Margaux and I could not disagree more about this week’s Fear the Walking Dead.
Trevor: So I think we figured out what hasn’t been working so far with Fear the Walking Dead: the last three words of the title. “Not Fade Away” was an episode without a single zombie, something that The Walking Dead has yet to attempt (please correct me if I’m wrong). I think focusing on the human angle worked better than anything the show has attempted so far, probably because with the neighborhood cordoned off like that, it brings to mind successful, isolated – and insulated – environs from TWD, such as Alexandria, Woodbury, and the prison.
Margaux: Really? I feel like the without a physical zombie presence, it lacks a complete sense of urgency. Instead, we get bullshit like the least interesting apocalypse video diary of all time. I don’t like shithead teenagers like Chris during regular, non-apocalypse times. And I def don’t like him now, now that he’s gotten all angsty at the fact that he’s been cooped up nine days in the military enforced quadrant.
Trevor: Oh man, this is going to be a fun review to write, because I feel like you and I had very different reactions. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want every episode to be like this, and I don’t like Travis’s son any more than you do, but “Not Fade Away” did a fairly good job of fulfilling FTWD’s purpose, and that is to show us the beginning of the outbreak, everything that we missed while Rick was in a coma. And I especially liked how it expanded the world; Lt. Moyers (Bloodline’s Jamie McShane) was my favorite new character, equal parts droll and menacing. He respects Travis up until Travis has the temerity to disagree with him. He could be a good antagonist down the line.
Margaux: Okay, we’re finally in agreement about something, Lt. Moyers was a fresh breath of douchey air: “30 years? That’s so great. Can you help me or not?” But other than that, “Not Fade Away” felt like it took longer to get the point than the Grateful Dead song which shares this episode’s name. A TV show shouldn’t take its cues from an overrated 60s jam band. But I digress, one thing I did like was the introduction of the military doctor making her overdue house calls to the residents living in this forced upon community. She felt very eerie and mercurial, and I wanted to spend more time with her brainwashing Liza.
I understand the point that Fear the Walking Dead is making, funneling the beginning of the outbreak through a family drama, maybe I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that I just simply don’t like family dramas.
Trevor: I can see why you would be turned off of FTWD’s formula of “family drama + zombies.” It’s something that The Walking Dead has done more of in later seasons, but its first season (not counting the Grimes family reunion) was all zombies, right away. Hell, the second episode, “Guts,” had Rick and Glenn cover themselves in entrails. Fear’s second episode, on the other, hand, had something I can’t remember because it wasn’t THAT. You really have to commit to FTWD’s slow burn, and it’s a gamble on the show’s part, because if the audience isn’t on board, you’re sunk. For the most part I’m on board because for the most part I like this franchise.
For instance, I liked the National Guard presence a lot in this episode. Long ago you and I predicted some creepy 28 Days Later military involvement, and here we have it, in no uncertain terms (Moyers practicing his swing reminded me of the Governor and Cesar playing golf on top of a trailer in season four). The ending really worked for me too. The look on Travis’s face as the Guard shot up the house in the distance was some great facial acting on Cliff Curtis’s part. We see, in real time, Travis lose faith in their would-be protectors.
Margaux: I love that golf has become synonymous with horrifying dictatorship within this franchise, you must be evil to be interested in a sport so benign.
I am glad that Travis FINALLY dropped the Bob Marley, “Everything gonna be alright” bullshit by episodes end, because I don’t know if I’d be able to stand him much longer otherwise; watching him patronize Madison, and to a lesser extent Chris, by telling them they were just paranoid was very grating. Actually, telling people they’re either paranoid or just flat out lying about how things “will get better” seems to be his entire arc thus far. He’s seen the exact same shit as Madison, yet he’s still under the impression everything is fine. I mean, the parallel they draw mid-episode with Travis’ neighbor, who refuses to get checked out and locks himself in his bathroom, freaking out his wife and kids, kind of gave a little insight into Travis’ denial line of thinking. But if Travis was trying to be “the rock” in this extraordinary circumstance, he was doing terrible at it.
Trevor: One of Fear’s smarter moves was making Maddie the smart, capable one. Unfortunately, in doing so, they – as you pointed out – turned Travis into the new Lori. Obviously all shows, even spin-offs, will go through growing pains (with the possible exceptions of Better Call Saul, Frasier, The Jeffersons…shit, I might be contradicting myself here). I guess what I’m trying to say is that I like that this show is more of a true ensemble piece than TWD, and that at any given point, the male lead might be the dumbest character in the room. This can lead to frustration, but also to great human my moments, my favorite being:
Travis: Tell your family it’s going to be okay.
Doug: Will they know that I’m lying?
That was a great moment!
Margaux: Art imitates life, the male lead is usually the dumbest person/character in the room, nine times outta ten. And if we’re gonna compare FTWD to other spin offs, I’d say that FTWD is the Joey to TWD’s Friends.
I think Travis’ stupidty drove Madison to drink straight whiskey out of a coffee mug in the garage, I know I would doing just that if I were her. Hell, at least I’d invite Ruben Blades along, he’s seen some shit. I was so happy to see her FINALLY slap the crap outta Nick; granted it’s about 10 years too late, probably, but still. Usually, the whole, average high school teacher suddenly goes all renegade on everyone’s ass annoys me, but I love that Madison just took some bolt cutters and set out to into the world outside of the fence.
Trevor: That was a good sequence. If nothing else, I think we can agree that “Not Fade Away” was a very well-shot episode. This show looks pretty damn good most of the time.
Oh, and YASSS QUEEN to Maddie slapping Nick and his weird Members Only jacket. Who decided to dress him like an old man? But I am concerned about his fate at the end; the National Guard was not asking nicely. It’s understandable, though; at this point they’ve surely seen people reanimate after dying, even of natural causes, so a junkie in danger of overdosing and a woman with a crushed, infected foot would be top of my list too. And that’s why I liked “Not Fade Away” more than you did, cause here it has me sympathizing and understanding the people who forcibly removed two innocent characters.
Margaux: Nick might literally be the only member left! But for real, he’s just hasn’t bothered wearing anything other the old man’s clothes he stole when fled the hospital.
Trevor: You’re right, I completely forgot his origin story.
Margaux: Someone should put a bell on this show because it is completely forgettable at times.
Trevor: Haha, on that note, do you want to talk stars? I’ve been looking forward to this ever since learning that we had pretty different reactions to this episode. I was planning on giving it four stars, for the reasons I’ve outlined above, but I get the sense that you don’t agree.
Margaux: What gave it away that I wasn’t going to agree with four stars? Haha. I think it was another three star episode. If the pacing and stupidity don’t even out soon, I won’t be tuning in for season two. Sorry not sorry male Lori.
Trevor: How about we meet in the middle and go 3.5? We can Barry Bonds that shit and put an asterisk next to it and everything. It’s not the score either of us would necessarily go with, but I think it’s pretty representative of our disparate reaction.
Margaux: Haha I’m okay with that, mainly because I approve of steroid use in baseball.
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