Z Nation: Episode 1- "Puppies and Kittens" Review

Z Nation: Episode 1- "Puppies and Kittens"

The most interesting part in the pilot episode is that there is a potential antidote for the zombie virus. At the beginning of the episode they show a doctor's lab where they were testing three possible antidotes. Two of the test subjects went crazy and were shot, the third subject was left to be eaten by zombies. Later in the show this man surfaces with zombie bite marks on his chest and stomach yet he remains a human so it has been assumed that the antidote worked. He's delivered by a military man to a camp hoping to be transporting to California so they can copy his blood. 

The other thing I noted that was original was that the zombies (which are referred to as Z's) are a lot faster and seem to understand the concept of playing dead until people are close enough to attack. These zombies can almost run as fast as the humans. In addition to the zombies being faster, this episode starts off a lot faster than Walking Dead did. In fact, this pilot episode starts several years after the first attacks and the scenes with the doctor testing the possible antidotes. So because of this the characters are a lot more comfortable with weapons, fighting Z's and some people have even have little "companies" that drive around and offer weapons in exchange for other things that they need. 

For the most part, I would have continued with this series until the baby scene. They probably feel the need to compete with Walking Dead and in order to do that, they have to push more boundaries. As soon as I saw the baby alive in the car, I knew this was coming. Unlike Walking Dead who still has baby Judith, within 10 minutes of finding the baby it was bit (off screen) by zombies. This is not the part I have a problem with. In a zombie filled world this is bound to happen. My problem lies with the reveal of the zombie baby. It looks like cheesy bad CGI. The baby looks more like Chucky from Child's Play than it does a real baby. In addition to that, the baby was sitting in a car seat and looked much too young to be able to walk, but after he was bit he was suddenly able not only walk but get around the room and attack people. This scene is where I decided that I would not be continuing on with the series. This series is supposed to be more of a realistic drama, but with this scene it came across more as bad TV movie.

In the end, I would have continued on with the series until the CGI baby. Cheap CGI is usually where I turn movies/TV shows off, unless "cheese" and unbelievably is what it's all about (Sharknado). I understand that following the success of Walking Dead, lots of people will be turning out zombie shows with different twists but unfortunately for them they will always be compared to Walking Dead. Unless someone was to really change the concept of a zombie apocalypse, I don't want to be watching two shows on pretty much the exact same thing. I've already invested years into the story line and characters on Walking Dead and I just don't feel like starting over again for a show that doesn't offer enough originality. 

Grade: B-

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