But just like Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)and the rest of the un-merry band of survivors, life must go on. Another episode, the finale even, awaits.
In this exclusive Zap2it clip, we pick up where Episode 5 left off with the doors to the CDC (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention) rising, bathing the wary survivors in a bright light.
As they enter, they meet the lone scientist (Noah Emmerich) we saw in the previous episode who had accidentally contaminated the last "fresh" sample of zombie flesh -- labeled TS-19 -- he had for testing. Uh oh. Who do you think will come down with the Walker syndrome next and donate their body to science? Let's go back and find Jim.
And did you catch his name? It sounds like Dr. Edwin Jenner, reminiscent of Edward Jenner who developed the smallpox vaccine. Well, even if there's no relation, finding a zombie vaccine would certainly qualify for a Nobel, if the committee is alive to bestow it.
"The Walking Dead" Season 1 finale titled "TS-19" airs Sunday, Dec. 5 at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.
To stay in the zombie loop, be sure to "like" "The Walking Dead" on Facebook and follow @WalkingDead_AMC on Twitter.
Unlike Division agent Michael, however, West is very positive and open, subjecting himself to probing Celeb Slam Book questions with good humor and candor. It's not like he has anything to hide. In fact, most of his fans are already well aware of his musical talents and various tattoos.
West's first order of business under Zap2it's sinister too-bright light bulb is to divulge his first "real" kiss. It sounds a little tricky, but as any actor learns, it's all about improvising. Here's the dirty deets:
"I'll pass on the name," West tells Zap2it. "I guess it would have been pretty late. I'd have to say junior year of high school. I'm talking first real kiss. I kissed a million girls in kindergarten. So junior year in high school, outside of a movie theater on a slope that we kept slowly sliding down, which is really embarrassing. And then my mom came and picked us up. It was awesome. I don't think I ever saw her again."
Her loss we say.
West also dishes on his biggest fears, worst habit and a very sweet and scary treat he indulges in once a year.
1) What's your guiltiest music pleasure?
There's always something to say about '80s one-hit wonders. Being born in '78, I certainly have plenty of that. I have my iTunes right in front of me. Well, some people truly love the music, but I'll say for certain nights out in Las Vegas and that kind of stuff, I have some Rihanna and Lady Gaga. That's not what I normally listen to, but obviously the world does, so I don't know if that goes under a guilty pleasure, but it would be for me as well as plenty of Motley Crue, Poison and all the hair bands from the '80s, which are a lot of fun.
2) If you could jam with one person dead or alive, who would it be?
Joe Strummer, singer for The Clash. Big time. And he is dead, unfortunately.
3) Which celebrity do you find attractive?
There are many. I'd have to go with Angelina Jolie on that one. I've liked her since "Cyborg 2," which is a movie not many people saw. Check it out. It's one of her first films. It was pre-"Hackers," but not by much I don't think.
4) What's your worst habit or trait?It's been smoking in the past, which I've cut out. It was biting my nails in the past, which I've now cut out. I'm 32, so I did a full life reversal at 30 of at least paying attention to things more and actually getting them done instead of screwing around with them. I'd say it's just -- I have an inherent laziness that's built in me that I have to fight through all the time. So I would say getting off the couch. I'm very much a huge movie watcher and book reader, and even though that can be productive, it still does mean sitting on the couch. So I think my worst habit is getting me out of the house. Once I get out then I can keep moving.
5) What's the latest book and/or movie that affected you the most?
I just finished, believe it or not, "On the Road" for the first time, about five or six months ago. It was one of the reasons why I drove -- I didn't hitchhike -- but I drove from Los Angeles to Toronto to shoot "Nikita." It affected me enough, and I had not done that before. I had done it on tour buses with my band, but you're on a tour bus and you're asleep. It doesn't really count. So that book truly affected me in that sense that I wanted to feel that Americana and see it. I'm currently reading "The Fountainhead," which is going to take me a year I guess because it's like 800 pages. I make sure I start and finish everything, so I can't just stop even though I have other books to read.
"Paranormal Activity 2" was really creepy. I didn't really realize it was that effective until I tried sleeping the last couple of nights. There's also a movie that came out called "A Prophet" that came out this year. Brilliant film. It's essentially a "Godfather"-like tale taking place in prison. I hadn't seen a film that powerful as they had been 20-25 years ago in that genre. It seems like it had been a while since the last "Goodfellas."
6) Who do you text with the most?
Currently that would be all the actors and actresses I'm working with right now. In reality, my buddy from high school, my sister back in LA and the three good friends who are my roommates.
7) What is your deepest fear?Besides failure, it would have to be sharks and drowning. I did go swimming with sharks in Hawaii a couple years ago to try and get over the fear, and I did a pretty damn good job, but it's still a brutal way to go. And I've always thought drowning would be terrible.
8) What's a surprising activity you do in your free time?
I'm pretty much an open book from what people know about me. Besides you know, reading, watching movies, I play the guitar, I go to the gym a lot, I run. I think those things people already know. I started rock climbing here in Toronto. With a rope. Aaron Stanford, one of the actors on the show, is getting really into it. He just started bouldering, so wants me to go with him and do that with no line or anything. I'm trying to find time for that because it's a great way to stay in shape. And it's not boring, that's for sure. It's a great combo.
9) What's your food weakness?
Because of Halloween ending not too long ago, my weakness around there are breakfast cereals such as Boo Berry, Franken Berry and Count Chocula. And I'm still frustrated to this day that they are not sold all the time and only sold during Halloween. Obviously someone made the decision -- well, they're terrible for you, so it's a good thing they're not. But it's fun to have during Halloween. I'm looking at them right now. Those three boxes that were sent to me from my roommate in LA they're currently in my kitchen in Toronto sitting next to egg white protein, Emergen C and Clif bodybuilder bars ... and Boo Berry and Franken Berry.
ABC could be revving up for a tasty treat. Word is that Warren Littlefield and some former "King of the Hill" writers are developing a sitcom about food trucks, those mobile purveyors of sustenance. Comedian Al Madrigal would star as a man who takes over the family food truck biz. [Vulture]
More American Country Awards performers are signing up. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and The Band Perry will join the previously announced performers for the two-hour special on Dec. 4. [ACAs]
"The Walking Dead" is ambling to a close in its first season, and this may be the end of its writing staff as well. Showrunner Frank Darabont has reportedly fired the entire writing staff and will farm out individual episodes of Season 2 to freelancers. Not sure how we feel about that, but we're waiting for confirmation from AMC before we panic as if we're in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. [Deadline]
Trinity still holds the record, but "Dexter's" latest episode, "In the Beginning" could presage big numbers for the upcoming Season 5 finale. "In the Beginning" drew the second-highest number of viewers in the ratings history. Approximately 2.54 million tuned in Sunday (Nov. 28), just shy of the Season 4 finale audience of 2.57 million. The show has shown steady growth as well, it's up 43 percent from the Season 5 premiere, and is up 20 percent from the previous week. [Showtime]
"Ugly Betty" star Michael Urie, Jed Rees and Lindy Booth have joined the TBS pilot "Brain Trust," a comedy starring D.B. Sweeney as a police detective who's aided by three geeks played by the aforementioned trio. Meanwhile, on sister network TNT, Wynn Everett, William Ragsdale and Suzy Nakamura have jumped aboard the Eliza Dushku small town cop drama "Bird Dog." [Deadline]
Spike TV has bagged more "Auction Hunters." The network has renewed the reality series for a 20-episode second season. The show originally debuted on Nov. 9. [The Hollywood Reporter]
Reiko Aylesworth (best known for playing Michelle Dessler on "24") has landed a potentially recurring role on "Hawaii Five-0," as Malia, Chin Ho's (Daniel Dae Kim) ex-fiance. Malia is a doctor who Chin Ho runs into when a case leads him to the hospital. This isn't the actresss' first time in Hawaii; She played Dharma member Amy on "Lost."[Movieline]
Fast National ratings for Monday, Nov. 29, 2010
ESPN will most likely end up having Monday's biggest audience thanks to "Monday Night Football." Among the broadcast networks, though, CBS led the way with 8.65 million viewers and a 5.5 rating/9 share in households. ABC (6.7 million, 4.4/7) took a big tumble from its Monday average now that "Dancing" is gone. NBC took third with 6 million viewers and a 3.7/6 as all three of its shows were up a bit compared to recent weeks. FOX (5.7 million, 3.5/5) came in fourth. The CW (2 million, 1.3/2) was also up some over recent weeks.
CBS also led the adults 18-49 demographic with a 2.4 rating. FOX grabbed second in the demo with a 1.9, narrowly beating NBC's 1.8. ABC was fourth with just a 1.3, while The CW earned a 1.0.
Monday hour by hour:
8 p.m.
CBS: How I Met Your Mother rerun (8.5 million viewers, 5.3/8 households)/ Rules Of Engagement rerun (7.8 million, 4.8/7)
ABC: "Skating With the Stars" (6.19 million, 4.2/7)
NBC: "Chuck" (6.17 million, 3.7/6)
FOX: "House" rerun (5.1 million, 3.2/5)
The CW: "90210" (2 million, 1.3/2)
18-49 leader: "How I Met Your Mother" (2.7)
9 p.m.
CBS: Two and a Half Men rerun (11.25 million, 7.0/11)/ Mike & Molly rerun (8.9 million, 5.6/9)
ABC: "Skating With the Stars" (5.8 million, 3.9/6)/Special - "CMA Country Christmas" (7.2 million, 4.7/7)
FOX: "Lie to Me" (6.3 million, 3.8/6)
NBC: "The Event" (5.8 million, 3.6/5)
The CW: "Gossip Girl" (2 million, 1.4/2)
18-49 leader: "Two and a Half Men" (3.0)
10 p.m.
CBS: Hawaii Five-O rerun (7.7 million, 5.1/9)
ABC: "CMA Country Christmas" (7.4 million, 4.8/8)
NBC: "Chase" (6 million, 3.9/7)
18-49 leader: "Hawaii Five-0" (1.9)
Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.
In his first big interview since being diagnosed with throat cancer earlier this year, Michael Douglas admits that the disease and intense treatment he's undergone have taken a toll, but he says he's "on the upward curve" now. "To be able to sit here and talk to you, I'm so happy." [Hollywood Reporter]
David Cassidy -- or rather his lawyer, acting on Cassidy's behalf -- pleaded not guilty to a DUI charge in a Florida court on Tuesday (Nov. 30). Cassidy was arrested earlier this month but maintains his innocence; he's due back in court in January. [TMZ]
Mariah Carey has started having some pregnancy cravings, but they're not the sterotypical ones. "My taste bud situation is unparalleled," she says. "I don't know what it is, but I'm just about fruit for some reason." [People]
NFL/VH1 star Chad Ochocinco put weeks of rumors to rest Tuesday by confirming he's engaged to another VH1 regular, Evelyn Lozada of "Basketball Wives." "It's time for me to sit down," he says. "I'm 32, you know, my days are over." [On-Air with Ryan Seacrest]
Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) come up with a plan to break the spell cast over vampires and werewolves so that Elena (Nina Dobrev) is no longer an essential part of Klaus's diabolical scheme. "Ergo, you live," Damon quips.
There are a few things that stand out to us about this clip.
One: Why is Bonnie agreeing to open the tomb up? Of course Elena is her best friend, but this is a spell that actually killed her seasoned, practiced grandmother. Wouldn't she demand they find another way?
Two: Katherine is starved for blood. They'd better have a damn good method of keeping her in that tomb because once Bonnie breaks the spell, she basically turns into a juicy steak on a plate. With Katherine's vervain tolerance, almost nothing will be able to stop her from tearing a piece out of Bonnie and any other living person in that tomb.
Three: Elena is probably right. Klaus has been alive a thousand years -- if he's got anything, he's got time on his hands. He'll be perfectly content to come whirling through Mystic Falls, killing off every person who had a hand in messing up his plan... and maybe a few extra for good measure.
Four: Okay, let's talk about that look Elena gives Damon when she says, "Everyone that I care about, including the two of you." Elena is pointedly making sure Damon knows that she cares about him again, Damon is stunned by it, and Stefan goes on talking like there are no meaningful gazes around at all. Hmmm. I'll say this: it's only been 10 episodes since Damon snapped Jeremy's neck. He's making pretty good time.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
And let us all now praise Timothy Dalton. There could have been easier ways for the character of Volkoff to go in this episode -- the psycho part of him could have melted away in favor of the lovesick part -- but to his immense credit, Dalton played crazy-in-love about as well as I've ever seen it played on television. "Chuck" hasn't really gotten any recognition from the Emmys in its first three seasons, but Dalton gave an award-worthy performance here -- funny, scary, intense and great.
While we still don't quite know what Mary Bartowski is up to -- she says her mission is to take down Volkoff's network, but do we want to take her at her word? -- "Leftovers" at least gave us a great sense of why she's stayed embedded with Volkoff for so long. He has a blind spot for her, and she's (presumably) been using that to gather intel on his operations. Sarah recognizes her dilemma, and she helps talk Chuck down a little after he finds out the reason Volkoff is so single-minded in his efforts to get Frost out of CIA custody.
Speaking of Chuck himself, this was Zachary Levi's second episode as a director, and it had some common threads with last season's "Chuck vs. the Beard." Like that one, we got a huge dose of key information that deepens the "Chuck" universe, and curiously enough, both episodes involve enemy agents taking over the Buy More and imperiling Morgan. This one, however, was a little smaller in scale and focused more on the actors, and Levi got strong performances all around (including himself).
And that's four sizable paragraphs in without even mentioning that, oh by the way,Chuck has the Intersect back. It seemed like kind of a roundabout way to get it back to him -- among other things, why would Steven Bartowski go through Ellie and risk her falling into the spy world? -- but the excited-relieved-nerdy smile on Chuck's face as he said "I know kung fu. Again" was enough to patch over those holes.
So where does all the activity of "Chuck vs. the Leftovers" leave us? Volkoff now knows Frost is Chuck's mom, and that her son works for the CIA. He can't be so deep in Mary's thrall that he's willing just to leave Chuck and Sarah alone -- and it's equally hard to believe that Chuck will let things lie. He may trust his mom again, but that seems like all the more reason for him and the team to go after Volkoff and try to take him down and free her from the situation she's been in for so long.
On the real-life side of things, too, here's hoping that "Chuck" can get Dalton and Linda Hamilton back for some of the back 11 episodes. Their primary arc will likely be done by episode 13 -- that's all the episodes the writers had to work with at the start of the season -- but as with Shaw last season, it's easy to see a way for them to pop back up in the second half of the season. Fingers crossed that everyone's schedule works out.
Other thoughts on "Chuck vs. the Leftovers":
The show has gone to the "Die Hard" well before, but Morgan's John McClane impression tonight was just brilliant. The tank top, the bare feet, the hobbling with the gun taped to his back, the not being able to reach the gun because he taped it too low -- note-perfect. Chuck told Devon he needed to be awesome, and he was -- both in helping Chuck and Sarah call in backup and in resetting the boundary between Chuck-world and family world. Awesome can't really unlearn what he knows about Chuck's work, but his setting a line with Chuck and refusal to be informed about the new Intersect was a great way to show how much he cares about Ellie and wants to protect her and their child (aside from asking her to drive a minivan). How strong must the sedative Volkoff's advance woman used on Jeff and Lester have been? It's been a running joke on the show that Jeff does not go down easily, but he faded away in seconds with this stuff. I really, really hope that we get to see the machine guns hidden in the Buy More ceiling again before the season ends. What did you think of the episode? How are you going to pass the time between now and when "Chuck" returns?
