User reviews

You can tell exactly what this show is about when Harold goes "God, I hate moral dilemmas." Not that I don't like Walking Dead and their special episodes, but by God, it's just refreshing to have people killing zombies without constantly wondering about the meaning of life and the universe and God and nihilism and every damn thing under the sun.

I was skeptical at first by the bad reviews, but this is Syfy doing what it does best. Cheap, good, pointless, meaningless fun.

I was like "Guy from Lost!"(Harold) "Aunt Wanda!" (from the Bernie Mac Show) "Russell!" (from Southland), and even the other actors who I have never seen before, had my interest from the jump. There's no frowdy-dowdy old woman, no rambling kindly farmer grandad with six semi-suicidal daughters. None of all that baggage. Everybody's in the now. There are people like "girl with spiked baseball bat", "old meth dealer", "emo-looking sniper boy", "Jon Hamm looking vagrant-convict-zombie-zombie cure".

Another thing it has going for it is the pacing. The events of the single pilot episode would take maybe a season and a half in TWD time. I don't see Z Nation wasting time on all the nonsense that TWD drags on over and over. No soul searching here, people! Just good ole zombie killing fun.

It's like 28 Days Later, meets Dawn and Shaun of the Dead, meets maybe From Dusk Till Dawn. I just frakking love it. It's like someone was watching TWD and thought, "You know what, this is nice and all, but what if it wasn't boring as all fvck? Like if maybe zombies were fun? You think maybe we could do that?"

This is not a TWD replacement or competition, certainly in its current state. Not that TWD is the epitome of excellence but the apparent lack of budget and mostly unknown actors give Z Nation a less professional finish.

Coming at a time when we are over saturated by all things Zombie, Z Nation seems to know that its not going to break any records or do anything groundbreaking and so doesn't try. Instead, what we have is a show where the makers are giving us a bunch of characters ( I cant even remember their names) who are knee deep in Guts and supremely confident in cracking the skulls of the Zombies and the whole thing is a 45 minute long gore fest with a bit of a back story.

I personally didn't want to get involved in another series where you have to love or loath a character, get involved in their love lives and generally care about them especially in another Zombie world so its quite refreshing to know that it doesn't matter who lives and who dies and judging by the carnage the producers don't care who lives or dies either.

After the first two episodes, I can say that it was fun and I will watch the third episode. Why? cos its a laugh in a visceral,gory and silly way.

Just don't expect a serious, well written and high budget TWD experience and you might have a bit of fun with it...

Seasons 1-4 get a rating of 9 stars from me. I rate season 5 with 3 stars. This show has been funny and highly entertaining until season 5. One of the things that made this show so good was that the writers managed to find a good balance,keeping the political stuff to a minimum and there wasn't a lot of deep diving into emotional dilemmas. This season the writing is sappy and feels forced with lame lines about "who we want to become" and "not acting out of fear" blah blah blah. As if having legitimate concern about someone eating your brains is some sort of silly fear that should be scorned. The writing this season is terrible! The "Talkers" won't eat you if they get enough biscuits that contain human brains. The viewer seems to be expected to just accept this premise no questions asked. Who makes the biscuits and where are they getting brains from? And why aren't our characters having a moral dilemma with THAT?! In previous seasons anything that seemed stupid in the writing wasn't a problem b/c the show was so fun to watch. This season is nothing but a lame lecture.

Don't take the apocalypse too seriously. Break all taboos the genre has adhered to. Tell an insane story that gets completely out of hand, like Weeds once did. Include a handful of extremely likeable characters. Add trash. No, add Trash with a capital T.

Sounds good? Because it works for me!

Right, well with the sheer amount of baggage that both SyFy Channel and The Asylum comes with, in forms of questionable movies and TV series, then it was with a certain amount of skepticism that I sat down to watch "Z Nation".

However, now that I have gone through seasons 1 and 2 in a very short time, I must say that I am more than impressed with the outcome of "Z Nation". Fearing that this would be nothing more than just another mockbuster cash-in on "The Walking Dead", I had no particular high expectations for "Z Nation". But I will say that I am glad that I did sit down to watch it.

"Z Nation" breaks the traditional formula that both SyFy Channel and The Asylum tends to use, and it does offer up something unique to the zombie genre. Sure, there are massive similarities to "The Walking Dead", for example, then "Z Nation" does turn the table and prove to be innovative with new ideas and concepts to the genre.

The special effects in "Z Nation" is a massive step up from what both SyFy Channel and The Asylum previously has managed to muster in their previous productions. And that was really a massive improvement, especially because it worked out quite well. And the effects are great and that really works in favor of the series.

What really blew me away and had me riveted to the screen was the characters and the story. The characters are nicely detailed and fleshed out. Lots of really memorable characters in the series. I especially enjoy the Doc and Murphy characters, played by Russell Hodgkinson and Keith Allan respectively. These two characters are more than enough to sustain the series all by themselves.

"Z Nation" doesn't take itself as serious as "The Walking Dead" for instance, and that is result of SyFy Channel and The Asylum. But it works out well enough for the series, because it adds a good comedy element to the show, which is a colorful layer.

There are some very outrageous things happening throughout the series, which may actually not appeal to just everyone in the audience. I did, however, enjoy it.

All in all, then "Z Nation" is more than worth checking out. Just bear in mind that it is not "The Walking Dead" in seriousness and such. It is, though, a good addition to the zombie genre, especially if you enjoy something that breaks the traditional formulas used in the zombie genre.

I really do like Z Nation. Comparing it to other zombie series is short-sighted and just plain stupid and I don't give a **** about those comparisons. Z Nation is a show filled with exciting plot twists, sympathetic characters and great humor. I think Roberta Warren is a prime example of a brilliant leader and I adore her. I love how the characters go well together.

Now why I didn't give it a 8, a 9 or a 10.. well, I understand that it's a show that doesn't base on reality. DUH. But I wish there was some kind of realism hidden under the comedy, coincidences and dumb luck. They always find each other and find what they're looking for, no matter how lost they are. Apparently Addy can climb a mountain without any gear? I also wish the hair, make-up and clothing wasn't always so spot-on. I don't mind Lucy or what happened to 10K, although they love to stretch those plot-points so far I don't even know who was bitten, who got what vaccine-anti-vaccine. Frustrating!

Every season got worse and I think the 5th season was really a stretch, so I'm glad they cancelled it. Abby's character became a complete waste of space and Pandora, played by Lydia Hearst, was just awful in her role. I guess she got it because she's married to Chris Hardwick?

Anyway, I'm probably going to re-watch the first 3 seasons and leave the rest where it deserves to be... in the archives..

I have watched this show from the first episode and have not missed an episode. I have always thought it was wildly entertaining, funny, and surprising. The characters are interesting to watch and so engaging! Even when Murph was a disagreeable jerk I liked him and kinda saw a little of myself in him. This show didn't dwell on moral dilemmas, political issues, or beating us over the head with trauma like TWD did. (I watched EVERY episode of TWD from "Days Gone By" until "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be." At which point I stopped and never watched TWD again.) This season of Z Nation looks like it is getting into political stuff.

I was expecting very little from this series - it seemed like a cash grab on the tail of that 'other' Zombie TV series, and given the production company behind it was expecting bad CGI and worse acting.

I was actually pleasantly surprised. This is not quite the caliber of the Walking Dead, but it is a solid, fun zombie show, which explores things a bit differently. It's a bit self aware (the characters show no shame in using the word Zombie) and it knows it's following in TWD's footprints (there is a reference to an 'ex-cop in a prison' at one point). It paints a different picture of the Zombie apocalypse than we've seen on TWD, and heads off in it's own direction.

The Zombies are fast, but otherwise follow the Romero rules (a bite turns you, head shots kill, etc). The Zombie makeup is well done, and the gore, while not over the top, is not shied away from.

The acting is overall passable for a Zombie show, with the odd bit of dodgy dialog, but with a good level of character potential. There are a number of apocalypse stereotypes in the first episode (the reluctant leader, the man on a mission, the untrustworthy rogue, the tough as nails woman, the mysterious stranger) the real quality of the show will be determined by the arcs we see each character progress through - will they find a 3rd dimension - time will tell.

Overall the show was fun, with a surprisingly decent production value, and showed a lot of potential. I'll be sticking around to see where it goes.

The first couple seasons. Maybe even into the 4th, we're soooooo good. So much action, and adventure, emotion, and good Ole fashioned zombie killing fun. The. Midway into season 4 it kinda lost it's zing for me. And season 5 was almost unwatchable. It went from run, kill, run, to walk, sleep, talk, repeat. A recipe for Boring shows. I loved the walking Dead. And I was excited for this after the first few episodes. Hell, I stayed excited for this through 3 seasons. I'll don't know what happened. I would however definitely recommend this show to any zombie movie/show lover who hasn't seen it. It gives a nice twist on the genre and like I said the first few seasons were fire!! If it ended after season 3 I would have gave it a 9.5-10. But seasons 4 and 5 dragged it down. I'm not saying to not watch those final seasons because at that point it's almost like you gotta see how it ends. Just that the last 2 seasons bring yhe show as a whole down a couple points.

I'm not their target audience and don't generally enjoy what either of them have put out over the years, but this was fun. Honestly, I'm just going to echo other comments and say don't bother trying to compare it to Walking Dead, TWD focuses on telling a serious story while Z Nation is from SyFy and Asylum. They don't do serious stories as well as they do goofy stories. And there'll be plot holes and predictable plots and lame subplots, don't bother trying to figure it out, like that episode in which a bunch of people vanish like a fart in the wind but then nothing's ever said about it, or the two characters who act like best friends reunited when they'd spent all of five minutes together during the initial outbreak nearly a decade prior.

There's a lot of dumb stuff, especially in the last two seasons, and it took several episodes to find its stride, but it was still entertaining. At least the first three seasons. I kept watching during season four even though I didn't enjoy all of the episodes as much, then I found myself skipping past the heavy-handed social and political commentary in season five. If (or really, when) I feel like rewatching this show, it'll just be the first three seasons, maybe four if I'm not quite ready to stop yet. Far as I'm concerned five is forgettable.

Oh and if you haven't watched "Black Summer" and want to after watching this, be aware that although it's supposed to show the early days of this zom-pocalypse, the tone is much more serious and suspenseful. I liked it, but it was made so differently that frankly it didn't even feel like the same franchise to me, it'd be like comparing "Dawn of the Dead" 1978 and 2004.

Z Nation is a Syfy production along with Asylum which automatically plummets expectations. Then again, I am a person who has gorged on Troll 2, The Room and Birdemic. The pilot however is pretty good. Obviously in terms of effects, acting, tension and dramatic elements, The Walking Dead is light years ahead. But Z Nation is high on action and camp and can be given a chance for those eagerly awaiting Season 5 of TWD.

The pilot has a few aces up it's sleeve and works very well if considered as a horror comedy with some real WTF scenes especially towards the end. There is a sense of unpredictability as characters could get killed anytime. Harold Perrineau and Thomas Everett Scott do the best they can with some dubious material. There is DJ Qualls as well so there is something for everyone.

Speaking of the zombies, they actually say ZOMBIE here. Also, the zombies are rather spry in this. I guess Romero won't be too happy. Anyway, the show has begun pretty decently for me and I will be giving it a chance at least till the real king comes back to take it's zombie-filled throne.

This show contained a story and a plot. The characters had amazing acting and would make you very upset when one of them died. You may know the asylum for a low budget knockoff mockbuster company, and I did too. They copied some of my favorite movies, including pacific rim and others. But this show contains what you want to see, and I'm speaking for all the zombie fans out there: Z O M B I E S. Now most zombie shows and movies barely contain zombies, but like some of our favorites, World War Z and Shaun of the Dead, this focuses on survivors trying to survive the zombie apocalypse while trying to find supplies in order to survive. One of my favorite characters is Murphy, which if you watch the show you will find out why. Now go on out there, grab a drink and a bag of snacks, and try it out!

I started watching the show in the beginning and have left it many times to return. I'm now into Season 4 - Z Nation is a show I want to live but it has its flaws - first and foremost- things drag. Someone cocking an ear to hear the sounds around can go in for minutes. The characters are likeable and have evolved. The acting is good as well. But a dozen episodes could be cut to 8 or 9 if the story moved faster.

This is one of the better post apocalyptic zombie series on television. What makes it stand out is it's over the top writing and it's sense of humor. It's refreshing for this viewer to laugh while watching a show of this genre. The gloomy and hopeless feeling that most of the other series in this genre tend to emit just gets old. Sorry "The Walking Dead". Anyway the direction, writing, special effects and cinematography are great. All the actors deliver good performances and the main cast compliment each other perfectly. The main plot is simple, save humanity. The subplots include fighting off different factions, finding existing human civilizations and finding possible cures. Again it's an over the top, humorous joy ride with zombies thrown in. I'm going to miss this series after five unique fun filled one of a kind seasons in this genre.

HATERS You suck - yes it's no Walking Dead but still an awesome violent zombie series & we need more zombie shows. I like it , up to episode 4. P.S - they need a big budget TV series spin off of world war Z , that would be sick as long as its done right & is of massive budget , that would be awesome. Hope we get more seasons - PS I WOULD LOVE A SPIN OFF SERIES OF WORLD WAR Z - WHO WOULD PLAY BRAD PITT, DID IT BIG ENOUGH MAYBE BRAD PITT WOULD DO IT, DOUBT IT BUT big actors doing lots of TV shows.... The violence & action is aplenty, the cast are pretty good ( again no Walking Dead as that's one of my all time best shows ever ) but it's going in a different direction to T.W.D which is a good thing (possible spoiler alert not that i really give anything away rather make you wonder what happens in the tent but i thought to be safe i would give an alert but i think it's all good ) and the scene in the tent of the bad people was pretty hectic & gruesome, i mean i think i would rather be a zombie than be in that tent , imagine you were in there in the white bandages , no thanks as i like my stuff where it is

There are a lot of bad reviews for this show, but let me tell you, Z Nation is fun! People are comparing it to The Walking Dead but it's not a drama TV show. It's a B grade zombie-fest type show with a lot of silly moments and fun characters.

If you are expecting big budget drama with amazing acting don't watch it. But if you looking for a fun and non-ambitious B grade zombie flick go for it! Again, this show is not trying to be The Walking Dead (yeah its zombie apocalypse but that's about it), I recommend giving it a try, just watch it with no expectation and see if you like it.

8/10

If you are comparing this to The Walking Dead, This will come across as more of a Saturday Night Live skit. But I don't necessarily think thats a bad thing? Its just different than what we've been used to, Zombie wise, and all LOL. No epic story lines, no character development. I think a lot of people are just over thinking this one. So many of us love The Walking Dead, I think we've become snobby towards anything else Zombie. ( you know, saying how silly it is, and all ) LOL. But the truth is, just 5 years ago before we actually met Rick and the gang, would any of us have thought one of our favorite shows would be ANY series about a Zombie apocalypse? I'm just sayin', keep an open mind with this one. Its more silliness, and cheesiness, and I would go as far to say its sometimes even humorous. But it IS still Zombies, and to me these days, that still counts for something! You wont see any award winning special effects or 'fancy' Zombies, just more like regular ole' Zombies...but we've all grown to love the Zombie gore, and there's plenty of that! What I like most about it though, , this show just doesn't take itself too seriously, nor do the actors. But I believe that's exactly what they intend. There's a lot of really silly one-liners, and they make some pretty dumb faces, at each other, and at the Zombies. So i just don't think they're going for 'critically acclaimed' here. This one's just for fun, folks!

This show is the Anti-TWD. It's not emotional zombie drama. It's good, honest, cheesy schlock gore - with dodgy acting, dodgier writing and even dodgier visual effects - and it's a whole lotta FUN. (Saying the above, since season 2 they seem to have upped the directing and the cinematography is looking quite slick in places.)

Z Nation is the type of zombie experience in the old school tradition of Sam Raimi and George Romero, filtered through SyFy's inimitably (and somewhat gloriously) naff production values. In places it has its tongue firmly in its cheek and everyone, from the cast to the crew to the producers, are clearly having a lot of fun with the apocalypse.

The characters and writing - whilst very shonky in the first few episodes, especially compared to TWD's emotional depth - do get better. I encourage you to stick with it, as the rag-tag group of characters solidifies nicely into a group you genuinely start caring about and there are some truly jaw-dropping, side splitting, punch-the-air moments liberally scattered through both seasons.

To summarise, this is the antithesis of TWD. The Yin to its Yang. They both can, and should, exist, and it is neither fair or helpful to compare them.

Z Nation. A bloody silly, bloody good romp.

Give this show a few episodes and it will grow on you. I'll happily admit that the first episode turned me off. I didn't watch another episode after that first one. But after finishing Walking Dead's forth season (which finally got interesting again), I decided there was an empty zombie hole in my life that needed to be filled. I hesitantly decided to give ZNation another chance. I'm glad I did. A serious zombie drama this is not. ZNation strikes the same tonal balance that the original Romero zombie movies delivered— a good blend of drama, zombies, gore and satire. The stakes in ZNation are high enough that you care, and goofy enough to be fun. Funny one liners and creative ways to dispose of zombies are showcased in all their cheesy glory—and without apology. Those places that the Walking Dead doesn't care to go. I never considered Walking Dead a drama before (never really thought about it), but after watching ZNation, the Walking Dead is just that-a post apocalyptic zombie drama....which is fine. I won't go as far as saying that ZNation is better than Walking Dead, or that ZNation has changed the game...but I won't be able to watch Walking Dead now without thinking its lacking the fun that ZNation happily embraces in all its cheesy humor. I think under different circumstances (like an initial bigger budget) ZNation could have easily won over zombie fans from Walking Dead. But I imagine this was SyFy testing the water in the zombie genre and went super low budget—which ironically, might be what gives this little zombie show its charm. If SyFy can up the production value a tick, I think they could really have something here. But if they don't-I'll enjoy it all the same.

Who ever came up with the idea of Z-Nation, could never imagine how good Murphy is. Any time when I start watching it, I want to turn of, but I can't and the reason is Murphy. It is incredible who a series can run with one figure who catch the whole thing. A man between zombie and human, after a running test he was the only one who survived. Sometimes, I believe that z-nation could be a game. Look and feel from the set is great, empty roads get fast filled with zombies. The surviving fight is great. Also the z-nation "radio" who built the the moral of the story, is great. Some of the episodes made not really senses, but OK. it is a strange series with zombies. There is no spoiling about the series, over the pictures everybody know, it is about zombies. Z-Nation is refreshing zombie series, who make no sense but you can't miss it.

I look forward what will come next.

I am a Walking Dead Super-fan and after watching the first episode of Z-Nation, I admit I didn't quite understand the concept and was slightly confused by the awful acting and writing. At that moment the show was considered horrible yet I continued to watch..... I began to realize that Z-nation is a creative show on it's own and cannot be compared to WD as it is meant to be a comedy almost a parody spin on a zombie apocalypse. I found myself laughing at how odd and ridiculous some scenes were and enjoyed the humour in it. Z-Nation is worth a watch and should be given a chance, you may be surprised and enjoy it too!