preview

Extreme Violence In Amc's The Walking Dead

Good Essays

Walkers, Biters, Rotters Oh My Moans and groans creep from the television. Viewers set on the edge of their seats nibbling away at fingernails can mean only one thing; AMC’s The Walking Dead is on. This intense, entertainment gripping TV drama has it all, blood, guts, and glory, not to mention zombies. Rated amongst the top hit television shows, could it be America has a dark side? According to Tony Wong, pop-cultural journalist, states, “The pulpy horror series has become a global phenomenon” (Toronto Star). Zombies have eaten their way into the hearts of Americans, in a world set on extremes, viewers want it all or nothing; The Walking Dead delivers the extreme both in entertainment and in ratings. The Walking Dead is a television horror/drama …show more content…

The show delivers extreme violence; however, it is still rated amongst the highest of all television shows. Adam Buckman, TV columnist, relayed, “One explanation for the popularity of “The Walking Dead” is that people aren’t all that bothered by a TV show that forces them to witness acts of extreme violence because audiences have been exposed to so much violence already -- in movies, in scores of other TV shows, online and on the evening news.” He also states, “The Walking Dead” amounts to a life-or-death situation for the show’s human survivors. The intensity of these scenes is what makes “The Walking Dead” so attractive. It is suspenseful, addictive entertainment” (Mediapost.com.) One example of pushing the boundary on The Walking Dead aired on episode 4 of season 3, “Killer Within”. The show depicts a very pregnant Lori Grimes trapped in a prison full of “walkers”. Lori proceeds to go into labor; trapped and no time to spare she decides to have Maggie deliver the baby via C-section out of fear for her baby’s life. Soon after Maggie delivers the baby, Lori dies. If that did not shock viewers, Carl, Lori’s son then shoots his mother so that she does not return as the undead. (Examiner.com). The episode was heartbreaking, dark, and pushed the boundaries tipping the scales to extreme. How do you beat an episode like that, how about throwing in a psychopathic kiddie hell bent on playing with zombies? Times, International Business, reports, “Andrew Lincoln told Yahoo that one episode in the second half of season 4 would be “the most controversial episode you've ever been involved in.” “The Walking Dead” season 4, episode 14, “The Grove” is that most controversial episode and Robert Kirkman comic book writer confirmed this fact. “That would definitely be this episode,” says Robert Kirkman to Entertainment Weekly.” Episode 14 of season 4, “The Grove” starts as just another day surviving the post

Get Access