These days, horror truly is one of the most, popular genres out there. Because everywhere you turn, spooky stories are in theaters, on your television screens or on the shelves at the supermarket. For people simply love the genre through and through these days and well, what’s truly amazing about horror… is that it wasn’t always so beloved. Because back in the day, it was considered to be gross, and a nuisance and people couldn’t quite understand why it had a fanbase. But something magical happened in the 70s and 80s and 90s. In that, iconic horror characters were born, the kind that were forces of nature and their mystery and seeming invincibility captivated audiences everywhere.

Plus, the advent of home video allowed for these movies and these wild characters to reach countless new audiences and recruit a vast array of fans and well… as they say, the rest is history. But the power and majesty and enigma of these characters still fascinates and captivates us to this day and that’s precisely why Shudder is going to explore them in great detail later this year. For earlier today at TCA, Shudder announced a brand-new series that dives deep into the wonder of some of horror’s most infamous monsters and well, here are all the details on Behind the Monsters, courtesy of Shudder.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streamer for horror, thriller and the supernatural, announced today the new original docu-series Behind the Monsters, which takes a deep dive on cinematic horror icons.  Each of the series’ six episodes will focus on a single horror character, including Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers, Candyman, Chucky and Pinhead, and feature interviews with horror experts and the writers, directors and actors from the original films that made each character the stuff of genre legends. Written and directed by Gabrielle Binkley and Anthony Uro and produced by Stage 3 Productions, Behind the Monsters debuts on Shudder on Tuesday October 26 with episodes rolling out weekly.
 
“In the history of film, only a handful of stars and characters like Mickey Mouse or Marilyn Monroe have risen to the heights of fame to become instantly recognizable the world over. Yet somehow, a small group of monsters who got their start in low-budget horror movies have transcended their humble beginnings to become international pop culture icons. Behind the Monsters will tell the story of their unlikely rise to fame, from the ideas that inspired them to the indelible mark they’ve left on the world,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s general manager.
 
Behind the Monsters will focus on the following horror icons over six episodes:

• CANDYMAN, featuring interviews with the original Candyman (1992) Director Bernard Rose and stars Tony Todd and Virginia Madsen; Candyman (2021) Director Nia DaCosta; and Horror Noire’s Tananarive Due, among others.  

 

• CHUCKY, with interviews with Child’s Play (1988) Creator/Writer Don Mancini, Director Tom Holland and star Catherine Hicks, along with the voice of Chucky, Brad Dourif, among others.

 

• JASON VOORHEES, including interviews with Kane Hodder, actor/stuntman from Friday the 13th Parts VII & VIII, Jason Goes to Hell and Jason X, and Tom Savini, special effects creator on Friday the 13th Parts I & IV, among others.

 

• MICHAEL MYERS, featuring interviews with actor Nick Castle from Halloween and the new Halloween films from Blumhouse, as well as Halloween (2018) stunt actor James Jude Courtney, among others.

 

• FREDDY KRUEGER, including interviews with A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994) stars Heather Langenkamp and Lin Shaye, as well as Special Effects Designer Jim Doyle, among others.

 

• PINHEAD, including an interview with Hellraiser actor Doug Bradley and others.

 
Other experts from the within genre set to appear throughout the series include Drac & Swan Boulet (The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula), Horror Noire documentary writer and producer Ashlee Blackwell, The Last Podcast on the Left hosts Ben Kissel and Henry Zebrowski, Blumhouse producer Ryan Turek and filmmakers Jeffrey Reddick (Final Destination), April Wolfe (Black Christmas, 2019), David Bruckner (Hellraiser reboot), and filmmaker and drag artist Peaches Christ.  

Behind the Monsters is executive produced by Phil Nobile Jr., Kelly Ryan and Mark Shostrom.’

If anything, this series appears as though it is going to be the definitive examination of horror icons and why we carry them with us years and decades after their final films were on the silver screen, and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to see what insights and incredible stories will come to fruition when Behind the Monsters arrives on October 26.

There are, a great many things that we fear in this world. We fear death, we fear getting sick. We fear losing control of our minds and our bodies and above all else, we fear harm from our fellow man. In fact, that last fear on that particular list, might be one of our biggest fears of all. Because deep down we know what kind of cruelty humanity is capable of and the thought of being subject to that level of anger or desperation is quite terrifying to say the least… and that’s why horror stories explore it often. For our darkest side is indeed the greatest monster ever known and its true potential can be delved into in print and on screen in the most fascinating ways imaginable, and it just so happens that the first examination of dark side of humanity in the world of The Walking Dead, came about in the next episode of this storied franchise.
​
For ‘Triggerfinger’ picked up immediately after Rick was forced to defend himself and his friends from the two unsavory fellows that walked into the local watering hole and well… their dispatch led to the raw anger and cruelty in question. For their friends came looking for their buddies and well, once they were aware that enemies were in the bar and that their pals wouldn’t be coming out, they immediately gave into their darker instincts and attacked. Which led to a horrendous and downright scary firefight at the bar, one that saw Glenn endure more close scrapes and saw Hershel be forced to fight. All because there was a real chance that these men, who clearly gave into the fear and let their darkest instincts come out… would have killed our heroes without giving the situation and circumstances a second thought.

Which was a blunt way to remind us of why to fear to desperate men, and that would explain why it took its examination of why we fear those kinds of dudes one step further. Because TWD is all about nuance and detailed explorations and it was eager to dig far deeper into this mess, and did so, by showing us how far men like this will go to get their way and feel needed when they believe they are marginalized. A feat that this story accomplished by way of Shane’s journey. Since he rescued Lori when it was discovered that she had gone out on her own and he promptly lied to her about Rick’s status in order to get her and the baby back home safely and his lies and manipulation spoke volumes to how desperate he was to feel relevant again and that makes him as tragic as ever since it is quickly becoming clear that he is a broken man looking for purpose.

But Lori was right about one thing in this tale, he is in fact… quite dangerous and quite scary. Because clearly, he will do and say whatever it takes to get his way and obtain what he thinks is his and a brand-new conflict is brewing because of that. For this episode wasn’t all pure darkness. It also featured an errand of mercy since Rick and Hershel and Glenn didn’t leave one of the attackers behind to be torn apart by the living dead and well… that’s something that clearly didn’t sit right with Shane. Since he firmly believes now that doing whatever it takes is the only way to live in this world and it will be quite interesting to see how he will express his new beliefs to Rick, now that a bold and daring and downright insulting line has been crossed in Shane’s wild and frustrated eyes.

But while we wait to see how that plays out, we can bask in the wonder of one intense tale. One that made it clear that the real enemy in this world isn’t the walking corpses that meander about the countryside, but the humans left behind. Because not everyone is good and not everyone is keen to support others and that reality and a few other important moments to come forth in later episodes of season two, set the stage for so much of the show’s future. Such as what Rick and his group would stand for and how hard they would fight for that, and of course, the powerful villains to come and wouldn’t you know it? That exploration of what the group is going to stand for gets underway in the next episode, courtesy of an unwholesome road trip between two best friends. Until next time.

There is something that I love doing with my time, research. Trying to find the most up to date information on what I am going to be doing makes me feel as if I am putting in quality time and making the best decisions based off of what I found. While it can be a tedious process for many people, it is key if you want to do the right thing. No matter your job or hobby, going in knowing much more about what you are doing always makes it easier and sometimes even more entertaining.
​
Needing to get inspiration for his next graphic novel, Beck wants to check out the abandoned town of Freedom and the urban legend of the feral children that have been reported to roam around there. Bringing his girlfriend Candice and brother Jiminey along for the ride, it should be a good time. Making sure that his traveling partners are up to speed about what happened in the town, Beck gives them the entire rundown of what he knows about the sink holes, the feral children and even the rumors of cannibals. But as most urban legends go, there might be a little truth to the stories and while driving under a bridge, their car gets hit by a massive rock, just like what the legend has said.

Arriving at the local diner and talking to Agnes about what he wants to do, the group is pretty much ignored by Stu who is the Manager/Mayor of Freedom. Telling the kids to keep to the streets and not to enter any of the buildings, the group is sent on their way. With an hour promised to investigate the town, Beck is entering with eyes wide open. With the town being abandoned literally in a moment’s notice, Jiminey wants to take a closer look. Entering one of the houses to find everything left behind, the group does not know that there is someone in the woods that is looking to take advantage of them.

Waking up in separate cages in a place unknown to them, Beck and Candice hear from their new friend, the Principal, who has a very intriguing game for them to play and to the winner goes a meal. Thinking that this is crazy, Beck is forced to fight for his life and despite winning his first meal, he has no idea what the true point of this lesson is. As the fights move on throughout the old school, the Principal continues to teach his students about what starving will do to them, so if they wish to survive, they must fight and win for food. Being locked up next to the Principal’s office, Candice is able to see that it is only one person running the show and makes sure that Beck knows what they are up against if they want to have any chance of escaping their new-found hell in Freedom.

I must admit, I did not expect what showed up on the screen before me, especially after reading the description since this film turned out to be more of a study of what people are capable of when they are forced to look death in the mouth. I really dug on the kills that were brought to the screen, as each fight involved different weapons to use for survival. The Principal is one creepy guy and gets what he wants from his students, at least if they want to continue living, pretty sick actually. Watching Beck and Candice fight to survive was great, but seeing the hunger finally overtake them was very interesting to say the least. With plenty of killing, household weapons, a struggle for survival, more blood than expected and a fire extinguisher, this movie really kept me glued to the screen. I must admit that if I don’t get at least two meals in a day, I get very angry and now I truly understand the term Hangry. Stay Scared.

It is definitely safe to say that The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, is the finest drag show on television… for several reasons. One of which of course, is that this show is all about some horror themed competition. Which is a huge deal since there isn’t any other drag show out there that features spooky themes week in and week out. But this series is also of note, because the Boulet Brothers expect only the best from their competitors, and they want them to truly create breathtaking costumes and well… that’s brought forth some jaw dropping costumes in prior seasons.
​
The kind that are outright screen quality and knowing that we are going to be treated to a quality competition where art and expression matters above anything else, makes this show can’t miss television for certain and well… the good news today, is that our long wait for a new season of this phenomenal series is about to come to an end. For earlier today, Shudder announced the release date for season four of this dynamic and inspiring series and well… here is said release date, and a few details about who will be dropping by to guest judge this year, courtesy of Shudder and the Boulet Brothers.

‘Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thrillers and the supernatural, revealed today the premiere date and key art for season four of the hit drag competition series THE BOULET BROTHERS’ DRAGULA. Premiering exclusively on the horror streaming service on Tuesday, October 19, with new episodes to follow every Tuesday, this marks the first time the series will be released at the same time in all English-speaking territories.  

The groundbreaking Shudder Original series follows ten drag artists from around the world competing for a $100,000 grand prize – the largest in show history. Season four will feature a spectacular lineup of guest judges including Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical film series), Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kristian Nairn (Game of Thrones), Misha Osherovich (Freaky), Queer country music icon Orville Peck, pop metal star Poppy, Ray Santiago (Ash vs. Evil Dead), Bob the Drag Queen (We're Here), and more, with additional judges to be announced later.

"This is absolutely the best season of the show that we've ever produced. It's shocking, it's packed with stars, and it's an intense, unpredictable ride that's going to be a game changer for televised drag,” said the Boulet Brothers. “We can't wait for the world to see what we've been up to - we have such sights to show you!"

“We can’t wait for Shudder members to see the new season of this ground-breaking series which is bigger and bolder than ever- the diverse cast, the judges, the drag art, the horror, the competitions and everything in between,” said Craig Engler, Shudder’s General Manager. “We are delighted to be working with the talented Boulet Brothers on this series which will be premiering during our biggest and the spookiest month of the year.”

Dubbed one of “the 19 best LGBTQ+ shows everyone needs to watch” by Cosmopolitan, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is written and produced by the Boulet Brothers with Executive Producer David Sigurani and director Nathan Noyes."’

If anything, it appears as though season four of this incredible show is shaping up to be its biggest yet. Courtesy of that epic prize and equally as epic guest judges and we here at Nerds That Geek cannot wait to geek out with all of you about this wondrous series when it arrives on Shudder on October 19.

​There are amazing things that people are able to do, if they put their minds to it. While I don’t buy into psychics, there have been some occasions where it seems some people have been able to see the future with their minds. Using this power to better the world is what I would like to see come from these amazing people, but most of them use their gifts to make money. As I might be scorned against these folks, I should have known the personal risks involved in talking to them, since I knew deep down that the outcome of what they had to say might not be what I wanted it to be, but someday I may try again, for the sheer fact of finding out what other secrets they believe the world might be planning for me.
​
Bringing to light the Nocturne program that the government has been trying to hide from the public for many years, a news station was able to secure some of the footage from one of the groups. Being able to interview one of the agents that was part of the program, they find out that people with special abilities have been recruited to protect the world from threats on parallel planes. Being able to neutralize these threats before they become real, the news story seems to be something out of the Twilight Zone, but the footage shows something much more real than anyone would like to admit.

Four Guardians have been recruited to the Nocturne Six station, yet none of them fully understand what they are doing there. Getting an upfront briefing about what they are supposed to do while in the employment of the government, none of them can understand the scope of what they are going to be doing. Not being allowed to know who they are working with, they are all given Guardian names, Blue, Green, Brown and Orange to keep their minds free of questions about one another. With plenty of money being paid out to these individuals, they are willing to give the parallel plane thing a go but have no idea what they are going to find.

Being able to choose a plane for the group to practice in, the stress on the Guardians traveling to the different planes is starting to show. As Blue has been appointed team leader, he is not ready for what that entails when everyone does not appear in the alternate plane at the same location. Always needing to find the other members is stressful enough, but when communication with their handlers fades out, the only way they can return home is by completing the mission. As their third mission comes about, NS003 becomes a thing of nightmares and the group is not prepared for what is awaiting them, but the only thing they can do is complete the mission and hope for the best or they will never see their home again.

Interesting concept as you get to see a couple of different planes of existence. I liked how the group slowly started to come together, but it was the Guardians that really made the movie overall. It’s just fascinating to watch them as they all must deal with their own issues since traveling to different planes of existence starts to affect them in different ways. I also liked how the news crew is trying to prove that what you are seeing is real, going so far as to put a reporter in the old bunker that matches up with the videos they are showing, but sadly they have very little in the way of physical evidence. With plenty of jump scares, an unsettling video, uniformed Guardians, the existence of different planes and a mission gone wrong, this movie just opens your eyes to what else could be out there that we know next to nothing about. It has planted the seed in the back of my mind, that if I ever get a high paying government job to ask all the questions about what I will be doing when they offer me a massive boost to my bank account. Stay Scared.

It is definitely safe to say, that our modern world affords us some measure of luxury when we experience the loss of a loved one. Because we are surrounded by family and friends when that happens, allowing for us to receive the support and care we need when the pain of losing that important person reaches a crescendo. And if by chance we don’t have that kind of support network, we can reach out to a medical professional and receive the care we need so we can resolve our pain and move forward in life and this particular support system works so well… that you rarely hear about people being permanently impacted by the negative mental state that grief can sometimes bring forth. Which is wonderful to say the least.
​
But while it is nice to know that we will likely have people to call when that dark day in our lives arrives, it doesn’t stop our brains from worrying over the possibility that we might not get the support we need. Which is a downright terrifying worry, since we’ve all seen or will see how low people can get when the pain takes hold and the thought of struggling with that fight on our own is scary for certain, and well, it just so happens that fiction, specifically horror, has no qualms with exploring that chilling realm of possibility. Because the horrifically impossible is where the genre thrives, and it just so happens that the next episode of The Walking Dead takes the time to examine how people would respond if by chance the support network we enjoy now wasn’t present and it turns out… it would likely be both messy and beautiful.

For ‘Nebraska’ picks up mere moments after the massacre at the barn and well… there’s a lot of emotional and psychological fallout that accompanies that horrendous moment. The kind that quite frankly, devastates Beth. To the point where she becomes catatonic in nature over the realization that world has indeed come to an end, and that there is little hope for the survival of humanity at the hands of the living dead and well… that’s a logical outcome. Because how does one process and rationalize the confusing emotional rollercoaster she’s been through without professional help? And the dark side of this examination doesn’t end there. Because this story also took the time to point out that trying to forge ahead and push people through their pain likely wouldn’t fly at the end of the world either, as evidenced by how quickly the group soured on Shane for the insensitivity of his actions. Even though some understood what he was trying to do. 

But there was mention of beauty to be found in this tale and that came about when the story posed the theory that the end of the world wouldn’t bring about a complete collapse of the system we enjoy now. As evidenced by the fact that several people in the group, even Shane… did their best to try and support Carol as she grieved the loss of her daughter, giving her some semblance of the support system that was once was, despite the fact those who propped her up were also struggling. Plus, seeing Rick drive into town and talk Hershel down from drinking himself into an angry, grief filled stupor… spoke volumes to how the best parts of the human condition endures regardless of the circumstances and there was something quite hopeful and powerful about seeing genuine support and care pop up amid all this mess. It is just a shame that we couldn’t savor it in this particular tale.

Since the closing moments of this episode gave life to a new kind of villain in this story, one that is ten times more frightening than the living dead. Specifically, man. Since a pair of drifters tried to grift and punish Rick and Glenn and Hershel for not sharing the location of the farm or their supplies and well, it’s obvious that the next episode will undoubtedly bring forth more confrontation with desperate human beings. But while we wait to see where that adventure takes us, we can bask in the majesty of one powerful tale. One that basically inferred that new support strategies would need to be implemented at the end of the world for those who cannot handle the carnage and well, that’s just another reason to continue to love this dynamic series. Because that’s the kind of stuff that no other zombie story has taken the time to explore, and it will be quite interesting to see what other unique explorations await us as we inch toward the end of season two. Until next time.  

There comes a point for every television series out there, regardless of genre, where it simply must establish what it is going to stand for. Because every T.V. show has a theme, and to avoid discovering what that is, does the story and the audience a great disservice. For it means the show in question will languish about as it tries to find its real focus and that can turn off viewers since it hurts the overall storytelling and well… this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this is something that The Walking Dead had yet to establish through its first twelve episodes. For despite setting its world in a horrifying world where the dead return to life and attack the living, its genuine theme had yet to present itself, leaving fans back in the day to ponder upon where this show was indeed headed thematically, especially since the group was quite literally going nowhere, since the farm was serving as their new home.
​
But thankfully, it turns out that this was all part of a grandiose plan. One designed to make us comfortable and somewhat secure, so we would be utterly stunned when the series established its devastating direction, and it just so happened that the next episode in this storied saga, served as the moment when this series made it clear what it was going to stand for. For ‘Pretty Much Dead Already’ established that this series was going to be bleak in nature and heartbreaking on a regular basis. Because no one was going to be safe in this story and could exit at any time. Which meant that at its core, this was going to be a harrowing story of survival. One that would test the moral and physical and mental mettle of the good people that survived the end of the world and it established all of this, by bringing an important plot thread to a head. For early on in this tale, Glenn finally opted to tell everyone the truth about what was hiding in the barn and well, once the group learned how close they were to the living dead, all hell broke loose.

For Shane immediately opted to demand that everyone waste little time in putting those walkers down, all in the name of safety, of course, and that put Rick in quite the difficult situation. One where he had to fight hard with Hershel to try and prove that his people were worth saving and that there had to be some common ground to find so that the group and Lori’s unborn baby would be safe in every sense of the word. Since Hershel wanted the group gone for discovering his big secret, and well… that led to quite the ask of Rick. For Hershel tried to teach Mister Grimes exactly why he worked to save the dead. In order to see if the Grimes Group would be genuinely willing to abide by his rules. Which led to a sequence that truly informed us of the fact that Hershel had not come to terms with the fact that the world had come to an end and that the dead walked, and while Rick tried to use this weakness to reach common ground with his host, Shane continued his downward spiral into madness and oddly enough his fury, is what helped to establish the themes in question.

Because in essence, Shane was done with all the posturing and kindness and believed that his decision to kill Otis, was how things should go in this world and once Lori rejected him once again and made it clear that their love affair was over and that the baby was Rick’s… regardless of the genetic makeup, he simply decided that now was his opportunity to make a power play and take charge of the group and be seen at last. Which led to an all-out assault on the barn, one that revealed Sophia’s fate. For it turns out that she was indeed bitten on her way back to the highway and died of her injury and returned and was placed in the barn by Otis… and well, seeing her animated corpse hunger for her former friends and seeing Hershel realize that the infected were indeed dead, put a dark cloud over this episode, one that finally made it clear… what lie ahead.

If anything, this was simply a brilliant episode when all is said and done, since it truly hammered home the dark nature of this universe and how dangerous and terrifying this world was going to be going forward. Because if a child cannot be kept safe from the ravages of the living dead, neither will adults and well, that reveal holds up as well as it did all those years ago, despite the fact that you know it is coming a second time around. But all of that aside, this episode also excels because it features some top notch acting through and through. Because everyone sells their worries and frustrations and pain in a powerful manner, especially in that harrowing finale and well… now that we know (once again) what this series is going to stand for, it is definitely safe to assume that the back end of season two is going to hit quite differently, especially when all hell breaks loose during the finale and well… the best way to revisit how bleak this season truly was, is to hit play and continue the journey. Until next time.

From a supremely early age, we are taught that telling the truth is the secret to success in life. For people will view us in a positive light when we hold to the truth and trust us, and our moral center will become incorruptible by always holding to facts. But while there is a great deal of merit that comes with being always honest, what’s fascinating about this particular childhood lesson/concept… is that it simply is not as pure and as wonderful as our parents would like to believe. Because while the truth creates integrity for a person, it can also create strife in their lives. For some people that receive a dose of honesty, aren’t ready to hear it and that can put them in a tough place mentally. 
​
Plus, for some folks, they need to be emotionally ready to handle a tough truth and well, those unfortunate side effects to honesty, are what motivate us to abandon the lesson and lie, when necessary, in a desperate gambit to handle the complexities of the human condition in a stable and controlled manner. If anything, all of this, is relevant to our discussion today… simply because the complications that accompany the truth was put on full display in the next episode of The Walking Dead. For ‘Secrets’ saw a great deal of people lie for different reasons, one of which was… to protect everyone from severe mental distress.

After all, outside of Glenn, the group hadn’t a clue that the barn just beyond was filled to the brim with walking corpses and despite his best efforts to keep that truth hidden, Glenn was unable to keep from expressing it to Dale. In large part because he hasn’t quite yet learned the importance of nuance and guile. But despite leaking that terrifying fact, after a talk with Hershel… Dale realized that it was important to keep this hidden from everyone. For to speak it aloud would expose the fact that Hershel was mentally in a poor place, one where he could not reconcile the fact that the dead were returning to life and craving the flesh of the living and of course, it would bring about incredible trouble. For the fear it would engender would bring about chaos and conflict, so he kept his mouth shut. 

But what was quite fascinating about this particular tale, is that it also took the time to explore why we sometimes lie to those we love. A feat that was accomplished by way of Lori’s journey. For she doubled down on hiding the truth about her pregnancy, simply because… she didn’t want to hurt Rick and believed that keeping him the dark about another child would protect him at a time where he needed to focus upon bigger matters. Such as finding Sophia and making peace with Hershel, and while she eventually told him and actually received mostly positive results in doing so, her actions really do make it clear… that a fear of harming the ones we love and putting them in emotional distress, makes the decision to lie quite easy for us. 

In the end however, all of these elements made this quite the fascinating tale for certain. Because this really was a quality and raw examination of a part of the human condition that we try to shy away from so we don’t have to confront the fact that the truth is about as grey as anything else in this world. And this episode deserves a round of applause for not offering answers, just reality and for also returning to a concept that George Romero touched upon in several of his Dead films. Since his universe also saw people hoard the dead in an effort to preserve their memory or to cope with the harsh reality that our biological purpose in life had now been robbed from the world by living death and well, now that this quality and fascinating chapter has come to a close… it is time to turn our attention to one devastating story. One that informed audiences everywhere, that this series was playing for keeps and that no one is safe in the land of the dead. Until next time.

A couple of key things that leaders hope for above all else during times of crisis, is that everyone will follow their direction and execute their plans accordingly. Because deep down, they know that their course of action is the right one and if they can just sell that to everyone else, things will indeed be okay. But sadly, that is a hope that usually fades as the crisis rolls on. For people want different things out of the situation and have their own ideas on how tough matters can be resolved and well, what truly separates a good leader from an ineffective one, is if they are still able to keep their people together, despite their rough differences. If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this is a lesson that Rick Grimes was forced to learn in the next episode of The Walking Dead.
​
For ‘Chupacabra’ saw dissension in the ranks starting to build. Because Shane was starting to believe that the group was wasting their time on the search for Sophia. Simply because time was not on their side, in fact… it was genuinely working against them now, especially if one applied old-world logic to missing children, with a zombie apocalypse twist, and that put Rick in a tough place. One where he had to work a little harder to keep the ranks tight and that wasn’t the only leadership challenge he faced in this episode. Since Hershel also made it clear that he wasn’t keen on the Grimes Group becoming so comfortable on his property. Heck, he even postured kicking them out once Carl fully recovered and while Rick was able to keep the peace in this tale and keep folks believing in the mission… it stands to reason that it is only a matter of time before dissension returns.

But while that made for some compelling television for certain, there were more big moments present in this particular tale. For instance, this is a story that took the time to show us just how tough Daryl Dixon really is. Because while he was searching for Sophia, an accident with his horse saw him get impaled and bruised and beaten and nearly eaten and teased by the visage of his brother. But none of that stopped him from surviving, since he was able to beat back the dead, prove the ghost of his brother wrong and pull a freaking arrow out of his flesh to make sure he made it home and even then, he still endured more physical challenges. Since Andrea made the stupid call to shoot at him because he looked like a walker from afar. But ol’ Daryl made it through like always and this was just a cool sequence to watch since it was a formative moment to the warrior he would become.

Yet what truly allowed for this episode to stand out above any others in season two thus far, was its ending. Not because everyone broke bread in an awkward manner because of the sour events that preceded the meal. Nor was it a big deal because of the fact that Maggie decided she wanted a little more alone time with sweet baby Glenn. Instead, it’s what came after their puppy dog eyes at dinner that was as shocking as can be. For Glenn posed the possibility of perhaps having a little romantic time in the hayloft of the barn and well, unfortunately for Glenn… the majesty of that possibility was ruined by a horrific view. One filled with walking corpses since he came to learn that the barn is filled to the brim with the living dead and that is indeed going to make things awkward going forward, since Rick and his group don’t take kindly to zombies, regardless of whether or not Hershel does.

In the end however, what truly makes this episode so worth our while, is the setup that takes place here. Because what was initially viewed as a transitional tale, ended up being a huge deal for the rest of season. For the contents of that barn would teach the group a valuable lesson about what this world is really all about now that the dead rule the day and of course, Shane’s fury here laid down the last of the foundation for his villainous rise. Because he’s clearly growing tired of Rick and his high moral center and he’s embracing the darkness more and that means it won’t be long now before he turns into a different kind of monster, one far more lethal than a walker and well, all this episode does is compel one to continue to the journey… so we can revisit some big moments with fresh eyes. Until next time.  

There are a great many reasons as to why fans of The Walking Dead have stood by this series through thick and thin over the past eleven years. For some, it’s because they love zombies, and this show gives them their gory undead fix. While for others, it’s all about the quality drama that the series provides audiences with and others… well they are simply in love with the characters and everything they bring to the table. But out of all of those reasons, there’s one that truly stands above the rest. In that, this is a series that really does offer a masterclass in storytelling week in and week out. Because the carefully planned seasons this show offers up, know how to take the audience on quite the ride… one that knows exactly when to slow things down so the viewer isn’t overwhelmed, as evidenced by today’s Retro Recap.

Because ‘Cherokee Rose’ is a supremely relaxed tale and that’s a wonderful thing. Because the prior three episodes were outright freight trains, filled with terror and tension. But in this tale, everyone gets to catch their breath and celebrate a win since Carl is going to be okay and by slowing things down quite a bit, some other benefits come into play. Such as the fact that this episode takes a little time to explore this decimated world and some of the challenges that will come into play going forward. For instance, survivors of this plague have to figure out how to secure important resources such as water wells, since the dead can find their way into them and make things gross. Or they have to figure out how to raise a child in a world where cries carry on the silence of the wind, a problem that Lori Grimes is going to have to solve post haste… since she discovered in this tale that she is pregnant.

But what truly makes episodes in this vein quite special, is that they can allow for beautiful moments to spring up as well. Since this is a story that saw a family work to embrace the wonder of being together once again since Rick and Lori made great effort to be near their son’s side and enjoy the peace and quiet of the farm. Plus, we got to see love begin to bloom in this tale as well. Since Maggie and Glenn gave into their natural chemistry while on a run, allowing for them to build the powerful connection that would define them for years to come and of course… there were even moments of hope to be found in this tale. One of which came about by way of Hershel Greene, since he expressed how his faith was keeping him going during these tough times and how little miracles from above, kept him believing that things might be okay. 

Plus, what Daryl did for Carol in this tale was also incredibly hopeful in nature. Because he refused to give into the negative talk that was starting to surround the search, and he did his best to find every clue that might lead to Sophia and that never-quit attitude definitely was inspiring to say the least, as was his gift to Carol. For during his travels, he uncovered a Cherokee Rose, a rare flower mired in all kinds of legends revolving around a dark chapter in American history since they relate to the Trail of Tears. But it wasn’t the dark history surrounding this flower that allowed for it to catch Daryl's eye, it’s what it stood for. Since it symbolized hope and protection and giving that to Carol and explaining the origin of that rose, really was quite the beautiful sequence. One that genuinely reminds the viewer that we can be more, and we can better, in times of crisis. 

If anything, this was just a cuddly break from the horrors of a world full of death and it was a welcome change for certain. Because you simply have to give the audience a break from time to time and let them process the ugly stuff and/or wipe it out of their minds if only for a moment and this episode definitely accomplished that particular feat no problem. Because you simply get lost in the wonder of this tale and you absolutely find yourself smiling more often than you normally do when watching this series. But alas, the good vibes present here simply cannot last. For this is a horror story through and through and it just so happens, that the next episode of this storied saga, will return the journey to its terrifying roots in the next episode. Courtesy of some roadblocks in the search for Sophia and a horrifying discovery. Until next time.