Assignment 1

Kevin Connell
1st semester, Department of Computer Science
University of North Carolina-Charlotte,
United States

I: Summary/Background

Since the beginning of the 20th century,
there has always been a popular frenzy for
monsters, the supernatural, and the big
unknown within the sci-fi world. One of the
most common monsters since the beginning of
the horror genre are zombies. These creatures
have always been a popular realm in horror
and almost everyone has some knowledge of
these undead flesh eaters. When anyone goes
to see a zombie movie, they all have an idea of
how the movie will go. First, the group of
survivors are introduced fighting the undead.
Then, mostly the main character is given a
small backstory to kill time. Finally, as the
movie slowly progresses, each character is
killed off from the undead until either
everyone dies or a small portion of the group
survives and seem to escape. However, then
the screen fades to black, the credits roll and
the movie is over leaving the audience to
question what will happen to the group.
Questions form like, Did they make it?,
What now?, and Who was that first guy
who died again?. These questions can turn
people away from these type of movies as they
expect the same old, washed up material that
they always see. However, this is where the
television series The Walking Dead becomes
different than these unoriginal zombie movies.

Based on the comic of the same name,
The Walking Dead is a horror/drama based
television show that takes the elements of a
typical zombie movie but is able to provide
much more detail, giving a more in-depth and
easy to follow plot. Many people are involved
in the production of the show to bring it
together. Robert Kirkman created the comic
The Walking Dead. He is what inspired the
hit TV show to even be made and is a key

element as a writer and executive producer for

the show. He oversees the show to stay within
theme to the comic. Other executive producers
like Frank Darabont, Greg Nicotero, and many
others throughout the years are key players in
creating the show. Even for the zombies, the
casting is very choosy as to who can be picked
as an undead and how presentable they will be.
For the show, Nicotero runs a Zombie
School that trains people how to become the
zombies and only the best are used for
production. The creation and production of this
successful show is a great example of how
committed the crew, cast, and production staff
are to give the best possible show to their fans.
They are also selective on what locations can
be used for production. They search to find the
best places and conditions that can be used to
tell their story for the show. The show takes
place throughout different areas of modern day
Georgia in farmland, small towns, and even in
the city of Atlanta.

A key inspiration to the hit zombie
apocalypse TV series is the comic book under
the same name that started it all. When Robert
Kirkman created the series in 2003, he didnt
know where it was heading or if it would take
off. Lucky for him, its popularity grew as the
years passed and created a cult following as
many fell in love with both the plot and
characters presented in the comic. In 2010, the
series was pitched to AMC to become a
television series. Here, elements from the
comic would be implemented, but at the same
time the adaptation wanted to be something of
its own. Unlike the comic, which was very
quick to go from one scene to the next, the TV
show took a different approach. The show
allowed the characters to further develop for
the audience by sharing their backstories and
character development for the audience. This
approach has allowed the TV series to continue
across multiple seasons without having to rush
from one event to the next. Another different
approach was with characters introduced. In
addition to providing character backstories, the
comic introduced various characters, but most
were to die quickly and becoming snacks for
undead. AMC and the writers wanted to

Comment [1]: Your summary overall is very detailed

and descriptive. However the flow of your information is
a bit difficult to follow. After your intro you discuss the
production of the film. Then you jump to compare the
film to the comic, and finally you come back to talk
about the story of the film and its characters. Consider
discussing the story line and characters first then lead
in to production and how it differs from the comic series
as it would make it more cohesive and easier for a
reader, who may have no knowledge of the series, to
follow.
Comment [3]: One thing about your summary that is
commendable is your tendency to describe the main
concept of something and then immediately following,
you provide a more concise example or point that
supports the statement prior. The sentences that I have
highlighted is just one example of the several times that
you have further explained a broad topic. By
elaborating on things that are initially very broad
statements, you zero in on the connection between the
point that you are trying to make, and it's relation to
your topic. Nice job!

Comment [2]: This is a great summary to you topic and

i feel like i can see where your are headed with it. I do
wonder, however, what exactly is making this different
from other zombie shows? is there a different
production method? what are some arguments you can
make to support that it is actually different.

introduce various characters of their own

creation, but in a way that could give them
meaning. This allowed more creative writing
for themselves as opposed to relying fully on
the comic. In one example, they created a
character named Merle Dixon. On the show, he
is a stereotypical redneck and a loud mouth
who acts violent towards others. Behind the
scenes, Michael Rooker got the call and earned
the role to play Merle. However, there was
another actor who auditioned for the role of
Merle named Norman Reedus. The producers
were so impressed by Normans audition, that
they developed an entirely new character for
the show named Daryl Dixon and gave the role
to Norman Reedus. Daryl is the younger
brother of Merle, who similarly also has the
stereotypical redneck persona, but has
additional traits who quickly develops
popularity and becomes a character the
audience loves. Since his introduction, Daryl
has become a trademark to the series.
Although the TV series took aspects and the
main plot from the comic series, it was the
little details that they added that made the
show that much more special.

One of the best elements of the show is
how it presents characters so the audience can
both relate to and give off emotion to these
characters. With each new character that is
introduced, they are given a backstory for
themselves that make the audience either fall
in love with or hate with a burning passion.
This makes the deaths or close calls for these
characters more meaningful as it gives the
audience emotion that have them on the edge
of their seats (whether good or bad). When the
show first started in the year 2010, it starts off
with the main character Rick Grimes. Rick is a
County Sheriff in his home state of Georgia,
who wakes up from a coma in an abandoned
hospital after previously being shot in the line
of duty. The story of The Walking Dead
shows the struggles of survivors that Rick
meets along the way after weeks, months, and
even years after the zombie epidemic begins.
Trying to find answers, his family, and survive
in this new world in ruins give Rick a true test
to overcome the odds and survive from the

elements, the reanimated dead, and from other

unstable survivors.

II: Interview Questions

1. In season one, Rick made it clear to the
group saying that We dont kill the living
referring to when Daryl wanted to kill Jim
after he was bitten. Six seasons later, he now
kills others without hesitating. Why is it that
his perspective changed?

2. Why would the people at Terminus in
season 5 result to killing and eating other
humans? Did they have no other choice and
were desperate or were they crazy enough to
not care?

3. In a world with people going insane and
the undead walking, why is it that various
people in the show attempt or succeed in
suicide? In a world that is this messed up, is
suicide the true answer?

4. Whether in the heat of the moment or for
self-defense, Rick and the group have killed
other people? Is murder ever justifiable? Why
or why not?

5. Since the beginning of the apocalypse in
the world of The Walking Dead, who
decides what is right and what is wrong?

6. With children raised in a world in the
apocalypse, how do you see them living in the
world? (Like Judith) Would they have some
humanity and empathy or be molded with the
harsh environment?

7. Why do you think Ricks group go from
complete strangers who live with each other to
think of each other as family members?




8. In a world, where sometimes you have to
steal, kill, or do anything in order to survive, is
it possible for characters in The Walking

Comment [5]: You have very specific questions and

that's good for receiving a concise answer but i feel like
they should be slightly altered. I feel like these answers
will not be strong enough to fully support your message
or rather be able to push your point.

Comment [4]: You give a lot of through and explanation

to the comic series and the behind the scenes part of
making the show, which is good. However, it almost
overshadows the information about the actual series
and the plot. Readers who are not familiar with the
series may want greater detail about the story line. (i.e.
themes, how it differs from other zombie movies/series,
why people love it so much)

Dead to still have values or know when

something is too far?

9. Many times in the show, Ricks group has
been forced to do things that they are not proud
of, but must do in order to live another day.
They then let it go as if nothing has happened
and move on with their lives. At what point
does this become unhealthy and having them
risk their humanity?

10. How do you see the show ending?

Diane Connell Fan of The Walking
Dead

1. Rick has seen that sometimes when a
person hesitates, that they die unnecessarily as
a result. It is about making it to the next day.

2. They viewed other humans as a source of
food, just like we view animals as food. This
made them less reluctant to kill them.

3. They see no other way out, given the state
of the world and want to avoid being eaten
alive.

4. If the person is acting in self-defense in
the apocalypse, then it is justifiable. The
world has changed and people have altered the
way they view right from wrong. People have
moved toward doing what they need to do in
order to survive.

5. Each individual decides for themselves
what is right and what is wrong based on their
core values, necessity and survival.

6. I think they would be molded with the
harsh environment and move towards a tribal
way of life.

7. They truly begin to care about and love
each other as family members. In some cases,
it is the only family that they have remaining.
8. Yes, it is possible for the characters to still
have values. Then must determine what they
need to do to survive while trying to maintain

those values. For example, I dont think

Ricks group would resort to cannibalism but
would forage and grow crops to survive.

9. It becomes unhealthy because they have
all done things that they are not proud of and
these acts weigh heavily on the minds because
they cannot Let it go and forget. The ironic
thing is that this is only an issue for those who
have a conscience to begin with.

10. I think that the whole scenario is a dream
(nightmare) that Rick is having while
recovering from being shot. He will wake up
from his coma in the hospital with the world
alive and intact.

Rachel Pullen Fan of The Walking Dead

1. In the beginning, Rick hasnt quite
experienced the reality of what the world had
become yet. Now later in the show, he has had
some experiences with running into other
dangerous groups. This has caused him to be
much more cynical, cautious, and protective of
his people.

2. I think its a combination of both. They
are driven to the point of desperation and also
just crazy enough to want to stay alive that
much.

3. When people are driven to their breaking
point, they feel desperate and feel like they
have no other choice. It shouldnt be the true
answer, but its often what people turn to.

4. When Rick and the group killed others, the
people theyve killed have been in selfdefense. I personally think thats ok and makes
it justified with the predicament they are in. If
this were in the real world, then no way would
their actions be acceptable, but in a very
elevated and crazy reality I dont know it
happens.

5. Most people decide for themselves on
whether something is right or wrong.
Throughout the show, the main group have
been following Ricks leadership, but they all

contribute to a decision and sometimes some

disagree or think something is too far. An
example (Spoiler) is with Glenn and how
throughout the show he hasnt killed another
human. That was a choice he made unlike
others, because he felt it was wrong. This was
until in Season 6 he finally did because it was
a matter of either him and the group or them.

6. The kids raised in that world would
probably have a pretty different attitude
towards life and other people. Theyd
obviously be living in a world without
technology and basic stuff like that. I think it
depends on whos raising them and how much
empathy they have. They also never trust
anyone outside of where they grew up.

7. They have all gone through a lot. Theyve
all lost someone close to them, some have
sparked relationships within the group, and
theyve come close dying multiple times
together. Each have grown to just and rely on
each other, especially since they have saved
each others lives on multiple occasions.

8. Keeping a moral standard is what keeps
them humans and allows them to live with
themselves. If they dont then you could
almost say theyre no better than the walkers.

9. I wouldnt say that they always let things
go quickly. There have been many times when
we (as the audience) have dwelled on
something a character has done for multiple
episodes, but I think it depends on whats
going on in their lives at the time of it
happening. If they have killed someone for
example and they are still in immediate
danger, they dont really have time to think or

reflect on it. So I think then it gets pushed out

of their mind for the time being, so sure maybe
that doesnt help with their humanity. Almost
none of what they are doing is healthy, but you
got to do what you got to do.

10. Im not sure. There are multiple ways they
could conclude the show. They could all die,
settle down in some nice little village, the
government finds them and tells them they
have a cure. Anyway you see it, the only way
they can end the show is to have some kind of
point with resolution. I hope at least.

III: Charting Sources

Things that stood out
Rick will do whatever it takes for his
group
Sometimes killing is essential to
survive
It is hard for anyone to trust strangers
A survival group quickly becomes a
family
Society became quickly divided
Kill the dead, fear the living
The show make you think on who you
can truly rely on

Detailed ideas
Can murder ever be justified?
In a broken world, is suicide an
acceptable option?
Killing essential to survive
Walking Dead humanity
Society Falling
Walking Dead leadership
Surviving the apocalypse
Trusting Strangers

Search
Terms
Murder
justified
Must kill
to survive

Chart

Sources I can Access Based on These Search Term

Walking
Dead
humanity
Suicide
acceptabl
e
Society
collapsing
Trusting
Strangers
Walking
dead
leadership

http://gradworks.umi.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/14/56/1456686.html

http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=theses&seiredir=1&refer
er=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dwalking%2Bdead%2Btv%
2Bseries%2Bkilling%2Bis%2Bacceptable%26btnG%3D%26hl%3Den%26as_sdt%3D0%25
2C34#search=%22walking%20dead%20tv%20series%20killing%20acceptable%22

http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2013/12/02/248185378/zombies-and-hope-on-thewalking-dead

http://www.npr.org/2011/06/03/136917033/jack-kevorkian-assisted-suicide-advocate-dies-at-83

https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_rees_can_we_prevent_the_end_of_the_world

http://www.npr.org/2016/05/20/478563991/how-do-you-design-trust-between-strangers

http://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/bitstream/handle/mtsu/5003/Hudgens_mtsu_0170N_10603.pdf?%2
0
sequence=1

https://www.ted.com/talks/roselinde_torres_what_it_takes_to_be_a_great_leader

IV: Proposal

On first glance, The Walking Dead to
some just seems like a show that is all about
blood, violence, and zombies. However, it can
come to a surprise to both casual or first time
viewers that The Walking Dead is actually
an intriguing TV show that can display deeper
meanings, symbolism, or even a plot that you
can crave over. What makes this show so
popular is the tension, build up, and
relationships the fans have toward the plot and
characters. Some characters they love and
others are hated with a deep passion, but the
show brings so much emotion that the
audience cant take their eyes off the screen for
a second. That being said, by looking deeper
into what the show has to offer, you can get
more enjoyment to your Sunday night. While
looking deeper in the show, I have done
research that keeps bringing up a similar theme

over and over. This of course is about the

shows humanity in the broken, apocalyptic
world. As the show progresses, the characters
are forced to adapt to the world. With no
civilization or order, people could do whatever
they want resulting in robbery, murder, or even
cannibalism. I am interested as to why this
happened and why so quickly. So in my
research, I plan to find out as to why after only
a couple of years that people turn to these
destructive decisions.

V: Literature Review

Since the beginning of the 20th century,
there has always been a popular frenzy for
monsters, the supernatural, and the big
unknown within the sci-fi world. One of the
most common monsters since the beginning of
the horror genre are zombies. These creatures
have always been a popular realm in horror

Comment [6]: This sentence makes me want to know

parts of the plot that may be some things that the
typical viewer 'craves over', and as a person who has
never seen the show, an example here would be nice.
Providing one of your favorite subliminal messages or
forms of symbolism in the show would help to give
readers who aren't familiar with your topic a little more
information. Towards the end of your proposal, you do
a great job of providing some of the things that happen
in the show which provides the reader with a little more
of what the show is about.
Comment [7]: The introduction to your literature review
is outstanding! I really liked the amount of detail and
relatable humor that you incorporated into it; Doing so
made it a lot easier to read and get connected to.
Despite the great introduction, I would consider altering
the introduction paragraph to make it more relatable to
the literature review, instead of to your topic as a
whole.

and almost everyone has some knowledge of

these undead flesh eaters. When anyone goes
to see a zombie movie, they all have an idea of
how the movie will go. First, the group of
survivors are introduced fighting the undead.
Then, mostly the main character is given a
small backstory to kill time. Finally, as the
movie slowly progresses, each character is
killed off from the undead until either
everyone dies or a small portion of the group
survives and seem to escape. However, then
the screen fades to black, the credits roll and
the movie is over leaving the audience to
question what will happen to the group.
Questions form like, Did they make it?,
What now?, and Who was that first guy
who died again?. These questions can turn
people away from these type of movies as they
expect the same old, washed up material that
they always see. However, this is where the
television series The Walking Dead becomes
different than these unoriginal zombie movies.

Taking the life of another human being
is something that we are not programmed to
really do or be accustomed to; nor should we.
In a world where life as we know it is lost and
home to the undead, survivors find themselves
in difficult decisions every day that are life or
death. Both Adam Betz [1] and Steven Petrelli
[2] argue that the only true exception to taking
anothers life is through self-defense when the
result is between either you or them. This is
the only justification with killing as opposed to
killing to gain the upper hand or if people are
insane enough to do it for fun.

When the world has come to an end
and its an everyday struggle for people to
even make it through the next day, leadership
is a vital tool that can grow or kill a group.
These individuals have the pressure to protect
their own and make decisions for the greater
good of the group that could save or destroy
them. Where Laura Hudgens [3] discuss the
topic of leadership found in The Walking
Dead, Roselinde Torres [4] discusses
leadership in real life and give their
perspective on what qualities a leader should
display. Both describe the qualities that a

leader must display, whether there are to make

it in a broken world to survive or skills to show
in an everyday work place; each are meant to
earn the respect from their followers.
In an apocalyptic world where life has
gone to hell, it can take a real toll on
individuals that could make them go insane or
just become lost in a broken world where they
dont think rationally. While some can adapt to
these changes, other people can crack under
the pressure and lose their mind making them
lose their humanity, morality, and sanity to
result in them making desperate decisions. Eric
Deggans [5], discuss these issues that people
could develop after long exposure and Sarah
Hulett [6] discusses how people feel that
suicide is the best answer for them to get away
from any pain or suffering that is thrown in
their life. Although life may seem tough at
times, what makes us great as human beings is
how in the end we can fight through any tough
situation, but at the same time maintaining
what truly makes us as humans.

After the end of the world begins, the
best way for survival is for humanity to stick
together. Martin Rees [7] reminds us that no
matter what the situation is, we cant allow
ourselves to separate apart and allow society to
brainwash us into thinking we cant rely or
trust on others. Sadly, Joe Gebbia [8] discusses
how easy as a society we have this mentality of
us not being able to trust or truly associate with
strangers. The only way society can move
passed an epidemic or what resulted in the
chaos, is for us all to work and trust one
another.

VI: Work Cited References

[1] A. Bets, "Rights, self-defense, and
responsibility: A revision of Thomsons
account of self-defense," in Proquest, 2008.
[Online]. Available:
http://gradworks.umi.com.librarylink.uncc.edu/
14/56/1456686.html. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.

Comment [9]: Each paragraph has a strong topic

sentence that introduces the theme being discussed.
Each theme is clearly discussed and supported by
sources. However, I would like to see better
incorporation or mix of the sources and your own
commentary/ideas, as opposed to having sources back
to back.
Comment [8]: *Xavier Esquilin, computer died so i am
using Kevin's*

This literature review contains very strong beginnings.
The introduction was a great way to start off this
section, however, I feel like there was a lack of counter
argument as was stated at the end of the introduction
with "The Walking Dead becomes different than other
zombie movies"





[2] S. J. Petrelli, "e Subversion of Ableism in
Robert Kirkmans e Walking Dead," in Virtual
Commons-Bridgewater State University, 2014.
[Online]. Available:
http://vc.bridgew.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?artic
le=1004&context=theses&seiredir=1&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fscholar.go
ogle.com%2Fscholar%3Fq%3Dwalking%2Bd
ead%2Btv%2Bseries%2Bkilling%2Bis%2Bac
ceptable%26btnG%3D%26hl%3Den%26as_sd
t%3D0%252C34#search=%22walking%20dea
d%20tv%20series%20killing%20acceptable%
22. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.

[3] L. Hudgens, "LEADING THE WALKING
DEAD: PORTRAYALS OF POWER AND
AUTHORITY IN THE POSTAPOCALYPTIC TELEVISION SHOW," in
Jewlscholar, 2016. [Online]. Available:
http://jewlscholar.mtsu.edu/bitstream/handle/m
tsu/5003/Hudgens_mtsu_0170N_10603.pdf?se
quence=1. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.

[4] 00R. Torres, "What it takes to be a great
leader," TED Talk, 2014. [Online]. Available:
https://www.ted.com/talks/roselinde_torres_w

hat_it_takes_to_be_a_great_leader. Accessed:
Sep. 16, 2016.

[5] E. Deggans, "Zombies and Hope on The
Walking Dead," in National Public Radio,
NPR.org, 2013. [Online]. Available:
http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2013/
12/02/248185378/zombies-and-hope-on-thewalking-dead. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.

[6] S. Hulett, "Kevorkian: Bizarre crank or
pioneer?," in National Public Radio,
NPR.org, 2011. [Online]. Available:
http://www.npr.org/2011/06/03/136917033/jac
k-kevorkian-assisted-suicide-advocate-dies-at83. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.

[7] M. Rees, "Can we prevent the end of the
world?," TED Talk, 2014. [Online]. Available:
https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_rees_can_w
e_prevent_the_end_of_the_world. Accessed:
Sep. 16, 2016.

[8] T. Staff, "Joe Gebbia: How do you design
trust between strangers?," in TED Talk,
NPR.org, 2016. [Online]. Available:
http://www.npr.org/2016/05/20/478563991/ho
w-do-you-design-trust-between-strangers.
Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016