Happy Wednesday TV fans! I have to admit that Sunday television has got me playing catch-up, as some of my favorite shows happen to all air at once. After watching AMC’s The Walking Dead season finale, I had some mixed feelings, but there was a lot to wrap my head around. I finally got the chance to watch the season 4 premiere of AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead last night, however; and I have to say that the crossover event was a success to me. Although it had almost an eerie sense of quiet compared to the deafening chaos in The Walking Dead, it was something that truly resonated with me, as I found myself lost within the story and truly sympathizing with Morgan Jones. Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet. In last night’s episode, “What’s Your Story?” many of our fan-favorites from The Walking Dead show up and try to get Morgan to change his mind about leaving. However, Morgan feels that he needs to be alone and heads out on his own. This is short-lived however; when he crosses paths with a man in a cowboy hat named John Dorie and a female journalist named Al. My top 5 moments from Fear the Walking Dead season 4 episode 1 are:
5
“You can hide but you can’t run.”
When the season premiere begins, we focus in on Morgan who is still in the junkyard, closed off from society. This is interrupted over and over, however; when Jesus, Carol, and Rick all show up, desperately trying to get Morgan to change his mind about leaving. Morgan sticks to his decision and explains that he needs to be alone. Morgan has been struggling with inner-demons and is searching for a way to overcome this. He knows that he is a danger to those around him if he stays, but will he lose himself completely if he goes off on his own? His friends remind him that he cares about people and should be with them, but Morgan remains strong with his decision and steps out onto an open road, leaving his past behind him. We know that Rick’s words, “you can hide but you can’t run,” will catch up to him all too quickly, but Morgan continues on his journey all the same.
4
Meet John Dorie.
That’s Dory like the fish, but spelled with an “ie.” This new character is not from the comic series and is played by Deadwood star, Garret Dillahunt. The stranger in a cowboy hat proves to be quite the “gunslinger,” but seems to have a good heart and a strong sense of doing what’s right. He offers Morgan shelter and when Morgan takes off and gets into trouble, John Dorie is not far behind, proving that he can be a worthy ally. John Dorie shares his own story that he is searching for his wife who has his matching gun, which is heart-breaking and commendable at the same time. He refuses to give up hope and he seems to remind Morgan that human connections are all they have to cling to in this harsh reality filled with death and decay. The “karate man” and “gunslinger” prove to be quite the team, but will Morgan be able to truly open up after all he has been through?
3
Meet Al.
Shortly after the introduction of new character, John Dorie, we also meet Al who is a journalist played by the beautiful and talented, Maggie Grace. As a huge fan of Lost, I was more than pleased to see Maggie Grace step into a new and different role. Her hair is cut boy-short and she packs quite the punch with her van filled with handy weapons, but what sparked my interest the most is that she is out to discover everyone’s story. Morgan gently reminds her that there are no more news stations around and why does it matter, but Al’s need to continue the story anyway proves that she hasn’t given up hope either. She keeps her camera with her and documents everything she can, looking for something real to connect to.
2
“Tell me one real thing.”
After Morgan, John, and Al survive the attack from the armed men and walkers, Morgan is finally ready to open up, even if it is for just a moment. Al records him and asks him to tell her one real thing and explain why he left Virginia. Morgan explains, “I lose people and then I lose myself,” which touched my heart instantly. It’s hard not to feel sympathetic toward Morgan and understand his need to run away. Even though he was part of many settlements before, he still chooses to be on his own, desperately trying to hold on to his humanity. Perhaps being around people again will remind Morgan that he has the chance to truly do something great and make a difference.
1
“So what the hell’s your story?”
At the end of the episode, the three characters come across a woman who is sobbing in the middle of the road. They cautiously approach the woman, not knowing what to expect, but offer to help her. The woman is revealed to be Alicia who turns a gun on them and Nick, Luciana, and Victor appear as well to surround them. The crossover has officially well…crossed over and these characters are now all connected whether they want to be or not. While we are unclear on how Alicia, Nick, Luciana, and Victor all ended up together, since it seemed like everyone was separated at the end of last season, we have plenty of episodes to find out what they are up to and how they got here. Stay tuned!
I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and comments on Fear the Walking Dead below. Thanks for reading and happy viewing!
Best,
Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl
@TV_Fanatic_Girl
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