Episode 99 - The Tiptoeing Dead

Well, we finally reached the half-way point on Season 6 of AMC's the Walking Dead. Perhaps, over the two month hiatus, we will find it in our hearts to forgive it for the many transgressions of the past several episodes. The episode starts with the wall coming down in Alexandria, and the undead masses streaming into the community. Surely this implies a nail-biting and exciting episode, right...?
We follow up our talk about the Walking Dead with further musings on Jessica Jones, and also on Netflix's first Marvel series, Daredevil.  Somehow we bring it back around to Star Wars before signing off.
Let us know what you thought of the podcast and of the episode by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 98 - Dying is Simple

Much the same as can happen with a child or inquisitive bird, a podcast can become distracted by a shiny new thing.  That has happened this week to the Z-Realm crew. What shiny bauble distracted us from our weekly look at AMC's The Walking Dead?  It was the new Netflix series based on the Marvel character Jessica Jones. The first season was made available on November 20th and we have all found ourselves smitten by this incredible new show. Starring Krysten Ritter as the title character, it takes a decidedly lower-level look at the Marvel universe.  We go on at great lengths to praise the show and encourage you to give it a shot. We do start the show by looking at the latest episode of the Walking Dead, titled "Heads Up" where we finally learn of Glenn's fate, and we see things truly building to a gigantic moment next week for the mid-season finale.  It is all good, but it is no Jessica Jones, but honestly, what is?  Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or post a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 97 - Ash Vs Walking Dead

The Z-Realm returns to AMC's The Walking Dead for the next chapter in the sixth season, titled "Always Accountable".  It was not a good episode and we have nothing much to say about it that is positive, so we quickly shift the conversation to a horse of an entirely different color, the new series on the Starz network called Ash Vs Evil Dead.  This new series sees the return of everyone's favorite wise-ass monster-killer, Ash from the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness films. Played by the incredible Bruce Campbell, this is a bloody, funny, and genuinely creepy show that offers a lot to both old fans and people who are new to the madness. Let us know what YOU thought of things by writing to mail@z-realm.com or leave us a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 96 - What Now?

We return to Alexandria for the 5th episode of season 6 of AMC's The Walking Dead.  Glenn may or may not be dead, Deanna may or may not return to her position as leader of her people, and who knows what is happening with Daryl, Abraham and Sasha.  This is another lower-key episode, catching up on some of the personal issues that exist within the threatened walls of Alexandria. There wasn't a ton to say about the show, so we leave it behind pretty quickly and move on to a cavalcade of other media and information about our lives. Let us know what you thought by writing to mail@z-realm.com or leave us a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 95 - Everything Gets a Return

Things strike a VERY different note as we return for the 4th chapter in Season 6 of AMC's The Walking Dead. Titled "Here's Not Here", it focuses primarily on Morgan's journey following the death of his son Dwayne. We follow Morgan as he encounters a quiet man named Eastman who has a lovely home in the middle of the woods with an extremely cute goat.  Played by John Carroll Lynch, Eastman is a fascinating character who has found a peace inside himself that he wants to help Morgan find as well. Morgan, meanwhile, has descended into his psyche into a very dark place that is very far from his humanity. We watch as Morgan learns about Eastman's philosophy and see how he became the staff-wielding Jedi that we've see so far in season 6.  It was a good episode, though possibly longer than it needed to be.  We then turn to SyFy's series "Z Nation" and talk about the most recent episode, titled "The Collector". Featuring a funny cameo by the father of the Game of Thrones, it was a total change of pace from the grim tone of the Walking Dead.  After that we turn to other media and ramble a bit. Let us know what you thought of the episode by writing to mail@z-realm.com or leave us a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 94 - Good Luck Dumbass

Season 6 of AMC's the Walking Dead continues to charge forward at a breakneck pace. This time we are looking at the 3rd episode, titled "Thank You" which, perhaps, says goodbye to a major character.  The fact that we don't know for sure if this character did or did not die, is a bit of a vicious game that the producers are playing with the viewing public. Hopefully we will know for sure soon.  Besides this, possible, major shift in the cast, this episode was still firmly packed with action, and with devastating emotional beats.  It left us both of us a bit winded and engendered a lengthy talk about the show in general and this episode in particular. Let us know what you thought about the events of the program and about the contents of the podcast by writing to mail@z-realm.com or leave us a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 93 - Just Survive Somehow

The second episode of the 6th season of AMC's The Walking Dead has aired, titled "JSS", it continues the story from where we left off last time, but instead of following Rick and the others who were off at the quarry, we are focused instead on the people left behind in Alexandria. We learn much more about Enid's past, but many people online are wondering if important details are being withheld. This was an episode that was high on violence with a staggering body count. Listen in to hear what we thought of it. We follow up with much talk of Star Wars, Manga and animated TV series' from the 70s. It is a real hodge-podge.  Let us know what you thought by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 92 - Might Be Too Late

It is back! AMC's the Walking  Dead returns for it's sixth season and the Z-Realm team descends on it like a pack of vipers. Titled "First Time Again" and directed by one of our favorites, Greg Nicotero, this truly starts off the next season of the show with a huge bang! We've never seen this many zombies on screen at once in the show, and it is filled frequently with awe-inspiring moments. We loved the episode and are eager to hear your thoughts. Please let us know by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 91 - Abigail

The first season of AMC's Fear the Walking Dead has wrapped up, and it left us mostly feeling positive about the new show, but we did come away with reservations and a few head-scratching moments. We do lose one of the main characters by the end, and several possible options exist for where the next season will take the survivors. We are ready for that, but are undoubtedly MORE ready for the next season of the Walking Dead which will be taking over the time-slot next week!
Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 90 - Captive Bolt Pistol

It turns out that the weapon that Anton Chigur uses in No Country for Old Men, has a name, and that name is "Captive Bolt Pistol".  Not only can you terrorize Josh Brolin with it, but you can also use it to make sure that the recently dead remain that way. We learn about this nefarious device in the fifth episode of season one of AMC's  Fear the Walking Dead.  We also learn more about a few of our favorite characters and it is further stressed that things are not as black-and-white as Travis seems to need them to be. Things take many dark turns and leave us standing outside a huge arena, bursting with something vile and hungry.  Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 89 - They Always Come Back

AMC's Fear the Walking Dead continues to impress and surprise us. Episode 4 of the show, titled "Not Fade Away", shows the military cementing it's hold on our familiar band of survivors. Lead by Lt. Moyers ( who loves golf ) they are there to keep the peace and distribute freedom in the name of the glorious U-S-of-A. There is clearly something happening behind the scenes, that is much less palatable though, and, with only two episodes remaining in this inaugural season...we hope we find out what it is.  Let us know what you thought of the TV show, and the podcast, by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.
( ...and Marty knows he totally screwed up by calling George C. Scott's character "Jack D. Ripper" and he apologizes profusely )

Episode 88 - Good People Are the First Ones to Die

In this episode of the Z-Realm, we return to the first season of AMC's Fear the Walking Dead, focusing on episode 3, titled "The Dog".  Packed with thrilling setpieces and further exploration of the mindsets of our small group of central characters, this was another winning chapter.  We liked it, and we would love to hear what you thought. Send us a note at mail@z-realm.com or post a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 87 - Don't Tell Alicia Nothin'

Welcome back to the Z-Realm, where things can change drastically in a week. For instance, the second episode of AMC's Fear the Walking Dead was roughly one-million-percent better than the pilot episode.  The world is truly starting to unravel this time and the viewer is swept along for the ride.  The characters that we met in the last episode are now being thrust into situations that test them in ways that they could've never imagined. Sure, there were still holes here and there, but this was the episode that the pilot SHOULD have been. There are only four episodes left in season one, but now we have a reason to believe and a that might just be enough.  Let us know what YOU thought of the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook group.

Episode 86 - Fear the Z-Realm

5 months? Has it really been that long?  We had a busy summer here at Z-Realm Central, and it kept us far away from the podcasting booths.  We are back though, and hope you're still out there to hear us as we return to speak about the new show from Robert Kirkman, Fear the Walking Dead.  We were not impressed but we want it to be better, so we are trying and struggling to keep our hope alive. Olga does not join us for this episode, so it's 100% testosterone ( well, let's say 75% ).  We turn our attention also to the many things we've seen in the 5 months since we last talked, with some surprises and some obvious favorites. Please let us know if you're still out there listening by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 85 - Do It

Has the finale of season 5 of AMC's the Walking Dead turned into a Nike commercial?  You might thinks so if you only saw the concluding scene, but it was a solid wrap-up to the most consistently excellent season the show has had so far. We finally learn of the mysterious "wolves" and we even see a few of them, though we only have a hint at their craftiness and their ruthless ways. People die..several of them. Attempts are made on the lives of even more people, and many, many lies are told.  We see characters wish for death and lay amongst the dead, and we hear people regret how they've behaved and wish for an end to the deceit. Listen as we vigorously discuss the episode and let us know what you thought by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 84 - People Always Die

After skipping a week, the Z-Realm returns and looks at the two latest episodes from season 5 of AMC's the Walking Dead. We start with episode 14, titled "Spend". With the extremely grisly deaths of some key cast-members, this was a very disturbing episode. Directed by Jennifer Lynch ( daughter of David ), it packs an emotional as well as visceral punch. You don't have to listen very closely to hear Marty be TOTALLY wrong about who Abraham hooks up with, but please forgive him, gin was involved.  We follow that up with episode 15, titled "Try" where bonds are made and broken, and where Rick finally unravels in front of all the residents of Alexandria.  After this we focus on a hugely-broad variety of topics, from the Bechdel Test, to Madam Secretary, to car insurance. By the way, I heard you can save 15% just by switching to Zombco.  Let us know what you thought of these two episodes of the TV show, and also what you thought of the podcast by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 83 - Unbuttoned

Season 5 of AMC's the Walking Dead shambles powerfully forward with episode 13, "Forget". We talk at length about the episode and  theorize about what may or may not be going on behind the scenes in Alexandria. We then turn our attention to other media and the rants begin!  Let us know what you thought of the episode by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 82 - Inside the Wall

Season 5 of AMC's the Walking Dead, soldiers on, and so does the Z-Realm Podcast!  This time we deal with episode 12, titled "Remember". We finally get to see who and what is behind the walls at Alexandria. We meet LOTS of new characters and we watch our crew as the struggle with assimilation.  The pace is very different in this one, but it was consistently interesting to see these fish out of water. Later in the show we bid a tearful farewell to the one and only, Mr. Spock, Leonard Nimoy. Let us know what you thought of the episode by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 81 - A Time to Believe

We are back again, for more of AMC's The Walking Dead.  This time we are looking at Season 5, episode 11, The Distance.  Faced with newcomer Aaron, the crew has to decide whether to trust him or not, and this is the crux of the majority of the episode.  Due to a failure of batteries, the show is cut-short so you will miss a few nuggets of wisdom from the staff here at Z-Realm Industries...
What IS here however is essential stuff, so start listening!
Thanks to all who download, email, post and "Like"...please keep it all coming.
Let us know what you think of the podcast by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 80 - Rock Bottom

What does despair look like? It looks like episode 10 of season 5 of AMC's the Walking Dead. Titled "Them", it sees the cast pushed into some of the darkest inner-territory that they have faced so far. They are broken emotionally and empty, unable to feel and finding themselves just wanting it all to stop, regardless of the cost. It is a serious bummer but there is, perhaps a glimpse of light at the end of this bleak tunnel. Let us know what your thoughts were on the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on the Facebook page.

Episode 79 - High Cost of Staying Alive

Are you ready to pay the high cost of staying alive? Are you ready for  the next episode of the Z-Realm podcast? Are you ready for some football?  AMC's The Walking Dead has returned for the second half of season 5 with episode 9 "What Happened and What's Going On".  This was a real downer of an episode, with big changes coming to the cast and big tears coming from our faces. We say goodbye to a fan-favorite who goes out with a heroic flourish and a vicious battle. We remember other fallen cast members and wonder about what is to come. Let us know what you thought of the show and of the episode by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 78 - Rotter Knocking Shop

We have returned! Due to a bit of geographical luck, the Z-Realm crew convened, In the Flesh, to discuss series two of the BBC's wonderful program of the same name.  We discussed series one of the show on episode 52 of the podcast back in May of 2013.  Returning to the small town of Roarton, we pick up where the first season left off, focusing again on Kieren and his BDFF Amy.  We learn more about the Undead Prophet and his group of freedom-fighters, the ULA.  We learn a new phrase from the urban dictionary, and we share more than one or two laughs.
The Walking Dead will be back soon, and so will the Z-Realm Podcast!  Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.
Don't forget to do your part to save "In the Flesh"