Live365 wrote:
Let me ask you this. Is it pretty much just about the zombies? I was thinking it would be a little more like "The Stand", with religious themes and sci-fi tones. But if it's strictly a horror show, I may as well know it now! Also leery because it's cable, so they can get away with stuff that's alot more graphic. One reason I avoided "Sopranos". They also, at least in Epi 1, never completely explained what the he!! was going on: what Apocolypse? What virus? Why are they coming back to life? God knows we already have enough of a headache with "Event". Or is that what is Lost-ish about this show?
Not sure I'm jazzed about seeing Epi 1 again. Once was enough! But I'm gonna try for Epi 2/3 Sunday night.
No, it is not just about the zombies. You are correct that it is more like 'The Stand' (only better, so far, IMO). What it is ABOUT is the people, the survivors. I think the themes they will explore are going to be fascinating. Read some of the reviews I posted about it, and my own comments above, and I think you'll see what I mean.
This is a
character-driven drama. This, for me, is what makes it 'Lost-ish.' We have an ensemble cast of compelling characters who form a small community and are learning how to deal with a life-changing event (a disaster) in a hostile environment. THAT is very 'Lost-ish' The 'Lost' community is all abuzz about this show. It's the first one that GETS that about what made 'Lost' special. And interestingly, they did NOT bill it as some sort of 'replacement' for 'Lost' (a good thing!).
If it were just horror, or if that were the primary focus, I wouldn't like it all (note my comments about 'Zombieland' above, which I detested). I abhor most horror flicks, and don't/won't watch them. I only tune in IF there is something
more involved that sparks my interest -- primarily well-drawn characters, interesting themes, and great storytelling. This show has all of that. I can deal with the gross-out stuff to experience the good stuff.
As for what the virus IS... I think we will find that out when our main character, Rick Grimes, finds out. We seem to be learning along with him. (This is also 'Lost-ish, IMO. We learn what's going on as the characters learn, and can share their frustrations, anguish, wonderment, etc.) My guess is that it will be a part of the finale for this season (6th episode -- this is a 6-epi season). I'm thinking that because of the title of that episode (see above). I am also suspicious of the setting -- Atlanta area -- because of that being the HQ of the CDC. Hmmmm... what might that portend?
Another thing my daughter and I have wondered about is what will be the overall 'life-span' of the zombies. Their purpose, as far as the virus goes, is simply to spread the virus. They obviously can't go on forever. They would HAVE to deteriorate to an eventual death state. When the brain dies, they would have to officially die as well, and it seems like that would have to happen eventually. I haven't read the comics, so don't know how this is dealt with, but it seems a reasonable assumption.
As for being on cable -- yes, this isn't something that would make it on the broadcast networks. BUT there is a difference between what is OK on basic cable and what is allowed on the premium channels (like HBO and Showtime, for instance). This show is rated TV-14, which is considered sorta like PG-13 in the movies (except that there isn't a governing body that judges like in the movies -- the networks assign their own ratings and are expected to be responsible for meeting the standards they claim). You aren't going to see explicit sex or violence with a TV-14 rating (except that, in our culture, violence is more acceptable than sex, so they can get away with more in the realm of violence than sex). But it will still be gross, I expect. Zombies are just gross. There's no getting around that.
OK... hope that helped answer some of your questions. At least from my POV.
Maybe others here will chime in as well...