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.
Many have described The Walking
Dead as a zombie movie that never ends. This
allows the audience to be able to care what
happens and wait in anticipation on what will
happen next. One of the best elements of the
show is how it is able to present 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). This makes the show
unique, unlike the traditional zombie movies
where the plot is mostly blood and gore. The
emotions that this show presents and the actual
character plots makes people care about what
happens. 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.
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
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.
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
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.
They have to make choices that will protect
them no matter what.
2. After a long time without eating, people
become desperate. As a result, the people at
Terminus will do whatever it takes to survive.
They are forced to commit the ultimate taboo
and view other humans as a source of food.
These people lose their humanity by viewing
people like you and me as animals and food as
opposed to human beings.
3. Many people when backed into a corner
see no other way out. Given the state of the
world, they dont want to live in a destroyed
world and want to end it all. These people act
irrational and take drastic measures without
really thinking. I believe suicide should never
be the answer, as there should always be hope
in the world.

4. Murder should never be the answer, but in

a world like The Walking Dead, their world
is nothing like our world. The only rational
way should be if the person is acting in selfdefense 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. It really depends on the individual on
deciding what is right and wrong. Some will
do whatever it takes to survive, while others
want to remain to their true selves. There is a
lo t that could be based on these decisions, like
their core values, necessity, and their will for
survival.
6. Its very unfortunate for children to live in
a broken world with crazy people and the
undead. I believe that these children will be
molded with the harsh environment and move
towards a tribal way of life. Especially Judith
who is a newborn and this life is all she knows
will result in her not developing humanity
characteristics that you and me take for
granted.
7. At first, Rick and the group were just
survivors just trying to get through the day.
After a while, 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 and they dont want to lose that.
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.
They lose a part of their humanity as they treat
people as a source of food.
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 Stranger

Chart
Search
Terms
Murder
justified
Must kill
to survive

Sources I can Access Based on These Search Term

Walking
Dead
humanity
Suicide
acceptabl
e
Society
collapsin
g
Trusting
Strangers
Walking
dead
leadershi
p

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

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/2011/06/03/136917033/jack-kevorkian-assisted-suicide-advocate-dies-at83
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?
%20
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. A great example of this is from one of
my favorite characters Dale who discusses
about humanity. When asked, Who says were
civilized anymore, Dale replies with No, the
world we knew is gone, but keeping our
humanity. Thats a choice. This is a great
breaking point where we are told that there is
still some good and hope for society with
people like Dale. Sadly, as the show
progresses, these 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 its start in 2010, AMC The
Walking Dead has maintained great success
and continues to grow. Starting off as a comic
book and then making it into a television show,
the story told for the lives of Rick Grimes and
his group has become one of the greatest
shows to date. From casual viewers to
longtime fans, this show is able to give
something everyone can enjoy and look
forward to. What makes this show unique is its
ability to present characters that the audience
can both to and give off emotion to these
characters. Displaying these emotions allow
viewers to care on what will happen and wait
in anticipation for the following Sundays
episode. Within the show, it allows people to

question the characters humanity. Throughout

the years of the show, the characters begin to
lose what makes them human, which results in
doing whatever it takes to survive or in some
cases do for the sake of being able to get away
with.
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. I agree as
this should be 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. Laura Hudgens [3] discusses the topic of
leadership found in The Walking Dead and
different examples of what make good or even
bad types of leadership while, Roselinde Torres
[4] discusses leadership and qualities found in
real life and how they should be applied. Each
give their perspective on what qualities a
leader should display, whether they 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,
resulting in them making desperate decisions.
Eric Deggans [5], discusses how in a post-

apocalyptic world, it is hard for some to hold

onto what makes them human after long
exposure and act inhumanly to others, while
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. The sources and I agree that 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. I believe that the only way society
can move past 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.u
ncc.edu/14/56/1456686.html.
Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016.
[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.c
gi?article=1004&context=theses&seiredir=1&referer=https%3A%2F
%2Fscholar.google.com%2Fscholar
%3Fq%3Dwalking%2Bdead%2Btv
%2Bseries%2Bkilling%2Bis
%2Bacceptable%26btnG%3D%26hl
%3Den%26as_sdt

%3D0%252C34#search=%22walking
%20dead%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/h
andle/mtsu/5003/Hudgens_mtsu_0170
N_10603.pdf?sequence=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_to
rres_what_it_takes_to_be_a_great_lead
er. 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-andhope-on-the-walking-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/2011/06/03/136917
033/jack-kevorkian-assisted-suicideadvocate-dies-at-83. 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_we_prevent_the_end_of_the_worl
d. 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/2016/05/20/478563

991/how-do-you-design-trust-betweenstrangers. Accessed: Sep. 16, 2016