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Zap2it on the Scene: PaleyFest 2011
PaleyFest 2011: 10 things we learned from 'The Walking Dead' panel
It was a pretty spoiler-free evening with the producers and cast of "The Walking Dead" at PaleyFest 2011 in Los Angeles Friday (March 4). The panel's moderator, TV Guide's Mike Schneider, did dig for spoilers. But basically the show's writers are just getting to work, so the cast could only describe their hopes for their characters and there's no telling how much of what we heard from the producers will actually come to fruition in Season 2.
"Next season is an open road," says executive producer Frank Darabont. "It can go anywhere."
In fact, Darabont inferred more than once that he could change his mind between the panel and when the second season actually hits our TV sets.
The program started with a replay of Episode 5. From the crowd's response, that was a bit of a letdown. Maybe they were hoping for some teasers of the next season, but as we've already mentioned, the season hasn't even been written yet. Some felt that the emotional content and plot development of Episode 5 probably dictated why they decided to screen it and not the finale. Either way, it's still cool to watch the show on a big screen.
So, without any further adieu, here are 10 things we learned from the panel discussion:
1.) NBC originally passed on the show: And the crowd released a sigh of relief.
2.) The comic book isn't the show's bible: If you think you know what's going to happen in Season 2, because it's all laid out in the comic books, you may only be partially right.
"We don't make the show for the comic book readers," Darabont says. "We make the show for everyone."
With that said, Darabont says that the way he approaches the comics are as if they're a guidebook of sorts and many times they contain things that are just too cool for the show not to portray. On the other hand, he doesn't want to be trapped by the comic book's framework.
3.) Season 2 will begin where we left off: Darabont says that the characters were left in a dramatic position when we last saw them and he doesn't want to waste that by starting Season 2 "a month later." He wants to get right back to where they're asking, "What do we do now?"
4.) Where will the Rick-Lori-Shane love triangle lead? Sarah Wayne Callies says she's very interested to see how her character, Lori, will deal with the love triangle. She sees her character's actions as potentially splitting the camp in two, since the camp regards both Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Shane (Jon Bernthal) as leaders.
Darabont jokes that maybe the love triangle will never be dealt with, because something much more dangerous will threaten the camp. Then, Robert Kirkman, who created the comic book series, jokingly points out AMC has a penchant for complicating its characters with pregnancies, such as in "Breaking Bad" and "Mad Men." Hm, Lori preggers?
5.) Will we ever know what Jenner whispered to Rick? Darabont jokes, "Of course! We wont string you on like other shows." Uh huh. Again, take whatever comes out of that guy's mouth right now with a grain of salt.
6.) Merle is not the governor: Darabont says it would be "lame and obvious" to make Merle (Michael Rooker) "The Governor," a Machiavellian character who appears in the comic books. Of course, after the group banter back and forth on whether Merle is "The Governor," Darabont says, "Who knows? Maybe, I'll do something lame and obvious."
7.) Mum's the word on the comic book zombies: Kirkman vows to never explain how the zombies came to be in the comics. He says he finds the characters' reaction to them more interesting than trying to give the zombies an origin story.
8.) G.I Rick? "The Walking Dead" action figures are in production (among other licensed products) and the cast recently underwent scans for them.
9.) There's no escape: As in the comic books, the cast will arrive at a prison. Darabont, who directed "Shawshank Redemption" and "Green Mile," jokes, "I keep getting sent back to prison."
10.) Hurry up and wait: Season 2 begins shooting this summer in Atlanta and premieres in October on AMC.
Watch some highlights from the panel:
What's your take on what was disclosed at PaleyFest 2011?
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Photo/Video credit: Getty Images
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