sooner than I though. I'm rating it with a 7 mainly because I still have a little bit of excitement left from the first episode. Let's hope it doesn't go below that.

This is my review of the first episode http://wp.me/p19wJ2-2A

1) Since it was established in the pilot episode that at least a month (probably longer) has passed since the walkers first appeared, it's highly unlikely anybody, man, woman, or child, would still be uninitiated and/or unprepared to tackle this thing like a bad-ass. The fact that they've survived this long indicates they're tough. Why then don't they use the clothes, mannequins, counters, and assorted junk merchandise to barricade the huge gaping glass storefront? Followed by the stairs up to the roof? Why not assemble some body armor and shields? Oh wait, they DID, but then for some reason quit wearing it. When Glenn rescued The Sheriff they ran inside the store as two others put the baseball bat smackdown on two zombies while wearing riot gear. I'd keep that stuff on if I were you guys...

2) What did they come into the city for anyway? They leave with two duffel bags. I can understand a scrounging mission. I can't fathom sending so many people on it.

3) Why didn't they set up a little better plan that entailed some timing and back-up planning so that supplies could be gathered (such as they were). Yes I know time was a factor but how many people needed to watch them mosey on over to the truck? Some of you go downstairs, barricade up the glass then grab some stuff we'll need for base camp. Also, nobody thought to either kill Merle or at least shove the hacksaw near him? Jerk though he was (I'd a shot him or thrown him over the side for a distraction) he didn't need to be left to die of starvation on the roof.

4) And my biggest question is why, after he's been up and awake for several days now, hasn't Rick asked for a better description of what the hell happened to our planet while he was in a coma? In the beginning he's scared and running, but now he's had time and several different people to ask. At least to get some differing viewpoints. That's the biggest reason I watch (next to the wicked cool gore). I want the story of what went wrong. If anything. Something. Tell me! How are these walkers even able to move, considering (usually) a body liquefies within a month of death? So where did all these dead people come from? Was there a viral outbreak of some sort? They've already stated "the fever" kills people and then they zombie-up, but when and where did it start? After reading "World War Z" all I can say is, Show me!

OK, I write this as a total stranger to the comic, but a great appreciator of the Zombie genre that has been lacking a caricature-less franchise on TV ever since the genre was created.

Apart from the obvious similarities to "28 days later", which I gather is almost unknown to the US, I fast-forward to episode 2 season 1.

The Sheriff is inside an M1A1 Abrams tank surrounded by zombies with no apparent means of escape (some eager beavers would immediately point out: "tank", ".50 cal" and "key in the ignition" which would lead to a wondrous zombipolcalypse of its own.

Of course things are done old school: a voice on the radio provides guidance and escape for our hero who is now stuck in another dead end, a department store, with out-of-town survivors who happened to come searching for supplies.

(sidenote: Meanwhile, while our hero faces certain doom, his wife is getting boned by his best friend, somewhere on the outskirts of his old town.)

Now, apart from the so-and-so acting and whole zombies running/using tools/acting intelligently crap, the story completely loses it when this "man on a mission" who is desperately looking for his wife and child (and so far that seems to be it), forgets the friggin' obvious: ask the survivors some basic questions like "did you happen to see my wife Lori and my son?", or "where are the other survivors" - there were moments where this could have happened (when he is guarding the door with a blonde character whose primary concern is filching a mermaid necklace), for gods sake... he is talking about family with her but somehow fails to mention/ask about his own.

So... FastFw a bit and the hero survives the ordeal as do the other characters and you find out they are all part of the same group of survivors where his wife and son currently reside.

Wow. At this rate, episode 3 should see the end of the show.

sorry guys. This guy is on a mission, but he can't seem to be able to act like he's on that particular mission?

Between the stupid shallow characters, the running/dextrous zombies and the sidekick riding a mustang woohooing out of the city (noise attracts zombies dude, your alarm is still on... you'll lead them to the rest of the survivors and it'll be a picnic...)

*sigh*

could've been so good.

PS: haven't seen episode 3 yet...

Episode 2 is such a great one. I really didn't have a thought that Rick's wife Lori would be having an affair with the other guy. Rick is looking for his wife and son desperately. And his wife? Well, she is having such a nice time with her new boyfriend. Great! Such a disappointment on his wife. Rick is such a nice guy. He doesn't deserve to get such a betrayal.

What I love the most is that Glenn saved Rick unlike Lori's new boyfriend abandoned to save the trapped group. He's so selfish. And the way Rick got away from the group of Zombies and also the way they got out that department store are so cool. Those scenes give me a lot of excitements. I was feeling afraid that they wouldn't get out of there. Btw, Glenn is such a sweet boy. I really like him for saving Rick. And I also feel sad for the horse though. It's so pitful.

There is one fact that I should mention. Cutting and chopping the Zombie's body is so disgusting. I was lucky that I wasn't eating anything when I watched this episode. Otherwise, I think I might throw up.

All in all, although this episode has some disgusting scenes, this it's so strong. The score is great, thus, this episode gave me excitements. I was really surprised to see it turned out to be this good. I wasn't expecting it to be this good actually. But I was glad that they made a great episode. As I've said before, the walking dead TV series makes me really, really exciting and also makes me watch more and more episodes. I hope any of the episodes wouldn't go wrong.

The second episode of The Walking Dead continued in its mission to give viewers a sense of excitement. The first episode was focused on setting up the story while this episode was more curated on starting a thrilling experience.

Rick Grimes meets up with other people and they try their to escape the city. This is displayed in a very tense manner, keeping us on the edge of our seats as this is the first experience of the adventure Rick Grimes is about to embark on.

In this episode, we are already informed on ways to outsmart the walkers and that is awesome. The creators of the show delivered in the first two episodes getting information relayed to the viewers.

As for the character introductions, there is not too much to be said. We are introduced briefly to a few characters and get a general idea of what they are like.

Merle is a little bit over the top but it does not feel completely false. It still feels genuine, although, this is the first human antagonist we are introduced to. Even though he doesn't hold a huge role in the show, he can be considered the first antagonistic character. His setup wasn't to grand, though. It felt placed just for a sense of extra drama alongside what was already happening. It was still enjoyable but I wish there was more of a fluid way of introducing him.

We see more characters at a camp, the two seeming to be most important at the moment being Shane and Lori, Rick's wife. Although it is shown they are now in a relationship, it is portrayed awkwardly. The opening scene probably felt more meaningful to the writers than it did to me.

As for the two of them in general, their relationship feels forced. Not forced in the sense of the writing of the show but in the sense of those two as individuals. It is an interesting and is an intriguing way to starting to show viewers of Shane's true demeanour.

In the end, this is still a really great episode and it rightfully deserves a 9/10.

This episode of the Walking Dead is one of the best episodes of the whole series. It is so action pack and so gory! It feels more like a Rated R movie, than a TV Show episode rated MA, due to its large production values. Based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman & directed by Michelle MacLaren, this episode, follows after the events of the pilot and first episode of the first season, 'Days Gone Bye'. In this episode, we see the character of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) being trapped with a group of survivors inside a department store that is surrounded by Walkers AKA zombies. The whole concept of them, being stuck in a store reminds me, so much of the movie, 1978's Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero, the founder of the modern day zombie genre. It's so surreal. Anyways, it's here that we get to meet, many of the supporting cast that we would end up, following for years to come. The best one from the small group is Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun), who would end up, playing a bigger role as the years, go by. The only thing, I didn't like, about his introduce; is the way, he dressed. He looks like an adult version of Short Rounds from 1984's Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom, movie. Thank God, he stop dressing this way, somewhere in the end of the second season. It was a bit jarring. Another character, we got, is Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas (IronE Sington). T-Dog was an original character in the television series and has no counterpart in the graphic novels. It's weird, that they create him first, over other great comic book characters like Tyreese whom later shown up in Season 3 played by Chad Coleman. Nothing against IronE Sington, but the character of T-Dog lacked character development and dialogue. He was so underdeveloped. I would gladly replace him, with Tyreese, any-day. A few others character that needed a little more story was Morales (Juan Gabriel Pareja) & Jacqui (Jeryl Prescott). I nearly forgot that they were in this episode. I can't believe, they never build upon, those characters more. The writers kinda just write Morales, ride off, by the end of the first season and killed off Jacqui, without much care. One character that left and come back is Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker). He's one of the best of the original TV made characters. The scene where Merle Dixon begins shooting his gun on the rooftop in Atlanta caused a little bit of real-life chaos. Some people did not know they were additional in filming, and thought that Michael Rooker was just a crazy sniper and notified the police. A SWAT team actually showed up and the misunderstanding was then explained. Kirkman was so pleased with Rooker's performance, he retorted that it was "'The Michael Rooker Show', whenever he was on screen. After all, he's pretty much, the highlight character of this episode. I'm glad, he return, in later seasons. Another long time character debuting, in this episode was Andrea (Laurie Holden). The TV show, Andrea was a big disappointment. Andrea's role in the series was a significant departure from the comic book series, making her character, very unlikeable. Laurie Holden was often criticized and garnered generally negative critiques of her over whiny and annoying performance. It's clear by her first appearance, here, that Laurie Holden wasn't that good of an actress. She comes across, in this episode as bossy, and nearly useless. With all these characters, introduce. You would think the episode, would slow down, and tell us a little about them, but no. Instead, the episode goes adrenalin-filled, straight up horror movie than slow-paced drama. While, the episode lacks emotion and depth, it made up, with over the top fun. The scene in which the survivors kill and dissect a walker to hide in its viscera is gut-wrenching, black comedy gold. Glenn pointing out that the once person was an organ donor was a fun zinger to hear. How irony. The action was a bit odd. It's a bit odd seeing walkers, run, climb over fences and use stones to break windows, because in later episodes, they seem like they can't do any of them and less agile. The final scene of Glenn driving off in the fast car with the background song, "I'm a Man" by Black Strobe was amazing. It is worth noticing, that the Dodge Challenger that Glenn steals in this episode makes multiple appearances in AMC other show (2008-2013) Breaking Bad, as the car, the main characters buys for his son. There has been a lot of fan theories, over this, linking both shows, together. Some people, feel that the Walking Dead is in the same world, and Blue Meth was the cause of the people turning into zombies. Who knows? Anyways, it's a pretty interesting theory. Overall: This episode is worth the re-watch value. Check it out, one more time. If you haven't, check it out.

Before a few days i wrote my first review about the pilot of The Walking Day Season 1 "Days Gone Bye", and i was very excited because it was a very strong beginning.Now let's talk about the second one...

Season 1 Episode 2: Guts

OK,it was intense....it was very intense.The first episode introduced us to the all the crazy stuff we were about to see.We met our lead character Rick Grimes who was injured during a gunfight and then awakens in an abandoned hospital only to realize that he has to survive in a post- apocalyptic world.We met Morgan and his son and we learn some things about his past and at the end they left us wondering how Rick will overcome the situation in Atlanta with the walkers around the tank. In the second episode,we get a chance to meet a new group of characters.Rick and the group try to fight their way out of the Atlanta city.Glenn's group which consists of Morales,Jaqui,Merle,Andrea and T-Dog where in Atlanta scavenging for supplies but they were cut off by a herd of walkers.There were some conflicts between some members of the group,so Rick had to take a stand and make some decisions about their way out of Atlanta.I liked very much how Glenn organized everyone,he shows us how well knows the city and how helpful it would be to have him in the group for searching supplies and etc.Because the difficulty of the situation, they couldn't escape without draw the attention of the walkers.They decided to take a walker and camouflage themselves (Rick &Glenn) with its guts.All of a sudden,a rain ruins everything and they have to fight their way to the car.The remaining group awaits in the department store & Merle is handcuffed in the roof because for all the problems he caused.They manage to get to the car and made a plan to help the others escape,Glenn draws the attention of the walkers so Rick is free to approach the building.In the end,T-Dog manages to lose the key of the handcuffs so he locked up Merle on the roof as the others escape. As we can see the first episode was more about development,character development but the second episode was more action-packed that pushed the storyline forward.Because we know that Glenn's group is part of a bigger group where Laurie & Carl are with Shane.So,it will be very interesting to see Rick meets up with his family and old friend(who is screwing with his wife).

I'm very satisfied with the second Episode "Guts" because it was action- packed with very strong & unforgettable moments,it was an intense one.For me it's a 9 out of 10 and i hope they'll keep making episodes like this.

Rick is stuck in the tank he climbed into at the end of episode one which is now surrounded by a horde of walkers,he also has to kill the reanimated driver of the tank inside.

After being rescued by Glenn(Steven Yeun) Rick meets other members of a small group which includes T-Dog(Irone Singleton)and Andrea(Laurie Holden)as well as a unhinged and loud mouthed racist called Merle Dixon(a love to hate Michael Rooker)who spends his time up on the roof of the department store they are holed up in either shooting at walkers or bullying or making racist remarks to T-Dog.This group is part of a much larger group which unbeknown to Rick includes his wife Lori(Sarah Wayne Callies)son Carl(Chandler Riggs)and cop partner and best friend Shane Walsh(Jon Bernthal)and we see briefly that Lori and Shane are in a relationship thinking Rick has died.

As this small group become under threat from the horde of walkers gathered outside the store who followed Rick and Glenn from the tank the group decide they have to reach a truck that is near by(they try the sewers before but find it barred and walkers are gathered there).

Before this though after Merle goes too far with T-Dog Rick handcuffs him to a pipe and tells Merle who is boss now and to stop the racism and that he could kill him in the blink of an eye,after this Rick gives T-Dog the key to look after which of course goes wrong as it is dropped.

Rick and Glenn know they have to get to the truck but need a distraction to get by the walkers so decide to cover themselves in the guts and entrails of a dead walker(yuk I know)to mask their human scent.

Now covered in dead remains the two men go outside and pretend to be walkers so they can move among them(bit like a scene in Shaun Of The Dead),it all goes well till a sudden rainstorm washes off the blood and guts leading to the walkers going after them so after killing a few they leg it to the truck with Rick driving it out whilst Glenn distracts the walkers in a Dodge Challenger and blaring the horn meaning Rick can pick up Andrea,T-Dog and the others and get out the city and reach the rest of the larger group of survivors.

But Merle is still up on the roof and the horde of walkers now trying to get through the door to him how the heck is Merle going to get out of this situation alive and well.

Nearly all the characters seen in this episode became regulars with Glenn still very much a big part of TWD and Yeun is a always supreme actor with his character a fan favourite and a good leader and cares for others and just lately is the king of escapes.

Both Holden(Andrea)and Singleton(T-Dog)became a part of our survivors group for a few seasons with Holden especially becoming a very important part of the third season though like T-Dog Andrea didn't get to do much in the first two seasons but had big moments with sister Amy(Emma Bell)and father figure Dale(Jeffrey DeMunn)plus Rick's best friend Shane in season 2. T-Dog played by Singleton though a caring character became a bit of a joke among fans and critics for not doing much ever(like Jar Jar Binks in Star Wars)or not being in major stories but has a more prominent role in season 3 getting a chance to truly shine,he is a great actor.

Michael Rooker is cold,ruthless and aggressive as mad Merle a character created just for the show but became a very interesting and complex part of the TWD(though not as important as brother Daryl who is a big part of the show)and is played to a tee by cult actor Rooker(please watch cult horror Henry:Portrait Of A Serial Killer to see how good he is)and though he only features briefly in this and the next episode(along with a vision to Daryl in season 2)he has a big part to play in season 3 but makes his mark in this episode and interactions with T-Dog and Rick are one of the standouts in this episode,he can be funny but isn't for faint hearted as his racism towards T-Dog might offend but Rooker is a great and should be in more films/TV.

As I said before this is more action packed than episode one with it kicking off in style with Glenn's rescue of Rick from the tank leading to close calls with lots of walkers with creepy scenes in sewers and walkers gathering outside the department store like Dawn Of The Dead.

The standout has to be the guts sequence(where the episode's name comes from)with some characters nearly fainting at the cutting up of the walker to smear over Rick and Glenn(who vomits twice providing a bit of humour to the serious tone)before the gripping slow walk through the street as they try not to attract the walkers attention until that edge of your seat moment when it all goes wrong leading to Rick and Glenn running like the wind to the truck(not before some zombie bashing of course lol),its a great sequence and seasons one's standout sequence.

Another gripping moment is when Rick has a showdown with Merle on the roof when the madman's treatment of T-Dog goes too far with Rick showing Merle who is boss.

The very best episode of season's one run with gripping action,mainstay characters introduced,lots of guts,more walkers than before,tip top acting from Lincoln and one of TWD'S best ever villains in Merle but just be cautious of his racist language.