George Romero disses 'The Walking Dead' [Archive]

Zombie Snack

01-Nov-2013, 09:36 AM

I saw this article this morning and thought I would share for any who missed it, sorry if it has already been posted elsewhere on the site.

George Romero Disses 'The Walking Dead,' Calls It a 'Soap Opera'
By Kimberly Potts | Yahoo TV

Oh no you didn’t, George Romero! The legendary horror filmmaker of “Night of the Living Dead” told a British magazine he said no to an offer to direct episodes of the AMC mega-hit “The Walking Dead” because the drama is “just a soap opera with a zombie occasionally.”

“They asked me to do a couple of episodes of ‘The Walking Dead,’ but I didn’t want to be a part of it,” Romero said in the Halloween edition of The Big Issue. “Basically it’s just a soap opera with a zombie occasionally. I always used the zombie as a character for satire or a political criticism, and I find that missing in what’s happening now.”

Romero, the father of zombie cinema whose seminal “Night of the Living Dead” is in the National Film Registry, also seems to have an issue in general with modern film and TV zombies and the pace at which they try to track down their human snacks.

“I guess Zack Snyder started that with the remake of ‘Dawn of the Dead’ — fast-moving zombies — but the zombies in ‘World War Z,’ my God, they’re like army ants! But in all the [advertisements] here, they never called it a zombie film,” Romero said.

He also never referred to his zombies as "zombies" in “Night of the Living Dead,” he pointed out. “I never thought they were zombies. To me back then, zombies were those voodoo guys who were given some sort of blowfish cocktail and became slaves. And they weren’t dead, so I thought I was doing a brand new thing by raising the dead. Not that the dead haven’t been risen before… It goes back to Jesus, doesn’t it?”

“The Walking Dead,” which airs the fourth episode of Season 4 this Sunday, certainly isn’t hurting for viewers. “Dead” is far and away the number one series on cable, and one of the top-rated series in the 18-49 demographic amongst all broadcast and cable shows.

So we’re guessing the “Dead” folks won’t take the remarks by Romero — who’s also expressed his disapproval of “The Da Vinci Code,” the level of Ron Howard’s passion for filmmaking, and “Saw III” in the past — to heart.

Still, it is fun to think about a Romero-directed adventure with Rick Grimes, Michonne, Daryl, and The Governor…

http://www.bigissue.com/mix/news/3181/george-romero-interview-walking-dead-just-soap-opera-occasional-zombie

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 10:24 AM

Not sure if I agree with George here. Sure some episodes are more character/drama based than others. But some our certainly darker and more action based too.

I'm sure they could find an episode that would fit him perfectly! Even if it was a webisode with a more self contained story/theme!

http://thetwist03.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/the-walking-dead-zombie-tree.jpg?w=595&h=325

Legion2213

01-Nov-2013, 10:56 AM

I'd rather watch TWD than modern era GAR rubbish anyway, glad he refused to direct and I hope it stays that way.

Andy

01-Nov-2013, 11:03 AM

The old hack is just jealous of TWD's popularity due to the fact he hasnt made a good movie since 1985.

MinionZombie

01-Nov-2013, 11:07 AM

A 'soap opera'? Clearly he's not paying any real attention to the show. You couldn't just have running around shooting zombies for 16 episodes a season. There's a vast difference between a 90 minute movie and a 16 episode season. :rolleyes:

Also, he made Diary of the Dead, which was drivel ... check yourself before you wreck yourself, George. Annnnnnd - Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead - a bunch of directly opposed parties screaming at each other in a confined environment ... could you not lazily label that as 'soap opera'? I would never call those films 'soap opera', and likewise I'd never say that about TWD, because it just doesn't make sense at all.

I'm a huge fan of his work, and I like the guy in interviews etc, but I don't know what show he's watching. I agree with some of the points he makes about general horror in that interview, but he's rather wide of the mark on TWD. I wonder how Greg Nicotero would feel about that comment from GAR?

Back to Diary - I kidded myself into liking it when I saw it in the cinema, and then my opinion of it went absolutely all over the place on subsequent viewings (there's still parts of it that I like ... parts), and I've not seen it in a long time. Watching 'Monster Madness' on Cinemassacre the other day - one film addressed was Diary - reminded me of just how much bullshit there is in Diary of the Dead. Survival was much better by comparison (and I quite like Survival to this day), but it's not a patch on his earlier work by any stretch of the imagination ... but Diary? Christ...

Legion2213

01-Nov-2013, 11:13 AM

I always feel a bit sad when I lay into GAR, his original trilogy of dead films are still the benchmark and I love them to bits, but honestly, his later work is piss poor, he could take a few pointers from TWD and films like "The Dead" if he ever makes another zombie movie, and he should certainly not be attacking TWD, which is a fantastic series.

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 11:15 AM

.. But diary? Christ...lol!!

Craig

01-Nov-2013, 12:33 PM

I love Romero's original trilogy and the I've appreciated the themes and satire, particularly of Dawn, for as long as I've been old enough to understand it. For me, though, it's the human aspect of the genre that I've found the most interesting (aside from the guns and the gore). The Walking Dead has its issues for sure but right now it's about as good as it gets for my taste, i.e. the dead rise and this provides a backdrop for the human survival story.

The walkers in TWD aren't solely there as a threat or an excuse for gore, they also serve to question the morality of the human characters and what is humanity 'after the turn'. Rarely an episode goes by without someone fretting or outright refusing to take down walkers. Michonne's chained pair, Milton's test subject and the Governor's daughter are a few of the zombie characters that serve this purpose.

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 12:38 PM

Just gone out and bought "The Big Issue" to get the article :) Will add it to my box of zombie stuff!

AcesandEights

01-Nov-2013, 01:40 PM

Still, it is fun to think about a Romero-directed adventure with Rick Grimes, Michonne, Daryl, and The Governor…

"No, Michonne. Let the Governor go...he's just looking for a place to store his fish tank."

Moon Knight

01-Nov-2013, 02:54 PM

Good ol' George seems bitter here. It's sad seeing one of my heroes hit rock bottom like this that he would actually insult a show that clearly pays homages to him and his films whenever possible.

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 02:58 PM

Good ol' George seems bitter here. It's sad seeing one of my heroes hit rock bottom like this that he would actually insult a show that clearly pays homages to him and his films whenever possible.

I don't think he's bitter... just not keyed up enough to see it... Christ, can you imagine him working with Greg Nicotero (KNB) again!!!

If he didn't like the story line(s) I'm sure a self contained webisode would have solved the problem, or indeed a more standalone episode with strangers who the group find/encounter at some point?

Christ the story could be completely self contained, with our main characters just turning up in the last 30 seconds to find what's left of the story. eg: A body of one of the characters left in a strange way, explained by the events of the previous 40 mins...

shootemindehead

01-Nov-2013, 03:37 PM

Just gone out and bought "The Big Issue" to get the article :) Will add it to my box of zombie stuff!

Does the box have "Neil's box of zombie stuff" written on the lid in crayon?

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 03:55 PM

Does the box have "Neil's box of zombie stuff" written on the lid in crayon?

Don't be stupid! Felt tip!

MoonSylver

01-Nov-2013, 03:57 PM

Mm. I think maybe the point he was trying to make, in a backhanded & dismissive way, is that TWD is more of a character driven drama, with zombies. Ie, a "soap opera" :rolleyes: Interesting that he's still so fixated on the damn "social commentary" aspect, that he fails to realize that some of the best parts of the 1st three Dead films is the character driven, human drama elements.

The survivors trapped in the farmhouse, the interactions between Roger & Peter, Peter & Stephen, Stephen & Fran, John, Sarah, & McDermont's scenes together in Day. All character driven drama, no social commentary there.

Frankly, TWD is better off for focusing on the survivors, & their issues, & the insights into the human condition & human drama, & just let the zombies be zombies.

Does the box have "Neil's box of zombie stuff" written on the lid in crayon?

:lol:

AcesandEights

01-Nov-2013, 04:02 PM

Mm. I think maybe the point he was trying to make, in a backhanded & dismissive way, is that TWD is more of a character driven drama, with zombies. Ie, a "soap opera" :rolleyes: Interesting that he's still so fixated on the damn "social commentary" aspect, that he fails to realize that some of the best parts of the 1st three Dead films is the character driven, human drama elements.

The survivors trapped in the farmhouse, the interactions between Roger & Peter, Peter & Stephen, Stephen & Fran, John, Sarah, & McDermont's scenes together in Day. All character driven drama, no social commentary there.

Frankly, TWD is better off for focusing in the survivors, & their issues, & the insights into the human condition & human drama, & just let the zombies be zombies.

Very well said, Moon! Particularly the points about the character interaction in GAR's early works being so important for a lot of us who are fans of thsoe films.

Neil

01-Nov-2013, 04:08 PM

Mm. I think maybe the point he was trying to make, in a backhanded & dismissive way, is that TWD is more of a character driven drama, with zombies. Ie, a "soap opera" :rolleyes: Interesting that he's still so fixated on the damn "social commentary" aspect, that he fails to realize that some of the best parts of the 1st three Dead films is the character driven, human drama elements.

The survivors trapped in the farmhouse, the interactions between Roger & Peter, Peter & Stephen, Stephen & Fran, John, Sarah, & McDermont's scenes together in Day. All character driven drama, no social commentary there.

Frankly, TWD is better off for focusing in the survivors, & their issues, & the insights into the human condition & human drama, & just let the zombies be zombies.

:lol:You know... I've never bought Romero's "social commentary" thing. eg: He made Dawn of the Dead in the mall - from my understanding - because he managed to get the location cheap? It wasn't a grand plan or anything.

MoonSylver

01-Nov-2013, 04:32 PM

You know... I've never bought Romero's "social commentary" thing. eg: He made Dawn of the Dead in the mall - from my understanding - because he managed to get the location cheap? It wasn't a grand plan or anything.

I'm a bit on the fence myself. I do think there was some thought put into it as the series progressed, but it wasn't the overriding/only concern. (Ie: the mall. He scored the ability to shoot there first, then wrote some things in around that).

I think he fails to see that: you focus on the story & the characters first, then work in some of the themes you'd like to address. IMO if you START with the message, then build the story & characters around that, it shows. The message dominates the film & the whole suffers as a result.

This is one of the biggest dividing lines between the old & new Dead films I suspect.

*EDIT* How appropriate. The last was my 3000th post. :D

kidgloves

01-Nov-2013, 05:48 PM

Still the King.

MinionZombie

01-Nov-2013, 05:55 PM

IMO if you START with the message, then build the story & characters around that, it shows. The message dominates the film & the whole suffers as a result.

I see a huge neon flashing sign with "Diary of the Dead" written on it. :sneaky::p

Also, I don't know, GAR's kinda gone into slightly goofier territory of late with Diary and Survival, even Land in certain moments ... fun stuff, but at-odds with past work, and totally at odds with The Walking Dead ... so perhaps it's also a matter of tone and approach between the TWD gang and Uncle George.

I'd really like to see GAR tackle some non-zombie stuff. He should just leave that stuff aside and try and head up other projects - but of course, the big question there is, can he get the funding for it? It'd have to be in the horror genre, I suppose, but yeah ... I would really like to see GAR do something non-zombie now. He gave birth to this genre icon as it stands today, and perhaps it's best if he steps back from it? Hmmm...

It is a shame, and like has been said further down, I don't like to complain ... but yep, Moon nailed it. Zombie action only goes so far - if we didn't care about the characters in his films, then the flicks wouldn't be so iconic or beloved. I always think referring to TWD's character drama as "soap opera" is such a silly and lazy thing, it's nothing like East Enders, Neighbours, Home & Away, Days of Our Lives etc etc etc. I don't recall "soap opera" ever being levelled at Lost, for example.

AcesandEights

01-Nov-2013, 06:18 PM

my 3000th post. :D

Pffft, N00b!

MinionZombie

01-Nov-2013, 06:29 PM

Pffft, N00b!

I know, right? :p:sneaky::lol::p;) This chatty mu'h'fukka's closing in on 20,000 ... ... :shifty: ... ... :eek:

I must also say that the headlines I've been seeing around of "Walking Dead slammed!" and "dissed!" is a bit over-the-top (e.g. on Yahoo News) ... because when you read what GAR has to say, he's not exactly spitting fury like a snubbed Kardashian or something. :lol::p:lol:

MoonSylver

02-Nov-2013, 02:27 AM

I see a huge neon flashing sign with "Diary of the Dead" written on it. :sneaky::p

Wasn't thinking of that one in particular, rather just kinda the whole newer 3 in general.

Pffft, N00b!

Gimme back the few thousand I lost in various fourm hacks & such over the years. I used to talk some serious shit back when I first joined, under older accounts from boards long gone. But since I said what I had to say then, I ain't repeatin' it. :lol:

I know, right? :p:sneaky::lol::p;) This chatty mu'h'fukka's closing in on 20,000 ... ... :shifty: ... ... :eek:

I must also say that the headlines I've been seeing around of "Walking Dead slammed!" and "dissed!" is a bit over-the-top (e.g. on Yahoo News) ... because when you read what GAR has to say, he's not exactly spitting fury like a snubbed Kardashian or something. :lol::p:lol:

People always love to start shit. I love the quote in there "Walking Dead fans will take this to heart!" No, no we won't. Not really. :bored:

JonOfTheShred

02-Nov-2013, 04:20 AM

The Walking Dead is supposed to be a "drama with zombies." Even in it's original comic form, it was always about the interpersonal relationships of the characters, how they developed, and how they all cope with the apathy inherent in a post-apocalypse. The whole point of the comic was "drama with zombies," and the show is no different.

If anything, this season is on the right path. It's finally starting to feel bleak - not quite on the level of "The Road" or "Threads," but it's getting there. The darker the show gets, the better it will get.

zomtom

02-Nov-2013, 05:20 AM

I've been a huge fan of GAR's for decades and usually I will come to his defense in a second. However, he really shouldn't be out there criticizing other zombie media (especially after that crapfest, "Survival of the Dead"). TWD is some of the BEST zombie action we have had in years. George, I love you but if you can't speak nice, I suggest you sew your lips shut.

Publius

02-Nov-2013, 10:44 AM

“They asked me to do a couple of episodes of ‘The Walking Dead,’ but I didn’t want to be a part of it,” Romero said in the Halloween edition of The Big Issue. “Basically it’s just a soap opera with a zombie occasionally. I always used the zombie as a character for satire or a political criticism, and I find that missing in what’s happening now.”

dabomb? Is that you?? ;D

wayzim

02-Nov-2013, 02:50 PM

Nuff with TWD, time to do a Dead World TV series. Zombie fans would be really confused with that one ... Hee Hee.
I faved this comic way back when I was a rabid collector in the 80's and 90's. King Zombie rules!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadworld

And just found this link.

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3251687/the-zombie-king-rides-into-town-in-dead-world-fan-film/

Wayne Z

facestabber

02-Nov-2013, 03:31 PM

"No, Michonne. Let the Governor go...he's just looking for a place to store his fish tank."

HAHAHAHA. Well friggin said. Romero hasnt been relevant since 85. He has produce crap since. I respect the man for his creation that has allowed TWD to be born. But he better watch his mouth because he is alienating his fans. Its either envy or the man is so conceded he cant see the reality that his skills/beliefs will get buried by TWD.

zombieparanoia

02-Nov-2013, 03:51 PM

I think Romero is a bit sour grapes because of the popular success of TWD. Not to mention zombieland, WWZ, Snyder dawn etc.

It's like he's the fifth Beatle, he has every right to say he was there when it all began and that he contributed to one of the greatest genres ever but is he still? No. And seeing how far the genre as a whole has come without him and the direction it's taken (away from preachy messages delivered with all the nuance of a he-man and orco "lesson of the day") that's got to sting a bit.

krisvds

02-Nov-2013, 04:06 PM

It's like he's the fifth Beatle, he has every right to say he was there when it all began and that he contributed ...

Fifth Beatle? Are you out of your mind? The man didn't contribute, he invented the whole subgenre.
More of a Lennon or Mccartney then.

Despite his latest films not really living up to the first three (or even four as I really like Land, a lot) the man does have a point when he states that TWD is like a soap.
A damn good one, but a soap nonetheless. Nothing wrong with that IMO. (Look at Twin Peaks, another damn fine example of a great way to play witihin the soap 'idiom' if you like.)
I can enjoy it for what it is. But please, guys, it's not like TWD is the greatest thing the genre ever brought forth.

That would be Day of the dead.

MoonSylver

02-Nov-2013, 11:04 PM

Fifth Beatle? Are you out of your mind? The man didn't contribute, he invented the whole subgenre.
More of a Lennon or Mccartney then.

Mmm...Richard Matheson would probably be able to claim dibs as John. But GAR would certainly qualify as Paul! ;)

krakenslayer

05-Nov-2013, 09:35 PM

SeekNDestroy82

08-Nov-2013, 12:59 AM

I love GAR and till this day the original Dawn is my favorite horror film of all time. I've literally watch Night, Dawn, and Day at least a dozen times each and I'm still not tired of them! However he hasn't exactly been gracing his fans with top notch work over the past couple of decades either. Land of the Dead is honestly his only zombie flick since Day that is actually SOMEWHAT decent (and I'm still not much of a fan of it). Diary and Survival were both complete crap as far as as I'm concerned, and it seems more like he's simply lazily trying to milk off of his legacy rather than put out the kind of films that we all know he's capable of.

Ragnarr

09-Nov-2013, 12:28 AM

George dissing TWD after those last 3 stinkers he shoveled out to his fans is absurd. I'm sure he'd praise the show if the fans hated TWD and it was cancelled mid-season. Then George might say, "they did the show exactly the way I would have" lol.

HumanBiped

27-Jan-2014, 07:07 PM

I hate how GAR can be such a critic about the other zombie stuff...... I mean, he's right, zombies started as the people who had blowfish juice given to them and had the voodoo priests convince them that they were to do their bidding. If I remember right, Zombie Holocaust had this kinda thing going on. But, it was made something more as time went on in our culture, and GAR helped this even though he called them ghouls in Night. But, it's not like he rushed to correct everyone that they were ghouls and not zombies as the years went on. And I don't want to watch versions of "Dawn of the Dead" over and over and over and over...... slow zombies that eventually "get you" at the end of the movie. The Walking Dead is a fresh take, and is an extended look at a zombie movie, something that isn't done that much. Love the guy, just think he's down on it if it wasn't his idea.

MinionZombie

27-Jan-2014, 07:36 PM

A fair point.

Plus I've seen so many beginnings of a zombie outbreak in countless movies, that - in addition to all the other good points of TWD (both comic and show) - the on-going story of TWD really appeals to me. We essentially skip the initial outbreak, only seeing small snippets, but we get this long and involved look at this world following the same characters throughout (or for long periods of time before they meet their maker).

Fed up of so many beginnings to the outbreak, how many times do we need to see that? I'm talking about zombie movies in general here, although GAR has gone back to the beginning with Diary and Survival. He did set the template and produced three incredible, genre-defining zombie films that are cinematic landmarks and beloved fan favourites. There's also Land of the Dead - which I like, but it's certainly divided opinion generally - which took another time jump forward to give us the furthest look forward into an outbreak that we'd seen at that point. It has it's problems, but all-said I dig it ... so I was disappointed when we went back to the beginning of an outbreak with Diary.

EvilNed

27-Jan-2014, 08:20 PM

See this just further illustrates my total disconnect from zombie stuff these days: I think George is right, TWD is just a monolith pile of wet cliche.

Geroge's last few movies were pretty lame, very heavy handed, poorly thought out in many respects, and often very silly, but at least I finished all of them, and have even gone back to them a couple of times. I couldn't get through the first series of TWD, and I tried twice. Romero's movies tried to do some different stuff, and even if not all of it (or even most of it) worked, it was at least interesting to watch him try. As far as I could see, TWD was just shallow, box-ticking zombie fanservice wedded to some cookie-cutter daytime personal drama. Dull dull dull.

I have to agree with this.

The Walking Dead isn't really that interesting to me. I don't sympathize with any of the characters and frankly I think almost all of them are poorly written or just flat-out silly clichés. (Michonne, Daryl...) The series takes itself very seriously, but it doesn't want to go all the way. It's still got one foot knee-deep in comic territory. I'd have wanted to see a reimagined Michonne for the small screen. None of that silent-warrior, samurai-sword stuff. That's just ridiculous.

ProfessorChaos

27-Jan-2014, 09:56 PM

^

be careful, ned. too much of that talk and some around here might start saying you're "full of shit" and dismissing everything else you say or post. TWD has no flaws, get it right!

AcesandEights

28-Jan-2014, 12:56 AM

^

be careful, ned. too much of that talk and some around here might start saying you're "full of shit" and dismissing everything else you say or post. TWD has no flaws, get it right!
Damn, Prof. You are angry. Hope you're okay, man.

ProfessorChaos

28-Jan-2014, 01:01 AM

^

sorry doug. i forgot to put any smilies or sarcasm warning signs out there. that wasn't directed at you, either.

and life is great for me lately, so no worries.:cool:

Trin

29-Jan-2014, 08:22 PM

Gosh, GAR thinks TWD is like a soap opera? The main character emerges from a coma and finds his wife and son being cared for by his former partner and best friend, who has alpha-male anger issues, and who is having sex with his wife, who is pregnant from one of them, leading to a tension filled love triangle that stretches over multiple seasons, culminating in a double-cross betrayal showdown murder ... I don't know where GAR gets these crazy ideas.

GAR's statements are accurate, if a bit dismissive. The fact that his own latest submissions to the genre aren't any better is neither here nor there. I do wish he'd give it a little more credit though. It is a GOOD soap opera at least.

"No, Michonne. Let the Governor go...he's just looking for a place to store his fish tank."
This says it all!! Hooray for Aces - your posts just keep getting better!

My biggest concern with this thread is that the makers of TWD would want GAR involved. Did they see Survival of the Dead? All I can imagine GAR producing is a bunch of confusing plot mired in commentary and zombie gags.

bassman

30-Jan-2014, 11:53 AM

My biggest concern with this thread is that the makers of TWD would want GAR involved. Did they see Survival of the Dead? All I can imagine GAR producing is a bunch of confusing plot mired in commentary and zombie gags.

Darabont tried to get Romero on board to direct an episode around the early days of season two, but Romero turned him down saying he would prefer to stick to his "own thing".

Neil

30-Jan-2014, 12:24 PM

Darabont tried to get Romero on board to direct an episode around the early days of season two, but Romero turned him down saying he would prefer to stick to his "own thing".

His "own thing" basically meaning retirement I assume?

Such a shame. Romero could have picked an episode that primarily stood alone and really made something of it!

MinionZombie

30-Jan-2014, 01:12 PM

I don't see why certain plot elements are considered "soap opera". The same sort of elements, and mixtures thereof, are used throughout innumerable forms of TV and Film. "Soap Opera", to me at least, refers much more to presentation style. Linking TWD with "soap opera" makes utterly no sense to me whatsoever. :confused:

shootemindehead

31-Jan-2014, 03:26 PM

To me, "Soap Opera" is overwrought themes, usually involving some characters partner screwing someone else. These themes are generally regurgitated in a circular motion in lieu of a genuinely interesting storyline.

Rinse, repeat...

They're for shock value, more than anything else. Just take a look at any episode of 'Coronation Steet', or 'Eastenders' any night of the week. You can tell whats going on with the slightest of information, because they've all done the same storyline before. It's gossip television.

The only "Soap Opera" items in 'The Walking Dead' for me was the ridiculously extended Shane/Lori/Rick thing, which was really running out of steam. But, this was in the comic, so we can't really bemoan the producers for that angle. Maggie and Glen is the same.

Also, the whole nonsense with the Gov and Andrea. Serious roll eyes there.

I understand why some people attach the "soap opera" moniker to the show, but I also think it's somewhat unfairly applied as well.

AcesandEights

31-Jan-2014, 03:44 PM

The only "Soap Opera" items in 'The Walking Dead' for me was the ridiculously extended Shane/Lori/Rick thing, which was really running out of steam. But, this was in the comic, so we can't really bemoan the producers for that angle.
Bemoan them for the angle, no. But it was their choice to really string it out as long as they did. I think it was the right decision for them to play it up and take some time to build it out as a major event, but it went on a bit long and at times was handled poorly in a ham-handed fashion somewhat symptomatic, as you say, of Soap Opera fare.

Maggie and Glen is the same.
I somewhat disagree, they don't seem quite as clunky or overwrought. Human touchstones would be important to characters, so ignoring the interpersonal seems like a bad take. Though I do admit, some of the stuff with Glenn questioning himself & their relationship at various points in the past has been good, while at other times seemed ill conceived and unnecessary. Human frailty and faults are nice to see, but no one wants to see Glenn constantly questioning the basis and direction of their relationship and his ability and worthiness of it. We get it, she's super-hot and you're a former pizza delivery boy, but it's the end of the world and that seems to have loosened Maggie up a bit--you got this one in the bag, Son!

Also, the whole nonsense with the Gov and Andrea. Serious roll eyes there.
Yeah, I don't mind the direction they initially went in, but they over-committed Andrea emotionally and underplayed the brains her character should have displayed in the situation. Conflicted feelings and being torn over matters, like Andrea was, is fine but it gets pulled and teased out to unnecessary and fairly unbelievable lengths.

I understand why some people attach the "soap opera" moniker to the show, but I also think it's somewhat unfairly applied as well.
Agreed.

Trin

01-Feb-2014, 12:57 AM

"Where is Sophia?" was the TWD equivalent of "Who shot JR?"

I was hooked on a soap opera for a while at a time when I was out of work and I think TWD has a lot of the same feel as soap operas. Which is not necessarily negative. TWD is engrossing. It has several storylines running side-by-side to give some variety to the plot and character development. The only real negative soap opera-ish tendency in TWD is that they drag things out too long to maximize the amount of drama they get out of each big reveal.

Where TWD differs from a soap opera is that they have a wealth of smaller (one or two episode) storylines. Plus the show is not acting like it's planning to run for a dozen seasons so they do try to wrap things up in a season or two max.