Review Guide:
Episode 1.01 Pilot - Review & Advanced Preview
Episode 1.02 Fracking Zombies - Review
Episode 1.03 Philly Feast - Review
Episode 1.04 Full Metal Zombie - Review
Episode 1.05 Home Sweet Zombie - Review
Episode 1.06 Resurrection Z - Review
Episode 1.07 Welcome to the FU-Bar - Review
Episode 1.08 Zunami - Review
Episode 1.09 Die Zombie Die...Again - Review
Episode 1.10 Going Nuclear Review
Episode 1.11 Sisters of Mercy Review
Episode 1.12 Murphy's Law - Review
Episode 1.13 Doctor of the Dead (Season Finale) - Review
Z Nation - Going Nuclear - Review
After last week’s forgettable episode, Z Nation returned to what we all know and love about it; Full of slow-mo kills, humorous dialogue and a fun disaster of the week. This week the group make a pit stop in South Dakota after their vehicle runs out of gas. They meet with these two people Amelia, and her father Wilber. They inform them about a nuclear reactor that at any moment in the next 40 something hours is going to meltdown meaning a 300 mile radius will be highly radioactive. Their mission is simple, go turn it off, except it wasn't that easy.
Once Wilber fails to put the rods back into the core they rely on a man named Homer who was Wilbers boss. Homer does successfully save the day by removing it with the help from 10k. Throughout the episode, we saw Homer and 10k form a father - son relationship in the very short period of time they spent together. The emotional connection between 10k and Homer was good at times, and it reminded 10k of his father; especially when he couldn't kill Homer before he turned into a zombie. Homer had the means to kill himself before the transformation could take place anyway.
This episode Murphy stole the show again with probably the best story. He has been developing into a new lead for the show, which is surprising as I predicted Mack would take the lead, but after last week’s episode I prefer it to be Murphy. His strange connection with Amelia this episode after she turned was just another one of the oddball situations he gets thrown into. Speaking of Amelia, it was very strange of her to not attack the group in the end. It was like she didn't want to; as if part of her was still there. Also, her attachment to Murphy, when she was following his hand movements at the plane wreck, it was very interesting to see. It just shows us Zombies are more intelligent than they seem, or that they see Murphy as one of them (zombie). Murphy actually seemed to genuinely care for Amelia, and couldn't bring himself to give her mercy. He even persuaded the rest to leave her be.
Murphy’s character has been on an emotional rollercoaster recently. He has gone from a character that cared very little about anything, to someone who cares for the living and the dead. We saw this episode how grateful he was that the group are risking their life's for him; even though he never shows his emotions in speech I would like to think he would one day risk his life for any member of the group. It was very sweet of Murphy to want to leave Amelia, but if you look at the bigger picture it was cruel, as she might have shared the same wishes as Homer, and her father to not remain a Zombie for long.
Murphy also this episode had the best dialogue, everything he said made me laugh. His interactions with Warren are working, and whenever they are together I can always expect fun banter between them, in the form of criticism. Even though Warren didn't have much to do this episode, she is still one of my favorite characters on the show. She is forming into a great leader for the group. I didn't think she would be able to step into Garnett's shoes, and fill the hole left by him, but she has, and she has become stronger from it. When the finale comes around as long as Murphy, Warren, 10k, and Doc survive I will be pleased. I am positive though one of the group members won’t live through the finale as if recent deaths are any indication they are not afraid of having characters killed off.
Elsewhere, this episode Doc, like Murphy added a bit of comedy to the installment, with some of his one-liners, such as "No hugging" or "I’m a doctor, not a nuclear physicist”. I can always rely on Doc to add comedic value to the episode, even if there in a situation of life, and death. Cassandra on the other hand still continues to just be there for the sake of it, we see her again in this episode have a few lines here, and there, but was only really on hand to help with the zombies.
Summary
This episode was probably the best one I have seen in a long while from the show. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen for a second. The disaster of the week was fun and offered us some emotional responses from some of the characters. There was also some spectacular zombie kills, especially with the drone. The dialogue was great; it was humorous, and the banter between Warren and Murphy was back, which is something I’ve been waiting to see again. There was also a bit of character development as well. Citizen Z also showed up at the appropriate time, which I thought was very effective, and didn't take too much time away from the disaster that struck our team. So to sum it up, everything I could have asked for was in this episode.
As always , thank you for reading! Let me know in the comments what you thought of the episode!
Fantastic recap, Robert -- and I was relieved (almost to the point of applauding) that this episode was jam-packed with all the stuff that makes ZN the hokey, funny, action-packed, irreverent, out-of-the box show it wants to be. I agree that the action was VERY much like a video game, and in my opinion that's the exact feel this show seems to have when its episodes are working most effectively. Totally loved those radioactive zombies, Doc's funny one-liners, Warren's signature take-charge attitude, Murphy's increasingly bizarre-yet-laughable experiences, and Citizen Z's actual moments of usefulness (I got the impression he was just kidding about 'zombiepedia'). I also appreciated the fact that there was at least the outline of a believable plot that gave some credibility to the characters' actions. And I like that they finally stuck with the (almost) FULL GROUP for the entire hour. Fun, entertaining, high-octane, goofy, original -- the stuff this show does best. Hoping they can stick with that formula from here on out!
ReplyDeleteIs Murphy going to turn into a full Z with a conscience?
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it doesn't it.
ReplyDeleteI too was relived that this got the show back on track for what its known for. I agree with you about the video game feel this show has, it works much better than way. I love how the show was created not for the story specifically, but to entertain the viewer, which is what it does with episodes like these. Everything about it the dialogue, the banter between characters, the unique zombie kills we see week in week out, and the new disaster scenario we see as well makes the show very unique from others, and a lot more fun to watch than your series zombie show.
ReplyDeleteI hope they stick with the formula too, as it really does work. If they want to attract more viewers, then stick with what they do best. The episode just proves, when the group is together, the entertainment level rises.
It was a better ep after the last two we had. I loved the glowing zombies. I wish we could get some of those on Walking Dead.
ReplyDeleteI felt they should have kept Homer. Even a few eps of Homer and 10K would have been good. I think they killed him off too soon.
It was interesting to see how zombie Amelia followed Murphy, and even once they reached the group, she wasn't immediately looking to attack them.
It was good to get back to a more normal, good ep. We only have a few more left for the season. I hope they stay on track.
Yeah it was much better than the last two, which were the shows weakest episodes. I wouldn't mind seeing glowing zombies on TWD either, it would make a change from the standard zombies we always see.
ReplyDeleteWhen Homer got introduced, my initial thoughts were that he would join the group in the end, especially after Amelia, and her father died. It would have been nice for 10k to have a father figure in his life, and for the group to get a new addition.
It was really strange how she didn't attack them, it was like she had a connection with Murphy especially after she was following his hand movements at the plane wreckage.
I too hope they stay on track, and continue on with episodes like these.
Yeah, the whole group again? I'm really encouraged to hear that! Still rooting for this show to find its unique groove and then rock the cr@p out of it. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso wanted to add that it's kind of interesting what they're doing with Murphy -- one week he does something basically unforgivable, like the mom/kids incident; the next week he's back to his grouchy yet entertaining self. I have no idea how I want to feel about him as a character, and I'm wondering if that's the idea (??) given that he's some sort of human/zombie hybrid. Also really like the thread with Amelia. Clearly, she has some sort of connection with him -- even a weird kind of communication -- and she didn't move to attack the group in his presence. Looking forward to where that idea might be going.
Was it me, or did Homer go full zombie in the cooling tank? I thought they showed his zombie rage-face through his mask. I also thought Doc (or one of the group) said to 10K "at least you gave him mercy" -- but it looked to me like he couldn't bring himself to do it ...?
ReplyDeleteYeah he did turn in the cooling tank. He said previously that if they touched it, then they "would be cooked instantly". He never gave him mercy, or at least we never saw it. It was actually Cassandra who said "you did everything you could, you gave him mercy".
ReplyDeleteYeah I got sent a promo from someone who reads my recaps/reviews. I will be updating the post later in the evening when I get back (using phone at the moment).
ReplyDeleteI think that is the idea with Murphy who love/hate him which makes his character unpredictable, it leaves you wondering if he will stick with the group or eventually turn on them. He sort of has a split personality, that could be a side effect of the vaccine he got, as we know he is still going through a transformation.
With the zombies, I don't know why they follow him. It's like whenever he is around they seem to listen to him, as if he is a leader or something. Very strange.
I wish they would have added Homer. I think this show never expected to be renewed for a second season. So we're kind of seeing writing that's geared more toward a series end. And that's probably why they aren't adding anyone.
ReplyDeleteMurphy does seem to have some kind of influence over the zombies. Can't wait to find out where that goes.
I do agree with you, I think they expected everyone to stop watching it when The Walking Dead started, and other shows. As this one premiered early September. Normally with shows, they add people to the cast as the season progresses, but I guess they have already finished filming the first season, so it makes me wonder what they will end the season on (if they have everything wrapped up by finale instead of leaving things open for season 2).
ReplyDeleteIt was good Z Nation fun. Better of course from the slumping past 2 installments (but I did like 1x09). Such a shame Amelia died and got turned.
ReplyDeleteI was watching four shows back to back today: Reign, Jane the Virgin, Z Nation and I just finished Casualty. And they all got me at the edge of my seat, more so on the last two.
ReplyDeleteThey all have something in common: Life is precious thus no one should take it away from those who wanna live their lives.
I couldn't even take my eyes of the TV for a second watching the episode of Z Nation, it was very enjoyable. Is Reign good by the way, a few people have told me to watch it, but I am not sure.
ReplyDeleteReign is quite a really fun show. It has romance, political struggles, darkness, rolling heads, sex, poisons in all shapes and sizes and girls wearing bags on their heads.
ReplyDeleteI think I will give the show a shot during the winter hiatus.
ReplyDeleteThis episode was much better than the week before. I call the episode from the prior week Zombie Groundhog Day and would not recommend it to anyone.
ReplyDeleteHowever, this episode returned to the basics of moving west, encountering other survivors, collaborating with them to further the mission of getting Murphy to the lab, and examining the possibility of humanity post apocalypse.
Garnet had to sacrifice himself – not only for Murphy – but to allow other characters to grow and take leadership challenges. Now we see that even Murphy is growing in his definition of “mercy” and it was interesting to see the range of behaviors among zombies emerging in this episode and the episode 2 shows back.
Remember the father zombie standing outside the place where his wife and daughter were holed up? He chose not to follow the herd and remained near them. Okay, he probably killed them later, but that is not the point.
This episode shows a zombie that mimics Murphy and follows him back home. Most people expect the show to be about human behavior. How refreshing that we are being treated to stories in which zombie behavior is wide ranging and potentially driven by some emotion(?).
I love Reign! I'd say give it a shot :)
ReplyDeleteI think I will :)
ReplyDeleteIt definitely was much better than the previous two episodes, I am hoping that the show can only get better for the last couple we have left.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you about the Zombie behavior, it was a nice change to see something from the zombies rather than just showing more human behavior,and emotion.
Murphy has improved so much from the first episode, from being a complete jerk to now someone who actually cares about people dead or alive. He is slowly trying to change, and I think its for the better.