Introduction to The Walking Dead
As an avid fan of zombie/post apocalyptical fiction, there is one particular feature of the Walking Dead that stands out: Despair. Throughout the first season we see, almost all hope of a cure or solution to the zombie virus be extinguished. It draws our attention away from the apocalypse and the nuances of the virus, into the interpersonal relationships of the survivors. These relationships are a crucial explorations of how society with people from different backgrounds would react if the societal norms were reset back to "zero" so to speak. In addition, to the relationships we see a new society built on warring factions develop that embody the cultural norms of hunter gatherer tribes as they fight for resources and power over localities safe from the "Horde".
The CDC blowing up in Season 1 along with the last remaining scientist responsible for developing the cure.
In this overview of the series, We will explore key themes of Virus Eco-horror that are demonstrated in the Walking Dead as well how the series has parallels to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. With the analysis presented, it should be evident that the Walking Dead, despite criticism of its longwinded narrative and poorly received writing at times, set the standard for survival Virus Eco-horror and how character arcs should be formulated in film media going forward.