How 'Fear the Walking Dead' Can Avoid 'The Walking Dead's' Early Mistakes

Forbes ^ | Paul Tassi

[BenLurkin]

As we head into the second episode of Fear the Walking Dead on AMC, the show is already a runaway success. It shattered both live ratings and DVR records for a cable show, and has likely secured itself a lifespan past the initial two seasons that have already been greenlit.

I quite liked the pilot, which was slower paced than the original Walking Dead, and managed to capture more of a sense of rising tension. You only saw two or three zombies over the course of the evening, yet that was in many ways more terrifying than the type of hoard we now take for granted on The Walking Dead every week.

And yet, I worry that Fear the Walking Dead could potentially fall victim to some of the early mistakes of the original show. While The Walking Dead is a cultural phenomenon now, in its early seasons, it was often comically bad to the point where it could have collapsed altogether. Here’s how Fear the Walking Dead can avoid that type of situation.

Fewer idiots

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A faster learning curve

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Throw hope out the window (for now)

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Stay mobile

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[cripplecreek]

To me the most unrealistic thing about the Walking Dead (aside from the zombies) is the utter lack of humor.

Even in the most dire of situations people find something to laugh at.

[BenLurkin]

ping

[Demiurge2]

Has anyone ever pointed out that the biology, and indeed, the physics, of The Walking Dead’s zombies is simply impossible? Otherwise, you could have zombie perpetual motion machines.

[lopinslow]

Exactly what I was thinking! That’s what I like about Z Nation.

[lostboy61]

If you want to see the walking dead just look at Yeb Bush.

[southern rock]

Has anyone ever pointed out that the biology, and indeed, the physics, of The Walking Dead’s zombies is simply impossible?

Yes, I know. I have heard scientific rationalizations for all kids of B.S. from Star Trek,, Star Wars, and ever for Superman, but no one even tries to with this. Best advice, just get over it. LOL!

[cripplecreek]

I think Z Nation was supposed to be a single season knockoff spoof of WD but it got ratings. Now its up for a second season.

[lostboy61]

If you want to see the walking dead just look at Yeb Bush.

[katykelly]

Love the Z Nation humor !

[PoloSec]

I was thinking the same, I think a parody of Walking Dead would make a very funny series.

Title maybe something like... Hey We Are People Too or The Dead Walking Family...

[fr_freak]

Has anyone ever pointed out that the biology, and indeed, the physics, of The Walking Dead’s zombies is simply impossible? Otherwise, you could have zombie perpetual motion machines.

That's why I prefer the supernatural zombies over the virus zombies. Then everything is open. The virus zombies in 28 Days Later were well done because they still died like humans, but the Walking Dead are supposedly virus zombies, too, but still walk forever even when most of their flesh is gone. Just another indication of the lack of sophistication on the part of the Walking Dead team that has shown in other areas as well.

[cripplecreek]

Z Nation has already done it.

http://www.syfy.com/znation/videos/sing-along-with-z-nation

[Vermont Lt]

Energy is neither created or destroyed. So how can they walk without generating power. Their insiders are destroyed, so they cannot process food or any other fuel.

But I don’t care. The shear hope of Glenn getting eaten every week keeps me coming back for more.

[fr_freak]

To me the most unrealistic thing about the Walking Dead (aside from the zombies) is the utter lack of humor.

Humor is a part of how humans deal with stress, so I agree. However, to me, the most unrealistic thing about the show is the thing Hollywood loves most: constant bickering and pointless drama. In my experience, when things get nasty and people get scared, a group tends to bind together more tightly rather than fall apart, and all of the petty things go away, at least until the danger is gone. This show has them arguing over the dumbest things right in the middle of an apocalypse.

[Dr.Deth]

A “hoard” of zombies? You mean like Herschel’s barn?

[BenLurkin]

I have pointed out that if someone is dead they will decompose fairly quickly.

[mrs. a]

“Hey We Are People Too”

Lizzie? Is that you?

[papertyger]

Don’t be black?

[BenLurkin]

Huh?