I just finished watching the Amazon produced pilot for the “Zombieland” series, and while I quite enjoyed it, it left me with some questions.

First, let me say that all the familiar elements from the film are intact. In fact the pilot pretty much picks up where the movie ends. The rules of Zombieland are present, the characters are familiar, and there is a strong comedic element which is in direct contrast to the sombre “The Walking Dead” which is refreshing. If I have one complaint, which isn’t really that big a deal, it is the lack of Woody Harrelson. This is not the fault of Kirk Ward who takes over the role of Tallahassee, he does a good job, it’s just that Harrelson brought his own unmistakable charisma to the role. Columbus is played by Tyler Ross admirably, but if I’m being honest any skinny, geeky dude with a bad haircut could step into Jesse Eisenberg’s shoes and no one would really notice.

The story itself is by turns funny, gory, profanity laden, and strangely poignant in areas. I guess the question I have is in regard to its long term viability. When pitching a series it is common to provide a five season story arc for potential producers. This would be relatively simple for say “The Walking Dead” due to its dramatic nature and the fact that the story is already outlined in the graphic novels. Being a series with a more comedic element, one wonders where the story will go, in say, three years. Now one might say that there is a survival template for the zombie apocalypse: seek other survivors, find a safe haven, etc. In fact at the end of the pilot they have pretty much plotted their journey. My concern is how do you sustain that comedy without straying into standard situation comedy pratfalls?

Without spoiling anything, the group of four from the film are in Los Angeles trying to find others that may have survived. Columbus and Wichita, played by Maiara Walsh have hit a rough patch since their first kiss, we get a flashback of Tallahassee’s previous life before shit hit the fan, and Little Rock played by Izabela Vidovic is just kind of there to make the odd comment on transpiring events. There are laughs to be had, the gore is well done, and by the second act one has come to accept the new actors in their roles.

The pilot shows much promise, at least as a weekly half hour diversion for the zombie fan. I hope viewers give it a chance. I would hate to see it meet the same fate as MTV’s excellent “Death Valley”. I suspect it will be good for at least a 24 episode run, and give it 4 out of 5 rating. Do check it out.