Review

*** Warning Spoilers Ahead, if you haven't seen season two read on at your own peril ***

Following Carl firing the shoot that killed zombie Shane he heads back towards the house and would have probably got there if not for a pesky herd of zombies attracted by the gunshot. Rick and Carl take refuge in the barn and devise a plan to cut down the herd and perhaps draw them away from the house. Meanwhile Daryl is heading outside to find Rick and Shane, he doesn't know what went down in the moonlight, and spies a large herd of zombies bearing down on the farmhouse. We're talking hundreds of the flesh eaters.

Hershel decides to breakout the guns and defend the house at all cost, Andrea devises a better plan involving firing on the zombies from moving cars and then leading them away from the farm. Unfortunately neither plan works out, though Jimmy does save Rick and Carl at the cost of his own life. With the zombies threatening to overrun the farm it's time to get out of Dodge and small groups start to flee in all directions, though Patricia goes down and Andrea is left on footing running from a dozen or so personal zombies. The survivors regroup on the highway where they left the supplies for Sophia while Andrea is fighting a running battle back in the woods. Eventually the survivors hit the road but are forced to stop later that evening as Rick's car is running on fumes. Making camp Rick confesses what Doctor Jenner told him, they all carry the virus, and is forced to make it clear how things are going to operate going forward. Andrea is finally overwhelmed but is saved by a hooded figure that appears to have two armless and jawless zombies on leashes. If you don't know, say hello to Michonne, another bad arse character from the graphic novels!

Wow this is what I call a way to finish a season in style and leave the Audience gasping for breath. The final episode of season two kicks off directly after events in the penultimate episode, but it kind of adds a nice touch that had me nodding my head in approval. A helicopter flies over Atlanta attracting the attention of the local zombie population who are distracted from their meal of stray dog. The zombies hit the road and start swelling in numbers as others join them getting through the road carnage outside the city. By the time the herd hit the woods their numbers are quite substantial and that fatal shoot by Carl immediately attracts their attention. By the time they hit the boundary of Hershel's farm we're talking a sea of the undead. Like any sea the zombie herd is going to eventually wear down what stands in their path and the survivors suddenly find themselves knee deep in flesh eaters. Carl's shoot will directly lead to the deaths of incidental characters Patricia and Jimmy; the meter is running here at ScaryMinds on deaths directly attributable to the youngest member of Rick's flock.

Sensational end to the season that had me screaming for more, bring on season 3 stat!

Guess for the moment we should take time out to remember those fallen this season as paradise is lost. Sophia, Otis, Dale, and Shane have all gone into the dole queue as The Walking Dead proves very few characters are safe and assured of reaching the final credits for a season. This naturally keeps each season vital and interesting; the Writers aren't above losing a major character to make a point and in doing so keep the Audience on their toes.

One of the more interesting aspects of Beside the Dying Fire was the integration of CGI into the live action, it was seamless if we forgive the odd full moon. Sure we have some extras playing zombies, always cool on close up, but to get the full magnitude of the zombie herd CGI is in use in the background, and you know what, I for once was giving the computer shenanigans two thumbs up. Actually lead to quite the debate in the lounge room, did they burn down the barn used all season, was it a miniature, or was the fire CGI rendered? Boom baby, excellent stuff, how come the movies can't seem to get it right when television nails it!

It was also interesting to see the reactions of differing characters when the decision was made to abandon ship. T-Dog wanted to head for the coast, something he believes they should have been doing all along, though he provides no explanation as to why. Rick, Hershel, and Carl head straight for the rendezvous point on the freeway. Carl in particular doesn't want to leave Lori to her fate and refuses to move somewhere safer. Maggie surprisingly wants to get out of Dodge but Glenn is determined to head back to the freeway. And Daryl, taking time out of his busy schedule to rescue Carol, also heads to the freeway. Carol wants a Knight in shining armour, she has pretty much found one in the redneck who risks all for the group continually. For various reasons the group finds itself back together, albeit with a few missing members, and is ready to push on beyond the farm.

Andrea is unable to join the group as she is otherwise indisposed due to running for her life from a pursuing pack of zombies. She does pretty well, till collapsing and out of ammo. Lucky for her well being one of the most bad arsed characters from the graphic novels chooses that moment to make the best entrance since Blade back in his first movie, hello and come on down Michonne! For those who haven't read the graphic novels you are in for a treat, for the rest of us a big "oh hell yeah!". I'm real excited for the next season now as there are also a couple of other characters that can't be that far off making an appearance.

Before closing just wanted to note it was good finally to learn what Dr. Jenner had whispered to Rick at the end of season one. They are all infected, the living as well as the dead, there is no escape. I had a couple of emails from people confused on that one and did a private answer as the novels had covered the issue. This calls into question Rick's leadership in the group and he lays it on the line in no uncertain terms, going forward it's not going to be a democracy; Rick has paid his dues and is now the take charge dude who will make the decisions with no questioning. Of course it might also be a sign that the former law officer is finally cracking up a bit under the pressure, we'll find out no doubt next season.

So that's it for season two, thirteen excellent episodes that delivered a tour de force of the zombie sub genre. We had internal conflicts, battles for leadership and direction, drama, outside dangers, and of course the always present danger of the zombies themselves. Excellent second season wrapped up by an outstanding final episode that delivered the coup de grace on yours truly. Full recommendation on season two, I'm now sweating on season three though I know I've got a long road to travel before getting to it in terms of things to review. If you haven't got your walking dead on yet then make it a priority, the DVDs have a habit of disappearing fast from the shelves.