I Think Zombies are Ridiculous But….

I’m addicted to a little show called “The Walking Dead.” So
remember the billion times I’ve said “never say never?” Yeah, well this is why.
You just never know what will happen on down the road. Zombie apocalypses are
highly improbable, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun.



Up to a few months ago, zombie stories seemed ridiculous to
me. The very idea is just so implausible I can’t wrap my brain around it enough
to enjoy the read. Then Courtney is all “There’s this zombie apocalypse show on
Netflix called The Walking Dead and it’s awesome.” And I was all, “Mmm…I’m sure
it is.” In my head I was thinking, oh great, now my kid is a stupid zombie fan.
What has this world come to?



Although I dreaded enduring the damn show, I thought I
better watch it to make sure there was nothing that would be inappropriate for her
to be watching. So off to Netflix I went and I watched the stupid zombie show.



And I loved it.



Now a warning: Most parents may not feel this show is the
best show for their teen to watch. There’s a lot of nasty grossness involved.
No graphic sex or profanity, so far, but a lot of zombies eating people and
innards hanging out. Yeah, disgusting but not…HBO. However, some of the
“situations” are thought-provoking and can inspire some interesting discussions.
I leave that with you. This parent lets her child watch it and we talk about
it. So, there you have it.



Okay, that’s out of the way. So in the second season, a kid
gets hurt and they have an interesting discussion. Do they save him or let him
die? Of course you’re all like “Save him, of course!” but their situation is
not so simple. You see, the world is turning into zombies. There are still
people left, but they’re dropping like flies and both adults and kids live
every hour, every minute, terrified that they’ll be next. So, is it best to let
the child go knowing the fight is finally over for him, or do you save him, and
give him a shot at what might happen later?



Hard question. No. I don’t have an answer.



The zombies in the show are nasty and mostly pretty cliché
monster fare, but they’re consistent. They walk in herds, are attracted to
blood, noise and pretty shiny stuff. Kind of like humans, don’t you think?



Now and then I pause and say, “Jesus, why am I watching
this?” when something retarded and overly dramatic happens, but there I sit,
chewing my fingernails with my heart in my throat. So, the writers of the show
must be doing something right, or perhaps my brain has zombified due to stress
and I’m just connecting with my kin on the screen.



Does this mean I’ll try reading zombie fiction? Maybe. I
have in the past with disappointing results, but this show proves that the
right writer can make all the difference in the world, so I might pick up
something if I’m suitably tempted. Any recommendations?



What’s my point anyway? I always have a point. Well I do. I
challenge you to read a genre that is something you’ve decided you hated. Not
recently hated, but say a genre you long ago swore off because it didn’t appeal
to you, pick up something like that. Ask friends for recommendations, blog
about it like I am. The thing is, I think to say you’ll never read a particular
genre because a handful (hell even a truckload) of writers failed to impress
you is really only hurting yourself. If I’d decided that my hatred of zombie
fiction was too strong, I’d never have found this kickass show, nor would I
have had some really deep and sometimes funny discussions with my daughter.







Let us know if you do try something new, even if it takes you
up shit creek again.