734: Outbreak

2015-12-16T23:48:25Z

Lo4952:

{{comic
| number = 734
| date = April 30, 2010
| title = Outbreak
| image = outbreak.png
| titletext = Let's get dinner after we promptly destroy all the X-7 we've manufactured.
}}

==Explanation==

{{incomplete| I've updated as much as I can, however it could possibly still use some cleaning and refinement.}}

Patient Zero is the usual terminology for the first patient tested or infected with an outbreak-style infection.

This comic serves to make fun of the stereotypical zombie movie in which an unlikely series of events, coupled with extreme oversight on part of the staff, leave an opening for an outbreak to begin. Often, the infected find themselves lacking any restraint or containment, and freely move about in search of humans to infect. in the comic, Laura asks if the zombie has been kept in isolation, a standard medical procedure that prevents the patient from coming into contact with anyone or anything not specifically approved. Her question serves to point out the drastic difference in real-life procedure and zombie movies. Her next actions, going to her car to obtain a weapon to destroy the zombie, again show contrast against the often irrational and illogical actions of medical staff in movies, whose behaviors usually lead to their deaths.

The title-text is included as another example of the logical real-life actions versus the illogical movie ones, as any dangerous substance in a real lab would be disposed of, preventing further harm. In zombie movies, another major trope is the medical staff thinking that they are safe after they eliminate the first zombie, only to find the remaining chemicals have been used to make more.

==Transcript==
:[Two scientists, Ryan and Laura, stand outside a lab. A zombie is visible through the window.]
:The outbreak started with Patient Zero...
:Ryan: He was exposed to toxin X-7—now he's a bloodthirsty monster!
:Laura: Has he been in isolation?
:Zombie: Braaains!

:Ryan: Yes, but I can't hold this door for long!
:Laura: Hang on, I've got a gun in my truck.
:[She runs off.]
:''wham''

:[Ryan opens the door as Laura shoots through it.]
:''BLAM''

:And ended with Patient Zero five minutes later.
:Ryan: So, I never got your name. I'm Ryan.
:Laura: Laura.
:The remaining 90 minutes of the movie will be a romantic comedy.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

734: Outbreak

2015-12-16T02:27:58Z

Lo4952: This comic highlights the poor decisions often made by the medical staff in zombie movies by comparing it to a more realistic version of what would most likely happen in a safe laboratory.

{{comic
| number = 734
| date = April 30, 2010
| title = Outbreak
| image = outbreak.png
| titletext = Let's get dinner after we promptly destroy all the X-7 we've manufactured.
}}

==Explanation==

{{incomplete| Dear lord this explanation. THERE'S NOTHING HERE! I could list everything that needs to be added, but It would literally be longer than the current explanation. I would fix it myself, but this is playing on a trope I haven't had exposure to, (I hate zombie movies,) so I can't really do the joke justice.}}

Patient Zero is the usual terminology for the first patient tested or infected with an outbreak-style infection.

This comic serves to make fun of the stereotypical zombie movie in which an unlikely series of events, coupled with extreme oversight on part of the staff, leave an opening for an outbreak to begin. Often, the infected find themselves lacking any restraint or containment, and freely move about in search of humans to infect. in the comic, Laura asks if the zombie has been kept in isolation, a standard medical procedure that prevents the patient from coming into contact with anyone or anything not specifically approved. Her question serves to point out the drastic difference in real-life procedure and zombie movies. Her next actions, going to her car to obtain a weapon to destroy the zombie, again show contrast against the often irrational and illogical actions of medical staff in movies, whose behaviors usually lead to their deaths.

The title-text is included as another example of the logical real-life actions versus the illogical movie ones, as any dangerous substance in a real lab would be disposed of, preventing further harm. In zombie movies, another major trope is the medical staff thinking that they are safe after they eliminate the first zombie, only to find the remaining chemicals have been used to make more.

==Transcript==
:[Two scientists, Ryan and Laura, stand outside a lab. A zombie is visible through the window.]
:The outbreak started with Patient Zero...
:Ryan: He was exposed to toxin X-7—now he's a bloodthirsty monster!
:Laura: Has he been in isolation?
:Zombie: Braaains!

:Ryan: Yes, but I can't hold this door for long!
:Laura: Hang on, I've got a gun in my truck.
:[She runs off.]
:''wham''

:[Ryan opens the door as Laura shoots through it.]
:''BLAM''

:And ended with Patient Zero five minutes later.
:Ryan: So, I never got your name. I'm Ryan.
:Laura: Laura.
:The remaining 90 minutes of the movie will be a romantic comedy.

{{comic discussion}}
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]
[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Zombies]]

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

734: Outbreak

734: Outbreak