Reaction: The Walking Dead Volume I

          In The Walking Dead, the single most striking moment for me was Rick Grimes' first encounter with the zombie on the side of the road. Earlier when Rick had first woken up, he had no time to pause and  think and had to keep moving in order to escape the hospital. However, that changed once he encountered the zombie laying on the ground, which was non-mobile but was able to make a few noises. After making eye contact and staring at each other for what seemed to be hours but really was just a few seconds. That was when it all hit him, the severity of the situation and the seemingly unimaginable events that were happening right in front of his eyes. Not surprisingly, it caused Rick to have a breakdown. I feel this moment set the stage for future events because it really was the point of no return, this was to be his life from now on. Later on, while on his way to Atlanta after learning of what had happened, Rick makes a stop on the side of the road and shoots the zombie that he had approached. From this scene, I believe the action symbolizes Rick's new found determination to move forward and to reunite with his family. It also shows the humanity that Rick still possesses; just as one would shoot a wounded animal to relieve them of their pain, I believe he shot the zombie with a similar intention in mind.