Is Tales of the Walking Dead a good series?

Tales of the Walking Dead just made its debut, and I am interested to hear what fans thought of it. Over the years, The Walking Dead has proven itself to be so much more than just a television series about zombies. It began its life as a comic book, then spun off into four television series (with another three on the way), a web series and several video games.

I remember sitting down to watch the very first episode on Halloween night of 2010. About halfway through, I said to my husband, “This is like a movie, not a tv show!” The special effects were amazing, the acting was top-notch, the story was very compelling and the cinematography was something special.

I can’t remember if I ever became as invested in a series as I was with The Walking Dead. I loved the characters, and grieved for those we lost, because this show does not play. Characters we adore die, often in horrible ways. My heart was broken a few times over the years (Sophia, Beth and Glen, I’m looking at the three of you), and I even learned to love characters I originally did not like that much (In the beginning, I didn’t think I would ever grieve Carl, but he grew on me after a couple of seasons).

I never really grew to love Fear the Walking Dead, though I did watch the first couple of seasons, and I never watched World Beyond. But I am a fan of a good horror anthology, so I decided that I would definitely tune in for Tales of the Walking Dead.

I can honestly say it wasn’t what I expected. I suppose I am so accustomed to the trauma I was frequently subjected to during The Walking Dead that I was expecting something much more grim than that first episode. Titled Evie / Joe, the story was that of Joe, a man who was surviving more or less happily on his booby-trapped compound with his dog Gilly.

When Gilly is tragically taken from him, Joe loses his spark, eventually deciding to set out in search of a woman he had been communicating with online. Along the way, he meets Evie, a young woman who is like Joe in that she lives in a well-fortified home. She is more of a free spirit, however, and when she decides to go in search of a man she has had feelings for, the two get to know each other as they leave together on Joe’s motorcycle.

Tales of the Walking Dead episode one is almost buddy flick

Not only is much of their back-and-forth lighthearted and fun, but they are soon travelling with a cute little goat. Yes, you read that right. Obviously, a story isn’t good without some conflict, so of course things aren’t all roses and sunshine.

But, overall, I greatly enjoyed the first episode of Tales of the Walking Dead, and I will absolutely be tuning in for future episodes. I am not foolish enough to think there won’t be more somber episodes later on, but for now, I am content with the series so far.

Tales of the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. ET on AMC, and you can also stream the series on AMC+.

What did you think of Tales of the Walking Dead? Give us your critiques or hurrays in the comments section.