Legion World Forums LEGION COMPANION The Anywhere Machine THE WALKING DEAD tv show

I rewatched the TWD pilot, and while the pace there is unmercifully slow, Rick is instantly likeable and the episode is full of iconic scenes.

One thing I noticed... Nick, Maddy, and Travis already know what it took two seasons to learn on TWD, and that is that being bitten isn't necessary for someone to turn.

As I said on FB, I'm not opposed to taking the time to develop characters and set the tone, but a full extended episode is a little much, especially when the characters aren't really developed or especially likable yet. The only one I almost liked was teacher/boyfriend until he became a horror move cypher/moron and entered the "bad place" alone, unarmed, and at night for no reason other than to do a traditional scare bit.

I'm in agreement with most you guys--all in all, it was pretty good, but none of the characters really connected with me yet. I do love Kim Dickens, the female lead (and as Lardy mentions she was great on Sons of Anarchy--she was also awesome in Deadwood and Treme). I can't stand the junkie kid already and hope he's zombie food soon.

This episode reminded me a little of Stephen King's The Stand in showing how the world starts to fall apart. I hope that comparison holds, though that's a pretty high standard to set for the show (and in my mind, that part of the Stand is the single best and scariest part). The idea that the whole world could go to shit so quickly is terrifying.

Ep 2: Slow pace mostly maintained, but my interest remains super high. Blonde Mom needs to get loads tougher. Still hate Nick (and am convinced he will be the season's survivor).

The insta-looting annoyed the crap out of me... and you KNOW that's exactly what would happen.

LOVE the barbershop family. I know none of them will last.

Still slow but better. Chris is the most believable character yet, getting all caught up in the spontaneous protest and not seeing what's about to go down (Now if only he actually looked like a teenager).

I think there was an underlying tension this episode that worked really well. Watching things slowly descend into chaos like this is a fairly new experience for me in this horror sub-genre.

Also thought the slow burn and mounting tension was used very effectively. I'm enjoying the series so far. Watching the world fall apart while only some of the people in it realize what's happening is terrifying and anxiety-inducing. I think they're doing a good job showcasing that.

Yeah, I really liked this episode, though the characters splitting up was definitely in the category of "dumb things people do in horror movies."

Speaking of dumb things, who the heck leaves the door to their house wide open, especially in the zombie apocalypse?

And I don't get why the German Shepherd wouldn't have ripped the zombie to pieces either.

Not once, but several times!

I didn't mind the dog bit as it was a fairly "fresh" walker and therefore pretty sturdy, so even if the Shepard tore into him, he'd still be able to get a grip and bite on dog well before it could tear through a relatively healthy limb.

There were a number of other dumb things, like them steadfastly refusing to tell the daughter anything for no apparent reason, taking out the trash (I got the thematic purpose of the scene, but it was still dumb), the truck being the only vehicle out in the open during the riot not destroyed, and the inability of anyone to warn off the people in the truck before they went inside the house when they were literally next door.

As this is an all-new situation for us, WHAT IF:

Unlike in Atlanta, Georgia, what if L.A. is able to keep it somewhat together? That might be interesting to see really. A city that functions but everyone live under a thin layer of total fear that it could all fall apart. I believe it could be made to be interesting.

I'm sure we'll get total pandemonium instead 'cause folks like to riot and to distrust po=po.

An interesting idea to do a whole show without any zombies at all. Unfortunately this isn't the show to do well with that kind of episode. There were some good character bits, but most of the characters are either so unlikable or paper thin, that they couldn't carry this forward. Either the motivations are too apparent (Nick), or incomprehensible (his Mom).

I got some of what they were trying to show as the family unit breaks down (eventually literally), and that the military isn't as benevolent as they seem, it's just still not clicking for me.

I would find it interesting if the people rise up, overthrow the military, tear down the gates and then run into a horde, realising too late that the devil you know was actually better, but I fear a more predicatble crisis will emerge.

From my Facebook:


FEAR THE WALKING DEAD. The turtle-esque pace continues, and my interest dropped from "watch live" to "DVR-watch later" this week. BUT a lot of things DID happen this week to set up a possibly satisfying cliffhanger ending.

While those who tune in to see zombies were crushingly disappointed by the lack of same, those who tune in hoping to see Nick get the shit beat out of him were no doubt thoroughly pleased. I know *I* was. I really don't care what they do to the scumbag.

They did a great job of building up a little sympathy for Chris this week, it had to be awful watching his Mom leave like that. Also, good job on building interest in Madison, who went from lame Mom presence to possible asskicker this week. And THANK YOU Madison, for finally giving Nick what he needed about 10 years ago.

The portrayal of the soldiers annoyed me. IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE SUPER BUTCH *AND* to have a kindly heart.

Gotta admit I can't wait to see what gruesomeness is happening when those lights flash outside the gates....

It's holding my attention with how different it looks than the parent show. The military safe zone is an interesting wrinkle as any military near Atlanta was apparently wiped out before Rick woke from his coma (except for that one helicopter attacked by the Governor's crew). And it sure feels like they're removing all the unhealthy people possibly for extermination. Letting the ex-wife come along seems to contradict that theory, though. There's a seething tension to everything that I enjoy.

Nick's pretty much irredeemable, now. He needs to get eaten soon. I guess his sister is planning to off herself?

I hope whatever awaits with the light signals isn't disappointing. I guess it would be too cliche if it turned out to be Tobias.

Did I misinterpret the ending or something? Chris and the mom see the flashing lights (reflection/signal) early on, then in the end she sees the flash of gun fire in the building instead. I thought it was indicating that the military just moved in and wiped out whoever was holed up there.

I don't think any interpretation is wrong yet, I think we're going to be going inside the building soon. It's rather bad storytelling if we DON'T go...

Hm. I didn't get that. If that's what happened, I totally missed it. D'Oh!

I only knew it was gunfire because of the closed captioning. We need to see inside that building for sure.

I didn't get the gunfire at all.

Though I found pretty much everything about the signal flashing incomprehensible. Like why would anybody be flashing signals that could be seen by people in camp unless they wanted to be found, but then why don't they just come to the camp? I was wondering if it was Tobias as well, but, yeah, that seems too convenient.

So was Ophelia just making out with that soldier to help get medicine for her mother, or what?

I was pretty pleased with Nick being beaten and then hauled off by the military, but I still have the feeling he's going continue to be a central character.

I thought Alicia's note had a suicidal tone as well, but I'm hoping not, because she's probably the only member of the main family I'm actually into.

Yeah if I had to bet on 2 people lasting long term, it is (sadly) Nick and Madison (I'm more ok with). Chris a close third (if he quits filming everything and toughens up a bit).

re: the note. IT WAS SUSAN'S. Asian zombie Susan's. She killed herself via pills (explaining the empty pill bottle by the teacup). I did not quite grasp this either, until I read the EW recap just now.

I can't decide if this is too-vague storytelling or my lack of interest showing. I do believe she prefaces the reading of the note with "Patrick", but fuck-all if I remembered who Patrick was.

Here's the EW recap (be sure to read the comments too!!):

http://www.ew.com/recap/fear-the-walking-dead-season-1-episode-4

Oh, that actually makes sense after the whole scene of Alicia going over to their house! And, yeah, I heard the name "Patrick", but I didn't remember who it was and just assumed that was the name of Alicia's zombie-by-now boyfriend!

Yeah, me too!

That was a decent finale to Fear last week. Very tense and promising. And Strand looks to be a spark for the show going forward.

Meanwhile, holy SHIT! The home show returned tonight and blew my expectations out of the water! Loved everything about it!!!