The Z-Realm Podcast

Issues with ITunes have been Fixed!

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:05:00 +0000

We were able to figure out the issue with downloading the podcast through iTunes on PC and they have all been hammered out flat, like the soft, rotted skull of a ghoul. Please do not hesitate to let us know if issues develop again later. Until that time, we hope you continue to enjoy the podcast!

Episode 52 - Keep Calm and Listen to Podcasts

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:32:00 +0000

Episode 52 of the Z-Realm focuses on the brilliant BBC series "In The Flesh". This completely new take on the zombie genre takes place in a world where the zombie holocaust has run it's course, leaving thousands of animated corpses roaming the countryside. The story focuses on the fictional, rural town of Roarton in England, the home of a grassroots force of concerned citizens who gathered to fight back the initial rising and are now adrift in a world where their contributions are no longer needed. The central character is Kieren Walker, a "Partial Death Syndrome" sufferer who is returned to his family, with a box full of cover-up mousse and plenty of contacts to hide his eerie white eyes. The story here is about communities, families and how hard it is to do the thing that's right. It is about friends and love and duty. It is about so much more than that, but, perhaps most importantly, it's about zombies! After you've listened to the show, I urge you to keep calm and send us email to mail@z-realm.com or post a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 51 - You Kill or You Die

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:23:00 +0000

Episode 51 of the podcast is where we talk about the conclusion of the third season of AMC's the Walking Dead, titled "Welcome to the Tombs". We lose major characters, see shocking plot twists, and bear witness to further deviation from the original source-material. We disagree on whether this is a good or bad thing, and we'd love to hear what you thought of the way the season wrapped up. Stick around to the end to hear us talk about other things we've been enjoying and take this moment to rush out and buy a copy of the amazing "Lucifer's Hammer", do it now, while there's still time.
Send us emails with your thoughts and suggestions to mail@z-realm.com or leave us a message on the Facebook page.

Episode 50 - Coming for to Carry Me Home

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 02:18:00 +0000

Episode 50 of the Z-Realm sees the crew return after a week away struggling with seasonal allergies and an inability to successfully breathe. We come back to talk about two episodes of AMC's The Walking Dead. We focus on chapter 14 "Prey" and chapter 15 "This Sorrowful Life". Both were strong episodes but chapter 15 was especially powerful and makes a much larger mark in the overall timeline of the show. We speak of riveting performances from Michael Rooker and Norman Reedus in particular. Hear us say goodbye to a major character and hear us as our anticipation for the finale of season 3 grows ever nearer. Let us know what you thought of the show by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message over on the Facebook page.

Episode 49 - I Brought Whiskey

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:05:00 +0000

Episode 49 of the Z-Realm brings us back around again to the continuing saga of Season 3 of AMC's The Walking Dead. This time we look at the 13th chapter, titled Arrow on the Doorpost. Opening immediately with summit between Rick and the Governor, the show cranks up the tension and keeps things on edge for most of the episode, using impressive cinematography to heighten that tone. The lieutenants for each side get to mingle a bit and this provides some of the only lightness in an episode which focuses much more on subterfuge and guile. We also talk about the now-cancelled AMC series Rubicon which has totally captivated KMO and Olga. You can also hear the wonderful song that played behind the scenes at the closing of this chapter of the show, Warm Shadow by Fink. Please let us know what you thought of the podcast by sending an email to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

48 - And the Whole World Smiles With You

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 02:40:00 +0000

Episode 48 of the Z-realm Podcast jumps right back into AMC's The Walking Dead to look at the 12th chapter of Episode 3 "Clear". We see the return of Morgan from the pilot episode of the show, who has changed a LOT since then, and not at all for the better. The cast of characters are reduced to only 4, Rick, Michonne, Carl and the utterly gone Morgan. This tighter focus allows for greater character development and a chance for Danai Gurira to show a softer and more human side of Michonne. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show, so please send an email to mail@z-realm.com or post a message over on our Facebook page.

Episode 47 - That's Who You're Dealing With

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 02:54:00 +0000

Episode 47 of the podcast returns to AMC's The Walking Dead to focus on the 11th chapter of season 3 "I Ain't A Judas". Tensions continue to mount at the prison and at Woodbury as the two sides prepare for war. Andrea returns to her former crew at the prison with hopes of easing tensions and bridging the two groups. Fan favorite Tyreese ends up in a place that no one wants him and Rick finds out just what everyone is really thinking about him.
We wrap the show up by talking about a variety of other topics and close with a clip from the brilliant Bill Burr. Please let us know what you thought of the show by sending email to mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 46 - Wandering Crazytown

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 02:37:00 +0000

Episode 46 of the podcast focuses on the tenth episode from the third season of AMC's The Walking Dead. After the successful raid on Woodbury in the previous episode, we join our central band of survivors as they continue to slowly unravel. With Rick literally chasing phantoms, and the Governor appearing to be abdicating his rule to Andrea, we see the remaining members on each side looking for new leadership and guidance. Glenn becomes a fully fledged rage-monster, Merle and Daryl start finding out who they each really are, and Axel reveals the true story about how he ended up behind bars. If this episode teaches us nothing else, we should walk away knowing to never stop a car on a bridge. Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on the Facebook page.

Episode 45 - As Powerful As Ancient Rome

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 02:14:00 +0000

Episode 45 turns back to AMC's The Walking Dead for their return from a brief hiatus to finish out the second half of season 3. The episode is titled "The Suicide King" and we are seeking your thoughts on what that title means. Opening with a bang, the show picks up immediately from where they left off at the end of 2012, with Daryl and Merle facing off in Woodbury's gladiatorial arena, surrounded by blood-thirsty townspeople and a very angry Governor. From that point onward, we see the groundwork being laid for the conflicts that will surely shape the rest of season 3 of our favorite zombie show. Listen to our conversation and let us know what you thought of the podcast and of the TV show by sending emails to mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 44 - Fatal Funnel

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 01:12:00 +0000

Episode 44 of the podcast sees the Z-Realm crew searching out other zombie-related media during the lull in season 3 of the Walking Dead. This time we focus on a fascinating documentary on our favorite topic that originally aired on the History Channel called "Zombies: A Living History". This amazing collection of interviews and footage covers the gamut of the zombie as we know it today, looking into the very earliest corners of human history and then forward into the near future, all in the pursuit of better understanding and better preparation for the inevitable zombie apocalypse.
We then turn to the webisodes that were produced by AMC for seasons 2 and 3 of the Walking Dead. These short, self-contained tales are stunning vignettes set in the world of the comic and TV series but not dealing with the main cast. Season 2's webisodes were called "Torn Apart" and Season 3's were called "Cold Storage" and both are well worth your time to search out and watch.
We finish by talking about the abomination that is "48 frames per second" and the fascinating collage called "The Clock". Let us know what you thought of the show by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 43 - Suspiciously Sadistic Sadists

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 03:38:00 +0000

This episode of the podcast focuses on the 8th episode of Season 3 of AMC's The Walking Dead. This is the mid-season finale so now we are forced to wait two months for the next installment of our favorite TV show. This week we finally meet the legendary Tyreese who swings a hammer with great vengeance and furious anger. Michonne gets a few quiet moments alone with the Governor and they try to see things eye to eye. The conversation wraps up with other things we've seen and done that aren't zombie-related. We would love to hear what you thought of this first half of season three of the Walking Dead, and, even more than that, we'd love to hear what you think about the podcast. Please send us emails at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving us a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 42 - Queer, Undead, Sociopathic Love

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 02:56:00 +0000

Episode 42 is a twofer, so it goes just a bit longer than normal ( though it's not the podcastical equivalent of War and Peace ). In this show we look at the 6th and 7th episodes from the third season of AMC's The Walking Dead. These two episodes are leading us into the mid-season finale and the inevitable collision of the residents of Woodbury and the Prison. Maggie and Glenn are held hostage by the Governor and Merle and we see Rick and his commando team leaving their concrete-walled safety in hopes of saving them both. The tension mounts as we examine the events of these two fine episodes and we ponder what might be on the horizon. Join us as the talk to turns to videogames, philosophy, and the magical power invested in Andrea's backside...
Let us know what you think by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a note on the Facebook page.

Episode 41 - Like a Loaded Shotgun

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 03:33:00 +0000

Episode 41 of the Z-Realm returns to AMC's The Walking Dead for the 5th chapter of Season 3, titled "Say the Word". Rick is on revenge spree, Maggie and Darryl are searching for Huggies and formula, and Axel and Oscar have found themselves given a shot at inclusion. Meanwhile, at Woodbury, Michonne goes creepin' and the Governor practices his stroke technique on someone near and dear to him. We also turn to the recent release of the World War Z trailer and eventually end up at everyone's favorite simple-minded hero. Please let us know what you thought by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a post on the Facebook page.

Episode 40 - The End of Smiles

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Episode 40 of the Podcast focuses on Episode 4 of Season 3 of AMC's The Walking Dead. Perhaps the most sombre episode so far in a show that has had no shortage of soul-crushing moments, this episode, titled "Killer Within" covers significant moments in the lives of our protagonists.The plot is completely revealed in the podcast, so make sure you've seen the episode before listening. We also speak briefly of the election, Superstorm Sandy, and Mitt Zomney. Put on your magic underwear, pour a tall glass of liquid courage, and brace yourself for some devastating twists and turns. Write to us at mail@z-realm.com or leave a message on our Facebook page to let us know what you thought of this chapter of the Walking Dead saga and what you think of the podcast too.
Thanks for listening!

Episode 39 - Storm on the Horizon

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 02:18:00 +0000

Episode 39 focuses on the Third Episode of Season Three ( a lot of threes and numbers divisible by threes there, that has to be important numberologically ) of AMCs The Walking Dead. This will always be the episode where we finally meet The Governor! Played brilliantly by David Morrissey who's girlfriend is NOT in a coma. KMO and Olga were huddling in their home in Brooklyn New York, awaiting Hurricane Sandy so the conversation turns frequently to this real-life subject as we mull the fictional one brought to us by the fine folks at AMC. We ramble a bit, but we hope you like it. Please let us know what you thought by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 38 - Sh*t Happens

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 03:10:00 +0000

Episode 38 of the podcast is consumed with the second episode of season 3 of AMC's The Walking Dead. This episode extends the brilliance of the premiere and continues to explore how the characters have changed since season 2. Young Carl is a competent explorer, Lori shows her life-saving prowess, and Rick demonstrates what the term "head trauma" means. Lauren Cohan turns in a heart wrenching performance and T-Dog seems to have fully emerged onto the world stage as a fully-formed badass. This is good stuff and we do not hesitate to say so. Write to us at mail@z-realm.com and let us know what YOU thought of the TV show and of this episode of the podcast. Heck let us know your thoughts on zombies in general, and join us next week as we all keep our fingers crossed that season 3 stays on this stellar trajectory.

Episode 37 - Starting with a BANG!

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 01:38:00 +0000

After a lengthy hiatus, KMO, Olga and Marty are back to ruminate on the amazing premiere episode of the third season of AMC's The Walking Dead. Did we love it? YES! Were there zombies? YES! Was there lengthy exposition and superficial dramatic moments? NO! The third season started off in style, with incredible action and dialogue that was direct and to the point, and yet it still took time for a truly beautiful campfire moment. Listen to the episode to see what we thought, and let us know your own thoughts by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com

36 - Too Clever for Our Own Good

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 00:50:00 +0000

Episode 36 of the Z-Realm is finally here. The crew turn towards the current film The Cabin in the Woods from producer and co-writer Joss Whedon. We do spoil the film completely, so stay away if you have not seen it yet. The film contains zombies, and deals with them in a totally new and unique way. The underpinnings of the horror genre as a whole are turned on their heads as a matter of fact in this fantastic movie. The talk, as usual, strays to a selection of other topics and hopefully, by the end, you will be illuminated, informed and smiling. Please let us know what you think of the show by writing us at mail@z-realm.com or by posting a message on our Facebook page.

Episode 35 - 28 Time Units Later

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:11:00 +0000

Episode 35 turns towards two landmark films in the zombie genre, 2002's 28 Days Later and 2007's 28 Weeks Later. These two films are where we all were first confronted with running zombies. Actually both movies use the term "infected" to describe the marauding groups of baddies. Set in Europe, these two films tell an ongoing story of a rapidly spreading infection that almost instantly transforms its victims into crazed and vicious attackers. This "Rage Virus" is highly virulent and spreads exponentially. The sights of an almost empty London and a burning countryside are haunting images that stuck with us all. Are these stories that show a glimpse into what could happen following any large-scale collapse of the status quo? Listen to this epically long conversation as we dig into both of these wonderful movies and then continue on into a range of other topics. Let us know what you think by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com.
The beginning of the show features an amazing audio introduction that comes to us courtesy of Mushroom Mike. It is a great new opening and we want to thank him very much for taking the time to put it all together.

34 - They WENT There

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:31:00 +0000

Marty, Olga, and KMO take on the season two finale of The Walking Dead: Beside the Dying Fire. After a long detour from the narrative of the comic, it looks like the show might be getting back on track for season three. With Shane finally out of the picture, Rick gets to embody some darkness of his own and wear every shade of crazy. Glenn and Maggie hold zombies at bay with a bubble of warm, fuzzy love, and T-Dog has enough lines strung together to approximate a conversational exchange with Lori. Oh, Lori, you propel so many sub-plots with your cluelessness and self absorption. Still, lots of zombies in this episode, and the gang has finally left the farm!
Write to us at mail@z-realm.com and let us know what YOU thought of the season finale, and let us know what you think of the podcast too. If you know of some wonderful zombie media, please let us know so we can track it down and consume it like a steaming pile freshly-opened brainsssss.

33 - Penultimate

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 01:21:00 +0000

Episode 33 of the Z-Realm Podcast continues our conversation about AMC's version of The Walking Dead, specifically focusing on episode 12 of season 2 Better Angels. With only one episode remaining in the second season, things have started happening at alarming rate on Hershel's farm. This is a landmark episode in the storyline so far, as some very big events have finally took place that readers of the comics have been waiting a long time for. There are great moments between characters, and some vicious shovel-on-face action with our beloved zombies too. Even T-Dog gets plenty to say in this episode. Listen to Olga, KMO and Marty as they discuss what they liked, disliked, and even hated about this episode ( cough...Lori...cough ) and write to us and let us know what you thought.
Only one episode left, can you guess where the Z-Realm crew is going to be next sunday night!?

32 - Marty's Kryptonite

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:29:00 +0000

This week Marty, Olga and KMO gather with the stated purpose of discussing The Walking Dead Season 2 Episode 11: Judge, Jury, Executioner, but the real action is in the second half of the show when Marty and Olga recount their recent adventures in New York City. KMO and Olga have just about run out of patience with AMC’s much-hyped and rightly criticized zombie drama, but Marty is still on board with it. Fortunately there are only two more episodes left this season before Rick Grimes and his rag tag (but stiff immaculately coiffed and manicured) band take a long hiatus in which the Z-Realm crew can share some more interesting, gutsy, and varied zombie fare. Hang around for the end of this episode, and hear about encounters with sex workers, burlesque dancers, and Tibetan super heroes.

31 - Drawing Lines

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:23:00 +0000

Marty, Olga and KMO assemble in the Z-Realm to discuss The Walking Dead season 02 episode 10: 18 Miles Out in which Shane and Rick drive a miraculously recovered Randall away from the Farm only to discover that they can’t afford to let him go and possibly can’t even afford to let him live. KMO nitpicks continuity errors and network penny-pinching. Marty praises the inter-character dynamics and subtle subtextual story elements. Olga appreciated the examination of zombie apocalypse gender roles, and everybody was happy to see a healthy does of the living dead, action and gore.
Let us know what you think by emailing us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message on our Facebook page.

30 - Transformations

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:18:00 +0000

We are back to AMC's The Walking Dead again for this episode of the Z-Realm podcast. We look at one of the strongest episodes so far from season 2 of this very popular show. The characters were each shown to be at different steps along the path of The Hero's Journey. Rick continues to become more and more of a take-charge guy, Shane slips deeper into the darkness, Glenn questions himself almost existentially, Lori finds her power in the manipulation of others and Daryl and Carol continue to battle with the demons of their pasts. This was a strong, character-driven episode but it also had some spectacularly violent gore scenes. This episode was a total winner. Come listen to us ramble about the show's strengths and let us know what you thought of it by writing to us at mail@z-realm.com or by leaving a message over on the Facebook page.

Episode 29 - The Voice of Reason

zrealmcast@yahoo.com (KMO and Marty) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:46:00 +0000

Now that the zeitgeist whale of the NFL has left the scene, there is room for the smaller creatures in the sea of culture, like the second half of the second season of AMC’s The Walking Dead, to come out and play. In this episode, most of the characters are floundering in the aftermath of shattered delusions, and some of them finally tune in to the voice of reason. All of Rick’s band confront the fact that their weeks-long search for the missing Sophia was a deluded folly, and Hershel turns to the bottle in the face of the realization that the “walkers” really are dead and that his wife and son will not be getting better. The episode returns us to some exhausted conversations that stand in for the rare and elusive zombies in this zombie apocalypse, and just when it seems like AMC is putting back on the same, way-too-familiar treadmill, new characters show up and give us hope for the series. Did I say, “hope?” We don’t need hope. We need frakking ZOMBIES! ZOMBIES, AMC! We need zombies in our zombie TV show.