Fear the Walking Dead -- TV Series Thread

[Edward64]

Tonight is the premiere of the spin-off.

I hope its as good as The Walking Dead.

"Fear the Walking Dead," 9 p.m. ET Sunday, AMC

It was almost a given that AMC would seek to mine the hugely successful zombie series "The Walking Dead" for yet more thrills. The new show takes place in Los Angeles, rather than Georgia, at the beginning of the outbreak.

"People will be surprised that these new characters are compelling and have different issues," said Gale Anne Hurd, an executive producer on both "Walking Dead" shows. "Many of our viewers will actually be ahead of the characters in terms of knowing what's coming."

Hurd said the new series will show "the full spectrum of how humanity would respond."

"Some characters say, 'You don't know what you're dealing with; this isn't going away; you need weapons; otherwise you won't survive.' Then you have characters who still think these people are really, really sick. Can you reason with them or snap them out of it?"

[Edward64]

Watching the Talking Dead now.

They had a pretty good trailer/teaser of Fear the Walking Dead. Based in LA during the early days of the outbreak (when Rick Grimes was in coma).

[cthomer5000]

I saw the original teaser an I enjoyed the fact that it seemed to be taking a very different approach to things. I'm one of the prominent whiners in the Walking Dead thread (I feel the show wastes a huge amount of it's potential), but I'm strangely optimistic for this show based on the little I've seen.

[Edward64]

Pretty boring so far, premiere is a dud unless it picks up in the last 10 min. A lot of attempted character development.

EDIT - its going past the 1 hour mark so I guess a 2 hour premiere. Tension is starting to build up.

[stevew]

Forgot to record. Damn.

[PilotMan]

I enjoyed it. I thought that the kid, who looked like a young Johnny Depp, did pretty good. I liked the showcase of him hitting his breaking point. Then the tension of the last thirty minutes was solid.

[Kodos]

I was having trouble staying awake during the show. I'll give it a few more episodes to hook me in.

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, there was a lot of character development in this one, but I recognize that is necessary at this point.

As noted, the last 30 minutes or so were pretty good, once things finally started to amp up with the older kid and with the first signs of zombies.

[Thomkal]

It set records for most viewers:

‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Sets All-Time Cable Ratings Premiere Record | Variety

[Flasch186]

I thought it was GREAT and the acting was awesome esp. the kid.

[Grammaticus]

I thought the acting was awful, especially the school scenes. Pretty weak kick off.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

I saw the original teaser an I enjoyed the fact that it seemed to be taking a very different approach to things. I'm one of the prominent whiners in the Walking Dead thread (I feel the show wastes a huge amount of it's potential), but I'm strangely optimistic for this show based on the little I've seen.

Me too. Hopefully they keep it in its own little world and don't try too hard to do variants of the PrisonFarm™

[SteveMax58]

Originally Posted by Kodos

I was having trouble staying awake during the show. I'll give it a few more episodes to hook me in.

Same here. I missed the last 20 minutes or so but watched it last night. It picked up a lot.

Looking forward to the next episode but yeah hoping they don't over do it on the (somewhat necessary) character development.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The episode was a little slow. I'm a big fan of Kim Dickens and I like the guy playing her husband, so I think the show has potential.

I'm not sure why they went back to the heroin den. Twice. They are a couple of teachers. What did they think they were going to accomplish going to a drug flop house in the middle of the night?

"Something bad happened here." Really? Thanks for the hot take, counselor!

The drug addict kid, Nick, was a fine actor, but his character already annoys. I can see him being quite the fucking anchor for the group with his unpredictable ways, his inevitable withdrawal symptoms, etc.

I hope that the father's - I don't wanna see you regardless of it's your weekend kid - isn't equally as irritating.

Based on the little "this season on FWD" preview at the end, things look promising.

[panerd]

They way I figure it they have only three things to cover before the zombie apocalypse ends up where it is on the Walking Dead...

1) The appearance of the first group of zombies
2) The panic
3) Whatever happens with the government and ultimately leads to most of the population being dead.

I thought the first episode was a fantastic set-up and the last 20 minutes or so were very intense. I don't mind people who don't like the show or the acting but I'm unsure how you could move any faster without confining it to a 3 part mini-series or just becoming Walking Dead West Coast.

[panerd]

By the way does anyone know if this is based off of any source material or just a spin-off due to the monster ratings the the original show?

Like I said I like it but didn't know if the stuff that happens here was actually in the comic books and the first show just decided to start with Rick Grimes waking up in the hospital.

[hoopsguy]

Was interesting to see the drug dealer, who died of gunshot wound, turn at the end. Although I'm not sure, if this zombie spawning process was in place from very start of the outbreak, that the Georgia group had not made this discovery before Rick's police buddy came shambling back for a 2nd round near the end of the first season.

[cmp]

Just finished watching the first episode. I enjoyed it even if it was a bit slow to start. Looking forward to next week.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by panerd

By the way does anyone know if this is based off of any source material or just a spin-off due to the monster ratings the the original show?

Like I said I like it but didn't know if the stuff that happens here was actually in the comic books and the first show just decided to start with Rick Grimes waking up in the hospital.

None of this is from the comics or anything else. It's all brand new and due solely to the monster ratings of the original show.

Originally Posted by hoopsguy

Was interesting to see the drug dealer, who died of gunshot wound, turn at the end. Although I'm not sure, if this zombie spawning process was in place from very start of the outbreak, that the Georgia group had not made this discovery before Rick's police buddy came shambling back for a 2nd round near the end of the first season.

Neither the comic nor the original show every discussed where the first zombie spawned or how the virus spread our anything. The closest thing there has been to an explanation was the scene in the CDC in the last episode of the first season and the fact that everyone is infected. That's pretty much it.

[stevew]

I only watched the Pilot but I already prefer this cast to the original.

[panerd]

Lots of dumb decisions made by the characters but I guess there wouldn't be a show if they all stuck together and weren't in danger. This looks like it could be a really good 1 season show but if they plan on running it like 10 seasons like the original it will fizzle out fast. Seems like California would have more boat/island options that could be zombie free rather quickly.

[CraigSca]

Different strokes, I guess, but we found it boring, and we really don't care what happens to the drug addict kid or his family.

[Chief Rum]

I am enjoying it. Lot more action in the second episode than the first. You can see things ramping up.

Lots of stupid decisions, but I chalk a lot of that (the daughter with her BF; the ex-wife being all crazy belligerent; the son being anti-dad) to them not really realizing the end of the world is coming and they need to prepare. IMO, that's a normal response in those situations (and which I hope we'll see less of as the gravity of the situation starts to become clear).

Apparently, there is some outrage that all the black characters are being killed off and becoming zombies. I chuckled at that, but technically, it's true.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by panerd

Lots of dumb decisions made by the characters but I guess there wouldn't be a show if they all stuck together and weren't in danger. This looks like it could be a really good 1 season show but if they plan on running it like 10 seasons like the original it will fizzle out fast. Seems like California would have more boat/island options that could be zombie free rather quickly.

I wish they would go full anthology and set each season in a different place with a different cast.

[Kodos]

Second episode was better than the first. Will keep watching.

[Subby]

Really good. Much better acting than what was in the original season of TWD. Plus I am a big fan of their continued use of The Wire alums.

[stevew]

Liked the 2nd episode. Do kinda wonder wtf they were thinking by having the first 3 major zombies all being black.

I do see some suck potential if they're just going to go to the desert cause it's a cheap filming location.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by stevew

Liked the 2nd episode. Do kinda wonder wtf they were thinking by having the first 3 major zombies all being black.

I do see some suck potential if they're just going to go to the desert cause it's a cheap filming location.

They mention the desert in the show, of course, but there's actually a ton of different sorts of terrain in and around the LA area, and that's presuming they even get out of the LA city proper this season (they may not).

I actually think it's far more likely they end up in the San Gabriel Mountains.

[Mota]

Originally Posted by stevew

Liked the 2nd episode. Do kinda wonder wtf they were thinking by having the first 3 major zombies all being black.

I do see some suck potential if they're just going to go to the desert cause it's a cheap filming location.

1st key zombie was the hot chick that they had on every single ad for weeks. She was white.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Mota

1st key zombie was the hot chick that they had on every single ad for weeks. She was white.

Yeah, but did she even have a speaking part pre zombie

[PackerFanatic]

Originally Posted by stevew

Yeah, but did she even have a speaking part pre zombie

No sir. She did not.

Just watched the first two. Definitely slow, but definitely intriguing. A much different angle than TWD ever had, and it is fun knowing what we know and watching the new characters start to learn these things too.

[CU Tiger]

I think this is the show they are filming in the next town over from me. Shut down downtown all day yesterday.

Changed street signs and painted a WV mural on a historic building. Supposedly set in WVa...not sure.

Cool connection they are filming some wood scenes on the farm next to my grandfather's which is the same piece of land they filmed The Patriot on...

Not sure how these type of deals find rural SC as a film location but...

[stevew]

This is set in LA

[Edward64]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

I am enjoying it. Lot more action in the second episode than the first. You can see things ramping up.

Lots of stupid decisions, but I chalk a lot of that (the daughter with her BF; the ex-wife being all crazy belligerent; the son being anti-dad) to them not really realizing the end of the world is coming and they need to prepare. IMO, that's a normal response in those situations (and which I hope we'll see less of as the gravity of the situation starts to become clear).

Didn't catch episode 2 last week but just saw the re-run tonight. Yup, getting more intense and looking forward to more zombies.

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by stevew

This is set in LA

Sorry just double checked its "outcast" they are filming.

Written by the same guy supposedly. I've never watched any of it.

[stevew]

Is ep3 on tonight?

[stevew]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Sorry just double checked its "outcast" they are filming.

Written by the same guy supposedly. I've never watched any of it.

New show.

If you weren't married I'd suggest trying to cozy up to Wrenn Schmidt. She's a super hottie

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by stevew

Is ep3 on tonight?

I believe they took this week off because of the holiday.

[Edward64]

Great episode (except for the monopoly part).

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by Edward64

Great episode (except for the monopoly part).

Bah Travis is a pussy and it left us all wanting him to get it next

[Grammaticus]

It's weird that nobody talks about zombies, considering the topic in pop culture. Is this show in an alt. universe?

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by MacroGuru

Bah Travis is a pussy and it left us all wanting him to get it next

I think its totally realistic of someone unsure of what is going on taking longer to hang on to his moral code and balance all of the groups/people pulling at him.

Im loving it.

[Flasch186]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

It's weird that nobody talks about zombies, considering the topic in pop culture. Is this show in an alt. universe?

This happened while Rick was in the Hospital so in a way you have to rewind the clock all the way before the Zombie fascination began. I'd argue Vampires were more popular back then with those garbage teeny bop movies at the time.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

This happened while Rick was in the Hospital so in a way you have to rewind the clock all the way before the Zombie fascination began. I'd argue Vampires were more popular back then with those garbage teeny bop movies at the time.

And George Romero never existed in the TWD alternate/parallel universe.

[panerd]

Originally Posted by Flasch186

I think its totally realistic of someone unsure of what is going on taking longer to hang on to his moral code and balance all of the groups/people pulling at him.

Im loving it.

Yes I am liking it a lot as well. Most zombie shows (including TWD) are based on the fact that the apocalypse has already happened and so it is kill zombies or be killed. This show seems more nuanced that the characters don't know for a fact that their neighbors can't be saved or what exactly is going on. I love the ending of this episode where they think the military have saved the day and eventually it will be life as normal. (Taking the trash out etc...)

[MacroGuru]

Originally Posted by panerd

Yes I am liking it a lot as well. Most zombie shows (including TWD) are based on the fact that the apocalypse has already happened and so it is kill zombies or be killed. This show seems more nuanced that the characters don't know for a fact that their neighbors can't be saved or what exactly is going on. I love the ending of this episode where they think the military have saved the day and eventually it will be life as normal. (Taking the trash out etc...)

We are liking it, but we just figured Travis would be stronger, but then again. I think the other issue we have is WE know they are zombies and we have to realize they don't know.

[Flasch186]

I thought that it was cleverly reinforced outside the hospital when they kept shooting them in the body versus the head...

[Chief Rum]

That whole hospital driveby and the following view of the power going out throughout the city was a well-done scene.

I am enjoying it. I liked last night's episode. Good tension throughout.

[cthomer5000]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

It's weird that nobody talks about zombies, considering the topic in pop culture. Is this show in an alt. universe?

One of the weird conceits of almost all zombie fiction is that they exist in a world where the pop culture of a "zombie" literally doesn't exist. It's definitely odd, but it's pretty widespread.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Grammaticus

It's weird that nobody talks about zombies, considering the topic in pop culture. Is this show in an alt. universe?

It's solely to avoid using the 'Z' word.