Fear the Walking Dead Review: Not Fade Away (Season 1 Episode 4)

Every single week of Fear the Walking Dead brings me new anxiety and excitement over what is to come.

This week’s episode, “Not Fade Away”, marks the point in the season in which all these seemingly random events and plotlines begin to weave themselves together to give us a glimpse into the bigger picture — this week, we finally get some idea of what the hell is really on in post-apocalyptic Los Angeles.

And, I mean. I don’t want to say “I told you so” regarding the Government… but I definitely told you so.

Anyone with any experience watching apocalyptic dramas knows that no one can be trusted, least of all those in positions of power — and definitely not people who work for the Government. Daniel, it seems, knows this better than anyone, as he proves when he tells Madison the chilling story from his childhood. At this point, we all know that anyone who gets taken to that medical center is not safe. They are not “getting help.” If anything, this reviewer is fairly certain that they’re all heading out to be gassed and essentially executed in one way or another.

Paranoia is a strong and dangerous thing, people, and it seems as though the Government is not willing to take any risks in regards to the spread of this infection. Whether they can not or will not differentiate between who is a risk and who isn’t, the fact that Madison finds human bodies executed along with the walking dead (ha) just goes to show that, whatever the reason may be, the Government is not concerned with saving as many people as they can. They are here to exterminate, not protect.

Which does not bode well for Nick fans, given that everybody’s favorite addict has been taken in to custody by the sketchy Militia to receive “treatment” for his “illness.” Lucky for us, though, If there’s anything we know about Nick (besides the fact that he is a drug addict willing to do just about anything to get his fix), it’s that he is actually extremely resourceful and intelligent.

If anyone can escape from what we can only assume is a prison masked as a hospital, it’s Nick Clark.

As with last week, however, Travis’ unwavering faith in the Military only continues to frustrate those of us who know how this new world works. Now that Travis’ good ol’ pal Moyers has taken Nick from them and presumably killed whoever whoever it was that Chris spotted signalling for help instead of rescuing them as Travis assumed they would, one can only hope that Travis is going to come to see things Madison and Daniel’s way just in time for the group to throw together some sort of plan of escape and rescue those who have been taken from them.

Even if the adults refuse to get on the apocalyptic level, there is no doubt that Alicia and Chris will likely be chomping at the bit to get out there and investigate and do something. One of Alicia’s defining traits thus far has been her inability to do as she’s told — a trait that, admittedly, was not one that I had deemed positive until now. Alicia is turning out to be more “no bullshit” than her Mother and she has definitely come into her own in the past two episodes.

Where Alicia seems to have a very blase outlook on rules and restrictions, Chris is all too anxious to step up and be the hero. When he’s needed, if he can help, Chris will do his part. Together, Alicia and Chris have the potential to be one hell of a trouble making team. If they don’t have their act together, their combined personalities and minds could lead to disaster.

If they do catch on quickly, however, they will be a force to be reckoned with.

Add in Nick’s street-savvy nature, and we’ve got ourselves a zombie killing trifecta right there.

Am I getting ahead of myself? Maybe. But I can’t help it. I’m really excited by the potential these characters have.

But I digress…

The best thing about Fear the Walking Dead is that this show continues to improve and build upon itself with each passing week. In the first few episodes, during which time many complained about the show’s slower nature, the creators of The Walking Dead prequel were expertly laying the groundwork for what is looking more and more like an outstanding end to the series’ strong first season.

What Fear the Walking Dead has managed to do is create a season that is cinematic in nature. Rather than having plots laid out episode by episode, the entire season builds upon itself to create the bigger picture. It is one, coherent and consistent plotline that is evidently leading viewers toward what we can only hope will be an explosive, climactic finale that will inevitably leave us wanting more (which seems likely, if the fact that the show has already been renewed for a second season is anything to go off of).

Did you love this weeks episode as much as I did? Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts!

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Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.