Saturday, October 18, 2014

31 Days of Halloween - Highschool of the Dead - Episode 8 "The Dead Way Home"

Zombie America nukes the world!

Somehow, zombies have gotten onto Air Force One. When I first saw this episode, I was like "how would that happen?" With the recent Ebola events, I now know that some zombie with intestines hanging from his mouth was probably invited on by the "Reanimation Czar." Hey, I'm topical.

Anyway, the President and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have been been bitten. The Chairman urges the President to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the other nuclear powers. Why? 'Cause 'Merica, that's why.

While Zombie President is getting ready to nuke Russia and China (wouldn't that just create radioactive zombies? Sequel!) back in Japan our heroes are driving across the river to the part of the city their families live in. Among other things, we learn that Saeko sucks her thumb when she sleeps and that Kohta likes sing abut shooting guns to the tune of "Row Your Boat.". The girls get dressed (Why? Why?!?!?!), Kohta dubs the dog "Zero" after the World War Two fighter (of course), and Takashi gets a shotgun.

The group decides to head to Saya's house first, since it is the closest. The city appears to be deserted, although there are signs of violence. Cue a 28 Days Later musical montage homage! Of course, the group runs into zombies (this is not High School of Peacefully Driving Around) and encounters a barrier across the road. Rei is tossed off the roof of the Hummvee. Our heroes leap into action to save her. Takashi grows to love his shotgun, after Kohta tells him how to use it effectively. Give it up for the gun geek.

After running out of shells, he switches to the rifle strapped to Rei. Of course, he has to use her extra large boobs to stabilize the gun. Isn't that what they teach Marine Corps snipers? Even with the growing pile of dead (re-dead?) zombies, the gang is about to be overrun. Takashi and Saeko try to distract the zombies, but they are unsuccessful.

All looks lost when suddenly a bunch of people in fireman uniforms show up on the other side of the barrier, led by Saya's mom. They rescue the people trapped near the barrier while Takashi and Saeko, cut off, set out to find another way to safety. The end.

The scenes in Air Force One are neat, if a little odd. The reason for launching nukes isn't that clear. It reminds me of a similar scene in the Japanese movie Virus in which a bio-weapon (US made, of course) gets loose and wipes out most of the human race; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs activates an auto-launch system that winds up nuking most of the cities of the world. I guess it's a Japanese thing. Other than that, this is a good episode. We get some great action at the end and some character development (we learn a bit more about the new addition to the group, Alice). Saya has some great lines and everybody gets a moment to do something useful in the episode. Of course, there is the usual mix of grim horror, teen drama and sexually charged humor.

Best Line: Saya to Kohta, "Don't bastardize Mother Goose."

Best Kill: Takashi getting some air before crushing a zombie's head.

Fan Service: Comes early this episode (5 minutes and 4 seconds), with Saeko waking up, contorting into various uncomfortable looking position, and generally looking, um, refreshed. Yes, refreshed. That's it.

Bonus: Saeko's boobs dodge a bullet while she bashes in zombie skulls. So, everything I love about the series in 20 seconds.

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