What I’m Watching: Fear the Walking Dead

Fear the Walking Dead: Season 1, Episode 4 “Not Fade Away” (C+)

I thought this show was starting out strong and I even praised the dialogue in the pilot episode, but now I’m starting to doubt that. We’re two-thirds of the way through the season, and while things are getting interesting, they’re progressing at a relatively slow pace throughout most of the hour and then amping up only towards the end in a way that doesn’t match the rest of the hour. Chris making a video about “day nine since the lights went out” and spotting a light in the distance gave the episode a very dated feel, but that quickly changed to Madison’s curiosity being piqued and her sneaking out to see what’s really out there. Nick just relaxing in the pool and claiming to be off drugs felt far too casual given the strong military presence surrounding them. Travis being called the mayor by Jamie McShane’s soldier cements his role in the town, even if he can’t hope to keep everything under control, and Ofelia making out with another soldier to get meds wasn’t exactly subtle, or effective, as it turns out. The arrival of Sandrine Holt's Dr. Exner and her use of Liza’s faux nurse seemed like a good thing, but yanking Griselda and Nick out of their home late at night for transportation to supposed medical care was not a promising or affirming sign of the good intent of the government and military, especially if the neighborhood they were in was supposedly one of only twelve safe zones in the area.