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Very interesting. They do seem to exhibit slightly more animalistic traits and other effects.

SilverMK2 wrote:

Frazzled wrote:how are they acting that is throwing you off?

It is hard to pin it down... usually it is when they are focussing on a zombie close up...

Spoiler:

such in the first episode when there was (form memory) a kind of long haired male zombie in the bus the main character rode past on his horse. He featured several times in close ups of the zombie crowd and looked like he had quite a lot of brains (no pun intended), which to my mind does not fit with how zombies behave... he looked almost quizical.

In the same way...

Spoiler:

there have been several times where the zombies show a reaction other than indifference and "I'm going to eat you" - a certain overacting to convey what they are doing perhaps? (such as when the main character and the Chinese guy are walking through the crowd covered in gore and various zombies sniff at them - some almost give a zombie wink and a nod to fellow zombies, while when the rain starts to wash off the gore, some of the zombies are almost looking at each other going "Hey, are these guys food?!?

Not sure if you will get the same impression from watching it and I'm not saying that it is spoiling things for me... just they are different zombies to what we usually see. As mentioned in the begining of the thread:

Spoiler:

various zombies use tools - rocks etc to smash things up, the black dude's zombie-wife in the first episode tries to open the door. The zombies also seem to exhibit some limited emotions - interest, anger, etc

Many of the behavioral patterns you've cited have been exhibited in previous zombie lore/films,both George Romero's Day & Land of the Dead feature zombies with very similar behavior.

@ Necros.

I had the same thought concerning the crossbow bolts Daryl is using,and the strong possibility of him contaminating/infecting both the game he hunts and the Mexican guy he shot in the butt.

FITZZ wrote: Many of the behavioral patterns you've cited have been exhibited in previous zombie lore/films,both George Romero's Day & Land of the Dead feature zombies with very similar behavior.

You see, I've obviously been to a different school of zombies to you

Frazzled wrote:

Spoiler:

Interesting question, why the sudden massed Zombie attack? Also, if they are dead, why do they need to eat? If they still needs to eat, besides physics and deterioration due to bacteria -aka rotting- isn't that another reason its a waiting game until the zombies re-keel over?

Again,I'm using examples from other zombie films to put forth theories concerning the zombies here...but, In a scene in Day of the Dead (the 1985 version,not the crap remake),Dr.Logan,after removing a zombies stomach,goes on to hypothesize that zombies do not eat for nourishment,but rather out of instinct.

He also goes on to discuss that decomposition will eventually ( 7 to 10 years) render most zombies immobile.

FITZZ wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

Spoiler:

Interesting question, why the sudden massed Zombie attack? Also, if they are dead, why do they need to eat? If they still needs to eat, besides physics and deterioration due to bacteria -aka rotting- isn't that another reason its a waiting game until the zombies re-keel over?

Again,I'm using examples from other zombie films to put forth theories concerning the zombies here...but, In a scene in Day of the Dead (the 1985 version,not the crap remake),Dr.Logan,after removing a zombies stomach,goes on to hypothesize that zombies do not eat for nourishment,but rather out of instinct.

Interesting. I could go with that.

That is a whole other kettle of fish or can of worms there Frazzled

There are lots of different types of zombie it is hard to answer. However, this handy chart gives a brief overview of traits common to zombies from different media.

Also quite a bit of backgound on various zombies here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie

Frazzled wrote:

Spoiler:

Interesting question, why the sudden massed Zombie attack? Also, if they are dead, why do they need to eat? If they still needs to eat, besides physics and deterioration due to bacteria -aka rotting- isn't that another reason its a waiting game until the zombies re-keel over?

Zombies don't need to eat. The "eat" and "hunt" instincts are the only thing left in their brain. If given the chance a zombie will eat until its stomach explodes (because they can't digest) and then continue to eat. In fact if the food falls out of the hole where its abdominal cavity used to eat it'll re-eat it!

Sounds like weiner dog.

ya, pretty much.

@ SilverMK2

Ya, I also didn't like how the zombie tried to use a rock to break the window and tried to climb a latter. That's of line with both The ZSG and TWD.

Frazzled wrote:Sounds like weiner dog.

...I've come to the conclusion that there is absolutely no topic that you can't somehow apply to wiener dogs...

@ Silver,some interesting reading in the links,but it would seem to me that the zombies in TWD are more or less following the Romero/Brooks templates with some slight variations.

7-10 years to decompose? I know we all eat a lot of preservatives but that seems pretty long to me. Don't bodies decompose a lot faster? or is that because little critters eat us, but they don't like to eat zombies?

Necros wrote:7-10 years to decompose? I know we all eat a lot of preservatives but that seems pretty long to me. Don't bodies decompose a lot faster? or is that because little critters eat us, but they don't like to eat zombies?

Supposedly the "little critters" that eat us after we die don't eat zombies in the same way,also IIRC there is some canon about the virus slowing rate of decomposition.

Ya, I think it takes about a year to decomposes. Basically because the zombie loses its tissue differation and becomes a gelatenous goo....and i guess they goo takes longer to decompose. Think old gravy that eats brains.

Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

FITZZ wrote: Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

So thats not really based on anything other than that book. Ok. I go back to my original statement. Its a waiting game. Whats the decomposition time for eyes and potential the sense of smell (mind you the human sense of smell is craptacular and is only a threat within a few feet)?

Frazzled wrote:

FITZZ wrote: Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

So thats not really based on anything other than that book. Ok. I go back to my original statement. Its a waiting game. Whats the decomposition time for eyes and potential the sense of smell (mind you the human sense of smell is craptacular and is only a threat within a few feet)?

That's based on The Book : the zombie bible. It is a waiting game to some point but not everyone became a zombie at the same time as patient zero. New zombies continue to made everyday.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

FITZZ wrote: Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

So thats not really based on anything other than that book. Ok. I go back to my original statement. Its a waiting game. Whats the decomposition time for eyes and potential the sense of smell (mind you the human sense of smell is craptacular and is only a threat within a few feet)?

That's based on The Book : the zombie bible. It is a waiting game to some point but not everyone became a zombie at the same time as patient zero. New zombies continue to made everyday.

Not in Texas. Its an olympic sport
interesting side question, can a human bite actually puncture skin? It'd be kind of embarrassing if thats a no...

lol, you really should read the The Zombie Survival guide it'll answer every question you've ever had about zombies. Basically because a zombie doesn't have pain receptors or a nervous system it can acheive momentary bouts of strength greater than what it's host could. It's hard to explain but an action than might completely destroy muscle fibre makes no difference to a zombie. In this way zombies can get through many barricades that seem impervious to humans. however, this actually decompses a zombie faster than anything else.

Frazzled wrote:

FITZZ wrote: Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

So thats not really based on anything other than that book. Ok. I go back to my original statement. Its a waiting game. Whats the decomposition time for eyes and potential the sense of smell (mind you the human sense of smell is craptacular and is only a threat within a few feet)?

Again,according to TZG,a zombies eyesight is apparently no better or worse than a living humans,and due to slowed decomposition,does not particular effect their "hunting" capabilities.
Concerning other senses,it is hypothesized that hearing and sense of smell are much better than the living,in that zombies are able to hunt/fight/locate prey in absolute darkness.

Your original statement,in that it's a matter of playing the waiting game,is true in the "Brooks/Wylde" type zombies in that,without direct infection,isolated humans could hide out until all zombies simply fell apart,however,in the Romero "world" this tactic would be less successful as anyone (regardless of reason) who dies- reanimates.

FITZZ wrote:

Frazzled wrote:

FITZZ wrote: Did a quick bit of "research" on zombie decomposition.
According to "The Zombie Survival Guide" pages 10-11...

" The average zombie life span-how long it can function before completely rotting away-is estimated at between three and five years."

This is attributed to the "fact" that the majority of organisms (microscopic and otherwise) that would normally aid in rapid decomposition,reject consumption of infected flesh/organs.

It is also noted that zombie decomposition varies from environment to environment,for example-a zombie in the wet/tropical area of the Louisiana bayous would decompose at a more rapid rate than a zombie in cooler/dryer climates.

So thats not really based on anything other than that book. Ok. I go back to my original statement. Its a waiting game. Whats the decomposition time for eyes and potential the sense of smell (mind you the human sense of smell is craptacular and is only a threat within a few feet)?

Again,according to TZG,a zombies eyesight is apparently no better or worse than a living humans,and due to slowed decomposition,does not particular effect their "hunting" capabilities.
Concerning other senses,it is hypothesized that hearing and sense of smell are much better than the living,in that zombies are able to hunt/fight/locate prey in absolute darkness.

Your original statement,in that it's a matter of playing the waiting game,is true in the "Brooks/Wylde" type zombies in that,without direct infection,isolated humans could hide out until all zombies simply fell apart,however,in the Romero "world" this tactic would be less successful as anyone (regardless of reason) who dies- reanimates.

Thats no biggie. Just revert to the Central European tradition of cutting off their heads before you bury them. If its good enough for Moldavia its good enough for me.

So movie and life wise, they decompose quickly, have eyesight, smell, strength of normal human, at least until decomposition starts (in case noted not going with the zombie survival guide book thanks). How are these guys supposed to have wiped out the world again?
Clearly zombies are barely an issue, its the walking living, with their veneer removed, that are much more of a threat, Somalia worldwide. I wonder how long that would take.

@ Frazz.

Yes a human bite can most certainly puncture skin...
In my younger years,I worked as a Psychiatric Tech,which is basically a " guy in a white coat".

In the four years I worked at the Hospital I was bitten several times,and believe me,every bite punctured the skin..

Yes. A human bite can puncture skin. Not too difficult, in fact.
If you're a mindless eating machine with no sense of morals to keep you from using every ounce of strength your jaw can muster, I'd think it would only be that much easier.

I'm enjoying the show tremendously, and I'm happy to hear about the 13 show extension. I hope they stay at an hour or (preferably) bump the new episodes to an hour and a half, like the series premier was. : )

I'm enjoying some of the changes (like the use of smell). I liked taht they were getting sniffed while sneaking through the "geek" horde. It was like they could smell the underlying human smell on them, but were being fooled by the zombie guts.

As an aside, does anyone know where *I* can get my very own zombie-hand necklace? I hear it's all the rage in the post-zombie-apocalypitc world. lol

I am NOT happy about the ladder climbing and tool usage, though (smashing the windows with rocks). It takes too much thought process to do those things.

Eric

@ Frazz

Yep, the hallmark of good Zombie fiction isn't the horrors perpetrated by the Zombies but by humans. In the Zombie apocalypse people are revealed to be the true monsters.

MagickalMemories wrote:Yes. A human bite can puncture skin. Not too difficult, in fact.
If you're a mindless eating machine with no sense of morals to keep you from using every ounce of strength your jaw can muster, I'd think it would only be that much easier.

Has my wife been facebooking about me again?

Yeesh? A .50 cal? Wouldn't want to be lugging that around. Is it even detachable?

KamikazeCanuck wrote:@ Frazz

Yep, the hallmark of good Zombie fiction isn't the horrors perpetrated by the Zombies but by humans. In the Zombie apocalypse people are revelaed to be the true monsters.

Exactly...even in the best of situations,it's extremely difficult to get ten people to agree on/cooperate with anything (just look at YMDC)...
Now,factor in a crisis situation,limited resources,all the electronic bells and whistles gone..no definite plans and a growing horde of dead cannibals and humans in general are bound to become less than cooperative and friendly.

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Yeesh? A .50 cal? Wouldn't want to be lugging that around. Is it even detachable?

.308 coax machine gun.

1 x .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun
2 x 7.62 mm (.308) M240 machine guns (1 pintle-mounted, 1 coaxial)

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Yeesh? A .50 cal? Wouldn't want to be lugging that around. Is it even detachable?

While the .50 cal would be detachable (with the proper tools),dragging it along would be,IMO a waste of time...seeing as that a .50 eats up a whole load of ammo quickly,and...while perhaps "fun",would certainly not be an optimal weapon for zombie disposal.
1000 rounds of ammo expended in two minutes (or less) resulting in alot of shot up zombies,but very few head shots,plus making enough noise to alert ever zombie in a ten mile or better area of your presence just seems like a bad idea.

Frazzled wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Yeesh? A .50 cal? Wouldn't want to be lugging that around. Is it even detachable?

.308 coax machine gun.

1 x .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2HB heavy machine gun
2 x 7.62 mm (.308) M240 machine guns (1 pintle-mounted, 1 coaxial)

FITZZ wrote:

KamikazeCanuck wrote:Yeesh? A .50 cal? Wouldn't want to be lugging that around. Is it even detachable?

That bigger or smaller?

While the .50 cal would be detachable (with the proper tools),dragging it along would be,IMO a waste of time...seeing as that a .50 eats up a whole load of ammo quickly,and...while perhaps "fun",would certainly not be an optimal weapon for zombie disposal.
1000 rounds of ammo expended in two minutes (or less) resulting in alot of shot up zombies,but very few head shots,plus making enough noise to alert ever zombie in a ten mile or better area of your presence just seems like a bad idea.

Pretty sure its out of ammo anyway. If the gunner had ammo he'd still be alive IMO.