The Greatest Opening Scene In Post-Apocalyptic TV History Remains Undisputed

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Although The Walking Dead went on for too long, it began with one of the most memorable opening scenes ever seen in a post-apocalyptic story. Several other TV shows, like HBO’s Station Eleven and The Last of Us, explore similar end-of-the-world scenarios, each with its own unique style and focus.

Whether it’s through funny shows like The Last Man on Earth or serious dramas like The Leftovers, stories about the end of the world allow writers to create extreme situations and really test what their characters are made of. Other shows, such as Travelers, explore ways to prevent the apocalypse altogether, often using time travel as a plot device.

While shows like The Last of Us, with its close adaptation of the video game, and the funny, offbeat The Last Man on Earth each have something special to offer, The Walking Dead stands out as a particularly important series. It became a huge hit and even launched a whole franchise of other shows, making it one of the biggest post-apocalyptic TV shows ever.

The Walking Dead’s Opening Scene Perfectly Established Its World

The TV series The Walking Dead, which premiered in 2010, was based on the popular comic book created by Robert Kirkman. The first episode was directed by Frank Darabont, known for his work on The Shawshank Redemption and, more recently, the intense horror film The Mist. Similar to The Mist, the pilot episode of The Walking Dead was a chilling, atmospheric, and captivating start to the series.

Unlike the show The Mist, the first episode of The Walking Dead, titled “Days Gone By,” wasn’t overlooked when it first aired. In fact, it was a huge success, becoming the most-watched series premiere in AMC history on October 31, 2010.

The first episode of The Walking Dead introduces Rick Grimes, the show’s central character, played by Andrew Lincoln. While the episode later shows flashbacks explaining Rick was in a coma due to a gunshot wound and therefore missed the very beginning of the zombie outbreak, the series actually starts with him waking up alone, not in the hospital – a common misconception among viewers.

The beginning of this show felt similar to the opening of the 2002 film 28 Days Later, so the creators needed a fresh way to start the story. The first episode, “Days Gone By,” jumps right into the action, showing Rick quietly entering an empty gas station in search of supplies.

It appears Rick is alone at first, until he notices a young girl with a teddy bear approaching. He tries to reassure her that he won’t hurt her, but quickly understands that he should be the one who’s scared.

The show starts with a shocking and heartbreaking scene: Rick realizes a young girl is a zombie and is forced to shoot her before she reaches him. This brutal moment instantly sets the tone for the series and introduces the main character more effectively than many shows do in their entire first episode.

The Walking Dead Took A Massive Risk With Its First Scene

Showing a character harming a child is generally considered off-limits on television, especially early in the story when audiences haven’t connected with them. But The Walking Dead‘s Rick is a complicated character, and the extreme circumstances of the zombie apocalypse force him to make difficult choices based on what’s necessary for survival, rather than traditional morality.

The very first scene of The Walking Dead – Rick killing a zombie child – immediately signals to viewers that the show won’t shy away from shocking or disturbing content. Though recent movies like 28 Weeks Later and the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead were also quite brutal, those films could keep up a constant, intense energy because they were shorter than episodes of a TV series.

Post-apocalyptic horror movies can maintain a consistently dark and bleak tone because they’re usually short. Viewers can handle a grim atmosphere for a limited time. However, The Walking Dead aimed to build a long-lasting connection with its audience, so introducing its main character with a shockingly violent event was a big gamble.

The Walking Dead Lost The Pilot’s Edge Over Time

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The first season of The Walking Dead lived up to the intense promise of its beginning. It delivered several surprisingly grim plot twists, revealing that Rick wasn’t a simple hero. However, after following his difficult journey through the post-apocalyptic world, viewers could still understand and feel for him.

Unfortunately, the show couldn’t keep up its initial quality over its long run. Well before the series ended, it started to lose its way. The writers began to protect too many of the main characters, avoiding the difficult but important decision to kill them off, likely to avoid disappointing fans. This made the show less risky and less compelling.

Honestly, as a fan, it felt like some of the deaths later on were just there to shock us, like the show was desperately trying to recapture that amazing feeling from the beginning. I think The Walking Dead just ran for too long and lost what made it special – that perfect mix of grimness and a story that really grabbed you. But man, that very first scene? That still gives me chills – it’s just perfect on its own.

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2026-02-23 20:23