by Matt Sernaker, Managing Editor
Get ready to run for your lives, because The Walking Dead have returned! After the epic Season Two finale, our heroes have found themselves on the run, struggling to find shelter. When a new haven presents itself, to what lengths will Rick and the gang go through to claim it as their own? Get ready fans, because the prison is finally here…which means more action is on its way!
So what has happened since the end of Season Two? Apparently a lot. Season Three’s premiere – “Seed” opens with our familiar heroes trying to find a place to rest, and taking out some walkers in the process. While the gap between Seasons One and Two seemed to be weeks at most, this time the creative team has moved the characters forward by several months! Everyone is exhausted, and you can tell from the silent opening that they have been going non-stop since we last saw them. The person that really stood out to me in the opening sequence was Hershel (Scott Wilson) who conveyed the sorrow and defeated attitude so perfectly without uttering a single word. The look on his face instantly conveyed how much time had passed, and how defeated they had become since losing the farm.
After searching through the surrounding area for months, Rick finally stumbles onto the prison and decides that they will make it their new home. This isn’t an easy task mind you, as there is a large number of zombie inmates and guards standing between the group and their new home. Team Rick take out the walkers in the yard, and slowly but surely eliminate the previous zombified tenants. While they are currently safe within the fences of the prison yard, Rick determines that they need to push just a bit further and get themselves inside so that they can search for food and medicine. He might also be a bit worried about his wife (who is VERY pregnant at this point) and his son (who traditionally puts himself in harms way). Rick and a few of the survivors work their way inside the walls of the prison…and are attacked by more zombies! Glenn and Maggie (or “Glaggie” for you shippers out there) are separated from the group, and Hershel turns back to try and find them…only to get attacked and bitten! As if this weren’t enough to worry about, Rick finds that The Walking Dead aren’t the only ones living in the prison…
So how does “Seed” hold up against previous installments of The Walking Dead?
It is a damn good episode, and is easily one of my new favorites. The prison looks stunning. The production team looked at the comics and lifted the interior design straight from the books. It is really insanely detailed, and if you have read the book you will be equally as impressed with the attention that they gave this new setting.
If you were one of the people (like me) who was frustrated by the lack of action and zombie killing that Season Two was missing, fear not! Zombies are very much abound in the premiere, and we get some amazing new zombies from Greg Nicotero, that will easily satisfy your hunger for new walkers.
In terms of characters, all the unnecessary exposition and talking about feelings every five seconds is gone. The characters have been developed to a comfortable point to where we really can get into the meat of the story. Lori is very pregnant and we know that she will give birth soon. Carl has grown up a lot in the months since shooting Shane and now is kind of a badass. Rick is a man at war, ready to do anything and everything to protect the group, but has emotionally disconnected himself from Lori since learning that she cheated on him. If this interaction had taken place during the months off camera, that would be one thing, but I feel that this just makes Rick look like a douchebag when it is the ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE! Other than this one digression, the characters all get a chance to shine and provide some amazing moments in the premiere. If you are wondering about the mysterious sword wielding character that debuted at the end of Season Two, she does make an appearance, along with the missing Andrea. Just wait until you see what they have been up to for the missing months!
The Walking Dead is a show that continues to push boundaries and entertain. While we had a bit of a slow period with Season Two, the writers have quickly gotten the ball rolling with some thrilling moments that leave me excited for what’s coming next. Season Three of The Walking Dead will treat fans to 16 brand new episodes, with 8 total before the end of 2012, and the remaining half picking up shortly into 2013. The Walking Dead are back for brains!!!
Rating: 
ComicsOnline gives The Walking Dead – “Seed” 5 out of 5 chilling opening sequences.
Check out our Season Three Interviews with the Cast of The Walking Dead at Comic-Con 2012:
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