'The Walking Dead' Season 2 preview:
That said, Kirkman and Darabont have already discussed which characters from the books they want to see in Season 2. Kirkman says to expect to see Hershel's farm as well as the introduction of Maggie, a love interest for Glenn (Steve Yuen). Kirkman says Darabont is also adamant about introducing the katana-wielding Michonne in Season 2, much earlier than her appearance in the comics.
Which stories does Kirkman think the show must address before it wraps for good?
"Everything with the Governor and the Woodbury town," Kirkman says. "But at the same time, I am very open to the show being its own animal. And there [may be] certain things that are done that make it impossible to do something else from the comic book. As long as the show is entertaining and I am happy with how it's turning out, I think anything goes."
Along those lines, Kirkman promises that viewers have not seen the last of Merle Dixon (Michael Rooker), a racist redneck who was left handcuffed on the roof of an Atlanta department store by his fellow survivors. Merle was never in the comics, but the character amputated his own hand to free himself, leading to much speculation that he might become The Governor character, a sadist who eventually loses his arm.
For now, Kirkman is cagey. "I'm a big fan of Merle," he says. "I know Frank and everybody involved with the show has huge plans for that character, but aside from that I can't really get into it. We will someday see him again and his story is definitely not forgotten. But how and when he will materialize is just going to have to remain a mystery for now."
Viewers will most likely have a long wait before the 13-episode second season debuts, as AMC reportedly wants to premiere the show around Halloween again next season. But Kirkman suggests the extra time will allow the show to figure out the best stories to tell to follow the Season 1 finale's various possibilities.
"They're on the road, and I think that moment of them driving off together is key," Kirkman says. "Travelling in this kind of environment is going to be extremely dangerous. Trying to find sanctuary and trying to find food to eat is really the heart of the comic book series. The open road brings an unlimited potential for stories, and I think Season 2 is going to be way better than Season 1."
Source: TV Guide
