SURVIVAL INSTINCT! 'THE WALKING DEAD' SEASON FOUR

Ready for more? The cast of THE WALKING DEAD prepare... Images: AMC.

Finally finding a sanctuary worth defending, former Sheriff Rick Grimes and his battle-worn, exhausted fugitives from the Zombie apocalypse have faced overwhelming odds and only just overcome the terrifying viciousness of brutal despot The Governor and his henchmen. But new threats await their existence within the confines of their immense but often hard to contain prison "home". The new series of THE WALKING DEAD, beginning next month on the US AMC channel and the UK's FX HD, gets off to a satisfyingly carnivorous start, amidst hails of expectant gunfire and guaranteed bloody axe-swinging!

Recovering from his mental and emotional ordeal with the loss of former wife, Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies, who may yet return for several ghostly cameos or flashbacks at some point), and the loss of other members of his "family: (including Laurie Holden's brave but loyalties misplaced Andrea), Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and his comrades willngly decide to look after the remaining innocents from the former town of Woodbury, shepherding the newcomers into the prison, and helping to train/protect them, whilst also building on relationships with particular stand-outs including fan favourite sword wielder Michonne (impressively played with vulnerability yet determined strength by Danai Gurira) and emerging characters Tyreese (Chad Coleman), Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Beth (Emily Kinney) - the former, such a popular addition to the Robert Kirkman created comic series, finally promised some worthy screen time this year. Meanwhile, former child brat Carl, (Chandler Riggs) having got mentally tougher and harder-edged with every episode last season, after having had no choice but to end the life of his own mother, will show a kill or be killed soldier mentality about him in Season Four, which will no doubt see him butt heads, perhaps violently, against his father's returned protective, sympathetic qualities...

The threat from The Governor (David Morrissey) is still a constant for our heroes...

The advancing, always hungry for flesh, undead menace, remains as relentless as ever, but are some of them becoming more adept and intelligent in their stalking methods? Or are they being helped? The dangers from humankind are certainly still constant- the threat of The Governor particularly so- David Morrissey's once subtly insane eye-patched killer gone supernova mad with the loss of his zombie daughter, and having managed to escape the destruction of his little empire, sharpening his blade and ready for revenge on Rick and co. across four important, likely story-stretching episodes through the season. A brand new threat will bring further danger and conflict, too...

▶ The Walking Dead Season 4 Preview - YouTube

With former writer/producer Glen Mazzara having done such a splendid job in the third year of reinvigorating the show's balance of action, horror and character depth, whilst also scoring the most impressive ratings and audience acclaim yet for AMC, now incredulously departed, its going to be interesting to see where new reins holder Scott Gimble, already a popular writer on the series, is going to take the show -with ambitious behind the scenes rumours that the show will see the return if Lennie James as Morgan, and be heading to new locations whilst gaining further new characters across its run (excitingly, there's been recent news that MAN OF STEEL/BLADE creator David Goyer will likely be directing an epsiode). One aspect that will remain consistent and audience satisfying regardless, however, will be Greg Nicotero and his team's superb and diverse Zombie make-ups- as blood-curdlingly ingenious, scary and repulsive as ever. Flesh-eating monsters have never been enjoyable!

SIEGE MENTALITIES! 'THE WALKING DEAD' SEASON THREE RETURNS TO UK TV

It's survival of the fittest, for both good and evil, in THE WALKING DEAD Season Three. Images: AMC.

Creator Robert Kirkman and icon producer Gale Ann Hurd’s epic slice of apocalyptic zombie action/ character drama, THE WALKING DEAD, marches forward, with the odd eyeball and limb missing here and there, into its third season second half, and to the best ratings and critical acclaim yet. There may be lots of death throes on screen, but this show is thankfully not in any danger of disappearing from the worldwide TV schedules anytime soon, what with its recently commissioned fourth season-though sadly without its prince of showrunners, Glen Mazzara (why on earth can’t AMC hold onto it’s best people anymore!).

The Walking Dead Season 3 part 2 2013 teaser VOSTFR - YouTube

Brothers in battle: Darryl (Norman Reedus) and Merle (Michael Rooker) are Zombie bait.

A thoroughly engrossing and can’t wait to see what happens next slice of TV heaven, the show’s third season start proved consistently excellent throughout, and by far the best show on the air in TV’s final 2012 quarter. The creative wheels were back on full steam after the departure of Frank Darabont and there wasn’t one dull or slightly stretch out episode plot this time round. Brilliantly plotted and written, with some genuine, often moving character moments amongst the blood splatting gore and well-staged action, the cast acted with gusto (with the welcome return of sadistic Southerner, old Merle (welcome back, Michael Rooker, so good at playing American Rednecks that it’s truly disturbing!) and the equally brilliant introduction of the sword wielding survivalist, Michonne (Danai Gurira), alongside terrific piling on the atmosphere direction and plenty of unexpected shocks and surprises approaching one of the all-time great mid-season cliffhangers needing to be resolved. The crazy one-eyed governor (a quietly dangerous performance from Brit David Morrissey) and his merciless private army are about to launch an attack on the nearby prison, which an on-the-brink-of-madness Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his family (now including new character, and comic favourite, Tyrese (Chad Coleman) and his small band of survivors), having so valiantly fought legions of zombies in order to make it their new home, is sure to protect it with the guile and ingenuity of a King inside his besieged castle. But first, there’s the little matter of the now one eyed baddie putting his old lieutenant, crazy ol’ Merle, and his loyal puppy brother Daryl (Norman Reedus) to the death through Zombie sport (I’m really surprised that this hasn’t been picked up for real by ESPN!), watched by an enthusiast group of the Governor’s demented townsfolk (including a shocked and surprised Andrea (Laurie Holden), once more unlucky in love and finding out the hard way just what a vicious psychopath she’s been recently hooked up with!). 

The stakes are higher than ever for our heroic Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln).

In the Kingdom of the Blind, the one-eyed Governor (David Morrissey) is king.

With TWD’s opening episode, Suicide King, arriving tonight on the UK’s FOX HD channel, I’m not going to say I’m chewing my finger nails with anticipation-that way would surely lead to Zombiefication!- but the carnage ahead should be well worth the wait!

INTO THE HELLHOLE! 'THE WALKING DEAD' SEASON THREE BEGINS...

Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) discovers Zombie prison inmates out for a carniverous stroll in Season Three of THE WALKING DEAD. Images: AMC

When faced with the prospect of prison, most people, sane or not, want to get out of it, not stay in it, but desperate times require desperate measures for our fatigued and resources starved Zombie holocaust escapees led by fiery Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), as the eagerly anticipated third season, 16 episode run of the acclaimed AMC series THE WALKING DEAD makes its sure footed, ratings busting debut in the UK this Friday evening on the FX HD channel. The West Georgia Corrcetional Facility seems just the right place to fortify Team Rick's defences and survive the seemingly unceasing Zombies rampaging across America looking for their own unique source of food. But our tattered heroes don't yet realise that they're muscling in on someone else's perceived turf: namely the dangerous and complex figure of The Governor (David Morrissey) who rules his town and lands with a firm grip, a militia of his own and an arsenal of weaponry. I'd say that a clashing of heads and automatic gunfire between the two leadership figures, for ultimate control of the prison, will be both inevitable and bloody in and out of the veritable Zombie hordes!

Here's some great image linked to the new series:

Rick and Carl (Chandler Riggs) outside the prison facility.

The Zombie prisoners don't like the food much. They just want Human!

Our heroes go on a mission to liberate the prison!

Don't get in this mothers cross-hairs. Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) fights back!

Sure fan favourite Michonne (Danai Gurira) shows her adeptness with a blade in one of the opening episodes.

There's always one around when you least expect it!

Promotional material: The Walking Dead Season 3 Cast Interviews (Inside The Walking Dead) - YouTube

The Walking Dead on FXUK

David Morrissey as The Governor of Woodbury.

The mysterious Michonne.

Ol' Merle (Michael Rooker) is back! And he ain't happy!

Look out for more on Season Three of THE WALKING DEAD on KOOL TV soon...

CELL BLOCK ZOMBIE! 'THE WALKING DEAD' SEASON THREE...

Last stand? Sheriff Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) defends his new "home" in THE WALKING DEAD Season Three. Images: AMC.

He's spent his adult life and career putting the Scum of the Earth behind bars, but now Sheriff Rick Grimes and his battle-hardened, almost desperate "family' of survivors,  fighting an altogether different type of being in that category (namely the flesh chomping, seemingly inexhaustible Zombie kind!), realise that they'll have to live the insular life of convicts themselves in order to survive, within the mighty stronghold enclave of "The Prison", for what will surely be THE WALKING DEAD's finest season yet of character drama, gut busting action and bloodily satisfying gore. A road ever more perilous when they soon encounter the mysterious and powerful character of The Governor...

Trailer: The Walking Dead Season 3 Comic-Con Trailer - YouTube

Check out our previous Season Three previews here: GOING ZOMBIE WITH 'THE WALKING DEAD' SEASON THREE

Other THE WALKING DEAD KOOL TV features here: KOOL TV: THE WALKING DEAD

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY's terrific covers promoting the new season.

Fun behind the scenes look at Season Three: This Week's Cover: An exclusive sneak peek at season 3 of 'The Walking Dead' | PopWatch | EW.com

UK fans can follow the series on FACEBOOK: The Walking Dead on FXUK

THE WALKING DEAD makes its States-side return to the AMC CHANNEL from October 14th 2012 (and look out for a new set of set-up webisodes soon), where it will surely once again shatter ratings figures. It follows on the UK's FX channel very quickly: the 19th...