Clark (Kim Dickens, right), her boyfriend and teacher Travis Manawa (Cliff Curtis) star in Fear the Walking Dead, although IMDb.com seems to think the stars are Ruben Blades and Mercedes Mason. Justin Lubin/AMC
Robert Kirkman, co-creator and writer of The Walking Dead comic book series, is an executive producer on Fear the Walking Dead. Justin Lubin/AMC
The zombies on Fear the Walking Dead -- in this case actress Lexi Johnson as the undead Gloria -- are a bit fresher than we're used to. Justin Lubin/AMC
Some complain Alicia Clark (played by 21-year-old Alycia Debnam-Carey, left) is too mature-looking to be a high schooler, but she has the teenage pout down perfectly. Don't worry about boyfriend Matt (Maestro Harrell), as we're unlikely to see him again. Justin Lubin/AMC
By Andrew A. Smith
Tribune Content Agency
After weeks of hoopla, Fear the Walking Dead has arrived. In many ways, though, the Aug, 23 premiere gave us as many questions as answers. Let's separate the true from the probably-not-true from the definitely-not-true-because-I'm-making-it-up:
Q. How long will Fear the Walking Dead run? The Walking Dead returns Oct. 11 and will want its time slot back!
A. The first season, alas, is only six episodes long, ending on Oct. 4 (there's a skip week on Labor Day weekend). But a second season of 15 episodes has already been ordered, which will begin after the sixth season of The Walking Dead ends in 2016.
Q. How does Fear the Walking Dead relate to The Walking Dead?
A. Not at all, except for existing in the same fictional universe.
Fear is set at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse in Los Angeles, during the time Rick Grimes is in a coma in Georgia. So while TWD is more concerned about survival in the apocalypse, Fear is more focused on how people behave while civilization collapses. I expect to see a lot of man's inhumanity to man.
Characters, tone, cinematography, sound, lighting and pacing all vary from the parent show. As the principal creators keep telling us in every interview, Fear is as different as show as they can make it from TWD.
Plus there's the added element of the characters going through Zombie 101 while the audience has already graduated. "Hopefully fans will enjoy the fact that they know more than our characters and that has a certain tension to it," said Adam Davidson, co-executive producer and director of the first three episodes.
Q. What are the similarities, then?
A. Zombies, of course! Although there will be considerably fewer in Fear than in TWD, where there are sufficient numbers to constitute herds. Also, the walkers in Fear will be lots fresher, and will decay differently, given how the climates of California and Georgia differ.
There are also loads of behind-the-camera connections. Robert Kirkman, who co-created The Walking Dead comic book and still writes it, and is a writer/producer on the TV show, is also an executive producer and co-creator on Fear. Gale Anne Hurd and Greg Nicotero are also big names that work on both shows.
And on camera, both TWD and Fear begin with a character waking up to discover the world has changed.
Q. Will Fear and TWD cross over?
A. The producers told a meeting of the Television Critics Association July 31 (as reported in Variety) that there are no plans for a crossover. Besides, Rick Grimes was in a coma for four weeks, so Fear has to progress that far to catch up to TWD Season One.
Q. Will Fear have a talk show, like The Talking Dead?
A. Current plans call for The Talking Dead, starring Chris Hardwick, to do only one special show after the Fear finale on Oct. 4. Then the show's regular season starts in its usual spot after The Walking Dead season premiere Oct. 11.
Q. Is there a Fear the Walking Dead comic book?
A. No. But if the show is a hit -- and the first show set various ratings records -- chances are one will appear. In the meantime The Walking Dead is going strong.
Q. Who are the stars of Fear the Walking Dead?
A. Ruben Blades and Mercedes Mason.
Seriously, that's who IMDb.com lists as the stars, and puts first in the cast of characters, even though I don't recall seeing them in the first episode. And they are listed for seven episodes, one more than the first season has. Blades and Mason have been seen in previews as members of the Salazar family on the blue-collar side of L.A.
Meanwhile, the people introduced as stars on the first episode are guidance counselor Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), her boyfriend and teacher Travis Manawa (Cliff Curtis) and their dysfunctional blended family, disgruntled teens Chris Manawa (Lorenzo James Henrie) and Alicia Clark (Alycia Debnam-Carey), plus junkie (and Johnny Depp lookalike) Nicky Clark (Frank Dillane). They are all listed for only six episodes, which raises questions about their longevity -- especially since it's unclear whether Maddie was bitten or not in the first episode.
Q. Gosh, that's interesting.
A. Thank you.
Q. What else does IMDb.com imply?
A. Remember that paranoid tubby kid with acne who came to school with a knife and tried to warn Madison? His name's Tobias (played by Lincoln A. Castellanos), and he's listed for only two episodes. Tough break, Tobias. Maddie really should have listened to you.
Also, Alicia's boyfriend Matt (Maestro Harrell) fails to show up for a romantic weekend, prompting her to text "U better B ded!" Since he's only listed for the one episode, she probably nailed that one. Or he could be undead, I suppose.
Q. Wait, is this the part you're making up?
A. Maybe a little. The IMDb.com information is true. All speculation derived from it, though, is entirely my own.
Q. What is the worst part of Fear the Walking Dead?
A. That every critic clumsily works the line "All you have to fear is Fear itself" into every article, as if that's clever.
Q. Isn't that what you just did?
A. Shut up.
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