Fear the Walking Dead S01E01 Preview: ‘Pilot’
By Nir Regev
Shades of Resident Evil 2
Fear the Walking Dead clasps the tried and true formula and lays it out on the streets of Los Angeles. In what feels like a homage to the legendary Resident Evil series, we arrive at the origins of the outbreak in a major metropolitan area. Before there was a Rick Grimes or a Governor. Though by the looks of the preview above, it’s clear that Officer Walker is reporting for duty.
The opening atmosphere of is distinctly Contagion-like (Matt Damon’s foray into an infected world) with the population being aware of a virus spreading. Yet unaware of the extent. When the first videos go viral, it’s clear defense forces have no prior knowledge of the infected. Taking aim everywhere but the head as the walker rises again. This indicates a disconnection between local forces/swat teams and the science labs that likely created the virus. Or is it not man-made at all? Rather a coincidence of nature much like the film Contagion?
Several times during the preview, a teacher Travis Manawa, (played by Cliff Curtis) lectures that there is no way of stopping nature. “Nature always wins.”
Fear the Walking Dead: Expectations
It’s debut night. The big pilot episode, and expectations are absolutely sky-high. Just carrying the Walking Dead moniker alone, is enough to fuel entire arenas. Hype capable of blowing the biggest of amps. Sell out Madison Square Garden, a capacity crowd. Fear The Walking Dead is no ordinary complimentary sideshow, fans have prequel already in mind. While the original show is still airing no less. They will also expect the same standards of quality they’ve grown accustomed to in five seasons of The Walking Dead. An opportunity to immensely enhance the brand and fill the gap between the main show’s seasons.
There’s always the marginal risk of cooling fan interest before season 6, if mammoth expectations are not met. However, it’s a risk both AMC and creator Robert Kirkman are willing to take. Their confidence in large part thanks to The Walking Dead’s current untouchable status as the undisputed ratings king and A-list cast members like Kim Dickens of Deadwood and Gone Girl fame.
The biggest factor to the success of the show: no character familiarity past the walkers themselves. For the first time since 2011, there will be no Rick Grimes or Daryl Dixon to rely on. New attachments will have to be built and fast. A show is only as strong as their character investments. It’s a whole new ball game out there for Fear the Walking Dead. At the same time, the showrunner and cast have repeatedly conveyed to fans that they’re not looking to simply recreate the original.
In fact, an Entertainment Weekly article today interviewed showrunner Dave Erickson, who stated “I think people will start referring to it as Fear. I think it’ll become its own thing ultimately and look, the more people are talking about the shows individually or together, I think it’s great. It’s just going to feed what we do.” Fear the Walking Dead certainly has the potential to stand on its own. A cameo here and there wouldn’t hurt though. Everybody takes vacations. Why not Philip Blake?
There will be one immense aspect of familiarity for fans to count on… Original crew on set. Creator Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero, Gale Anne Hurd, and David Alpert will all be back to recreate the atmosphere we know and love. It cannot be understated how important this is for the brand’s vision. Sons of Anarchy’s Dave Erickson will join and place his own unique spin on the formula. Fear the Walking Dead is certainly in good hands.
“When Civilization Ends, It Ends Fast”
Society is about to crumble on Fear the Walking Dead, and this time there won’t be any Southern charms and platitudes to contain it. It will be an attractive sight to see how quickly people resort to their base instincts of fight or flight, and Purge-like behaviors. We got to witness Atlanta already filled to the highest skyscrapers with Walkers but never how it all came to pass. This time we witness how civilization became roving gangs and reverted back to the tribe-life seen on The Walking Dead. If civilization itself is all an illusion during times of wealth and convenience.
As the brilliant comedian George Carlin once said, “You ever stop to realize how fragile this all is? How easily it could break right down? It wouldn’t take much to go back to barbaric times. Probably take just two years. Just eliminate electricity.”
Follow me on Twitter: @nirregev
Check out more Walking Dead articles by me at this link and previous Walking Dead headlines at the news hub.
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