The Walking Dead’s gruesome series opener DIDN’T break Ofcom rules
Zombie drama The Walking Dead isn't in breach of broadcasting codes - despite THAT gory scene, which saw a man bludgeoned to death with a bat covered in razor wire
THE Walking Dead will not be investigated by Ofcom after that gruesome series seven opener, which saw a man bludgeoned to death with a bat covered in razor wire.
Fans dubbed it the “goriest episode ever” with some even insisting they’d no longer watch the zombie series after watching (or should that be enduring?) the horrifying scenes.
But the regulator found that the foul work of Negan (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan) didn’t warrant further action, with just 10 complaints registered about its 9pm showing on Fox.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Our investigation found that Fox took appropriate steps to edit the programme for the 9pm showing.”
Indeed, more gruesome footage was put in the second part of the programme to ensure an appropriate transition after the watershed.
Those with a strong stomach who wanted to see the full original content could have chosen to watch it on demand instead, or in the early hours of the morning when it was aired at the same time as the US.
With more than 200 deaths clocked up across its six series run, viewers of the show aren’t unused to seeing characters killed off.
And Ofcom took that into account while making its ruling.
The regulator added: “This is a well-established series, and we believe the scenes would have been consistent with many viewers’ expectations.”
However, it confirmed to The Sun that Fox has been warned about how future broadcasts are presented to fans.
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They explained: “Others could have found the scenes upsetting, and we have advised Fox to be more specific in their warnings to viewers before showing such content in future.”
By the end of the episode it was revealed that Negan had in fact killed two people.
Glenn (played by Steven Yeun), who had already seemingly died and then returned, was properly seen off this time with his eyeball shown dangling from its socket and his face caked in blood. Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) was also killed.
And despite its penchant for the gruesome, fans were surprised by the levels the show had gone to.
Twitter user @PoddyMallett wrote: “Season 7 Episode 1 of @TheWalkingDead was the goriest series of events I’ve ever seen on a TV show. Right in the feels!”
And @JohnHocevar added: “Good bye forever @WalkingDead_AMC. That was disgusting. #TheWalkingDead didn’t just jump the shark it pulped it.”
Meanwhile @Jule_E wrote: “Just saw *that* scene from Walking Dead. Am horrified. Honestly – the gut mincing gruesome of it all. Must watch owl videos to recuperate.”
The Walking Dead mid-season finale aired in December and will return to screens in February.