'Z Nation' the best word in zombies TV series
Z Nation’s first season is one of the best written series available on Netflix. Its 13 episodes are well worth watching, and the writers, along with the strong cast, make this zombie show unique. This is one of the rare times when SyFy and The Asylum produced something that is better than mainstream and better than campy schlock.
Even after meeting Russell Hodgkinson at Emerald Valley Comic Fest, I wasn’t sold on the show. After all, I disliked The Walking Dead enough that I quit watching it after 2 episodes. So what does Z Nation have, besides less money, that The Walking Dead doesn’t? A sense of humor – a zombie getting high on weed is funny, but the humor never interferes with the story line. It, like the show, is character driven. No fear – at least in the first season, anyone is likely to die; this knowledge adds to the suspense and tension.
More than any of this, Z Nation has characters worth liking. They are looking out for each other, and they genuinely like each other. Even problem child Murphy finds himself conflicted between his overwhelming narcissism, self-importance, self-preservation instinct and his feelings for the group that is protecting him.
Aside from the character advantage, Z Nation has the opportunity to be creative and have a fresh take on zombies and the stories that every series runs at some point. “Die, zombie, die… again” is one of the best shows of its type that I have ever seen. The fresh take on dream sequences and the Groundhog Day phenomenon was not only creatively done, but also served to advance the story. Its amazingly successful storytelling structure is something that few shows can accomplish without seeming cliché. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, Z Nation is definitely worth the investment in time, and it easily beats The Walking Dead for entertainment and enjoyment.
Even after meeting Russell Hodgkinson at Emerald Valley Comic Fest, I wasn’t sold on the show. After all, I disliked The Walking Dead enough that I quit watching it after 2 episodes. So what does Z Nation have, besides less money, that The Walking Dead doesn’t? A sense of humor – a zombie getting high on weed is funny, but the humor never interferes with the story line. It, like the show, is character driven. No fear – at least in the first season, anyone is likely to die; this knowledge adds to the suspense and tension.
More than any of this, Z Nation has characters worth liking. They are looking out for each other, and they genuinely like each other. Even problem child Murphy finds himself conflicted between his overwhelming narcissism, self-importance, self-preservation instinct and his feelings for the group that is protecting him.
Aside from the character advantage, Z Nation has the opportunity to be creative and have a fresh take on zombies and the stories that every series runs at some point. “Die, zombie, die… again” is one of the best shows of its type that I have ever seen. The fresh take on dream sequences and the Groundhog Day phenomenon was not only creatively done, but also served to advance the story. Its amazingly successful storytelling structure is something that few shows can accomplish without seeming cliché. If you haven’t had a chance to see it, Z Nation is definitely worth the investment in time, and it easily beats The Walking Dead for entertainment and enjoyment.