As we all know, "The Walking Dead" became a massive hit that still lives on, and for a few years running, now has a prequel story of a different set of survivors called "Fear The Walking Dead".
When it was announced that fan-favorite character, the stick-wielding, zen peaceful but extremely deadly Morgan Jones played by Lennie James, was joining the cast, I grew very excited. On the day of the massive crossover for both series, I was ready for Morgan’s debut, and the first episode was a work of art all its own, in style as well as narrative. The series has been one of the darkest and high octane stories since we were introduced to the new survivors. To those not familiar with the offshoot show stemming from one of the biggest series in the world, here are a few reasons why "Fear The Walking Dead" has become one of the greatest things on the small screen.
*The Locale of Texas Is The Perfect Setting For An Apocalyptic Zombie Series*
When it comes to the scenery filmed in Georgia, it can be extremely ominous and horrifying in certain scenes, but the world of "Fear" has an entirely different feel. There is very little green, and the locale almost has a dead, sepia tone. Everything the audience sees in front of them, including something as family friendly as a water park, feels like a graveyard, and the gigantic plastic slides feel like a skeletal structure, filled with dread and impending doom. "The Walking Dead" throws viewers into a very similar universe, but Texas feels like a horror film, blending the scenery of a classic modern western and films like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". "Fear"’s environment is a deadly dust-bowl, where even the former homes of humanity are broken down trailer parks, as opposed to the beautiful homes of Alexandria we had seen in "The Walking Dead".
*Madison Clark Had Become A More Dynamic and Compelling Leader Than Rick Grimes*
Rick Grimes is a flawed hero who can be vicious in one moment, but diplomatic and extremely protective of his crew the next, but Madison played by Kim Dickens was a mother first: a nurturing warrior who allows her children to find their own way, while always only being a step behind. Madison had a cooler head, even in the most violent and perilous of situations. Her matriarchal demeanor can be spread out to everyone around her, including complete strangers.
*The Most Recent Cast Additions Have Been Absolute Perfection*
"Fear The Walking Dead" has always been an ensemble where everyone individually stands out at certain times, and just like its brother series allows everyone to shine. The latest cast members including Garret Dillahunt, Jenna Elfman, Maggie Grace, and of course Lennie James have done nothing but include a more artful series in scope, characterization, and the continuing story. Even though this is technically a crossover involving a fatigued and newly reflective Morgan, the new crew of talent is just as pertinent. The inclusion of Althea, John Dorie, and Naomi has refreshed the first few seasons, adding a different humanity, a tragic love story, as well as a new set of people with their own survival abilities and cinematically woven backstories. And the most important aspect of the new cast members is the fact that every single one of them has been handpicked for their extreme talent and skill.
*"Fear The Walking Dead" Has Become a Dark Western with Even More Walkers and High Stakes Peril*
Even though "The Walking Dead" is also set in a world where the Walkers roam the countryside, and humanity has many of its own many layered villains including Negan, "Fear" is a whole different environment, that has the look of a classic Sergio Leone western, and to a certain degree, the Wasteland of Mad Max maestro, George Miller. The characters certainly echo the time period and have a lone-gun attitude, especially John Dorie who wears a cowboy hat and carries a pair of six-guns. It is not intended to be like "Westworld", where the West is definitely the backdrop, but it does certainly have that air of homage when it comes to films that were of the genre.
*The Cliffhangers and Shocking Events Are Just As Large In Scale and Memorable As "The Walking Dead"*
"The Walking Dead" is known for iconic moments that cause audiences different types of emotion, and events that are meant to shock and keep you glued to the screen every week. In many instances, that particular goal was achieved, but "Fear" does not disappoint when it comes to its own cliffhangers, including gut-wrenching character deaths. The newer characters have been quickly added to the mystique, and have already had their own are they/aren’t they situations. Without giving anything away, the series is at a peak moment where there is a major event happening, that has already taken casualties, separated the cast, and when it comes to death in the existence of the crew, it is always looming.
"Fear The Walking Dead" has hit its stride, and in one word the recent episodes have been nothing but masterful when it comes to the performances, and the excitement that continues within the new timeline that now connects with "The Walking Dead". It is a suspension bridge to the original series, and not only are storylines from it mentioned when Morgan speaks, it feels as if these two survivor crews can merge at any moment. "Fear The Walking Dead" has become one of the best shows on television and stands alone as its own creative property, even though it is part of a bigger franchise. Like we learned in "The Walking Dead", there is a much larger world, and the road is long. The journey through the hellscape of Texas, and a man searching for his own identity is extremely satisfying, and further enhances the entire experience from the mind of Robert Kirkman.
ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.