With the exception of certain crime scene investigation dramas and their endless iterations, any TV show that merits a spinoff must consider itself accomplished. It’s not just a measure of popularity but of strength of cast, content, and format; That it delivers each of three so well, it doesn’t need all of them to succeed, meaning that a small part can splinter off and seed anew. Many spinoffs have become monumental successes in their own rights such as Frasier and Xena: Warrior Princess. Now everyone’s favourite worldwide zombie phenomenon becomes the latest show to attempt small screen mitosis. It may not have the most original title but does the cross country prequel pack the goods? At long last, it’s time to find out.
Pilot – Thousands of miles away in Los Angeles, while Rick Grimes is still beardless and in a coma, we follow the family of teacher Travis (Cliff Curtis – Sunshine), his fiancé Madison (Kim Dickens – Treme), her kids Nick (Frank Dillane – Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince) and Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey – The 100) in their normal lives as the first signs of a looming zombie apocalypse begin to appear.
Previously on Fear the..... no, wait this is a pilot.... and that is the most important thing to remember here as we take a curious swing at FTWD. Under no circumstances should we even think about making comparisons to the main show yet. This is nothing more than a starting point and character introduction. The question should only be “Does it show potential?”, and this show definitely does. Right from a thrilling (and oddly medieval feeling) opening, the show proves it can deliver nerve-rattling tension and gruesome horror but the biggest and most rewarding play is suspense. The prequel card becomes an ace up the sleeve rather than a discarded 2, as the episode takes utter delight in teasing the Undead wheels beginning to turn, knowing full well the audience is watching with their hindsight glasses firmly on. From great snippets like the school principle remarking about “A lot of kids off sick today” to increasing levels of sirens and helicopter noises (so either they’re making a gangster rap video or something isn’t quite right). Then there’s one outstanding early scene of Madison talking to a school student who’s already several chapters ahead. It’s almost 4th wall breaking as the troubled Tobias talks of incidents in 5 states that he refuses to believe are unconnected and that, “They don’t know if it’s a virus or a microbe but it’s spreading”. It gives the series some ground grounding as it implies that even those smart enough cry “apocalypse now-ish” on cue, would have only been viewed as crazy and delusional. At times it feels like a darker play on Shaun of The Dead as the telltale signs appear eerily and ominously in the background.
However, the show is less effective when making its characters play a more active role investigating the mystery. A middle section of Travis and Madison playing detective over Nick’s supposed hallucinations feels out-of-place and would be better off keeping the lead faces as passengers to the looming disaster rather than forcing their hands on wheel. At times, it even drags a little. Thankfully this is soon abandoned for events to shift into a more public capacity as (what presumably is the first recorded) zombie turning footage goes viral. This delivers the episodes best moments and a terrific reflection on human perspective as everyone watches and knows exactly what they are seeing but the question becomes whether or not they are willing to believe it. Many reactions are sound and natural like viewing it with the same sceptical fakery as a piano playing cat. Yet this still allows escalation and a mild undertone of panic the society begins to be disrupted. It’s at this stage that composer Paul Haslinger firmly claims his episode MVP award. His scores and varied yet frequently capture a feel of old school horror dread and at so many points in this episode amplify our thoughts as an audience about the characters impending fate.
Not the entire main cast is revealed this episode. The focus is on establishing core extended family of Travis and Madison. Their mutual divorcee status in many ways is an example of the familiar survivor makeshift family culture we’re used to seeing. They have a good dynamic between them with plenty of foreshadowing for post-disaster qualities. Travis as the step-dad trying to make things work positions himself as a natural leader while Madison’s caring nature for even her drug addiction troubled son Nick, implies an emphatic nature to hold a group together. The most immediately likeable character is daughter Alicia as a smart rational thinker and a straight-talking nature that always works better coming from a more junior group member. Nick himself is difficult to read at first but over the episode develops into quite a fascinating oddball and even demonstrates an already functioning scavenger mindset that will soon prove invaluable. We get a brief look at Travis’s ex-wife and son, Henrie but other than some typical abandonment resentment from said offspring, we have little to go on.
This debut offering maybe slower and less auctioned-based than many would have liked, but it scores several clear headshots. Right from starting blocks it assures us that walkers/zombies (... or whatever the hell they’ll be calling them in LA) will still be featured prominently despite the year one setup. It delivers a good solid set of main cast members that come across as worth investing in. If you’re expecting more of the same, you may not receive it as warmly. If you’re looking for a good twist on a modern classic, then Fear The Walking Dead looks set to give you a good 6 weeks.