"The Walking Dead": Any fans here?

[snoopy]

Bumping for fear the dead start. Are they in LA?

 

[all_empty]

Yes, the show takes place in LA.

It's kinda trippy since I know a couple of locations they've featured. One of my coworkers lives next to an abandoned hospital and they've been shooting there (not sure if it's the hospital shown in the pilot).

LA is infamous for its high-speed car chases and news helicopter coverage, so the freeway stop was totally in line.

The virus is already underway at the onset of "Fear." It's referred to as the flu, which is odd because as we know everyone is infected but typically don't show symptoms (i.e. eating people) until AFTER they die. That one student -- Tobias (?) -- says there are reports in multiple states.

The pilot was a little slow paced, but it really picks up in the next episode. Remember, this is a six episode series.

 

[Cachoo]

The English teacher is so kind and has so much empathy for the people around him. IF he survives who will he be in a couple of years of dealing with societal breakdown and walkers? Will he be able to hold on to his humanity? I like seeing how all of this started.

 

[AliasJohnDoe]

I enjoyed the initial slowness for character development. There will be plenty of zombies to come.

Looking forward to new characters being added after the first 6 episodes. The entire family/beginners can't all survive.

 

[AliasJohnDoe]

"Fear The Walking Dead" premiere ratings:

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/24/fear-walking-dead-ratings

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/20...ampaign=Feed:+Tvbythenumbers+(TVbytheNumbers)

 

[snoopy]

"Fear The Walking Dead" premiere ratings:

http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/24/fear-walking-dead-ratings

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/08/24/fear-the-walking-dead-becomes-most-watched-series-premiere-in-cable-history-with-10-1-million-viewers/452459/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Tvbythenumbers+(TVbytheNumbers)

Yeah because the rest of summer TV sucked. I couldn't wait for this to come around.

 

[viennese]

I like the two lead actors - Kim Dickens and Cliff Curtis - and the sense of the city being on the edge of chaos, and no one knows it.

Did they have to go back to the wrecked church twice, though? Once for him to discover a bloody mess (but no bodies) and then a second time, so she could see it, too, and say, "Something terrible happened here."

I wanted him to say, "Yeah, it was terrible. FOR ME the last time I was here and I slipped and fell into this same bloody mess. I can't believe you need to see it for yourself. Can we go now?"

 

[BigB08822]

I agree, them going back to the church was odd. I thought it was odd that he felt the need to go in the first place.

I am curious how this all started. Was it manmade? Those drugs seems awfully important. However, we are hearing stories that this is happening in other states so unless this drug is widespread then that seems unlikely. I thought the drug dealer guy was going to be key but he was killed off right away, maybe he will come into play later with backstory and/or flashbacks.

 

[PeterG]

Is it next Sunday yet?? I'm kind of surprised that the pilot focussed basically on just this one family. With the Walking Dead we had 1) Rick, 2) Shane, Lori and Carl, 3) Morgan and Duane (well, they don't count as their storyline disappears for about five years) and are introduced to 4) Glenn. I wish the pilot for Fear The Walking Dead had given us more sub-groups to think about. I guess we have Travis' ex-wife and son as well as Alicia's boyfriend. And hopefully the Hispanic family will be in episode two and subsequent episodes.

Hey, I see from imdb that Alicia is played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, who played Lexa on The 100. No wonder I liked her so much!!

The English teacher is so kind and has so much empathy for the people around him. IF he survives who will he be in a couple of years of dealing with societal breakdown and walkers? Will he be able to hold on to his humanity? I like seeing how all of this started.

Or maybe in a few season he will be making a meal out of some stranger's neck...

I enjoyed the initial slowness for character development. There will be plenty of zombies to come.

Looking forward to new characters being added after the first 6 episodes. The entire family/beginners can't all survive.

I wished it had been a bit quicker-paced and a bit more action-oriented, but I commend them for not doing that (the obvious thing) and giving us a slow-burn instead. We did get three different zombie encounters in 60 minutes of running-time. I'm sure they'll have some big sh** to throw at us soon enough!

 

[Marco]

I found the pilot way too slow. I don't need to see zombies every second, but this episode didn't really create much fear or chaos or suspense except during the opening scene with Gloria and the final scene. There is way too much character building and non sense for a show with just 6 episodes in the season. I was watching World War Z (Brad Pitt movie) last night and found their delivery of the zombie break out way more efficient and effective.

All I really expect from the pilot is the ordinary citizens hearing or reading bits and pieces about strange behaviour, and some people believing it and most people laughing it off, and then how the zombies actually appear. The bit on Tobias could have been done a lot better - it could be how he got to know about the news and whatever conspiracy there is to cover it up. Having someone who believed in the "flu" got shut up right away is not helpful. There should be someone a lot more insistent and frightened over 'nothing' and some idiots laughing in his face getting bit the next second. The drugged teenager opening was good but it sucks that they didn't immediately have someone follow up on it. It made sense that they pushed the police away, but if they did, then it didn't make sense that they would go back to that abandoned church at all.

If I weren't already an immense fan of the TWD, based on this pilot alone, I would not go on to episode 2.

 

[AliasJohnDoe]

Hey, I see from imdb that Alicia is played by Alycia Debnam-Carey, who played Lexa on The 100. No wonder I liked her so much!!

Glad you mentioned that. I couldn't figure out who she looked like. And I watch "The 100". I like her too....even more now.

Frank Dillane, who plays Nick, made an impression on me. I liked his acting. He kept my attention for some reason. Out of all their family members, I hope Alicia and Nick survive. Brothers and sisters can be close.

I'm kind of curious having a Walking Dead show without the comic-origin/background.

 

[PeterG]

Did they have to go back to the wrecked church twice, though? Once for him to discover a bloody mess (but no bodies) and then a second time, so she could see it, too, and say, "Something terrible happened here."

My thought was that Travis (Cliff Curtis) felt that there was something different with Nick compared to previous problems he had with drugs. The things Nick said and the way Nick was dealing with the situation was unlike anything experienced before, so Travis thought it was important to check out the church. Plus Nick's comments about people having been attacked, hurt and/or killed...Travis might have thought that if somebody was left there and needed help, it would be wrong to have left them there. But most important, Travis probably wanted to be able to say to Nick that he checked out the church...and saw nothing of what Nick told him. So that Travis could have said, "it was just the drugs, Nick". Now Travis has the important info that all the things Nick said were true...it was not anything he imagined because of being high.

I agree, them going back to the church was odd. I thought it was odd that he felt the need to go in the first place.

Similarly to what I wrote above...with Madison, she wanted proof that Nick was not hallucinating once again. If she did see something terrible, she could regain some of the confidence and trust in her son that she had lost from previous problems they have had. So I think it was smart for both Travis and then Madison and Travis together to see what happened. Plus, this has given them a slightly better understanding of what is about to come. They know more than others that things are changing and have a better chance of surviving because they took action instead of sticking their head in the sand.

I like the two lead actors - Kim Dickens and Cliff Curtis - and the sense of the city being on the edge of chaos, and no one knows it.

I've liked ever since "Once Were Warriors" and then in the tv show Trauma. Hope he'll be around a long time with this show. And Kim was a surprise, often there seems to be characters in the Walking Dead universe that are easy to dislike, but she is strong and capable. It'll be interesting to see how she takes charge of the situations that are ahead of her.

 

[Japanfan]

I found the pilot way too slow. I don't need to see zombies every second, but this episode didn't really create much fear or chaos or suspense except during the opening scene with Gloria and the final scene. There is way too much character building and non sense for a show with just 6 episodes in the season.

ITA. I understand that the producers/writers/director wanted to create a sense of ordinary people leading ordinary lives when the epidemic began. But a bit too much attention was given to the characters and their relationships. I wanted more information on what was happening throughout the world.

And I didn't find the characters immediately compelling, as I did with all the characters in the first episode of TWD.

I actually started watching the series after channel surfing one day and coming across a dinner scene at Herschel's farm. It was the seen where Glen passed Maggie a note asking him to meet her at the barn. I only watched for half a minute or so - however long the scene lasted - but was fascinated by the characters and wanted to know who they were.

I would not otherwise have started watching a series about zombies, which to me was an initial turn-off.

The bit on Tobias could have been done a lot better - it could be how he got to know about the news and whatever conspiracy there is to cover it up. Having someone who believed in the "flu" got shut up right away is not helpful.

Yes.

Also, the fact that a flu was going around really confused me. If so many people were not at school because they were infected by the zombie virus, would there not be more zombies in the area? We've only seen a few, but one zombie quickly creates many more.

If I weren't already an immense fan of the TWD, based on this pilot alone, I would not go on to episode 2.

Yes again, although maybe the series will get better.

For now, it's like having a mediocre appetizer while waiting for the main course (TWD premier on Oct. 11) to arrive.

 

[Buzz]

I am watching it right now and I like it. I like the take it slow from the beginning type of approach.

 

[PeterG]

The bit on Tobias could have been done a lot better - it could be how he got to know about the news and whatever conspiracy there is to cover it up. Having someone who believed in the "flu" got shut up right away is not helpful. There should be someone a lot more insistent and frightened over 'nothing' and some idiots laughing in his face getting bit the next second.

To have kids mock Tobias and then get bitten by a zombie would definitely be a moment for me. Way too much of a zombie show cliché if they pulled something obvious like that. That said, moments like this would not be happening so early in the story. We've only experienced a day or two so far, that kind of stuff would happen way farther down the line.

The drugged teenager opening was good but it sucks that they didn't immediately have someone follow up on it. It made sense that they pushed the police away, but if they did, then it didn't make sense that they would go back to that abandoned church at all.

I think the police thought this kid was a wasted druggie, checking out his story of blood, murder and monsters would have been a real waste of their time when you think of all the crime that a city like Los Angeles would have for them to investigate.

Frank Dillane, who plays Nick, made an impression on me. I liked his acting. He kept my attention for some reason. Out of all their family members, I hope Alicia and Nick survive. Brothers and sisters can be close.

Yeah, this brother and sister combo could make for all kinds of interesting storylines. I like that Alicia is not a walking stereotype who is not all completely bitter about all the attention going to her addict brother. That she's angry in some ways, but still open to the love a sister can have for a brother. It will be interesting to see how Nick detoxes as the zombie outbreak gets bigger and bigger. And what role Alicia plays in that and how their bond might grow. I'd love to see them as a killer zombie-fighting duo.

Glad you mentioned that. I couldn't figure out who she looked like. And I watch "The 100". I like her too....even more now.

Yes, it's great to know that the actress who played Lexa will now go up against hordes of zombies. This actress could be the new Michonne.

 

[rfisher]

Or, all this group could be dead by the end of the first 6 episodes. TWD doesn't hesitate to kill off characters.

 

[Marco]

To have kids mock Tobias and then get bitten by a zombie would definitely be a moment for me. Way too much of a zombie show cliché if they pulled something obvious like that. That said, moments like this would not be happening so early in the story. We've only experienced a day or two so far, that kind of stuff would happen way farther down the line.

Absolute cliche yes, but better than nothing happening. Seems like there have already been reports on "the flu" and also some videos of the highway incident on the internet but it didn't create much fear at all. Tobias got dismissed right away and those who saw the video didn't seem to take it seriously. If they have Nick describe what he saw but have it dismissed right away as well due to his drugging history, the better contrast would be to have Tobias or part of the internet community get very scared or have all sorts of conspiracy theory flying. Meanwhile the main characters are already introduced to a real walker, before any of them have a chance to explain their stance.

Sorry I am being impatient

 

[PrincessLeppard]

The show, like the Walking Dead, has yet to find the fine balance between character development and horror. The opening was great, but then show slooooooooooooooooowed way down. At that point, I hated all the characters as well. However, then the conspiracy kid showed up, and that was good. Then it slooooowed down. The highway scene was good, and I think it's realistic no one (or not many) would be believe the video was real. I thought it ended well, and now I think we can get to the story.

I have some theories on the flu aspect, but I need to inhale my lunch and then go teach, so I will be back later.

 

[viennese]

What's your theory on the flu epidemic?

Mine is: the flu is not the zombie virus, but actually the influenza virus.

But with so many people knocked down and ill due to a bad season of flu, they are more susceptible to whatever the Great Mystery Walking Dead-maker is.

 

[PeterG]

Today the power was out in my city of 76,000 from 11am to 4pm. The winds were really strong, so it until they settled down, power could not be re-stored. Only on the outskirts of the (small) downtown area was there a store open: McDonald's. I'm not sure if they had regular power or had back-up generators or something like that. (They were taking cash payments only.) The reason I'm bringing this up is because at 2pm, the line-up for food was a 15 minute wait and there were 30 cars in line for the drive-through. The cars almost reached out to the highway, blocking traffic. Many people were just ordering coffee...they needed their caffeine fix. This made me think, "what if it was WAY more serious than just a power outage for five hours"? What if something like a zombie apocalypse happened? It made me realize how quickly all hell could break loose. I've always thought TV shows were so dramatic with the pandemonium breaking out so quickly. But damn if people didn't NEED THEIR COFFEE!!! Also, I've never heard so many sirens in one day as I did today. When I left my condo, the hallway was pitch black with no lights on. I imagine everyone living in a north-facing suite might be in pitch black...easy for accidents to happen. Especially for seniors. All of this is making me dread the day when the zombie apocalypse actually DOES happen!!! At least I'll be prepared thanks to TWD and FTWD. And all of you. I appreciate getting to throw ideas around with all of you about how we will survive this. Thanks, everybody.

 

[rfisher]

How to survive a zombie apocalypse? Stake them before they bite you.

 

[Japanfan]

All of this is making me dread the day when the zombie apocalypse actually DOES happen!!! At least I'll be prepared thanks to TWD and FTWD. And all of you. I appreciate getting to throw ideas around with all of you about how we will survive this. Thanks, everybody.

Mr. Japanfan likes to have all sorts of stuff on hand that I want to throw out. For example, a cup full of candle/wax leavings and we are never going to make candles.

When I went to throw it out he reminded me that "things like that are going to be important when the zombie apocalypse comes". That has become a standard reply. He also tells people who he sees as lazy about doing stuff such as minor car repairs (i.e. checking your oil), that "you will be one of the first to die in the zombie apocalypse".

 

[PrincessLeppard]

What's your theory on the flu epidemic?

Mine is: the flu is not the zombie virus, but actually the influenza virus.

But with so many people knocked down and ill due to a bad season of flu, they are more susceptible to whatever the Great Mystery Walking Dead-maker is.

Oh, I like that one.

My theory is that it is the zombie virus settling in (since everyone is infected) and some people display flu-like symptoms, others don't.

 

[PeterG]

ITA. I understand that the producers/writers/director wanted to create a sense of ordinary people leading ordinary lives when the epidemic began. But a bit too much attention was given to the characters and their relationships. I wanted more information on what was happening throughout the world.

That information does not exist. Right now people are just hearing stories. It's too early for there to be factual info to share, just lots of random thoughts. We've only seen three zombies, two of which were not in visible areas. So only one zombie for others to see and it's too unbelievable for many to take serious. They're thinking it's a prank. The information stage you wish for will be featured in upcoming episodes. I'm in no rush to get there. We already jumped into the zombie story farther down the line with The Walking Dead. Now we get to experience what happened before that. This is our only chance to experience this unless they create a third series. To jump right into massive zombie attacks misses the point of what this show is. Well...the beginning of this show as things are going to move quickly as panic takes over.

And I didn't find the characters immediately compelling, as I did with all the characters in the first episode of TWD.

I actually started watching the series after channel surfing one day and coming across a dinner scene at Herschel's farm. It was the seen where Glen passed Maggie a note asking him to meet her at the barn. I only watched for half a minute or so - however long the scene lasted - but was fascinated by the characters and wanted to know who they were.

But you state that your fascination began with around episode eleven or twelve of the series. Only after getting into the show this far along did you go back to episode one which you got into partly because of episodes from much farther down the line.

Also, the fact that a flu was going around really confused me. If so many people were not at school because they were infected by the zombie virus, would there not be more zombies in the area? We've only seen a few, but one zombie quickly creates many more.

People were staying away from school because the fear of something weird taking over was making people stay home. That would be how I would act. So my thought was that these people staying away don't have the flu...they are staying at home in the hopes that they can avoid it. And avoid coming across zombies like they saw police shoot at on last night's news program.

I am watching it right now and I like it. I like the take it slow from the beginning type of approach.

I don't want to be rushed into The Walking Dead II. We already have that story. Fear The Walking Dead can be something different. (Well, at least right now, anyway.) We get to take our time and see the beginning of the story. This beginning will be over soon enough and we'll see swarms of zombies and attacks and deaths and all the other stuff that we've already seen many times with The Walking Dead.

 

[AliasJohnDoe]

"Fear The Walking Dead" airline zombies: http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/28/walking-dead-airline

Here’s the plan: EW has exclusively learned AMC is producing a half-hour special that will tell a stand-alone story following a group of passengers facing a walker attack on an airline while in flight. One character who survives that encounter will then join the cast of Fear the Walking Dead in season 2. So, yes: Zombies on a Plane.

 

[Japanfan]

But you state that your fascination began with around episode eleven or twelve of the series. Only after getting into the show this far along did you go back to episode one which you got into partly because of episodes from much farther down the line.

After my interest was prompted by that one short scene I began watching the series with the first episode of Season 1. I don't remember whether I watched them after the New Years marathon aired or whether Mr. Japanfan had all the episodes PRVed. I think it was the former.

I always start a series (book or TV) at the very beginning.

I actually had bad dreams about zombies for quite some time. Eventually I got used to them.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

On Previously.tv, posters are not allowed to discuss the Walking Dead when talking about Fear the Walking Dead, because one person went in and whined that they hadn't watched the Walking Dead yet and didn't want to be spoiled.

Hey, then how about NOT going into the thread about a spinoff show?

Anyway, I'm hoping tonight's show will be better and there will be no stupid, that would never happen in a real school teacher stuff.

 

[PrincessLeppard]

Okay, sorry for double post, but WHY DOESN'T THE MOM TELL THE DAUGHTER WHAT'S HAPPENING? AND WHY DID THE MOM APPROACH THE PRINCIPAL WHY IS EVERYONE ON THIS SHOW SO STUPID ZOMG.

 

[lmarie086]

^That's what I couldn't understand; why the hell wouldn't you tell your daughter that PEOPLE ARE EATING OTHER PEOPLE? I know they still don't get what is happening, but this is not the time to keep secrets. Or at least that shouldn't be a secret.

Also, wouldn't it be easier to try to wean your kid off of drugs before you leave for the desert? I don't get this mom.

 

[rfisher]

I do. People deny, deny, deny until the truth is biting their neck. The brain doesn't want to accept the reality and when it does, they panic and do stupid things. The showrunners actually said this show is about how and when the characters finally accept the new world they live in.