"Fear The Walking Dead's" six-episode first season had its flaws, but it stood apart from its Big Brother "The Walking Dead" due to its slow pace and emphasis on character development. The familial dynamics of the main characters went far beyond Rick Grimes', and though "Fear" wasn't as outright action-packed, it did look as if it could develop into something more substantive.
Almost six episodes into "Fear The Walking Dead's" second season, and that hope has gone completely out the window. The companion series has traded in its character focus for generic action and a challenge-of-the-week format. It's disappointing to see potential squandered like this, but is it too late to rectify?
The midseason finale coming up this Sunday has a lot on its plate. If you want the inside information courtesy of Fear: The Spoiling Dead Fans, continue reading.
To recap:
-Daniel's flashback last week was actually a flashback of himself. It's hard to imagine what Daniel, a grizzled war veteran/retired torturer, was like as a child. We'll get more insight into his past in this episode.
-Chris continues to go off the deep end after being caught creepily standing on Alicia and Madison with a knife last week. I don't know what it is about "The Walking Dead" universe that makes grumpy children so insufferable, but it's got to stop. Chris is rapidly approaching Carl Grimes-levels of awfulness. The show would be better off without these detours into his warped psyche.
-Daniel is also having a mental breakdown because...drama? He is tied down by some residents and presumably left to sweat it out.
-Nick continues to pull his walk among the dead trick in order to retrieve Luis and find Travis and Chris. This is another example of why "Fear The Walking Dead" is such a let-down. The whole Zombies-Aren't-Dead notion is a beat by beat rip off Hershel's early storyline in "The Walking Dead," as is the Chris-Carl parallels. You think "Fear" would be interested in telling original stories, but no.
-Celia gives the group one day to leave but changes her mind after Nick brings Luis home. Rationally speaking, it just doesn't make any sense for her to believe that flesh eating zombies are still her friends and family.
-Daniel and Celia may be killed off in this episode, while Strand may be sent into exile.
-The episode ends with the mansion burning, once again putting the group on the run. Tsk tsk. Baja seemed like a good opportunity to find some permanent safety. Alas, back to the sea.
"Fear The Walking Dead" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
