Fear The Walking Dead Season 2 Episodes 10-11 Reviews: Long Walk Off A Short Pier

"Do Not Disturb" finally ratchets up the zombie action. Alicia is almost killed by walkers and ends up hanging from a cable in the elevator shaft. She's rescued by a mystery woman. In flashbacks we see a wedding celebration. The bride's parents whisper about "the sickness" spreading and the border closing. They must leave immediately. Too bad the father has a heart attack on the dance floor. Jessica (the bride) tries to revive him using CPR. Really bad idea during the zombie apocalypse! Worse yet Elena and Hector (who work at the hotel) lock everyone in the banquet room to contain the situation.

Alicia and Elena head to where Madison and Travis were last seen. The door is barricaded and there's lots of zombies inside. Just then another group shows up. They are from the wedding party-- Oscar (the groom), Jessica's mother and a few others I dont know. They want Elena's hotel keys. Elena throws the keys and Alicia opens the doors. Zombies pour out. Alicia see a walker that looks like Madison (but we know its not really her). Strand and Madison are nowhere in sight. Just when it looks like the two women might be goners, a door opens. It's Madison. Question though, how did two highly intoxicated people (Madison and Strand) get away from a horde of walkers? Apparently by using the old blood-on-your-face trick that Nick has perfected. If it's that easy, why doesnt everyone smear blood on themselves all the time. Then they've never have to worry about zombies.

Elsewhere Travis and Chris hook up with three frat boys. Those guys are trouble. They end up in a barn chasing chickens. A farmer corners them with a gun. It looks like they might peacefully resolve the situation...but nope. Chris puts a cap in the guy. How long is it until Crazy Chris gets Travis killed?

In "Pablo & Jessica" our group negotiates with Team Oscar. They decide to work together to clear the hotel of walkers. They'll lure them to the ocean where they'll be stuck in the riptide (or so the theory goes). After a lot of music playing (uh, how are Alicia's batteries still good on her phone?) and pot banging, they herd everyone onto the pier. Madison stays dangerously close to the undead as they follow her out. At the last minute she jumps into the water and is rescued by Alicia in a waiting boat.

When they get back Strand finds Oscar standing outside the honeymoon suite where zombified Jessica is locked. He still cant bring himself to finish her. Strand will do the deed instead and enters the dark room.

Over in Tijuana Nick comes up with the bright idea to cut their current drug supply and pass it off to the gang members. Alejandro likes the idea but I dont think its very smart. Dont try to screw a Mexican gang people! Luciana gets word that her brother Pablo is dead. She is in mourning and ends up sharing an intimate moment with Nick. I just hoped the guy bathed for a change.

Ofelia is still MIA. She probably stole the truck and went looking for Daniel. Will we see her next week?

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 5) I did like these episodes better than most but I still have a few gripes:

That fake out with a possible ZombieMadison didnt fool anyone. You're not going to kill her this early in the season (if at all).
The same with Madison's down the pier. She was way too close to the walkers than need be. And I still didnt feel any suspense.
The intercutting of the scene with Alicia/Elena fighting walkers vs Travis/Chris in the barn didnt do it for me. Why not just show these scenes separately? They've both tense enough on their own.
How many times are they going to use the blood trick to get out of a bind? It's getting old fast.
BIGGEST ISSUE: I still dont like any of the characters enough to worry about them getting killed. I watch zombie shows for two reasons: 1. Zombie action and 2. To root for the survivors. So far, I'm still not feeling the love.

There are 3 more weeks to go before the end of the season. October 2 is a two parter. Let's hope "FTWD" gets it together soon. I'm really rooting for it but continue to be disappointed.