Fear The Walking Dead Episode 2 Review: Much Improved Over Last Week

As you will recall last week, I (among others) complained about the slow pace of the 90 minute premiere of "Fear The Walking Dead". The TV gods must have heard us because episode 2 "So Close, Yet So Far" was much more enjoyable.

The zombie apocalypse finally gets into full swing. The plan is for Madison and Travis to take the kids and head into the desert. But teenagers being teenagers manage to screw everything up. In their defense, the adults arent much better.

This Definitely Qualifies As Cardio

Travis' son is filming a police protest. Probably not the safest place to be right now. Travis and his ex wife Liza (hey, arent you Elizabeth Rodriquez from "Orange Is The New Black"?) pull Chris away just in time--but they have nowhere to escape to. Luckily a kindly store keeper and his family (the Salazaars) take them in. The shudders on his barbershop will keep out the trouble...for a while. At least they have lots of scissors.

May I See Your Hall Pass?

Meanwhile heroin addict Nick is going through withdrawal. Madison heads to school for drugs.There she finds Tobias. Now might be a good time to start believing what he has been saying all along. As Madison and Tobias leave the building with a cart of food, they are attacked by the zombified principal. Seriously "FTWD", what is up with killing off all the black guys? There are other people on this show to kill.

Madison first tries to talk to him and almost gets chomped. Im pretty sure he's dead Madison! Tobias defends her with his knife. He gets pushed to the ground. If Tobias dies trying to help her, I'll be pissed. Luckily Madison grows a pair and bashes Principal Art in the head with a fire extinguisher...repeatedly. Game over. Madison tells Tobias he can stay with her family but he politely declines. What are the odds of Tobias surviving the season? I hope he makes it since he's the only one with half a brain.

There Goes My Pension

Madison arrives home. Alicia says Nick had a BAD seizure. Alicia doesnt say she was planning to leave to see boyfriend Matt when it occurred. Matt has been bitten so he's a goner. I'm not sure how long it takes victims to turn at this point. When Matt succumbs, he will be the THIRD black guy killed on this show in two episodes-- Calvin, Skinner and Matt. At this point, I swear "FTWD" is doing it on purpose.

Night falls as Travis looks out the window of the shop.There is chaos in the streets. Madison also looks out of her house to see a zombie attack the next door neighbor. Alicia runs to help but Madison stops her. Perhaps NOW might be a good time to tell Alicia what's really going on.

As a public service I've compiled a list to help with those facing a zombie apocalypse. Feel free to add any I have missed in the comments:

Always stab/shoot/hit em in the head.
Teenagers (for the most part) make poor judgements. Stay away from them if possible.
PLEASE communicate with your loved ones. A quick "hey I just saw a zombie" might be the difference between life and death.
If you're a black guy, I'm sorry but you're doomed (in "FTWD's" interpretation).
Drug addicts closely resemble zombies. Good luck telling the difference.
Never split up. Live together or die together.
Dont leave any food, ammo, drugs behind. You'll thank me later.
So who's making fun of us preppers now huh???
Dont walk down the middle of the street during a zombie apocalypse... or any other time.
Zombies LOVE bouncey houses. Use them accordingly.

Grade: 4 1/2 Monsters (out of 5). Episode 2 was MUCH better than last week. There were plenty of suspenseful zombie moments. A BIG missed opportunity occurred with the bouncey house at the children's birthday party though. A few zombies bouncing around trying to attack kiddies would have been H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S. With only four episodes left to go this season, I'm very interested to see how it all ends. And just a reminder, no show next week due to the holiday. Watch out for those Labor Day Zombies. They're the worst.