Okay. Here's the problem with the show. There is no flow to the scenes or the characters.
We have spent all this time wondering about Strand. What is his deal? Then we find out he wants to go to Mexico. Then we are told there are too many people on the yacht, that those numbers weren't accounted for. So what does the show do for all of that build up about getting into Mexico? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
They meet two border patrol officers and then there is a shootout off scene.
How very unsatisfying for such a big build up.
Also super annoying -- yet more characters that we are introduced to, that are more interesting than most of the people on the yacht, are killed off with only minutes of on-air time.
I mean, at this point, not only do we not know anything about Ofelia, do we even care? Travis doesn't do anything for me, and I truly think Alicia is a waste of space. The show wants me to believe that Chris is either a psychopathic Governor in the making or just completely misunderstood? Madison gets on my nerves and I would want her out of my group instantaneously. That leaves Strand, Daniel, and Nick. Let's be honest. Out of all of the cast members, those really are the only people who would survive. Ironically, maybe Ofelia. She sits back and watches, doesn't make a lot of waves, and every time she has been confronted with killing a walker she does. However, I'm not rooting for her.
We have spent all this time wondering about Strand. What is his deal? Then we find out he wants to go to Mexico. Then we are told there are too many people on the yacht, that those numbers weren't accounted for. So what does the show do for all of that build up about getting into Mexico? Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
They meet two border patrol officers and then there is a shootout off scene.
How very unsatisfying for such a big build up.
Also super annoying -- yet more characters that we are introduced to, that are more interesting than most of the people on the yacht, are killed off with only minutes of on-air time.
I mean, at this point, not only do we not know anything about Ofelia, do we even care? Travis doesn't do anything for me, and I truly think Alicia is a waste of space. The show wants me to believe that Chris is either a psychopathic Governor in the making or just completely misunderstood? Madison gets on my nerves and I would want her out of my group instantaneously. That leaves Strand, Daniel, and Nick. Let's be honest. Out of all of the cast members, those really are the only people who would survive. Ironically, maybe Ofelia. She sits back and watches, doesn't make a lot of waves, and every time she has been confronted with killing a walker she does. However, I'm not rooting for her.
As for the recycled plot line of Hershel's Farm, ughhhh. I mean, seriously, how lazy is that. The cool thing they could have done was followed the actual revolt. That would have been sweet. That is what the viewers were hoping for from this show. Remember, this is supposed to be a more character driven show than TWD. We wanted to see how the apocalypse unfolded. That was quickly lost to us viewers, but there was hope in this. Remember Gabriel from TWD? He locked the doors on the church, but we never got to see how it all went down. How fascinating would that have been? How much more would we have understood Gabriel or how much more would we have been disgusted by him? Here, we could see a small village be taken down by the epidemic and what happened. Again, we never saw how the Governor came about or how his community evolved. Here was our chance!
Nope, just an opening sequence.
Lost character potential too with Abby and Luis (like I said above). These were actually interesting characters. Plus, was it just me, or did the actor who played Abby just really seem to jump alive off the screen?
How cool would it have been to see Abby and Strand have to come up with a new agreement with The Rugrats? Would Strand's loyalty be tested on all accounts? How does he react? How does Luis and Abby react as a team to The Rugrats? How does this all go down for all three of these men and Celia? Such a wasted opportunity.
Nope, just an opening sequence.
Lost character potential too with Abby and Luis (like I said above). These were actually interesting characters. Plus, was it just me, or did the actor who played Abby just really seem to jump alive off the screen?
How cool would it have been to see Abby and Strand have to come up with a new agreement with The Rugrats? Would Strand's loyalty be tested on all accounts? How does he react? How does Luis and Abby react as a team to The Rugrats? How does this all go down for all three of these men and Celia? Such a wasted opportunity.
What do we get instead? The Chris plot line. How stupid. Are we really supposed to think this kid is going to kill his step-mom and step-sister? Just stop it. Where there could be cool drama, like I described above, we get this weak-ass subplot of a danger within that is going to tear Madison and Travis apart.
No, thank you.
You need serious writing skills plus time and patience to be able to pull that off and the show clearly does not have that capability or desire.
Another stupid plot offered ( I won't say developed, because let's be real, nothing "develops" on this show) in this episode is that Nick somehow easily identifies with Celia's plan to become a walker. That doesn't make sense. While not afraid of the walkers, and having somewhat of a feeling of kinship toward them, it's a huge leap from what we know about Nick to get on board with this plot. He's not bothered by the new world. He's not afraid. He understands what needs to be done in killing the walkers before anyone else does and understands that society is not going to shine at this point in humanity. However, if he wanted to be a walker, it would have happened long ago. It's his fight as an addict that gives him some of these strengths. This plot also does horrible things for the representation of addicts.
No, thank you.
You need serious writing skills plus time and patience to be able to pull that off and the show clearly does not have that capability or desire.
Another stupid plot offered ( I won't say developed, because let's be real, nothing "develops" on this show) in this episode is that Nick somehow easily identifies with Celia's plan to become a walker. That doesn't make sense. While not afraid of the walkers, and having somewhat of a feeling of kinship toward them, it's a huge leap from what we know about Nick to get on board with this plot. He's not bothered by the new world. He's not afraid. He understands what needs to be done in killing the walkers before anyone else does and understands that society is not going to shine at this point in humanity. However, if he wanted to be a walker, it would have happened long ago. It's his fight as an addict that gives him some of these strengths. This plot also does horrible things for the representation of addicts.
Finally, thankfully, there is Strand and Abby. I personally thought it was a very moving scene between the two men. If there was any doubt to whether or not Strand cared for Abby, it was put to rest. He does. Whatever created that love, romantic feelings or obligations, none the less it is there.
The final act proves this. There is debate over if Strand was playing Abby at the end by saying that he would die with Abby. No, Strand was never going to kill himself in some Romeo and Juliet fashion, he has way too much self-preservation for that. However, that doesn't make what he did any less heroic, romantic, or flat out kind. What Strand did was complete his obligation to Abby. He made him feel loved all the way up to the end. He comforted Abby with the offer to kill himself to be with him. Abby's last moments were less fearful than they would have been otherwise. It was in my opinion a great, selfless act of kindness and love what Strand did.
Strand is currently the only reason why I watch the show. Ironically, it's because he is the most flushed out character. Writers, you may want to pay attention to that detail, and quickly. You need to start making your characters be more interesting than moving from point to point with the dumbest of all storylines. Strand is an example you can build on within your own show. Do it before your viewers only watch your show to hate watch.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com
The final act proves this. There is debate over if Strand was playing Abby at the end by saying that he would die with Abby. No, Strand was never going to kill himself in some Romeo and Juliet fashion, he has way too much self-preservation for that. However, that doesn't make what he did any less heroic, romantic, or flat out kind. What Strand did was complete his obligation to Abby. He made him feel loved all the way up to the end. He comforted Abby with the offer to kill himself to be with him. Abby's last moments were less fearful than they would have been otherwise. It was in my opinion a great, selfless act of kindness and love what Strand did.
Strand is currently the only reason why I watch the show. Ironically, it's because he is the most flushed out character. Writers, you may want to pay attention to that detail, and quickly. You need to start making your characters be more interesting than moving from point to point with the dumbest of all storylines. Strand is an example you can build on within your own show. Do it before your viewers only watch your show to hate watch.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com