Review: 'The Walking Dead' starts strong in season 3
But can the zombie drama break its pattern of mid-season struggles?
- Critic's Rating B+
- Readers' Rating B-
"The Walking Dead" is back in action on Sunday night.
Are you a fan of The Walking Dead?
Sign up to get the latest updates instantly.
News From Our Partners
-
The Telefile - The Most Heinous Person on Reality TV This Week
The Telefile - Modern Family: The Best Lines of the Night
The Telefile - Fall TV 2013: What's On When
-
'Anchorman 2' Trailer Had Us At 'Hello': Watch Now!
Fiery 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Scene Hurt The Most: Ouch!
How Far Will 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Boldly Go At Box Office?
-
What to Watch Tonight: The Season Finales of Rectify and Hawaii Five-0 and the Series Premieres of The Goodwin Games and Motive
Hey TV.com, Should I Watch The Goodwin Games?
FTW vs. WTF: The TV Week in Review (May 19)
-
Nicki Minaj Gives Lil Wayne a Lap Dance During 'High School' at 2013 Billboard Music Awards [Video]
David Guetta, Akon + Ne-Yo 'Play Hard' at 2013 Billboard Music Awards [Video]
Prince Closes 2013 Billboard Music Awards With Rare Performance Medley
-
WATCH: SNL Spoofs San Francisco's Bacon Bacon Controversy
Mike Hogan: The Wedding From Hell
WATCH: 'SNL' Takes On IRS Scandal
-
Box Office: 'Star Trek Into Darkness' Misses $100M Domestic Mark on Opening Weekend
Beyonce Pregnant Again? Sources Confirm 'Epic' Star Is Carrying Baby No. 2
'Hangover 3' Red Band Trailer: Take a Walk Down a NSFW Memory Lane (VIDEO)
-
Box Office Guru Wrapup: Star Trek Softer Than Expected at #1
Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake?
Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh
-
'Mad Men' Review: "The Crash"
'Game of Thrones' Review: "Second Sons"
'Star Wars Episode 7′ — Jonathan Rhys Meyers to Join the Cast?
Get Instant Alerts on What's Alan Watching
Latest Posts
-
The paperback is being re-released tomorrowMonday, May 20, 2013
-
Don and Stan get a special shot, the agency loses a leader and Sally meets her 'Grandma Ida'Monday, May 20, 2013
-
The Lannisters throw a wedding, Daenerys faces a new army, and Stannis meets GendrySunday, May 19, 2013
-
Promising pilots, puzzling scheduling moves and moreSunday, May 19, 2013


Comments
Option 1
Comment instantly as a guest GuestOption 2
Option 3
Login or create a HitFix account Login SignupVaughn
October 11, 2012 at 9:31AM EST Reply to CommentNot sure I entirely agree with the assessment that the show only excelled at beginnings and endings. That whole s2 stretch after Mazzara took over, from 2x08 to 2x13, was mostly very good. Still had its troubles, but much improved over what had came before.
SlackerInc I agree that everything since Mazzara has taken over has seemed quite good. (As a result, I've started watching the show "Crash" on Netflix streaming, which Mazzara was the showrunner for in its first season only, and it seems quite good so far as well.)
October 15, 2012 at 2:55AM ESTI also did not like the S1 finale. I thought there were a tremendous number of implausible elements to the whole CDC storyline, and almost gave up on the show as a result.
Truck
October 11, 2012 at 10:02AM EST Reply to CommentThey look like live action Ninja Turtles in that promo pic.
Brett This might be the best comment ever. Terrifically played.
October 11, 2012 at 1:06PM ESTDavid Agreed. Brilliant.
October 11, 2012 at 1:19PM ESTMiles Genius contribution
October 11, 2012 at 3:13PM ESTjack_is_laughing This comment makes me think some sort of Ninja Turtles/Walking Dead S3 premiere video mashup is required.
October 11, 2012 at 3:54PM ESTMark
October 11, 2012 at 10:40AM EST Reply to CommentI agree that Daryl is the most interesting character. Season 2 had too many characters to develop with the most interesting being Hershel. Overall, they did a great job with establishing enough tension and release in season one compaired to the more character development of season two. Also, the poor kid is almost as annoying as Anakin Skywalker. Hopefully, in season three the editors will have more shots within the action sequences without direct hits to thread fo zombies and less unlimited rounds of ammo.
Col Bat Guano
October 11, 2012 at 10:51AM EST Reply to CommentWait a minute. This show is about zombies?!?!? I thought it was an examination of family life in rural Georgia.
kro_lin
October 11, 2012 at 12:32PM EST Reply to CommentThere are a few minor annoyances with the show...but after a second viewing I realized that The Walking Dead is probably my second favorite show on television. I absolutely love it. If there is one change I would love to see, however, it's Lori. For the love of god I wish they would kill her off.
jack_is_laughing As uneven and frustrating as Walking Dead is, I keep coming back to watch it. I, like Alan, have a lot of issues with Kirkman's comic book but I've kept reading it. I've finally lost interest in it with the newest arc, which just feels redundant to me, but there is something incredibly compelling about the idea of long-form storytelling after the zombie apocalypse.
October 11, 2012 at 3:58PM ESTHowever, I won't stick around forever if the quality doesn't become consistently better. I hope the writers and producers get this and will raise the bar rather than falling back into old habits.
J
October 11, 2012 at 5:55PM EST Reply to CommentI personally liked season 2 a lot, there were probably 2 or 3 episodes in the first half that were too slow and could have been condensed, but overall I liked the tone and build-up into the midseason and season finales.
Key
October 11, 2012 at 7:37PM EST Reply to CommentWow, A+ from The fans. Can I watch this fresh, without having seen previous seasons?
J Either use your Netflix, or get a free one month trial and burn right through them (both seasons are on there). Its not completely necessary to watch the entire series beforehand, I don't suspect, but you'd be missing out on some compelling TV.
October 11, 2012 at 8:32PM ESTron mexico
October 12, 2012 at 11:32AM EST Reply to Comment"Misery Porn?" Alan says that like it's bad!
For what it's worth, I definitely understand what he's saying there about the comic - but I have never read a comic book that was as hard to put down as The Walking Dead. It was also kind of refreshing to compare against the TV version because you empathize with Carl in the comic while Wesley Crushering his TV version. Looking forward to a great third season - and I admit, I do secretly hope the TV version is a little less miserable.
Col Bat Guano
October 13, 2012 at 6:27PM EST Reply to CommentI just saw the extended preview on AMC and saw Rick talking about searching for food, fuel and ammunition. Finally, some mention of what should be the overriding concern of these people.
unclevanya
October 15, 2012 at 12:43AM EST Reply to CommentI can't say I am happy about liking TWD. It's really just a filler on my VCR to see sometime during the week. I also think its a good feeling killing those walkers, getting your own aggressions to anger.
Matthew Holy crap! You have a VCR? Just kidding....I knew what you meant.
October 15, 2012 at 1:14PM EST