Fear The Walking Dead Episode 6 Review: Did FTWD Redeem Itself During The Finale?

"The Good Man" brings us to the end of season one of "Fear The Walking Dead". With only six episodes total, it was a very abbreviated schedule. Those who read my reviews know I have a love-hate relationship with the show. My four main criticisms are: 1. The pace of the "FTWD" is excruciatingly slow; 2. Most of the main characters aren't likable or relate-able; 3. For a show about the collapse of society, we're not seeing any of it; and 4. Where are all the zombies? Did "Fear" reverse course during the finale? And, if so, is it enough to keep viewers coming back next year? Let's first review the happenings and then we'll revisit the questions.

The episode started slowly as the group prepared to leave their secure compound. Most of the National Guard had already evacuated in preparation of Operation Cobalt. Despite the danger, no one was in much of a hurry. I'd have been out of there in five minutes flat. Corporal Adams begs Travis not to take him (because Daniel will kill him). Travis, being a weenie, lets Andy go. Yep, you can bet we'll be seeing him again.  

The survivors head out in their three vehicles. Daniel stays behind. What's he up to? Later we see Daniel leisurely strolling by the guard tower. The soldiers tell him to leave the restricted area. But surprise! Behind Daniel is a horde of zombies. They are from the stadium... that's a whole lot of undead football fans.  

While the Guard is busy, Team Travis hightails it over to the hospital to retrieve Nick and Griselda. They dont know she is dead-- and that Nick and Strand are already making their way out of the building. 

In the best scene of the night, Victor and Nick are trapped in a hallway. The lights flicker off and on as the zombies approach. Our crew can't get to them on the other side of the door. Madison and Nick share a moment through the window. It appeared Nick was a goner. Just then, Liza shows up with a key card. She keeps swiping, swiping, swiping and it FINALLY opens... with not a second to spare. Score one for Liza.   

Next everyone heads to the kitchen where they're attacked by more zombies. Lots of close calls there as well. Next they're off to the sick ward. Uh, you might want to stay far away from that department. They find Dr Exner. She is resigned to her fate and will off herself when the time comes. I had originally pegged her as a baddie but she seems like a decent human being now. 

Daniel and Ofelia are looking for Griselda. Liza says she's dead but they want to see her body. Outside they discover piles of burned body parts. That was a sad scene. 

Everyone heads back to the cars. Chris has been beaten by some Army dudes and their SUV is stolen. Just then Corporal Andy shows up. See, I told ya! He shoots Ofelia in what looks like the head. Why? I assume as revenge against Daniel. Travis goes ape shit and beats Andy (nearly) to death with his bare hands. Good. 

Ofelia is loaded into the truck. They head for Strand's fancy house by the sea. Looks like Ofelia is not critically injured after all. Victor plans is to retreat to his yacht (the Abigail). Let's hope zombies can't swim. And you guys better not be trusting Victor either.  

Liza hugs Chris and then heads outside. Madison follows her. Liza has been bitten and wants Madison to kill her. Travis joins them. He is rightfully upset but manages to man up (for the third time this episode) and shoots Liza in the head. Chris and Alicia hear the shot and come running. 

The episode ends as it began. But this time instead of an aerial shot of the burning city, we get an aerial shot of the coast and ocean. Will our survivors try to make it on the high seas?    

So back to our initial questions. How did the finale fare based on my criticisms?

1. The pace of the show is excruciatingly slow- The beginning of the episode was still slow but picked up after the zombies arrived. Does anyone in the core group know how to R-U-N though? They just meander from place to place.   
2. Most of the main characters aren't likable or relate-able- I did like Liza so her death had an impact. We're now down one smart person in a show that doesnt have any to spare. I dont think many in the audience identified much with Travis BEFORE this episode. He did man up on several occasions though. It's about time. I know Madison is supposed to be a hard ass but the scene with Nick trapped on the other side of the zombie filled corridor would have been more effective if she freaked out a little. And both Chris and Alicia are still alive. Cant we get rid of at least one of them?  
3. For a show about the collapse of society, we're not seeing any of it- I still would like to see more scenes of downtown LA with zombies roaming around. Daniel manages to single handedly destroy much of what was left of their neighborhood. Yes I know he wanted to get to Griselda in the hospital, but lots of innocent people died in the process.  
4. Where are all the zombies? Apparently "FTWD" saved all the zombies from the previous episodes for the finale. We went from zero zombies to like 2,000. How about sprinkling a few throughout the series instead? 

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). A fun zombie filled finale. If only the other episodes had been as good. Bonus points for the zombie that walked head first into the helicopter propeller. That's one way to get rid of em. 

Will I be back next year? Of course because... ya know... zombies. Maybe the writers will get it together a little more by then. Next  week "The Walking Dead" returns. I can't wait!

Photo Credits:
http://tomandlorenzo.com/2015/10/fear-the-walking-dead-the-good-man/
http://www.serienjunkies.de/news/fear-walking-dead-good-review-71071.html
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2015/10/05/fear-the-walking-dead-season-one-finale-review-the-good-man/
http://www.accesshollywood.com/fear-the-walking-dead-season-1-finale-recap-the-good-man_article_113286
http://www.techinsider.io/fear-the-walking-dead-season-2-will-introduce-a-boat-2015-10

World According To GMonster

TV: Heavy On Sci Fi, Horror & Adventure; Light On Reality

October 6, 2015

6:54 AM