4 stars

Acorn Media International. DVD/Blu Ray/Digital Download. 19th August

I was big fan of THE WALKING DEAD, however as the series progressed and you needed a wiki page open to keep track of all the characters and various factions I ditched it like so many others. Shame, as it started out brilliantly. Two of the best characters were Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne Hawthorne (Danai Gurire). When Grimes was involved in an explosion on a bridge in Season 9 he was presumed dead. Following this he did appear in the spin-off FEAR THE WALKING DEAD but by this time I was exhausted by it all!

So it was interesting to revisit this universe in THE WALKING DEAD: THE ONES WHO LIVE (the sixth spin off from the main series apparently!) where we learn that Rick is ensconced in a secret city, where no one can leave, based in Philadelphia and run by the CRM or Civic Republic Military, a group who seem determined to shape the new world how they see it should be run. During his time there he has attempted to escape numerous times, even at one point cutting his own hand off! Eventually he kind of accepts his situation and begins to move up within the organisation, hoping to change it from the inside.

In the meantime Michonne is searching for Rick. I don’t think it’s much of a spoiler to reveal that through various machinations they are eventually reunited and she is determined to try and take down the CRM. But they must also deal with Jadis (Polly McIntosh) who has every intention of stopping them. Various flashbacks fill in back story though I have to admit (as I had stopped watching the main show) I was scratching my head at a few points.

It doesn’t really matter, however, as this is a self contained 6 parter, though it does feel the need to ‘slot-in’ to the plot lines that have been established elsewhere. The main draw here are Lincoln and Gurire who ever excellent as there two characters plus the fact that this tries to take the storyline in a different direction. That’s not to say that ye olde zombies don’t get a look in. There are several tense sequences involving the gut munchers. The ever reliable Terry O’Quinn also appears as the head of the CRM, Major General Beale. The two stars were closely involved with the creation of this mini series, meaning that their roles and the relationship shown feels strong and believable with great chemistry between the duo.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Preview

Show Me More: The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live