Look at that, it’s time for another round of torture the zombie. I know. Don’t look the gift horse in the mouth. I could be lying on the cold ground with a machete in my skull, yada, yada, yada . . . . But could the ZSC gift horse stop dredging up SyFy films for me to review? Obviously they didn’t learn their lesson after I reviewed 2012: Zombie Apocalypse. As a matter of fact, the plots for the two films were so similar, I stopped to make sure I hadn’t watched the first one again by mistake. So, what is Rise of the Zombies about?
Starring:Mariel Hemingway, Chad Lindberg, LeVar Burton, Heather Hemmens, and Danny Trejo. Rated: TV-14 (Violence, gore)
Synopsis: In the aftermath of the zombie apocalypse, a ragtag group of people finds save haven in Alcatraz, until the undead manage to swim to the island and put them all in danger. Driven from the prison, the survivors of the attack hunt down a scientist who is working on a vaccine for the zombie virus. He may be their only hope to survive in a zombie-filled San Francisco.
I had to write that synopsis myself. SyFy assumed the fans didn’t need to know what the film was about beyond “zombie” being in the title. Because in their world, there is only one zombie film. They just rotate out locations and actors. Gotta say, the casting for Rise of the Zombies caught me by surprise. In a good way. If the cast hadn’t been so wonderful, the awful cheesy dialog would’ve been completely unbearable. How many times did they honestly need to shout, “There’s another zombie!” Yes, we see the zombies. They aren’t exactly ninjas. And there were a lot of them. Over an hour of the film was pure zombie attack scenes with little or no dialog. Which may be why, by the end of the film, I had no clue who the characters were. They had no history. No back story. We catch up with them at the prison and as far as viewers are concerned, every single character had been born there from two rocks rubbing together vigorously.
The blood and gore for the zombies themselves was pretty good, aside from a few understated background zombies who got too close to the camera and looked like Cousin Joey who happened to be in town that day and sneaked onto the movie set. Again, SyFy abused the hell out of computer-generated blood splatter. Why does anyone go that route for easy-to-rig FX gags? CG blood looks cheap and only really works as filler. Not the entire effect. Then it looks like someone handed a kid frames of the film on MS Paint and let them use the spray paint brush on it willy-nilly. All of the FX makeup budget went on to the zombies. The gags rigged for humans were seriously lacking, downright laughable at points. Apparently they were an afterthought.
SyFy tried to make Rise of the Zombies edgy. They even ripped off some of the philosophical issues brought up on The Walking Dead —Suicide, children born in the apocalypse, and what God thought about them killing zombies. The problem is, the script sucks. So while the writers thought they were being deep, the actors had nothing to deliver other than a hazy conviction that they were right. We get no emotional attachment to the characters. When they die, oh well. What’s the point of watching a post-apocalyptic film when you’re watching the clock so you can move on to something else? The film is not engaging for fans.
I’m going to give Rise of the Zombies two ruptured eyeballs out of five. Like all SyFy original movies, this is best viewed while surrounded by friends and a keg of beer. Maybe two kegs.
Talk about a slow simmer building to an explosion. This week’s episode was paced just right, giving viewers enough walker action to keep their hearts racing while simultaneously messing with their heads. Was anyone else uncomfortable watching this episode? In the Command Center, we all scooted up to the edge of our seats—except Juliette because, duct tape.
Warning: There’s spoilers down here. And they float. Oh yes they do.
Sanity seems to have a different meaning in a post-apocalyptic world with zombies on the loose. Statements we’d consider absolutely off-the-walls make some odd sort of sense. Most of the time. However, when Carol’s protege, Lizzie, talks about wanting to die so she can change and come back to life, it still sounds absolutely insane. Her conviction is on par with Hershel when we first met him. Only, with a child’s innocence, she’ll wind up dead and gnawing off her sister’s face if someone doesn’t intervene.
Carol could be that someone. Only, she’s lost her parental drive. Sure, she’ll keep someone safe and make sure they can protect themselves, but the love she carried for Sophia, the love that allowed her to leave the quarry camp in season one after her husband was eaten, is long gone. Buried alongside the daughter she refuses to acknowledge anymore. Why? Because when she found Sophia, it wasn’t her daughter any more. Her daughter died in the woods, not in front of that barn. She’d been holding onto the ghost of her child and now, when all of Carol’s gut-wrenching decisions are changing the way she approaches their messed up world, she can’t open her heart to anyone else. Should anyone look up to her as a mentor? Probably. Carol’s spine is made of the purest steel, forged in the heat of Ed’s abuse long before walkers were even heard of. But steel is cold, unforgiving. She’s relied on that strength for too long. It’s changed her in ways Rick can’t fathom. Which is why, when push came to shove, he had to let her go. Carol became a liability. His focus has to be on the greater good. Once word got out that one of the council members turned murderer, it’d be chaos amongst the healthy population of the prison survivors. For a while Rick relied on Carol’s love to keep the group going. When it turned into ice cold calculation and execution, she forced his hand. And she didn’t fight it. Carol knows she made him turn her out. She’s sane enough to accept responsibility for the murders. But not enough to feel remorse. Something snapped in her mind, sending her to sociopath land. The same happened to the Governor when his walker-daughter was put down. Would Carol go that far into madness?
We’ve known for a while that Michonne is not a social person. She has a handful of people she trusts and comes back to the prison just for them. We see the longing to belong in her eyes more and more as she helps the prison crew on runs. Her talks with Daryl over the last two episodes have given more insight into what makes the two most skilled fighters tick. Oddly enough, the social outcast managed to make her see that she has a home, she just never stays put long enough to feel the love everyone can provide her with. She chooses to be alone, no one forces it on her. Could this be the end of Michonne’s solitude? Possibly. It will take a while to see if being around people makes her antisocial tendencies rear their ugly head. It’s a self-defense strategy. If she doesn’t connect with someone, when they die it doesn’t hurt her. She’s gotta be tired of hurting herself by pulling away from everyone, though.
Tyrese’s head is still not on straight. He went on the mission to grab meds in order to help his sister and honor his dead girlfriend. Only in the new episode did viewers realize, he’d planned for the trip to the vet school to be a one-way suicide mission. He climbed into the car fully aware that he wouldn’t come back. He’d pour everything into killing walkers. And he has. Can the others pull him back from the ledge? There’s no way for Tyrese to get closure. Not with Carol gone. It’s unclear if Rick plans to ever tell the big man who was really the one to light the match and burn those two. And what would he do, then? Hunt Carol down like Michonne hunted the Governor? He would. In the state of mind he’s in, he’d be fully capable of finding her and killing her, with no concern about his personal safety. That’s terrifying. You can’t depend on someone who has nothing to live for.
Bits and pieces of Daryl’s past keep coming up to haunt him. He takes it personally when Bob attempts to fall off the wagon. Why? Because he grew up in a family of addicts. Merle being the worst of them all because while he was rarely around, when he did make an appearance, it was to make his little brother’s life hell. Seeing Bob willfully harm himself and risk their safety because of an addiction set Daryl off. He takes personal responsibility for each and every person he brings into the prison. He holds them to a high standard because he’s choosing to trust them, to make them a part of his family. For someone who went their entire life without, family is important. It is why Daryl gives everything he has to help Rick, to cover the other man’s ass when his sanity took a field trip to the aquarium. Family is why Daryl consistently reminds Michonne that she has a home with them. She doesn’t need to go out looking for fulfillment if she’d just stay put and let the love he’s nurturing in the prison to calm her. Daryl is all heart. He just doesn’t show it in traditional ways.
Do you think we’ll be seeing Carol again? How far can she make it on her own? Let us know what you think.
Being alone is rarely a pleasant thing. Humans crave contact with others, need the interaction to keep themselves happy and mentally healthy. Finding companionship in the zombie apocalypse is next to impossible. From what we’ve learned on the show since day one, human nature demands that most folks take care of numero uno first, then their family. If you’re a stranger, kindness has to be earned. Even after making that vital, living connection, there are moments when a person may find themselves surrounded by others, yet utterly isolated by circumstances no one else can understand. This week on “The Walking Dead” we saw a lot of people suffering on their own, forced to make terrifying personal sacrifices in order to keep one step ahead of not only the walkers, but also the illness plaguing the prison population.
Spoiler Warning: This review contains potential spoilers. If you aren’t caught up with the show, what are you waiting for?
The graveyard in the prison yard is larger than the garden. That alone speaks volumes about the harshness of life for the characters on the show. By the time this illness plays out, many others will join the dead already in the ground. At some point, they’ve stopped creating new life and instead focus on tending to those who’ve passed. Rick tried to convey the importance of focusing on the living to Tyrese, explaining how his time was better spent securing their future food sources than looking into the past and crippling himself with their losses—a rare moment for Rick considering how far afield his mind wandered last season after losing his wife, Lori. Is justice something that even factors into their world? How far can it go toward righting wrongs in a lawless world full on unnecessary death? Tyrese is uneasy killing walkers, even those who are an immediate threat to his survival, yet he demands the head of whoever killed two of their own. We’re seeing a turning point in his life. He’s consumed by rage, becoming a different man. Rick is still on that road and no longer recognizes himself, especially after his fight with Tyrese. What will Tyrese do when he learns the truth? Venturing too far down that road leads to trouble.
Glenn wishes he could move on into the future. He’s never been one to linger in the past, with the exception of Maggie’s abuse at the hands of the Governor. The couple have been the poster children for a promising future since they finally got over that awkward relationship stage in season two. Despite all odds, they found love. They’re planning to marry. At some point, Maggie wants to start a family—when Glenn feels it is safe enough to birth and raise children. Everything they do is focused on tomorrow, what it could bring in the way of happiness and an end to their troubled times. The two of them aren’t stupid. Nothing is going to be fixed overnight. And now, the bright lives ahead of them are in trouble. Glenn is sick and without him to keep her grounded, Maggie turns to her family. Only they’ve been separated from her because of the illness.
The Greene family firmly believe in duty above all. If there is any way they can be of help to their fellow survivors, they do it. Maggie remains on duty as a council member and one of the guards while everyone she cares for is taken away from her. Beth has grown in leaps and bounds emotionally since leaving the farm and accepting the reality of their world. She doesn’t behave like a teenager, takes responsibilities no one should ever ask from someone her age. Would anyone so young willingly be locked away from her loved ones to care for a child who isn’t part of her blood family? Not only that, Beth has learned to accept her father’s calm demeanor. She’s become the voice of reason for the family, allowing Maggie and Hershel to act in instinct—something their positions on the council require. There’s not a lot of time to think when one threat to their survival will eat them alive, and the other takes no prisoners and cannot be stopped in a world where modern healthcare is as rare as a unicorn. Hershel sets the bar for honor and sacrifice for his girls when he willingly walks into the quarantined section of the prison to care for the sick, knowing full well the medicine they need may come in a day, or a week—there are no guarantees in their world.
“We don’t know if we get a tomorrow.” Unlike Glenn and Maggie, Carol is not as convinced they can make everything work in their favor. She’s stood by, quietly caring for everyone under their roof as she’s always done. But there came a point when she knew it wasn’t enough. Being the quiet, motherly figure wouldn’t keep the children from getting sick. Wouldn’t provide the water they need to keep going on into a future she can’t even fathom at this point. Her hand aren’t tied by the position she’s in with the council. At one point or another, they’ve all done horrific things to protect the group. In this episode, we saw just how far Carol would go. Her transformation throughout the series is astounding. We met Carol when she was broken, powerless in the face of her husband’s abuse. After she lost her daughter, her only living relation, she adopted the group as her new family. Some of the impotent rage she suffered then, simmering over the weeks spent searching for Sophia, blew up this week. She went to the dark place and gathered that rage close in order to do what she thought necessary to protect everyone. Only time will tell if it changed her like Rick’s kills changed him, and Tyrese’s rage is beginning to morph him into a colder man.
Too many lives hang in the balance. It is impossible to figure out what will happen next on this show. Daryl, Michonne, Tyrese, and Bob are on foot, surrounded by thousands of walkers. We have no clue how many folks in the prison are sick, or will be sick and waiting for medicine that may never arrive. How long can the remaining council keep them safe and healthy with two of their best fighters in the field?
Did Carol go too far in this week’s episode? Could you have done what she did? If not, what would you have done differently to stay one step ahead of the illness in the prison?
In our new ongoing assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Light Blue Brigade’s zone in the central United States.
Iowa:
Nearly the entire state is utilized as farmland, totaling approximately 89%.
Half of the farms in Iowa raise livestock, with a focus on hogs, cattle, dairy products, and eggs. The other half of farms in the state produce grain corn, soybeans, hay and greenhouse plants. Now very good for gathering supplies on the run.
Iowa ranks #3 in the country for total agricultural production, though most produce is grown to feed livestock. The state ranks #1 in grain corn and hog production. We suggest grabbing what meat you can safely store and moving on to a state with more variety in produce.
Kansas:
A total of 90% of Kansas is dedicated to farmland.
Approximately 68% of farms in the state house livestock—primarily cattle, hogs, and the production of dairy products.
The remaining 32% of Kansas farms grow crops ranging from wheat, grain corn, and hay, to soybeans, sorghum grain, and cotton. Kansas ranks #1 in sorghum and hay production.
This is another state with crop production focusing mainly on maintaining their livestock. Gather what you can and move on quickly to another state.
Missouri:
68% of the land in Missouri is set aside as farmland.
About 53% of farms in the state raise livestock, housing mainly cattle and hogs, as well as facilities to manufacture dairy products.
The remaining 47% of Missouri farms focus on growing soybeans, grain corn, cotton, wheat, and hay.
In the right season, you may be able to find potatoes, apples, and watermelons. Don’t bank on it, though.
Oklahoma:
Over 77% of Oklahoma is utilized as farmland.
The vast majority of farms in the state, 79%, raise livestock, focusing on cattle, hogs, and chicken.
Only 23% of Oklahoma farms grow crops, mostly wheat, greenhouse plants, cotton and soybeans.
You may be able to find peanuts, watermelon, and peaches—try to plot your escape routes to pass through these farms.
Arkansas:
Less than half of Arkansas is dedicated to farmland, approximately 43%.
63% of the farms in the state raise livestock, with a focus on chicken, cattle, and chicken eggs.
The remaining 37% of Arkansas farms grow mostly rice, soybeans, cotton, grain corn, and wheat. In smaller quantities they grow tomatoes, peaches, and blueberries.
Arkansas ranks #1 in the United States for rice production, and #2 for production of channel catfish and bait fish.
Texas:
Approximately 68% of land in Texas is dedicated to farming.
67% of state farms house livestock, with an obvious focus on cattle. They also produce chicken, eggs, and dairy products.
37% of Texas farms grow crops such as cotton, greenhouse plants, grain corn, hay, and wheat. If lucky, you can find a farm growing onions, potatoes, and cabbage to go with your beef on your quest to survive.
Texas ranks #1 in total livestock production, and #1 in total cattle production in the United States. The state also ranks #1 in cotton and cabbage production.
Louisiana:
Only 28% of the state is used as farmland.
39% of state farms house livestock, including cattle and aquaculture (fish, shellfish, etc.). Some of these farms likewise process dairy products.
61% of Louisiana farms produce crops ranging from Sugar cane, to rice, soybeans, cotton, and grain corn. You may also find sweet potatoes, peaches, and watermelon grown in the state.
There it is, folks. These are the resources available in the Light Blue Zone. A lot of the focus in the area is on livestock. We suggest grabbing what foods you can and make your way south to the more resource-rich states.
Last week’s episode of “The Walking Dead” must have been the writer’s idea of the calm before the storm—despite the attack at the store and unfortunate death because of it. This week, we really got to see how quickly things can go wrong for a group living in a fortress when someone is working from the inside to sabotage everyone’s safety. Not to mention, the zombie FX for the second episode in season 4 were some of the sickest we’ve seen to date, but not quite as downright disgusting as the Well Walker. KNB EFX outdid themselves . . . again.
Caution: Spoilers below! You guys know the drill.
Who the heck is dumb enough to feed the walkers? This mystery saboteur must be crazier than a basket of cats, hamsters, and puppies combined. The prison was secure, safe. Whoever is at fault for luring in the walkers puts themselves at risk, right alongside a large group of people who only have the council to fight for them. Aside from one or two of the newcomers, for the most part the council takes care of the killing. And scouting. And runs into nearby towns for supplies. There’s a handful of folks working their backsides to the bone to protect the strays Rick, and then Daryl, brought under their wings. Is it fair? No. But they know better than most, the vast majority of people can’t do what is necessary to protect themselves from the undead and living threats in their newly reformed society. Look how fast cell block D was overrun with walkers. The threat started inside and ate away at the living like cancer. In less than an hour, about a quarter of the people living in the cell block were eaten or turned into walkers. It was a great reminder of how quickly things can go downhill. The fallout from the attack drove the final nail in the coffin—without the council, these people would be food—when the two girls failed to fully understand that their father wasn’t their father anymore, and the walker they’d claimed as a pet of sorts, would rather eat the soft meat of their livers than play tag. Sure, they’d be running, but once he caught them it was game over. Permanently. This is why Carol’s scheme to teach the children weapon’s skills is vital.
All of the pressure to be the savior is starting to weight on Daryl. He’s fully stepped into Rick’s abandoned post, doing everything necessary to keep the people safe. Only, Daryl doesn’t have the massive guilt handicapping Rick. From a young age, he was forced to fend for himself—to survive growing up and endure his messed up family. Life hardened Daryl’s heart long ago, something Rick is only developing now with the loss of his wife, his best friend, and the hazy future for his son and daughter. But can Daryl learn to open himself up again? Last week there were glimpses of a softer side to his personality. We even saw a smile or two, though they were hard to spot past the mask he wears to keep everyone at arm’s length. This week, there was none of that. Is there time for emotions when Death comes knocking on your front gate every day? Not when everyone relies on your skill as a killer to make it to tomorrow.
A cold-hearted killer is what Michonne set herself out to be once the first walker attacks happened. Or so it seems. We know so little about her history, about how she came to be the woman who saved Andrea with two mutilated walkers in tow. Heck, we don’t even know who she was before the undead rose, before everyone was infected with the virus. Michonne is a pro at not forming relationships. She doesn’t do permanence, relies on herself to get by, and yet still stops in to visit with the prison council. There’s a part of her true self leaking through her uncaring mask. A part which shattered her calm when she held Judith for the first time. Not only did we see her break, we saw her vulnerable. A position she is never in. She’d rather be eaten than have someone see her unable to fend for herself. The shadows haunting her eyes while she held Judith were heartbreaking. Did Michonne have a child, or maybe a younger sibling she raised? It is possible. Her past is by far one of the greatest mysteries on the show. In time, we’ll learn more. But only when she’s ready to open up.
Rick and Carl spent quite a bit of time opening up to each other, trusting each other again. For quite some time, it seemed like Carl blamed Rick for stripping him of his childhood, for putting a gun in his hand and turning him into a killer. After all, it was Carl who cleaned up Rick’s two biggest mistakes—Shane and Lori. But even when he loathed his father, Carl still wanted to immolate him, using Rick’s passed-down deputy hat as his totem for when he meant bloody, violent business. Carl didn’t seem happy with his invisible farmer’s hat. Then again, neither did Rick. Despite putting distance between himself and violence, it still found Rick. Only now, only after the attack on cell block D, does Rick understand it has to be all hands on deck. He has a skill the others need. Now he just needs to learn how to distance himself, to find the cold, calm place where he’s capable of pulling the trigger and not killing a piece of his soul. Is Rick’s return to the fight too little too late? They’ve suffered massive casualties and more are bound to be on the way with the mystery person baiting zombies and taking out anyone who may be infected with the deadly strain of flu going through cell block D.
The prison has been compromised. Unfortunately, there’s nowhere for them to run—not with so many people in tow. What would they do with those suffering from the flu, leave them to die alone in the prison, locked in a cell on death row? Could Tyreese’s conscience handle that? Or is he too far gone after the attack on Karen? We’re two episodes in and so far, there’s a slew of questions to answer.
Here’s a few questions for you, readers. What would you do in the council’s shoes? How would you deal with this deadly flu outbreak?
In our new ongoing assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Yellow Brigade’s zone in the mid-west.
Wyoming:
Just over half of the land in Wyoming is dedicated to farmland.
86% of farms in the state raise livestock and process livestock products. Cattle are the primary product, by a large margin. Hogs and sheep can also be found if you know where to look.
The remaining 14% of farms grow crops. While the top crop is hay, Wyoming also offers sugar beets, barley, dry beans, and wheat.
Make a pit stop for meat and hope you find a farm with edible produce on your escape routes. You’re not going to find a lot of variety, but at least you’ll have food.
Nevada:
Only 9% of Nevada is used as farmland.
68% of Nevada farms house livestock, with a focus on cattle and dairy products.
32% of the farms produce crops, with a large focus on hay.
You can also find onions, potatoes, wheat, and garlic at select locations.
Utah:
22% of Utah is used as farmland.
A vast majority, roughly 79%, of the farms in the state raise cattle, hogs, sheep, and process dairy products.
21% of Utah farms grow crops. The top two products are hay and green house plants. However, you can still find wheat, onions, and apples on your way through the state.
Nebraska:
An overwhelming portion of Nebraska is utilized as farmland, approximately 93% of the state.
The majority of farms raise livestock. The main livestock is cattle, followed by hogs.
The remaining 38% of Nebraska farms grow grain corn to feed the cattle, soybeans, wheat, hay, and dry beans.
While this state is rich in farms to visit on your escape routes, the variety of food leaves much to be desired. There are few crops that will sustain humans for the long-term after the zombiepocalypse.
Colorado:
Just under half of the land in Colorado is used as farmland.
76% of farms in the state raise cattle and hogs. Colorado is the number one producer of lamb and sheep for consumption in the United States.
24% of Nebraska farms grow crops. The top two commodities are grain corn and greenhouse plants. However, you may still find wheat, potatoes, onions, and dry beans at farms on your way to safe haven.
Arizona:
Approximately 36% of the state is farmland.
47% of Arizona farms house livestock, with a focus on cattle on dairy products.
The remaining farms grow lettuce, cantaloupes, broccoli, and cauliflower.
Despite the temperatures, Arizona produces a wide variety of food that should sustain survivors for a decent amount of time.
New Mexico:
Over half of the state, about 58%, is dedicated to farmland.
A large majority of farms house livestock and process livestock products. The main focus is on dairy products, cattle, and sheep.
22% of New Mexico farms grow crops ranging from pecans to chili peppers, corn, onions, and wheat.
Like its neighbor, Arizona, there is just enough variety in produce and livestock to keep survivors in the state fed for a while.
It would be wise to find ways to preserve or dry meat, since it is the most prevalent commodity.
Hawaii:
Just about 32% of the island state is farmland.
Only 17% of Hawaiian farms raise livestock, focusing on cattle, dairy products, and chicken eggs.
The majority of farms, roughly 83%, grow crops. There is quite a bit of variety, including pineapple, sugarcane, macadamia nuts, papaya.
Hawaii is the only state to grow the following: Coffee, bananas, ginger root, guava, macadamia nuts, papaya, pineapple, and taro.
This means once the zombies take over, the rest of the U.S. can kiss these items goodbye. Life without coffee? Start stocking up now, guys!
There you have it, the resources available to brigadiers living in the Yellow Zone! This zone has a wide range of food available to them. Other brigades should take note and consider these states for their ultimate safe haven.
Once again the Zombie Survival Crew commanders are teaming together to bring you, loyal brigadiers, easy and delicious recipes you can fix on the run during the zombie apocalypse. The goal is to find a mix of food ideas that’ll keep you ready to fight your way to safety, even when supplies are running low.
This week we’re making Food. Yes, that’s what it is called, Food. In the Orange Brigade kitchen, Food refers to a single-pan dish with everything you find in the pantry that’ll taste good together. Typically, Food consists of potatoes, some sort of sturdy green vegetable, onions, and meat or cheese for a protein kick. Here’s the basics.
What You Need:
1 large cast iron skillet
Spatula
1 tablespoon oil (Any kind. Butter will also work. You just need to keep the potatoes from sticking.)
1 pound potatoes, washed and chopped into bite-size pieces
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
Garlic (fresh or powder), to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
Whatever other vegetables you have on hand – Corn, bell peppers, asparagus, leeks, cabbage, broccoli, etc. Chopped in bite-size pieces.
Whatever meat is available – sausage, chicken, deer, rabbit, squirrel, etc. (No fish. It is too delicate to handle the cooking process.) Chop meat in bite-sized pieces.
Cheese (optional)
How Do You Cook Food?
Heat the cast iron pan over the fire, add oil.
When the oil ripples, carefully toss in the potatoes and onions. Cook until the onions start to turn clear.
Add in the meat. Cook until the outside edges of the meat are done.
Add in the garlic and other vegetables. Cook, stirring to keep the potatoes from sticking, until vegetables are tender and the meat is cooked through.
Toss cheese on top and serve in a bowl.
It isn’t a glamorous meal. Heck, it doesn’t look particularly thrilling, either. But it is a great, easy way to get your vegetables and protein in. One pan will feed at least five people.
It has been far, far too long since we’ve had the opportunity to sit and catch up with our favorite band of zombie apocalypse survivors. “The Walking Dead” returned to AMC this week with a whopping 16.1 billion ravenous viewers, crushing every other show airing Sunday night with their ratings. While we at the ZSC know we love this show, it is staggering to see how many others are out there watching, and screaming at the TV, alongside us. So, what have Rick, Daryl, Carol, Glenn, Hershel, Maggie, and all the others been up to in the time they’ve been absent from our televisions?
Caution: There may be spoilers below.
Apparently Rick fancies himself a gardener nowadays. As Hershel said, all he needs is a pair of overalls and a piece of wheat to chew on. Rick spent the weeks since bringing in the survivors from Woodbury transforming the yard in the prison into a small farm, complete with vegetable garden and livestock—although the pig, Violet, keeled over for unknown reasons. From what we were able to glean from Hershel’s talk with Rick, the former sheriff’s deputy has taken the passive road since the Woodbury showdown with the still-missing Governor. Rick was resistant to orders to take his iconic Python pistol with him when he goes outside the fortified fences of the prison. All of the violence, and his tango with insanity, turned Rick into a new man. He hesitates to draw his gun. He’s isolated himself from the community for the most part. It seems he’s content to be the absent caretaker for all of these people—the true number of which we’re not sure. Rick’s new take on life is tested when he finds a lone, starving woman in the woods while checking the snare traps they use to gather rabbits for food. It’s hard to say if he passed or failed the test. A lot of the ugliness inside his head was reflected in this woman’s circumstances, giving viewers an all too clear look at how bad he could have gotten after Lori’s death.
An unlikely savior, Daryl has stepped into the savior role Rick abandoned. He’s still rough around the edges, keeping everyone at arm’s length. However, there’s a gleam in Daryl’s eyes when he’s thanked for finding someone and bringing them into the safety of their prison community. His relationship with Carol is unclear. They seem to have found a comfortable rhythm with each other—which is adorable to watch. This will be the season when we see what truly keeps Daryl going. He’s lost Merle for good. There’s no longer the off chance that he’ll be reunited with the only remaining survivor in his family. Perhaps that lack of blood family has Daryl reaching out for connections with others. Even the most solitary person needs a touchstone to remind themselves they’re human, that they matter in the grand scheme of things. It is far too easy to drown in the miserable existence in the show’s world without human interaction.
That interaction is what keeps Michonne around. She seems to spend most of her time outside the prison, with her gorgeous horse, searching for traces of the Governor and other things that’ll keep the few people she considers family happy. Michonne is far from soft and cuddly, but it spoke volumes when she brought back a stack of comic books for Carl and a beard trimmer for Rick. She’ll never find the closeness she had before with Andrea. That line of trust has been severely damaged. But she won’t leave these people who fought by her side, took her in when she surely would have died on her own. Michonne’s code of honor is warped, yet functional.
Glenn and Maggie are still the strongest pair from the original group of survivors—though plenty of others have found love in the weeks since season three ended. Unfortunately for Maggie, Glenn’s need to protect her lingers at the edge of their relationship. Maggie was the one to step up and become the protector, the backbone, for her family after the disease took the majority of them. Hershel did what he could, but he lived with the belief that there was a cure, something Maggie dismissed long before her father. She has to be an active part of the community in order to feel like everything is okay. She’ll never, ever sit back and be the little lady. However, she knows when to pick her battles. Stepping back from going outside the gates protected Glenn from worry. They feed on each other’s emotions. If he were upset, she would be too. They’re still finding a balance after the Governor threw them for a loop. Maybe they’ll even find a way to settle down. Once Glenn feels it is safe enough to start a family. Judging by what he said toward the end of the show, it is a ways off.
“How can you say that after today, after Lori?”
Maggie responded with, “Because I don’t want to be afraid of being alive.”
And that is the theme for these two, staring Death straight in the eyes and refusing to step back because they have each other and a small, strange family of people they’ve chosen and trust.
The season premiere tackled the psychological issues hitting the survivors. There’s plenty of walker action, no doubt, but it wasn’t anything on par with the mess inside everyone’s heads. Tyrese grows increasingly uncomfortable with killing walkers. Some of the new folks want to help, but may find themselves in Tyrese’s shoes, or dealing with deeper, darker secrets. Poor Beth is so accustomed with death, she can’t cry when they add another death to the growing tally. And Carol worries so much about the children they’ve brought in, she’s been secretly teaching them how to fight walkers.
We weren’t left without a mystery to solve at the end of the episode. What do you think happened to Patrick? Could it be connected to the pig’s sudden, unexplained death?
For our newest assignment, the Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources during the zombiepocalypse within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we discovered for the Blue Brigade’s zone on the Northeast coast:
Maine:
Only 7% of the land in Maine is used for farmland.
60% of farms in the state house livestock, focusing on dairy products, chicken eggs. Aquaculture is also important—cultivating fish, shellfish, and other aquatic species.
The remaining 40% of Maine farms grow crops ranging from potatoes, to blueberries, apples, and corn.
We suggest grabbing as many potatoes as you can carry. They have vital nutrients and do not spoil quickly if kept in a dry, dark environment.
New Hampshire:
A small percentage of New Hampshire is utilized for farmland—roughly 8%.
44% of the farms are used for livestock, with cattle, dairy products, and chicken eggs being the most prevalent.
56% of New Hampshire farms are used for crops. The main focus is on greenhouse plants, however many farms also produce apples, sweet corn, and maple products.
Don’t linger long in the state. Route your escape routes to hit a couple farms, then head to a state with a wider variety of food available.
Vermont:
21% of the land in Vermont is farmland.
The majority of farms in the state—85%—house livestock or create livestock products. By far, the number one commodity in the state is dairy products.
Only 15% of Vermont farms produce crops.
The main crop is greenhouse products, not very useful. However you can still find apples, sweet corn, and maple products in the state.
Massachusetts:
A scant 10% of the state is dedicated to farming.
23% of the farms house livestock, with a focus on dairy products, cattle, and seafood.
The remaining 77% of Massachusetts farms focus on producing greenhouse plants, cranberries, sweet corn, and apples.
Grab what food you can on your way out of the state. The supplies won’t last for long.
New York:
A quarter of the land in New York is used as farmland.
63% of the farms house livestock, with the main commodity being dairy products, followed by cattle and chicken eggs. New York is the only state producing duck for consumption.
37% of New York farms produce crops. You’ll be able to find apples, onions, potatoes, and cabbage on your way to safe haven. The state ranks second in apple production.
Grab a duck, some apples, and an onion to roast together. Dang, I made myself hungry.
Rhode Island:
Approximately 9% of the small state is utilized as farmland.
15% of Rhode Island farms house livestock. The main focus is on dairy products and cattle.
A vast majority of the farms produce greenhouse plants. However, you may be able to find sweet corn, potatoes, and apples if you know where to look.
Grab and go, guys. Rhode Island isn’t large enough to sustain large numbers of survivors.
Connecticut:
Only 12% of the state is used for farmland.
34% of Connecticut farms focus on dairy products, chicken eggs, and seafood.
The remaining 66% of farms in the state grow greenhouse plants, sweet corn, and apples. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find farms with peaches, pears, and mushrooms.
There you have it, the local resources housed in the Blue Zone. This isn’t a resource-rich area farming-wise unless you are near the coast and are able to fish. Take extra care when plotting your escape routes. Make sure to hit a few farms on your way through to a safe haven.
The main concern during the zombie apocalypse is food rations. A person can only carry so much food with them. A two week supply at most, and even then their go bag may become too heavy to carry on the run from the undead. The Orange Brigade took on the job of scouting possible food sources within each of the zones laid out for our Tasty Survival series. One thing we’re all guilty of is not looking in our own backyards for ways to survive. Check for local farms you can hit on your escape routes to add to the canned/dried goods that should already be in your go bags. Grab fresh produce while you can. It will not last long once there is no one to tend to the crops. Kill only what livestock you need to feed your party. Don’t waste food others could use.
This is what we found for the Red Brigade’s zone on the east coast.
Pennsylvania:
Approximately 27% of the state is comprised of farmland.
68% of the farms raise livestock or process livestock products (dairy, eggs, etc.). The top product in the state is dairy.
Only 32% of Pennsylvania farms produce crops. Most of the farms are greenhouses, growing plants, not produce. The second top crop in the state are mushrooms.
When preparing your escape routes, make sure each one passes by a farm to gather supplies.
New Jersey:
Approximately 17% of the state is farmland. You really want to keep an eye out for possible food sources, here.
22% of the farms raise livestock and/or process livestock products. However, most of them raise horses and mules. Dairy farms are the second most prevalent after horse ranches.
78% of New Jersey farms grow crops, with a majority producing greenhouse and nursery products. Blueberries and peaches are second and third in produce production.
We suggest brigadiers in the state do not linger long. The sparse resources will vanish quickly.
Delaware:
Approximately 42% of the state is farmland.
80% of the farms raise livestock and/or process livestock products. Chickens compromise 73% of livestock products.
20% of Delaware farms grow crops, primarily focused on grain (feed) corn for livestock, and soybeans.
Grab a cage of chickens on your way out of town, and pack extra cans of vegetables.
Maryland:
Approximately 33% of the state is farmland.
58% of the farms in Maryland raise livestock and process livestock products. Chicken is the primary livestock product. You guys need to grab some cages, too.
42% of Maryland farms grow crops. However with a focus on greenhouse products, soybeans, and grain corn, pickings are scarce.
We recommend you grab a few chickens and head toward a state with more variety in crops.
West Virginia:
Only 23% of West Virginia is dedicated to farmland.
82% of the farms raise livestock, with chicken and cattle being the most prevalent.
17% of West Virginia farms grow crops. Most of it is hay and grain corn.
You can’t haul a cow around, but if you know how to butcher your own meat and have a place to store it (or dry it), go ahead and take down a cow. Keep an eye out for apple orchards in the fall and load up on the nutritious fruit.
Virginia
34% of Virginia is farmland.
66% of the farms house livestock. Chicken, cattle, and dairy are the leading products in the state.
33% of the farms grow crops. Variety of produce is slim.
Try to find a farm growing tomatoes, wheat or apples.
North Carolina
Approximately 29% of North Carolina is farmland.
65% of those farms produce livestock, with hogs and chicken being the most prevalent.
The 35% of farms growing crops mostly focus on greenhouse plants, tobacco, and cotton.
You may be able to find some sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cucumbers if you know where to look on your escape route.
South Carolina:
Only 25% of South Carolina is farmland.
56% of those farms house livestock—primarily chicken, turkey, and cattle.
The remaining 44% of South Carolina farms grow greenhouse plants, tobacco, cotton…the list of non-food items goes on.
Try to plot your escape routes to hit the few farms growing peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash.
There you have it, the Red Zone and all it has to offer for food sources. Take a look at the farms around you and start plotting your escape routes.
Being alone is rarely a pleasant thing. Humans crave contact with others, need the interaction to keep themselves happy and mentally healthy. Finding companionship in the zombie apocalypse is next to impossible. From what we’ve learned on the show since day one, human nature demands that most folks take care of numero uno first, then their family. If you’re a stranger, kindness has to be earned. Even after making that vital, living connection, there are moments when a person may find themselves surrounded by others, yet utterly isolated by circumstances no one else can understand. This week on “The Walking Dead” we saw a lot of people suffering on their own, forced to make terrifying personal sacrifices in order to keep one step ahead of not only the walkers, but also the illness plaguing the prison population.
“We don’t know if we get a tomorrow.” Unlike Glenn and Maggie, Carol is not as convinced they can make everything work in their favor. She’s stood by, quietly caring for everyone under their roof as she’s always done. But there came a point when she knew it wasn’t enough. Being the quiet, motherly figure wouldn’t keep the children from getting sick. Wouldn’t provide the water they need to keep going on into a future she can’t even fathom at this point. Her hand aren’t tied by the position she’s in with the council. At one point or another, they’ve all done horrific things to protect the group. In this episode, we saw just how far Carol would go. Her transformation throughout the series is astounding. We met Carol when she was broken, powerless in the face of her husband’s abuse. After she lost her daughter, her only living relation, she adopted the group as her new family. Some of the impotent rage she suffered then, simmering over the weeks spent searching for Sophia, blew up this week. She went to the dark place and gathered that rage close in order to do what she thought necessary to protect everyone. Only time will tell if it changed her like Rick’s kills changed him, and Tyrese’s rage is beginning to morph him into a colder man.
Only 7% of the land in Maine is used for farmland.
