Consider for a moment the truth that may go into this statement:

This show about zombies has, in fact, very little to do with zombies overall.

In light of the most recent season finale of what I personally consider one of television’s best shows, I have found myself missing the comic-book world of The Walking Dead more than one probably should.

Yes, I am a fan of zombies and yes, those of you who know me are aware that my genres of choice are fantasy, sci-fi, and post-apocalyptic (Can we say escapist?). But I believe there is a reason why this particular show has become one of the most popular shows on television and not just another cult classic.  It’s because it’s not a show about zombies. It’s a show about people, survivors and human nature. This is what you get when humans meet their ultimate match: extinction.

I dare say, that if you are a complete zombiphile, and love all things undead, there’s a slight chance that the show has rubbed you the wrong way.  For die-hard zombie lovers, there are not nearly enough. In fact, by this third season, we are quite used to them and their presence. We no longer jump atop our couches and scream at the TV when they are lurking just 20 feet down the road from our beloved protagonist.  They are the catalyst, but certainly not the main event of this television drama. So, if you are not a fan of zombies, never fear! You, too, are very likely a member of the target audience.

Let’s be honest here, who doesn’t want to see if they can identify with the idea of surviving against all odds? As much as we know the horrors that come with the apocalypse, there are many of us with a bug that is burrowing deep inside of us that long to know what we are made of.  Something to break us out of the mundane activities that this world has forced us into. Even if we are in the category of the few that enjoy what we are up to and love who we are surrounded by – we are still aware of the fact that we can get by without actually feeling what it means to be alive.  To feel the ground underneath your feet and know that you are truly living is a very captivating idea. By all means, find every ounce of happiness tucked into your current moments, but do not be ashamed if you are secretly hoping for an opportunity to see what your true response would be if your world was rocked in such a dramatic way.  I promise, you are not alone.

For the second year in a row, my boyfriend and I are doing one of the most conceptionally brilliant show tie-ins ever created: The Walking Dead Escape.  45 minutes of navigating a re-creation of the show’s biggest obstacles. Running, climbing, hiding, and belly-crawling your way through deserted scenes – avoiding the creatures lurking all around to devour your body and brains. Why is this so brilliant? Because we all want to know if we would survive! Obviously, you have to turn on some of your imagination seeing as how you can’t just bludgeon your way through your opponents due to the fact that they are not actually zombies – but, if you buy into the reality, it may just be one of the best fake-experiences you’ll ever have! Last year, one of us ‘survived’ and one of us did not. Regardless, it was worth every minute, to briefly indulge in that fantasy of sorts and literally run for your life.

…As the show suggests in this past season’s tagline, it is not the dead that we need to watch out for. Given these circumstances, who would we become? The ones that are ravaged by our fears and our egos – or instead those that fight for the greater good within us all… It’s very dramatic, I know – but what would you expect when we are already dealing with the reanimation of human corpses? It’s far fetched indeed, but in the event of the apocalypse, wouldn’t you like to know where you would stand? This is a show that should stir your inner survivalist and hint towards the realization of who you just may be.

So to the show and it’s creators – to the comic book and it’s many imaginative minds – to the actors and the characters (save for one, that I could just never get on board with), I thank you for giving us a reason to stand atop our couch and scream for your survival.