Sometimes, I'll read a good book and hear it's going to be made into a movie or TV series. And, I'll feel a little concerned that they won't be able to produce a product as good as the source material. Well, with the Walking Dead (which AMC has ordered a pilot episode for), I felt the exact opposite. Here, I had read a book that could only benefit from another writer. Below are some of the antics of Rick and his pals that drove me nuts (includes SPOILERS).

When we left Rick and his gang at the end of volume two, he was suggesting they set up shop in a large prison complex. He states, "there can't be that many [zombies]" to be cleared out. This despite the fact that there are clearly zombies in the prison yard and the gate to the prison is sill closed. So actually, there could be an entire prison population worth of zombies in there. But this doesn't occur to Rick for some reason.

So they decide to start cleaning house. Rick needs to be reminded by Andrea (whom he trained to shoot a gun) that she should go with him and Tyreese as she is the best shot. Rick doesn't argue, although when another wave of zombies descends on Rick, Andrea and Tyreese who does Rick wisely send to get more ammunition? Former professional athlete Tyreese? Nope. He sends crack-shot Andrea to get bullets instead of using her to shoot zombies. Great call Coach Grimes!

After defeating the zombies they then encounter four prisoners who have survived the zombie assault. But these are no ordinary prisoners! They are the four least curious prisoners who have ever lived. They give Rick a tour of the compound. Upon entering the garage prisoner Dexter remarks "I've never been in here." Really?! You've been free for weeks (months?), holed-up in a prison also occupied by hungry zombies and you didn't scour the place to see what equipment you had available (in this case cars, buses, and motorcycles)? Prisoners are, if nothing else, resourceful. It makes little sense that only while giving a tour to a stranger that they'd start to take stock of their surroundings.

The same can be said of the prison guns. The prisoners know the location of the where the guards' weapons are kept in the prison. But they don't make an effort to get them until threatened by the stupidity of Rick Grime. Now, Rick is a dangerous moron, no doubt. But you'd think sharing a prison with zombies might have put "retrieve guns" higher on the prisoners' do-to list.

Rick tells his gang about the four prisoners inside. His wife then, very validly, points out that shacking up with prisoners might pose some safety risks. Not the craziest idea. Rick patronizingly tells her that "... so far we've got no reason to treat them like criminals." Actually, you have every reason to treat them like criminals based on the fact that they are incarcerated criminals! Wasn't Rick a cop!? If anything shouldn't he be more wary and knowledgeable about what criminals are capable of? The best part his wife (who's always good for a laugh) relents and agrees with him! Then to add insult to he chalks up concern to her pregnancy hormones!

Let's be clear, if your pregnant wife starts to cry because you forgot to water the plants, then hormones are probably an accurate assessment. If she starts to cry because you don't believe her when she suggests that criminals might be prone to criminal activity, her tears probably have less to do with hormones and more to do with the fact that she now realizes she's married to an absolute moron. To his wife's credit, when prisoner Thomas later beheads two young girls and stabs Andrea, she at least doesn't say "I told you so." Lori, when will you respect yourself enough to realize you deserve much better?

Rick's got some other good ideas too. He wants to bring Hershel and his clan to the prison. You might remember Hershel as the farmer who pulled a gun on Rick and came close to killing him. Alternately, you might remember him as the guy who believes zombies are a national treasure that need to be preserved until they can be restored to life. (Side note - I loved Hershel's theory on zombies and wanted to see it explored further). To be fair, Rick has a vision of growing crops at the prison (something Hershel could greatly assist), but it seems like he is putting the cart before the horse somewhat.

Rick then decides to drive several hours back to Shane's grave to kill zombie Shane - which is always the polite thing to do. But he decides he can't tell his wife what he's going to do - the crazy old ball and chain might suggest that he's lucky to be alive and taking any unnecessary risks is foolish. Foolish like a fox! Killing a zombie that, when he was alive tried to kill Rick, is far more important than protecting his wife, children and companions. Do zombies have souls? Do they feel pain? Do they ache to be freed of their undead existence? These are heady, philosophical and ethical questions that need to be answered ASAP! Paging Professor Rick Grimes! Rick then further thumbs his nose at danger by choosing a motorcycle over an enclosed vehicle.

Later, Patricia frees Thomas in an effort to save him from being executed by Rick. I get what the author was going for, but it's tough to understand why Patricia chooses such a crazy course of action. She and Thomas have a brief three panel exchange earlier. I guess we're to infer that that sparked a larger friendship or romance. But it's far from clear, and Patricia just comes across as some sort of insane, one-dimensional, "the death penalty is wrong" talking point.

I practically cheered out loud when Dale and Andrea start contemplating leaving Rick's band. Good for you two! Get as far away from this buffoon as possible! Dale, you've totally scored with Andrea - a beautiful woman at least thirty years your junior. Don't let Rick Grimes screw this up for you! If you need further convincing please have a word with Farmer Hershel. He met Rick, and since then he's lost several sons and daughters.

Similarly, I cheered for Dexter when he pulls a gun on Rick at the end and tells him and his group to get the hell out of his prison. Dexter, if you let Rick live then the zombies have already won!