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FEAR THE WALKING DEAD “The Dog” Review: It’s All Going to Get Better Now
BY The Screen Spy Team
Published 9 years ago
By Lewis Richards
Fear the Walking Dead returned to our screens last night following a week's break.
We pick up exactly where we left off with team Travis taking cover in the Salazar barber shop and team Madison eagerly awaiting his safe return. This week the show proves that it has hit its stride as the casualties start to rise at an alarming rate.
If, like me, you occasionally wonder what you would do if mankind were to fall by means of zombie apocalypse, you might speculate as to how you would pass the time if the undead surrounded your home. Team Madison have to ask themselves the very same thing as they sit at home - incongruously playing monopoly, and the results are awesome.
Alicia is still naive as to what is going on but seems to have settled in and accepted that she isn't going to see Matt any time soon. However, she foolishly continues to shine her flashlight out through the window at the unfolding apocalypse.
Nick meanwhile, continues his home rehabilitation and presses Madison on how much medicine she has to help him get clean. He is smart and realistic but extremely selfish.
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Frank Dillane as Nick - Fear The Walking Dead _ Season 1, Episode 3 - Photo Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC[/caption]
While Madison and the kids engage in game night, Travis and the Salazars are pushed to the edge as the neighboring store is set on fire. Chris manages to do the math when he feels the wall heating up. Chris, who has demonstrated his julenile immaturity up to this point on the show, shows true potential with flashes of heroism this week.
Salazar, who must be reading the same blogs as Tobias, shows no hesitation at the sight of a Walker and coolly executes him. Griselda has full trust in Daniel and she urges Ophelia to trust his judgement, claiming that he has always protected them. Griselda also mentions they are no strangers to danger and have been in worse situations. If only she knew.
How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse
Although a lot happened this episode, by far the most interesting character at this point is Daniel Salazar. He has just gone from taking cover in his home to giving up everything he owns, in a matter of hours. Daniel is a cynical older gentleman and is determined to control his own fate and protect his family.
When questioned where they will run if their current cover is breached he simply says “in different directions.” Moments later when they are forced to flee the barber shop he is the first to advise that they stick together. He is stubborn at face value but when put under pressure he does what is best for his family.
Lorenzo James Henrie as Chris – Fear The Walking Dead _ Season 1, Episode 3 – Photo Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC
Daniel makes some interesting comments through the episode that imply he has experienced some similar horrors in his past. He tells Travis to burn the body of his neighbor-walker to stop the spread of infection, and he also seen teaching Chris about the shotgun. We know Griselda blindly trusts whatever Daniel decides, so what has he done in their past to earn it?
We previously looked at the contrast in Travis and Madison’s differing views on how to best survive a zombie apocalypse. Its clear that Madison’s experiences so far have lead her down a morbidly dark road and we see her succumbing to a sense of hopelessness. Conversely, Travis holds on to hope and is almost naive to the danger of the situation going forward. He is even angry when he catches Daniel teaching Chris about the shotgun.
Madison and Travis clash when he reaches home. She is adamant that they should leave the house immediately. Travis disagrees and suggests they take cover at home (because that worked out well last time, Travis!). Madison reluctantly backs down as they take cover for the night. Once again Travis again finds himself having to persuade Madison to go against her instincts.
When she stands at her neighbor’s fence, wielding a small shiny claw hammer, it looks like Madison has reached the end of her tether. Would she have killed her neighbor and close friend if Travis hadn’t intervened? Madison can see that Travis hasn’t come to terms with how life is now, and tells Liza to make sure she is “taken care of” if she ever turns, and notably, to make sure Travis doesn’t do it.
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