Reflections on Season 2 of Fear the Walking Dead: What I Would Have Done Differently

As the creator of Fear the Walking Dead, if I had a chance to revisit Season 2, I would have taken a different approach to capture the harrowing descent of society and the sheer chaos that ensues. This article delves into specific points where I believe the storyline could have been improved, analyzing key aspects and suggesting alternative scenarios to better align with the original vision of the show.

Scene of Chaos in Los Angeles

One of the most crucial elements I would have included in Season 1 of Fear the Walking Dead is the detailed, chaotic scenario in Los Angeles as the zombie apocalypse begins to take hold. In my vision, the first episode should have featured a panoramic view of the city, with cars racing through the streets, ambulances filled with the undead, and scenes of people being attacked on the streets. This would serve as an opening to the horror and an intensified sense of impending doom.

Instead, the show dismissed this critical moment, opting for vague references and an abrupt transition to a gated community. This lack of focus on the societal collapse and chaos was a missed opportunity to set the stage for subsequent episodes. For instance, I would have embraced something similar to the opening of the 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, creating an immediate and visceral impact on the audience.

Lost Opportunities and Character Development

The second half of Season 2 was plagued by missed opportunities and underdeveloped characters. An episode where Nick wandered through the desert without any clear objectives or storylines was a detour that could have been avoided with better scripting. Similarly, the use of subtitles for an entire episode was unnecessary and detracted from the core narratives that should have been the focus.

The characters in the hotel, particularly those who were trapped since the wedding, deserved more screen time and depth. The lack of explanations for their internal strife and the reasons for their perceived imprisonment was a significant gap in the storytelling. The abrupt departure of Ophelia with the truck added another layer of confusion and detracted from the overall narrative coherence.

The show's best moments often came when all characters were together on the Abigail, traveling down the coast. However, once they reached the hotel, the story became unbelievable and poorly developed. The sudden shifts in plot and unresolved conflicts made it difficult for the audience to maintain interest and investment in the characters.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

With so many critical elements left unexplored, it would be fair to consider canceling Fear the Walking Dead if it were up to me. The show often felt like a cheap version of The Walking Dead with subpar actors and diluted themes. While it had the potential to be a compelling prequel, it ultimately fell short due to inconsistent storytelling, underdeveloped characters, and a lack of focus on the societal collapse.

Each season of Fear the Walking Dead must strive to balance the mysterious origins of the zombie apocalypse with relatable, well-rounded characters. To truly live up to the originality and quality of The Walking Dead, more attention must be paid to these fundamental aspects of the narrative.