"When civilization ends, it ends fast," brave little Tobias told Maddison on last night's episode of "Fear The Walking Dead." But for the second week in a row, the show slow played the end of the world. But I'm not complaining. I enjoy seeing more of these everyday characters put in non-everyday situations.
Rick Grimes AKA The Bearded One of "The Walking Dead" was a police sheriff before the zombie apocalypse. One could argue that he is only at peace with himself in the midst of a crisis. But school teachers and their whiney kids? Talk about lacking the necessary skills to survive in an apocalyptic world. But that's what makes it interesting.
Alicia clearly doesn't know when to leave well enough alone. She goes to her boyfriend's house to find out why he hasn't been answer her texts (teenagers, am I right?) only to find him sick with fever. Travis, Maddison and Nick, fresh from their encounter with the zombified Calvin last week, urge her to leave and they'll send for help later. At first, she refuses and I understand why Alicia wants to stay. But this is the first of many examples of characters not listening to sound advice in this episode. Listen to your parents, kid!
"No one is paying attention. It's like it's not real," Nick says when they are safe back at their home. And it's true. Mostly everyone is going about their lives; her neighbor is even throwing a birthday party for her daughter (spoiler alert: It ends badly). But a few people are smart enough, or at least cautious enough, to see what's coming. Neighbors and cops are seen stocking supplies and getting out of dodge. It's realistic (no, not the zombie part) to see half the population disregard the strange occurrences while the other half prepares for the worst.
Speaking of the worst, Nick is suffering from serious withdrawal symptoms (don't do drugs, kids!) while Travis is out looking for his son with his ex-wife. Maddison needs to get Nick some medicine from the school and leaves Alicia to watch her brother. Of course, Alicia almost immediately tries to leave for Matt's house. Nick pleads with her to stay, warns her of the dangers, which she ignores (seriously, this girl needs to get her s--- together). If not for a well-timed seizure from Nick, Alicia likely would have become zombie chow.
Although they may bicker and disagree, this family loves one another in their own weird way and that has been the most genuine element of the show through two episodes.
Travis' son Chris, meanwhile, is smack dab in the middle of a developing riot. The police shot a homeless man and the public is enraged. The scene mirrors recent tragic events which adds to its poignancy. But in this case, the viewers know something the characters don't. These aren't random acts of excessive force; they are the early attempts to destroy a threat that can barely be understood.
As a full-scale riot begins to erupt, Chris is still adamant about staying because he's "a part of it." Dude, I know you're mad at your father and want to rebel or whatever, but what are you thinking? Get the hell out of there, moron.
Eventually, Travis and ex-wife Liza convince him to leave and they are reluctantly allowed into a nearby shop by the owner and his family as the riot kicks into full-gear. "Fear The Walking Dead" may not be the deepest of shows, but it's worth noting how little it regards group-think. On the heels of an oncoming catastrophe, society isn't just riding out the collapse of civilization, we are actively embracing it.
Maddison's days isn't going any better. Tobias, the knife wielding student from the pilot, sneaks up on her while she's smuggling drugs out of the school's contraband locker. He wants his blade back (good thinking). This kid is literally the only character who has his head on straight. Don't sleep on the weird loner, folks.
But as the two are wheeling supplies out, the metal detectors go off. "Fear The Walking Dead" has done a very good job of supplying tension and suspense without actually showing anything so far. In this case, the threat of a grisly death is heard but not seen and it's an effective storytelling device.
Unfortunately, the two can't outrun every Walker as they come across the zombified principal. Maddison, still not fully grasping what is happening, tries talking to him. Again, she hasn't listened to a word Tobias has said. But he quickly springs into action, slashing at the Walker and becoming my new favorite little portly actor in the process.
The two go tumbling down the stairs with the Walker ending up in prime biting position. Maddison grabs a fire extinguisher and bashes the thing's head in, but not before some trial and error.
It's a good moment in the show not just because we all crave brain battering action. Maddison is very obviously bad at killing Walkers. Unlike Rick, Michonne or Daryl, she's not suited for this type of work. And I like that. I like that the show is bit more relatable with characters who have no control over what is going on and can't seem to do anything to stop it. They are all flawed and ill-fitting for this world and that is how you produce organic drama.
"This doesn't end," Tobias tells Maddison. Good, I'm glad because I am pleasantly surprised with the solid start "Fear The Walking Dead" has gotten off to.
