TS-19

"TS-19"
The Walking Dead episode

Dr. Edwin Jenner whispers something to Rick Grimes about the virus that is causing the apocalypse.
Episode no. Season 1
Episode 6
Directed by Guy Ferland
Written by Adam Fierro
Frank Darabont
Featured music "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" by Bob Dylan
Original air date December 5, 2010 (2010-12-05)
Guest appearance(s)

"TS-19" is the sixth episode and season finale of the first season of the post-apocalyptic horror television series, The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on December 5, 2010. The episode was written by Adam Fierro and series creator Frank Darabont and directed by Guy Ferland. In the episode, the group finally finds safe haven in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, although the only scientist there, Dr. Edwin Jenner (Noah Emmerich) hides many secrets that leads the group to demand answers about the zombie apocalypse.

Themes such as romance, rape, suicide and terror are prevalent throughout "TS-19". Different character developments occur throughout the episode, particularly with Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal), who writer Robert Kirkman felt that viewers would no longer identify as the show's main antagonist. Production for "TS-19" commenced at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, as opposed to the actual headquarters for the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which was impractical due to the high security of the area.

"TS-19" received favorable reception from television commentators, who praised the development of various characters as well as the performances of several actors and actresses. Upon airing, it attained 5.97 million viewers and a 3.4 rating in the 18–49 demographic, according to the Nielsen Media Research. "TS-19" at one point was the show's highest-rated episode, and it is the highest-rated telecast in its first season.

Plot

The episode opens with a flashback, which features Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) attempting to save an unconscious Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). Observing military personnel killing various patients, doctors, and walkers from the premises, Shane tries to carry Rick out of the hospital, to no avail. After an explosion, the hospital machines shut off, and Shane puts his ear to Rick's chest and begins to think he has died. Distraught, Shane leaves Rick in the room and puts a hospital bed against the door to protect him from walkers.

In the present, after entering the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the survivors are confronted by Dr. Edwin Jenner (Noah Emmerich), who is armed with an automatic carbine. Jenner allows the group to stay on the condition that they all must undertake a blood test, to which Rick agrees. As the group indulge in various luxuries such as showers and wine, many of them are perplexed with the situation. Jenner reveals that he is the only medical personnel dedicated to eradicating the walker illness; many of the medical staff have returned to their families or have committed suicide. Meanwhile, a drunk Shane confronts Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies) about her callous attitude towards him. As the argument begins to peak, Shane attempts to rape Lori, but backs off when she scratches him on the neck.

The next morning, Jenner shows the group the clinical results of Test Subject 19, a person (later announced to be his wife) who was bitten by a walker and volunteered to be observed as the infection progressed. The time-lapse MRI video demonstrates the disease attacking the brain, similar to meningitis, ultimately killing the victim. Brain activity is restarted a few hours later, simultaneously reanimating the body to mere basic functions. Jenner explains that the brain stem reanimates anywhere from a few minutes to 8 hours after death, and adds that the conscious human traits do not return.

Jenner theorizes that medical facilities worldwide may have faced similar predicaments. French doctors came the closest to finding a cure, but communication was lost. The survivors are shocked when they hear that human civilization is ceasing to exist. Later, the group confirms that the last diesel tank is running out of fuel, and a power outage ensues. Since the facility was designed to isolate unimaginably dangerous diseases, if it can't power itself, it automatically destroys everything inside so that no diseases will get out. As they confront Jenner about their fate, Jenner seals them in the main room underground, and tells them that the decontamination procedure (a high-impulse thermobaric weapon wired throughout the facility's air vents) will mean the destruction of everything inside the facility, offering an instant and painless death to everyone inside.

Rick and Lori plead for the doors to be opened, while Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Shane attempt to force Jenner to open the doors. He relents because they know if they kill him they will not get the combination to open the doors then all of them would indeed die. Finally, with less than five minutes remaining, Jenner opens the doors after Rick's pleading with him to let them at least "try" to overcome this tragedy and not be forced to die. Two of the survivors, Jacqui (Jeryl Prescott Sales) and Andrea (Laurie Holden), choose to stay behind, but Dale Horvath (Jeffrey DeMunn) refuses to leave without Andrea. Before Rick leaves, Jenner whispers something in his ear which leaves Rick visibly shaken. The rest of the group heads for the exits, using a grenade to blow out one of the front windows, and fight their way to their vehicles through several walkers. Andrea and Dale emerge from the building moments before the building detonates; Jacqui stays inside with Jenner. As Jacqui and Jenner hold hands and let tears drop from their faces, the explosion begins. As the episode ends, the survivors form a vehicular convoy and leave the area, while a massive column of smoke and flame marks the place where the CDC building had stood.

Production

Emmerich (pictured) made a guest appearance in the episode as Dr. Edwin Jenner.

"TS-19" was directed by Guy Ferland and written by Frank Darabont and Adam Fierro.[1] Actor Noah Emmerich made a guest appearance on the show, portraying the character of Edwin Jenner, one of the few remaining medical personnel dedicated to eradicating the virus. Emmerich's appearance was formally announced in November 2010.[2][3] Darabont foreshadowed the development of the episode the same month, alongside predecessors "Vatos" and "Wildfire". "Before it's all said and done, the opinions and actions of the group are divided."[2][3] Producer Gale Anne Hurd added, "Stakes are higher, dissension develops, rivalries intensify."[2][3]

Principal photography for "TS-19" transpired at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, which was depicted as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Producers of the show were not allowed to photograph the interior of the actual buildings as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a point of reference due to its high security.[4] Although the location was not featured in the comics of the same name, Hurd felt that it was important to add because of its close proximity to the survivor's camp.[5] As opposed to the previous episode, where filming mostly took place outside of the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, production for "TS-19" occurred inside of the building.[5] Darabont conceived the idea of exploring into the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "When Frank was pitching the idea to me, saying he wanted to bring them to the CDC and telling me all the different things that he felt would come out of that story, the science of it all and the being trapped in the small location, I was very much picturing a lot of Day of the Dead stuff," stated creator Robert Kirkman. "That's one of the reasons I was so on board with the idea."[4]

At the episode's conclusion, Jenner purposely calls for the self-destruction of the building, which ultimately explodes shortly thereafter. A plate was installed on set, which hovered over pyrotechnics.[5] The plate was turned upside down to create an optical effect where the flame travels across the panel. This created an illusion that the explosion was expanding.[5] The sequence was divided into six different cuts; the first one consisted of the rupture glass of the building, while the last frame concluded with the collapse of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.[5]

While his group escapes from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Jenner whispers to Rick about the virus that has caused the zombie apocalypse. Initially there was no indication as to what Jenner said to him; the dialogue was previously inserted into the episode's script but was later removed. "I'm so pleased they didn't reveal it," said Andrew Lincoln, "because it was scripted, and extremely powerful, and I said to everyone, 'Burn this page: No one should know apart from Rick and Frank.' It's brilliant that they left it [as a mystery]—it's perfect, it's so classy."[6] Kirkman was content with the idea of teasing Jenner's revelation in lieu of blatantly revealing anything about the origins of the virus.[7] "I thought it was a great addition. I'm very much opposed to showing what the actual cause [for the zombies] is and explaining how things work, but teasing a little bit is a great thing. If it adds an extra layer to the drama, then I'm all for it," he stated. "It also led up to the fantastic mystery of the whisper Jenner gives to Rick at the end of that scene. That's going to play into Season 2 quite a bit. I know where that's going and it's really a cool bit."[7] It is not until the second season finale, "Beside the Dying Fire", that Rick reveals Jenner's message to the group.[8]

In a 2014 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Robert Kirkman revealed that he regrets revealing that everyone in the new world is infected too soon, saying "If I had to do it again, I wouldn't have done the CDC episode [at the end of season one]. It possibly gave away too much information and was such a big change very early on in the series."[9]

Themes and cultural references

Near the end of the episode, Bob Dylan's "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" (1971) is heard in the background.

Ideas alluding to romance are prevalent throughout the episode. The development between Shane Walsh and Lori Grimes continues in "TS-19", which showcases a flashback featuring Shane being conflicted with the decision to leave an unconscious Rick Grimes in the hospital—who Shane initially presumes to be dead.[7] Kirkman asserted that the sequence added dimension to the storyline, and concluded that by the ending of the episode, the audience will no longer identify Shane as an antagonist.[7] "Up until the sixth episode, you get the sense that Shane actually is a bad guy, that he lied to Lori and made her believe that he was dead in order to facilitate him moving in on her," said Kirkman. "The flashback does a great job of telling you that that's not true: He tried to save Rick, he wanted to save Rick. He was kind of up against the wall there and actually did believe that Rick was dead."[7] Lincoln said of the flashback: "You realize Shane's loyalty as a friend and as a man—and also his weaknesses. He still can't make a decision without his partner, and you realize he's flawed—everybody is under incredible duress, you see the state of the world is so extreme and terrifying that people are making split-second decisions under great duress. Is Shane barricading Rick in, or is he trying to prevent him being taken by the walkers? There are many different ways to construe what Shane has done and that's the beauty of the show is that there's no clear and definite answers, you make your own mind."[6] Other themes prominent in the episode include suicide and terror.[10][11][12]

The character progression of Shane is a focal point in "TS-19". After facing constant rejection from Lori through much of the previous three episodes, he has become more agitated and impatient with her.[7] According to Kirkman, it was important to integrate dimension to the character so that viewers "can see later in the episode, when [Shane] is losing it and actually getting somewhat violent with Lori, the transition he's gone through and how this world has changed him from being a loving, easygoing guy into this guy who is slowly devolving into a bit of a maniac."[7]

The Dr. Edwin Jenner character mentions the French continuing to try to find a cure while others were "bolting for the doors" in conjugate reference to the belief by some Americans and British that the French did not fight back in the first part of World War 2.

The show features various references relating to music, media, film, and other pop cultural phenomenon. Character Dr. Edwin Jenner was modeled after the English physician Edward Jenner, a pioneer in the eradication of smallpox.[12] The episode title is an acronym for Test Subject 19, a patient that was examined by Jenner for clinical research.[13] As "TS-19" comes to a close, one can hear the song "Tomorrow Is a Long Time" (1971) by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan play in the background.[14][15] The Washington Post's Liz Kelly suggested that it could have referred to the seemingly long hiatus that proceeded after the season finale.[15] Jenner later reveals to the group that the symptoms of the walker virus are evocative to that of meningitis.[13] As Rick desperately tries to break out of a nearly incinerating Centers for Disease Control and Prevention building, Carol hands him a grenade, which was the same grenade that Rick had found in a tank in the series premiere, "Days Gone Bye".[11] The opening and concluding scenes of "TS-19" are reminiscent of the American television series Lost.[10][11]

Reception

Ratings

"TS-19" was originally broadcast on December 5, 2010 in the United States on AMC. Upon initial airing, the episode amassed 5.97 million viewers and a 4.1 household rating, indicating that 4.1% of households that watched television viewed the episode. Following two encore presentations, total viewership accumulated to 8.1 million.[16] At the time of its airing, "TS-19" was the highest-rated cable television series of all time demographically; it attained a 3.4 rating in the 18–49 demographic, denoting 4 million viewers, while simultaneous acquiring 3.5 million viewers in the 25–54 demographic according to Nielsen Media Research.[16] The accolade was then succeeded by three episodes of The Walking Dead: the episode's ratings were beaten by second season premiere "What Lies Ahead",[17] followed by "Nebraska",[18] and lastly the second season finale "Beside the Dying Fire", of which the last aforementioned currently holds the record.[19] "TS-19" became the most-viewed cable telecast of the day, obtaining significantly higher ratings than installments of Hannah Montana and Shake It Up on Disney Channel.[20] Ratings and total viewership moderately increased from the previous installment, "Wildfire", which received 5.56 million viewers and a 2.8 rating in the 18–49 demographic.[21] In the United Kingdom, "TS-19" garnered 492,000 viewers, subsequently becoming the most-viewed television series of the week on FX.[22]

Critical response

"TS-19" garnered favorable reviews from most television critics. In his 8.5 out of 10 rating review, Eric Goldman of IGN wrote that the episode was an exceptional showing for the series, adding that it told "a compelling, intense story within its hour" albeit averting from the comics.[23] As Michelle Kung of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "The first season of The Walking Dead doesn’t exactly end on an optimistic note, but our heroes are left driving into the unknown after escaping certain death at the CDC."[24] Kurt Christenson of New York Daily News analyzed that "almost and everyone's still kind of in the dark",[10] and Kelly stated that "TS-19" came to an "abrupt, explosive end".[15] Salon journalist Simon Abrams concluded that the frenetic pace of The Walking Dead was relatable,[25] while Paste television commentator Josh Jackson was keen of the character development in the episode as well as the varying political themes covered; "After six episodes, the characters are worth caring about. Despite occasional stilted monologues, quick tempers and unfortunate stereotypes, the few living souls in The Walking Dead are a bigger draw than the undead. The show has spent more time on topics like marriage, parenthood, unfaithfulness, loss, domestic violence, gender roles, small-scale politics, loyalty, kindness than it has with kill shots. By filling the world with zombies, Frank Darabont is able to explore the human condition under extreme circumstances."[14] Entertainment Weekly writer Dan Snierson was entertained by "TS-19", and asserted that the conclusion "resonated over images of Rick & Co. U-turning into the great unknown, we got the sense that as long as they were alive, at least there was a chance of a tomorrow."[12] Writing for the same publication, Jeff Jensen was intrigued at how producers approached the themes of the comics, and later noted that it was proof that they were using the comics as a route for thematic inspiration in lieu of a literal interpretation.[12] For Los Angeles Times' Gina McIntyre, "Tonight's finale [...] did yield much insight, though, into the nature of the plague itself, in relative terms anyway."[26]

Most of these complaints stem from the length of the season and the fact that we're already at the end of the road. With a few more episodes, we could have had a fully satisfying finish; as it stands, we were treated to an excellent episode, but not one that felt like a thorough wrap-up.

—Josh Wigler[13]

Some commentators were less enthusiastic about the episode than the general consensus. Although Josh Wigler of MTV declared "TS-19" a "compelling hour", he professed that it was lacking for a season finale. "While there was a massive fireball and a decent amount of zombie action," explained Wigler, "not to mention some concrete information regarding the outbreak, there are still several plot threads that haven't come close to resolution."[13] Vanity Fair's Mike Ryan argued that in contrast to a "great season", the episode was a mediocre conclusion to The Walking Dead's first season, writing that "this might have been the silliest hour of television that I've ever watched".[27] Leonard Pierce of The A.V. Club issued "TS-19" a B– grade: despite proclaiming that "there was some good stuff" in the episode, Pierce opined that it fell below his expectations.[11] He denounced many scenes in the episode—notably the explosion sequence—as he felt it was a waste of cinematography.[11] "The fact that almost all the scenes played out in dark, closed quarters wasted The Walking Dead's gorgeous cinematography; the pacing was again off beat, with far too much padded scenes of people looking at one another in shock; and, though I'm usually not bothered by plot contrivances, there's no way anyone in a vehicle that close to such a huge explosion would have lived through it."[11] Writing for Cinema Blend, Nick Venable said that it was an interesting episode, although it could have been executed in a better manner.[28]

The character progression of several characters and the performances of various actors were lauded by critics. Wigler noted that Bernthal, Holden, and DeMunn delivered "brilliant character work",[13] a view that was echoed by Pierce in regards to Emmerich's performance; "He has a nervous intensity that grounded every scene he was in, which this show needs."[11] Similarly, Alan Sepinwall of HitFix described Emmerich's acting as "haunting", and ultimately cited the performances of Lincoln, Holden, and DeMunn as episode highlights.[29] Ryan affirmed that character development remained one of the series' strongest points.[27]

Deleted scene

In a scene deleted from the television series, after Rick's group flees the CDC they return to the Atlanta nursing home they first visited in "Vatos", only to find the residents and their protectors have been killed execution-style and their supplies ransacked.[30]

References

  1. ↑ "Episode 6: TS-19". AMC. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sci-fi Preview: Scoop on Smallville, Supernatural, Walking Dead and More!". TV Guide. November 16, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Jeffrey, Morgan (November 17, 2010). "'Walking Dead' execs tease cast conflict". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  4. 1 2 Collis, Clark (December 4, 2010). "'Walking Dead' writer Robert Kirkman talks about last night's explosive finale: 'I wish we had killed more people this season'". Entertainment Weekly. Time, Inc. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 The Making of The Walking Dead Season One (Audio commentary). AMC. April 2, 2012. Note: Event occurs at time 26:04–28:28.
  6. 1 2 Moorhouse, Drusilla (December 5, 2010). "The Walking Dead Star Andrew Lincoln Dishes on Sunday's Heartbreaking Finale". E! Online. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Bryant, Adam (December 5, 2010). "The Walking Dead's Robert Kirkman on Season 1's Explosive Finale and What's Next". TV Guide. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  8. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (March 17, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Dissection: Glen Mazzara and Robert Kirkman Spill on the Bloody Finale". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  9. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (November 25, 2014). "Robert Kirkman Reveals His Biggest 'Walking Dead' Regret". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 30, 2014.
  10. 1 2 3 Christenson, Kurt (December 6, 2010). "'Walking Dead' finale recap: 'TS-19' shows how the zombies are made and Andrea gets sick". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Pierce, Leonard (December 5, 2010). "TS-19". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Jensen, Jeff (December 5, 2010). "'The Walking Dead' season finale recap: Zombie Life Sucks. Deal With It.". Entertainment Weekly. Time, Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 Wigler, Josh (December 5, 2010). "'The Walking Dead' Season Finale Review: Episode 6, 'TS-19'". MTV (Viacom). Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  14. 1 2 Jackson, Josh (December 5, 2010). "The Walking Dead: Review TS-19". Paste. Wolfgang's Vault. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  15. 1 2 3 Kelly, Liz (December 5, 2010). "'Walking Dead' season 1 finale: 'TS-19'; season 2 due late in 2011". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Gorman, Bill (December 7, 2010). ""The Walking Dead" Finale Draws Series High 6 Million Viewers, 3.0 Adults 18-49 Rating". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  17. ↑ Seidman, Robert (October 17, 2011). "Zombie Nation: 'The Walking Dead' Season Premiere Smashes Basic Cable Drama Ratings Records". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  18. ↑ Gorman, Bill (February 13, 2012). ""The Walking Dead" Mid-Season Two Premiere Draws 8.1 Million Viewers, Reigns As The Strongest Drama Telecast In Basic Cable History Against Key Demos". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  19. ↑ Seidman, Robert (March 19, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Season Two Finale Sets Series Highs with 9 Million Viewers for 9pm Telecast". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  20. ↑ Gorman, Bill (December 7, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'The Walking Dead,' 'Boardwalk Empire' Finales Rise; 'Sarah Palin's Alaska,' 'Dexter,' 'The Hasslehoffs' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
  21. ↑ Gorman, Bill (November 30, 2010). "Sunday Cable Ratings: Boardwalk Empire Dips; Soul Train Awards, Real Housewives, Dexter, Top Gear & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Weekly Top 10 Programmes" (Press release). Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  23. ↑ Goldman, Eric (December 5, 2010). "The Walking Dead: "TS-19" Review". IGN. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  24. ↑ Kung, Michelle (December 6, 2010). "'The Walking Dead' Season 1, Episode 6 Finale 'TS-19′: TV Recap". Wall Street Journal. Les Hinton. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  25. ↑ Abrams, Simon (October 16, 2011). "How TV improved "The Walking Dead"". Salon. Salon Media Group. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  26. ↑ McIntyre, Gina (December 5, 2010). "'Walking Dead' finale recap: Zombie science and a message about ecology". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  27. 1 2 Ryan, Mike (December 6, 2010). "The Walking Dead Recap: Bad Finale to a Great Season". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast Publications. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  28. ↑ Venable, Nick (December 5, 2010). "The Walking Dead Season Finale Watch: Episode 6, TS-19". Cinema Blend. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  29. ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (December 6, 2010). "'The Walking Dead' - 'TS-19': Paradise lost?". HitFix. Retrieved April 15, 2012.
  30. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Kevin (August 20, 2012). "'The Walking Dead' Season 2 Deleted Scene That Would Have Changed Everything". ScreenCrush. Retrieved November 19, 2014.

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