Margaux and I discuss the uneven but promising debut of Fear the Walking Dead.
Trevor: First things first: there was a lot about “Pilot,” Fear the Walking Dead’s aptly titled debut, that I really liked. But there’s a huge problem which I think we need to address, not just with FTWD, but with prequel series in general: we already know where this is going, right? A big reason that “Days Gone By,” The Walking Dead’s series premiere, was so effective is that it wisely skipped all the outbreak stuff, because zombie outbreaks are, at this point, like superhero origin stories – done to death and all headed in more or less the same place. The thrill of revelation is gone, because we know, thanks to Dr. Jenner, that we all carry the zombie gene (mutation? allele?), and furthermore we know that TWD, and by extension, FTWD, has no intention of spelling out its origin.
That being said – and I’m sorry for being so long-winded – there was still a lot about this I liked! Thoughts?
Margaux: The only reason why I was interested in Fear had nothing to do with origin stories, because I agree with your point(s), but because I wanted to see how a contagion-like outbreak like this would look like in such a condensed place like Los Angeles. Where you’re so wholly dependent on your car, you’re usually distrustful of others, and will totally take down whatever is in your own in the name of survival, and oftentimes, even less.
That being said, although I was intrigued by “Pilot,” it spent a little too much on interpersonal relationships (and already killing off two black guys, way to go FTWD! You’re not even one episode in) and not enough on soon to be widespread panic. Which is what I wanna see.
It didn’t need to be an hour and a half, a lot of meandering and not being horrified that a man you’ve run over twice and shot, just keeps staying alive.
Trevor: Weirdly enough, the family drama angle is something about FTWD that I really liked. Maybe it’s because right off the bat, I like this family better than the Grimeseses, but either way it’s a good way for FTWD to establish its own identity. Plus, an interracial couple! That’s, you know, something. For a franchise hellbent on killing off black guys.
Kim Dickens and Cliff Curtis – both of whom should be getting a lot more work, so I’m happy for them – have good chemistry, and Frank Dillane as Nick is just fantastic.
Margaux: You mean, TOM RIDDLE of Harry Potter? His heroin addicted Nick was alright, both the Clark kids are just as annoying as Carl.
Trevor: Woah, let’s not say things we can’t take back.
Margaux: Okay, fine. They were too cliche for my taste: “I’m going to Berkeley so I’m the smart one”; “I’m the junkie, fuck up one, so you can’t believe anything I say” – FAMILY! But I did appreciate, whether intentional or not, the fact that Nick walks like a…walker. But it’s really just the fact that he starts off “Pilot,” getting hit by a car. And probably because of the drugs, but mostly the car thing.
But the most redeeming part of the family’s dynamic is the chemistry between Madison and Travis, I really enjoyed all the scenes they shared, even the ones where they should have been a little more concerned about their surroundings.
Trevor: I’ll watch Kim Dickens in anything. She was superb in Deadwood and Gone Girl, and was arguably the best part of House of Cards’ uneven third season. Seeing Maddie and Travis actually happy together is a welcome change of pace, but FTWD faces a potentially huge narrative problem, balancing the drama of merging their two families against the backdrop of a zombie outbreak. That’s a hell of a tightrope for any show to walk. If done right, the outbreak will act as a kind of crucible; if done wrong, it’ll be every scene on the farm from TWD’s second season.
Margaux: Haha talk about saying things you can’t take back. But I see what you’re saying, and the example from “Pilot” of what could turn into Fear The Walking Farm: LA, was the conversation between Travis and his estranged son from another relationship, Christopher. Talk about not giving a shit if this kid lives or dies. “I HATE YOU, DAD” was the sum total of their exchange. Thanks for memories of custody weekends of days past. I was happy to see Elizabeth Rodriguez was playing Travis’s ex nonetheless.
People complain about how poorly women voices are written in tv and movies, but can we get ANY non-shithead teens up in this bitch? Ugh they probably don’t exist, which is why they’re hard to write.
Trevor: Tobias seemed pretty on the ball. I mean, it was dumb to bring a knife to a school with metal detectors, but he’s at least ready for what’s coming. Well, as ready as you can be when you’re 14 or 15 and look like you didn’t get the part of Colin Farrell’s son in True Detective. But I found that brief scene with Tobias so refreshing, because for the first time in the history of the genre, it seems as though someone in a zombie story has ACTUALLY SEEN A ZOMBIE MOVIE.
Margaux: RIGHT?! It was a ballsy move to end the episode on such a stupid note. “What is happening?!” Well, Maddie, have you ever seen a movie by George A. Romero? Better seek refuge in an abandoned mall ASAP. Or at least, hop back in the truck and drive far, far away from the man who should be dead, BUT KEEPS ATTACKING YOU AND WANTING TO BITE YOU.
Two quick notes about Tobias: 1. It must really suck to have that name after what Arrested Development did to it. 2. Is he the Jamie Kennedy of this show?! (<- that’s a Scream reference BTW)
Trevor: Jesus, that would be the scariest development so far.
So it sounds to me as though we’re describing a pretty solid three star episode. I could be swayed to go 3.25. There’s definite promise on display in “Pilot,” notwithstanding the fact that it didn’t really justify a 90-minute runtime. The performances are solid, the setting will make for some nicely tense, claustrophobic set pieces, and it has Walking Dead in the title, so let’s not pretend that we’re not gonna watch it (“Pilot” was the most-watched series premiere in cable history). Do you agree? Disagree? Is there anything else you want to touch on?
Margaux: Let’s give it 3 stars, and hope they elevate the dialogue, and pacing, above what could devolve into The Strain levels of badness if the line is not toed properly. Walking Dead is the in the title, but nothing is promised. At least we didn’t a That’s so Morgan! type spin off. Jesus, when will October 11th get here?
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