Supernatural: When Sam and Dean Winchester deal with zombies

"Supernatural" is a long-running TV series (and one of my favorites) that explores the world of the paranormal and supernatural. While the show is perhaps best known for its focus on ghosts, demons, and other supernatural entities, there are several episodes that also feature zombies. Here are a few standout episodes that explore the world of the undead:

"Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid" (Season 5, Episode 15)

In this episode, Sam and Dean investigate a small town where the dead are coming back to life as zombies. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they discover that a group of townspeople had made a deal with a demon in order to bring their loved ones back from the dead. The episode features plenty of action and suspense, as the brothers battle hordes of zombies and try to uncover the truth behind the town's strange resurrection.

"Party on, Garth" (Season 7, Episode 18)

In this episode, the Winchester brothers team up with a hunter named Garth to investigate a case involving a group of zombies who are attacking people at a country club. The episode is notable for its lighter tone, as Garth brings a comedic touch to the proceedings. However, there are still plenty of tense moments as the group tries to uncover the source of the zombie outbreak and put a stop to it."Just My Imagination" (Season 11, Episode 8)

While this episode isn't solely focused on zombies, it does feature a unique take on the undead. Sam and Dean investigate a case involving a young girl who claims that her imaginary friend is causing harm to those around her. It turns out that the imaginary friend is actually a zombified version of the girl's deceased friend, who has been brought back to life by a spell. The episode is notable for its emotional depth, as Sam and Dean grapple with the idea of resurrecting loved ones and the consequences that come with it.

"Advanced Thanatology" (Season 13, Episode 5)

In this episode, the Winchesters investigate a case involving a group of zombies who are attacking people at a hospital. The episode is notable for its focus on the idea of death and the afterlife, as the brothers encounter a reaper who is trying to come to terms with his role in guiding souls to the other side. The zombie outbreak serves as a backdrop to this larger exploration of mortality and the human experience.

Overall, while zombies aren't a major focus of "Supernatural," the show has still featured several episodes that explore the world of the undead. From traditional zombie outbreaks to more unique takes on the concept, these episodes showcase the show's ability to take on a variety of paranormal phenomena.

Review: The Walking Dead Season 2 TV series

Season 2 of "The Walking Dead" picks up where season 1 left off, with the survivors leaving Atlanta and heading towards Fort Benning. However, after a mishap on the highway, the group is forced to take refuge on a nearby farm, where they encounter a new group of survivors and face new challenges.

One of the main themes of season 2 is the breakdown of group dynamics. The group is forced to confront their own personal demons and secrets, leading to tension and conflict within the group. For example, Shane's jealousy towards Rick and his feelings for Lori create tension that ultimately leads to a violent confrontation. The tension between Dale and Shane also reaches a boiling point, resulting in a dramatic turn of events.

The farm setting also creates a sense of claustrophobia and tension, as the survivors are constantly under threat from the walkers that surround them. The group's efforts to secure the farm and defend themselves against the walkers create some of the most tense and thrilling moments of the season, such as the confrontation in the barn and the final battle at the end of the season.

The season also introduces several new characters, such as Hershel, Maggie, and Glenn's girlfriend, Maggie. Hershel, in particular, is a significant character, as he becomes a mentor and father figure to the group. His farm also provides a much-needed respite for the group, and his character arc, which includes his struggles with alcoholism and his relationship with his daughters, adds depth to the season's storyline.

Another significant aspect of season 2 is the continued exploration of the moral and ethical dilemmas that the survivors face in the post-apocalyptic world. The group's decisions regarding the fate of Randall, a survivor from another group, and the revelation that everyone is infected with the virus, add layers of complexity to the storyline and force the characters to confront their own beliefs and values.

Overall, season 2 of "The Walking Dead" is a tense and thrilling continuation of the series. The breakdown of group dynamics, the farm setting, the introduction of new characters, and the exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas all contribute to the season's strong storyline. Fans of the show will appreciate the continued development of their favorite characters and the introduction of new challenges and obstacles that keep the story fresh and exciting.

The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury: A Novel and Episode comparison

Last week I reviewed The Road to Woodbury series of books. Today we are going to compare them to the TV series episodes.

"The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury" is a popular book series that explores the backstory of one of the most notorious villains in "The Walking Dead" universe: the Governor. The series is written by Robert Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga, and follows the rise of the Governor as he gains control of the fortified town of Woodbury. The Governor is also a significant character in the TV show, where he is portrayed by David Morrissey. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at how "The Walking Dead: The Road to Woodbury" books compare to the TV show.

One of the most significant differences between the books and the TV show is the portrayal of the Governor. In the books, the Governor is a much more nuanced and complex character than in the TV show. We see the Governor's backstory and how his experiences during the early days of the apocalypse shaped him into the man he would become. In contrast, the Governor in the TV show is a more one-dimensional villain, who is primarily motivated by a desire for power and control. While David Morrissey's performance as the Governor is impressive, the TV show's portrayal of the character lacks the depth and complexity of the books.

Another significant difference between the books and the TV show is the focus on different characters. The books introduce us to new characters like Lilly Caul and Bob Stookey, who play significant roles in the story. In contrast, the TV show focuses primarily on the main cast of characters, and some of the characters from the books, like Lilly Caul, are either absent or have their roles significantly reduced.

The TV show also diverges from the books in terms of the storyline. While the first season of the TV show loosely follows the events of the first book, "The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor," subsequent seasons deviate significantly from the books. For example, in the TV show, the Governor's attack on the prison takes place much earlier in the storyline than in the books. The TV show also introduces new storylines and characters that are not present in the books, such as the character of Daryl Dixon.

Overall, while both the books and the TV show explore the same general story arc, there are significant differences between the two. The books offer a more in-depth and nuanced exploration of the Governor's backstory, as well as the stories of secondary characters like Lilly Caul. The TV show, on the other hand, focuses more on the main cast of characters and introduces new storylines and characters not present in the books. Both the books and the TV show have their strengths and weaknesses, and fans of "The Walking Dead" franchise may appreciate both for different reasons.

Review: The Walking Dead Season 1

"The Walking Dead" premiered on AMC in 2010, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and a ratings juggernaut. Based on the popular graphic novel series of the same name, the show follows a group of survivors in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the first season of "The Walking Dead" and what made it such a compelling and groundbreaking piece of television.

The first season of "The Walking Dead" consists of six episodes, which were all directed by Frank Darabont. The season begins with sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes waking up from a coma to find that the world he knew has been destroyed by a zombie outbreak. Rick sets out to find his family and other survivors, eventually coming across a group of survivors led by a man named Shane.

One of the most striking things about the first season of "The Walking Dead" is its cinematic quality. The show was shot on 16mm film, giving it a grainy, atmospheric look that sets it apart from other TV shows. The cinematography is frequently breathtaking, with a focus on the beauty and desolation of the post-apocalyptic landscape.

The show's use of zombies is also noteworthy. Rather than simply being mindless killing machines, the zombies in "The Walking Dead" are depicted as tragic figures, people who have been transformed into monsters by a cruel twist of fate. The show's makeup and special effects are top-notch, with the zombies looking realistic and terrifying.

Of course, what makes "The Walking Dead" truly great is its characters. Andrew Lincoln's performance as Rick Grimes is a standout, with the character's journey from a confused and vulnerable survivor to a leader who will do whatever it takes to protect his people being one of the show's most compelling arcs. The rest of the cast is equally strong, with actors like Sarah Wayne Callies, Jon Bernthal, and Steven Yeun bringing depth and humanity to their characters.

Overall, the first season of "The Walking Dead" is a stunning achievement in television. From its breathtaking cinematography to its nuanced character development, the show sets a high bar for zombie stories and post-apocalyptic fiction. If you haven't yet watched the first season of "The Walking Dead," we highly recommend it. It's a thrilling and emotional ride that's not to be missed.

A History of Zombies

Zombies have become a popular fixture in movies, TV shows, and video games in recent years. These undead creatures, often depicted as mindless and flesh-eating, have a rich history that goes back centuries.

The word "zombie" comes from Haitian Creole, where it refers to a person who has been reanimated after death. The idea of zombies originated in Haitian folklore, where it was believed that a sorcerer, known as a bokor, could bring a dead person back to life and control them as a slave.

The first known mention of zombies in Western literature is in William Seabrook's book, "The Magic Island," published in 1929. Seabrook, an American journalist, visited Haiti and wrote about his experiences with voodoo practitioners, including witnessing a ceremony in which a woman was supposedly turned into a zombie.

In the 1930s, zombies started to appear in American horror movies, inspired by Seabrook's book and other stories about Haitian voodoo. These movies, such as "White Zombie" (1932) and "Revolt of the Zombies" (1936), depicted zombies as mindless, undead slaves under the control of a master.

In the 1960s, director George A. Romero revolutionized the zombie genre with his classic film "Night of the Living Dead" (1968). Instead of being controlled by a master, Romero's zombies were reanimated corpses who rose from the dead and spread a mysterious virus that turned other people into zombies.

Romero's vision of zombies as cannibalistic, flesh-eating monsters has since become the standard in popular culture. The term "zombie apocalypse" is now widely used to describe a catastrophic event in which the dead rise and the living are forced to fight for survival.

Today, zombies continue to be a popular subject in movies, TV shows, and video games. From "The Walking Dead" to "Resident Evil," the zombie genre shows no signs of slowing down.

Zombies have a long and fascinating history that dates back to Haitian folklore. From their origins as slaves controlled by sorcerers to their modern portrayal as flesh-eating monsters, zombies have evolved over time but remain a fixture in popular culture.