Z Nation - Season 1

I like zombies, but for some reason I just can't get through The Walking Dead. Now, there will be quite a few people who will think I don't have taste, but that's not my point. I do really like zombies! So when I read that Z Nation had entered the production stage I became quite interested and started following the show. Was my interest justified?

The show starts three years after a zombie virus has broken out of a laboratory. After this outbreak, this lab tries to find a vaccine. One of many main characters, Murphy (Keith Allan, Mad Men), is injected with the experimental vaccine. (I'll talk more about him later) This is where the show starts. The goal is to move Murphy from that laboratory to California due to the fact that the old lab has been taken over by zombies. I don't want to give too many spoilers, so I'll leave it at that.

Most actors in this show are quite mediocre. We've got the leader of the group, Charles (Tom Everett Scott, Southland), who reminds me quite a bit of Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead (even though I didn't manage to get through all of the show, I do know quite a bit about it) and Roberta (Kellita Smith, NYPD Blue) and I'm not really sure how to describe her. To get the main picture, the other characters don't really matter a lot. These two actors are actually quite decent, but the others are at times unbearable.

This sounds overly negative, but there's another side to it.

The storylines in this show are ridiculous, foolish, unrealistic but also hilarious. The various situations the group encounter are incredibly bizarre. Just to give an example, zombies are featured who have become high on speed and hilarity ensues.

The only storyline that never seems to take off is that of Citizen Z (DJ Qualls, Supernatural). I do hope that he gets quite a bit more screentime and story in the second season.
This show doesn't seem to take itself seriously and that works extremely well. Next to that, the writers seem to be very willing to take big risks with various characters, which makes the show even better.



There's one character I really want to highlight. The previously mentioned Keith Allan, who portrays Murphy. This man is a sight to behold. He's incredibly defined and he's got a dry sense of humour I really enjoy. The writers of the show provide him with the chance to shine and he takes that chance with both hands. I guarantee, pretty much every scene where he's present will somehow make you at least smile!

Honestly, I do have mixed feelings about the first season. On the one hand we've got the bad acting, but on the other hand we've got the ridiculously funny storylines. Some media have claimed that the show is a parody of The Walking Dead. The creators of Z Nation have disagreed, but I find it difficult to agree with their disagreement.

... a parody to The Walking Dead.

Do you want to laugh and do you like zombies? Then I'd definitely recommend you give this show a chance. Do you want to see great acting and credible storylines? Then I wouldn't bother with this show.