CNN
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The latest expansion of ‘The Walking Dead’ “the universe”, if you can really call it that, ‘Tales of the Walking Dead’ possesses the chance to explore and play with this crazy storyline, but mostly wastes it . Telling a standalone story every hour, think of it as a zombie-focused bonus effort that doesn’t kill much more than time.
The four preview episodes of this six-episode anthology feature a variety of tones and, thanks to the in-and-out requirement, the ability to attract interesting cast members. The writing, however, feels particularly weak, trying to tell small-scale stories that capture society falling apart while generally focusing on a pair of characters brought together in a particular way.
One episode ties directly to the Mothership, featuring Samantha Morton – who played the villainous Alpha, whose reign of terror as leader of the Whisperers has lasted far too long – in what amounts to a prequel to her story.
After that, these tales offer a mixed bag, both qualitatively and stylistically. Parker Posey and Jillian Bell star in an hour that traps a self-absorbed business owner and her employee in a bizarre time loop – easily the weakest of the bunch, feeling like she’s been parachuted in from now on another one universe. It’s like someone saying zombie stories aren’t exaggerated enough, let’s throw in some more overused sci-fi concepts for good measure.
Slightly better, if somewhat predictably, Anthony Edwards portrays a scientist researching zombies as a fascinating new species; and Olivia Munn and Terry Crews, the latter playing a doomsday prepper whose fears of the apocalypse come to fruition, without factoring in the loneliness factor that comes with it.
The fact that the AMC series has produced a long-running spin-off (“Fear the Walking Dead”), a lesser one (the teen-centric “The Walking Dead: World Beyond”), and intends to further populate the post-“Dead” herd reflects that the network is committed to drawing every ounce of life out of the concept, which would likely benefit from at least a temporary rest in peace.
Alas, that’s not in the cards, with the return of Rick Grimes – past films originally slated for television as a limited series – among the threads yet to unfold. The real focus now, however, should be on “The Walking Dead” after all its ups and downs over 11 seasons, and sending that show off satisfactorily.
Charitably, “Tales of the Walking Dead” is just another way to light the flame until the flagship program begins its final march in October.
With a world of stories to choose from, if successful, it would be quite simple for these “Tales” to be reborn. Yet presented with limitless possibilities, this opening salvo serves as an uninspired addition to a franchise whose offspring – both too often and somewhat ironically – have just seemed to follow the crowd mindlessly.
“Tales of the Walking Dead” premieres August 14 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC and AMC+.