Fear the Walking Dead (TV Series) King County (2023) User Reviews

Wow. This was actually a halfway decent episode.

[simianfriday · 6/10 · 2 June 2023]

I'm genuinely shocked. This was actually a halfway decent episode - something Fear hasn't delivered since - well, gosh... I can't even remember when.

The episode starts with Morgan Jones (Lennie James) returning to his home of King County, Georgia. He was followed here by Grace and Mo, who stole a PADRE truck to find him. Morgan's reason for returning is to finally kill Duane (his son, who was bitten and turned many, many years before) and lay him to rest. Why he has only just now decided to do this isn't really explained but I think that's fine because the episode uses this situation as a way to not only tie up loose ends for his character, but it also further develops and moves this character along in a mostly satisfying way.

Lennie James carries this episode on his shoulders and does wonders to remind us all why we fell in love with Morgan Jones in the first place. He's a great actor who has been given such terrible material to work with for so long that I almost forgot how good he could be. It's refreshing to see him really own a scene in a dramatic way. Once you look past Lennie James though, this episode kind of falls apart for a myriad of different reasons.

It's previously been established that PADRE is near the coast of Louisiana - exactly where isn't known yet, but that's the ballpark area for sure, that much is been well established. The issue with this is that King County has been established to be at the southwest border of Georgia, near to Alabama. This puts Kings County a *MINIMUM* of 300 miles away from PADRE. That's quite a distance to travel on foot, which is apparently what Morgan did since we don't see him with a vehicle or a horse. Even if he didn't go on foot though, it's still quite a distance, representing at least a 5 hour drive in the best of conditions - likely much longer now that we're more than a decade into a zombie apocalypse, gasoline is extremely scarce, and roads and bridges haven't been maintained. The idea that he just took a little detour out here to take care of this situation is more than a little silly and there are some additional absurdities as the episode progresses...

Starting with Dwight and Sherry along with two unnamed PADRE folks (who I'll call Tweety Bird and Woodstock to keep with their naming scheme) showing up. The reason this is absurd is because Grace and Mo drove there in a truck - and as I said, that's about a 5 hour drive in the best of conditions - but Dwight, Sherry, Tweety Bird and Woodstock all got there on horseback. Now here's the thing... even an endurance trained horse is only going to travel about 100 miles per *DAY* and can only do that about two days in a row before needing 24-48 hours of recovery (your average trail horse will do about 50-60 miles per day, making this even more absurd to think about - so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and just assume they had endurance trained horses in tip-top shape). That means it would have taken Dwight and crew a *MINIMUM* of 4 days to reach King County. Morgan, Grace, and Mo would have been there and gone long before Dwight and crew ever showed up. This is not even anywhere within the realm of possibility as it's portrayed in the show.

Furthermore, it's explained that Dwight and Sherry were able to find Morgan because they heard a transmission that contained coordinates to Kings County. It was revealed that this transmission was sent by Mo, pretending to be Morgan, in order to convince Grace to go there to meet with Morgan... the problem with all this is that Mo had absolutely no idea where Morgan was going so she'd have had no way to send a message with accurate coordinates like this. They try to hand wave this away by calling back to some writing back at the boat house that mentioned Kings County in an earlier episode. The problem with that is that if you think about it for more than half a second you realize the entire thing is contrived nonsense. But, you know, whatever... this is Fear and it almost never makes sense, so let's just try to get past it and move on, shall we?

Things start to get even sillier though... Dwight and Sherry's son, Finch, is revealed to be doing just fine now despite having been bitten just a couple episodes ago - this is because June was able to engineer some kind of cure for walker bites. You see, in the Fear universe this makes total sense because June used to be an ICU nurse prior to the outbreak and as we all know ICU nurses are *great* virologists and vaccine researchers - especially in a post-apocalypse where resources and medical equipment are in extremely scarce supply. It's almost as if all the ICU nurses pre-outbreak weren't even *trying* to solve the problem seeing as a single woman who hasn't really practiced medicine in any meaningful way for 10+ years has been able to engineer a cure within a matter of days from the back of a train car. Makes you wonder how the walkers seemingly decimated the entire planet to begin with.

There some more contrived absurdities throughout the episode but those are the bigger ones. I'd keep going but I've written movie reviews shorter than this so it's time to wrap up.

Overall, this episode is realistically only maybe a 5/10 but I'm giving it a 6/10 because Lennie James delivers a good performance that reminds me why I liked him so much all those years ago. By Fear standards, that's an absolutely glowing rating as far as I'm concerned.

This one was actually decent

[matp-47600 · 7/10 · 1 June 2023]

Actually not as terrible as the rest of the season so far. Definitely the best episode we've seen from this show in a long time, maybe since Season 6. Great character for development for Dwight, Grace and Morgan. I really enjoy Dwight and Morgan's friendship and this episode did a good job of selling it.

The only downside is that the main arc (Morgan putting his past to rest) did kind of get dragged out but the payoff was somewhat decent so Im willing to look past it. Bonus points for revisiting the house from the pilot, it looked exactly the same as it did 10+ years ago.

The next episode actually looks half-decent too, but I wont get my hopes up just yet. This season has had a rough start.

Good Concept, Crap Writing

[samcastrique · 6/10 · 2 June 2023]

I really find it hard to watch Fear sometimes. The writing is just so bad, cheesy and just so uninteresting. I would of given this episode a seven or an eight if it wasn't for the crap writing/dialogue. The episode had great moments, the ending worked well, but the episode felt disjointed.

I think Morgan going back to King County was great, however the episode is ruined by the PADRE storyline, and sadly enough to say it, is also ruined by Dwight and Sherry. Fear just has a habit of making their good characters evil then good again. It's so boring.

One good thing about the episode was King County. Since the massive time jump in TWD I've been wanting a series which takes us back through all the old locations showing their decay and foliage growth. I feel like that's a cool concept, and wouldn't mind seeing Rick and Darryl go in that adventure together in the future.

This season is going to be another disappointment for Fear. It's just upsetting that they couldn't pick up the story for the last season.

Stupidity in King County

[marttito24 · 2 June 2023]

"Here comes the stupidity again.

Apparently, King County is considered just one neighborhood because somehow everyone manages to find Morgan in the same area. Grace, Mo, Dwight, and Sherry suddenly appear with the Padre goons out of nowhere. I hate to criticize a child, but every time Mo speaks, it makes me cringe. The dialogue feels so flat, and I can't believe she's supposed to be 8 years old; she looks at least 13. The only things I enjoyed about this episode were the conclusion of Morgan's family arc and the nostalgic return to the old house from the pilot episode of TWD. However, the rest of the episode was filled with goofiness, the skunk smell, Finch's side-sweeping Shrike with a chair, which looked incredibly silly. And that unnecessary scare with the walker popping out of nowhere and biting Grace was just ridiculous." This is still the best episode this season but again that's not saying much.

Morgan Back Home

[ZegMaarJus · 7/10 · 7 January 2024]

This Episode begins with Morgan, he has returned to King County. Morgan got reunited with Grace. Mo tells Morgan that Daniel is still alive. Morgan enters his old house, where he lived with Duane. Dwight and Sherry want to capture Morgan. Grace kissed Morgan in front of Mo's eyes. Morgan tries to find his son Duane who already died. Dwight and Sherry took down Oriole. Finch knocked down Shrike. Grace tells Morgan that she is sick, the radiation has hit her a few months ago. Morgan shot Duane to death, he was already a walker. Grace has been bit by a walker. Dwight and Sherry got reunited with Finch. Solid Episode of Fear the Walking Dead Season 8, this was just okay. Nothing special!

The end of an unexpected arc

[kapotslecht · 10/10 · 3 June 2023]

While the story of Morgan Jones has been chaotic to say the least, this episode writes out a great ending to the storyarc setup in the walking dead season 3.

Having the revelation of, spoiler allert, duane, being held captive by Clear Morgan after his death was beyond twisted and dark for an episode that was already developing into a dark setting.

Add to that the revelation of Grace having been bitten in addition of a possible cure for the infection being finalized into the actual story of the walking dead through chemo therapy towards the end of the episode had me, for the first time in a long time, finally sit on the edge of my seat for the next episode and the episodes ahead after that.

For the first time since season 6 of the main show, do I feel alive watching it.

Missing the point of pointlessnes

[yvolpe-97559 · 6/10 · 3 June 2023]

I keep watching this showcevery week hoping that it will recapture the original episodes. The whole Padre rescue focus is boring and the scenes are repetitive. Morgan one of the best characters borrowed from TWD is getting repetitive. He is chased by his fears and paranoia. His character is stuck again in being the old crazy guy. Dwight and Sherry his partner and Morgan are not aware that Padre is a front used by his kids there is no Padre. Another illusion bursts for these survivor's. I don't believe in this world maybe the acting is weak except for Morgan. So that's how it is maybe Morgan survives and ends up finding his original group. Seems this drama is mostly about the future of the kids that may survive the walkers.

Terrible terrible terrible writing

[wienke-38620 · 2/10 · 29 July 2023]

I can't believe how ridiculous and bad the writing has gotten for this show. Everyone loves Lenny James, but even he can't help this dumpster fire. After what must be more than a decade in show time, Morgan is still full of angst over losing his son and can't seem to focus on the living around him. The dead, though incredibly slow and weak after years of being dead I assume, are still massing in hordes everywhere the crew shows up, no matter how remote. Bullets that used to be at a premium seem to be in great plenty now. A rifle from Morgan's home from the pilot season still ha so many bullets that he shoot's walkers with abandon, even when it seems unneeded and unnecessary.

Characters who were friends threaten to kill each other and then, seconds later offer to help them escape. Characters who have made it this far into the zombie apocalypse are still grossly unprepared in every situation, leaving captives untied, often with items that can and are capable of being used as weapons nearby.

I just could rant without stopping forever about this terrible writing. Where is the character development like we had with Rick Grimes? Where are the story arcs/redemption stories? Seriously, who is writing this and how are they getting paid? I typically go all in with shows I start, but it's getting so bad that I may have to bow out of the Walking Dead franchise as this is almost unwatchable. If you are enjoying this, I would question your sanity.

Where has this been?

[elias-34013 · 10/10 · 1 June 2023]

King County. Is undoubtedly the best Fear the walking dead episode in years, probably since season 4. It's a simple story that follows Morgan as he tries to put down his walker son and lay him to rest but it feels like a classic walking dead episode, at least compared to the trash that we've had over the last few seasons. It's definitely an episode I would go back and watch.

There are some nitpicks, such as Grace listening to music with headphones whilst driving, foreshadowing her getting bit. Most of the walkers having the same hair, I guess there was a trend in king county! And finally some walkers not even reacting to noise when Morgan was firing his gun.

"King County" is a much-needed return to form for Fear TWD, utilizing Lennie James acting and he gives us a great and memorable performance

[Holt344 · 7/10 · 10 June 2023]

Kenneth Requa directed this episode of the final season of Fear TWD, his direction and visual storytelling was actually quite great. The cinematography and editing were great, with some nice transitions. The episode looks great, nothing wrong there, with some great shots and camera angles. The sound editing and musical score is fantastic. Great set and production design, I love how much has changed in King County since last time we were here, it's overgrown.

Morgan's return to King County gets complicated when PADRE comes to collect.

"King County" is the fourth episode of the eighth and final season, it's a good episode, both good and bad at times all depending on how much you want to criticize. Episode four actually has good drama and Morgan finally feels like Morgan again, he has some great zombie kills and it's nice to see Lennie James show off his acting chops again. The writing was actually good in this episode, not much I can criticize, the dialogue is finally good or at least for this episode. Honestly, this was the episode I looked most forward to and it didn't disappoint. I think the writers/showrunners did justice for Morgan, in going back to his past and such. I'm just glad Fear The Walking Dead can be good and not awful or average, it's a nice change of pace. The episode also ends with you waiting eagerly for the next episode, that's how you should end a episode, with suspension. There were plenty of tension and suspension in this episode. King County, how did it feel going back to that location, which is the town Rick Grimes found himself in the pilot episode of The Walking Dead. I felt happy throughout the episode and satisfied when the episode had come to an end.

I didn't know King County was so close

[willbib · 3/10 · 5 June 2023]

I didn't know King County was so close to Texas and the Padre situation going on? Why does it take the characters so long to get to Padre Island and yet they can get to Georgia seemingly in one afternoon.

Hugely disappointed in this episode. It has elements that could have not just made it good, but great or even memorable among this series or the whole Walking Dead universe.

Bringing it back to where it all began? Flip-flop moody Morgan with another chance to close a life defining time of his life? With the actual rifle Rick Grimes gave him way back when? C"MON!!!! How could they blow this?

Been disappointed for a while now with this series. Last time I got excited was when Morgan and crew were going to Virginia except they had to help everyone along the way with truck drops and such. So a reunion with TWD was just a tease there. This episode? More of the same.

3 stars because of the tie-in to the beginning that is so near & dear to the times when things were amazing. And a deeply hurt sigh for the poor execution that made this episode nothing more than filler without advancing the main story. Can this episode be blamed on the writers' strike? Side note: Duane walker looked fairly fresh after so many years. It is what it is.

Perfect just perfect

[firaswishahe · 10/10 · 2 June 2023]

The episode is just perfect, Morgan is finally able to make peace with his past and put Jenny and Duane to rest under the ground, the visuals are good and the complexity of Morgan's ptsd is portrayed perfectly, loved the flashbacks of Jenny and Duane espionage the ones when Morgan was about to finally put him down, we got to see more of Mo and Grace being able to finally be a family.

Grace telling Morgan about how she is sick from radiation and she has little time left is something I've seen coming sooner or later but the fact that she gets bitten right after is just shocking, now she have even less time left, if she dies from the bite then she obviously dies from it but if June is able to treat her with radiation she will still have even less time than she thought she will have because of the sickness because well "more radiation"

To conclude, I loved that Morgan finally made his peace with Jenny and Duane but let's hope that he doesn't have to feel the guilt for Grace.

Revisiting King County brings back dark memories and triggers the most questionable part of his sanity in Morgan

[fernandoschiavi · 6/10 · 3 May 2024]

Morgan returns to King County, Georgia on a quest to put down his zombified son, Duane. Grace and Mo follow him, as well as Dwight and Sherry, who were forced into hunting Morgan by Shrike. Morgan reveals his wife, Jenny, bit Duane after he couldn't bring himself to put her down when he had the chance. Morgan and Grace are eventually captured and forced to show Shrike's forces that they are telling the truth about Morgan's mission, but they find no sign of Duane. Dwight and Sherry kill the guards with them, unwilling to allow Morgan to be executed, and help Finch escape from Shrike's captivity.

Left alone, Grace confesses to Morgan that she is terminally ill from radiation sickness. While trying to escape from Morgan's burning house, Mo discovers her father chained up Duane in the attic years before during his period of insanity. With Mo in danger, Morgan is finally able to shoot Duane with the gun that Rick Grimes had left for him and buries Jenny and Duane's bodies. Shortly thereafter, a walker bites Grace, and Morgan vows to get her to June for help.

Recently, we've seen various works that rely on nostalgia to elicit emotions from the audience but fail to use it to enrich the screenplay as a whole. Fortunately, this is not the case with "King County," the fourth episode of the 8th and final season of "Fear the Walking Dead." It wouldn't be absurd to consider this one of the best episodes of the entire spin-off because what we find here is not an episode of "Fear the Walking Dead," but rather an episode of "The Walking Dead." After a third episode full of errors and inconsistencies, the series gifts us with a nostalgic fourth episode that simultaneously advances the story and concludes character arcs that started more than a decade ago.

One of the most forced aspects of the entire episode is the ease with which characters know where Morgan (Lennie James) is headed. The episode attempts to explain this inconsistency, but the justification is hardly plausible and makes it seem like the characters know his location just because the script needs them there at that moment. The episode features very well-written text rich in its most minimalist details and boasts highly competent direction. However, the scene where Finch (Gavin Warren) attacks Shrike (Maya Eshet) with a chair and easily escapes from the PADRE base seems extremely poorly conducted.

Additionally, it highlights an escalating problem with each episode: PADRE are the most foolish villains in the entire franchise. It is remarkable how easily characters escape the base or confront their "soldiers." As seen in the first and third episodes of the season, where Madison (Kim Dickens) and Mo (Zoey Merchant) leave PADRE's fortress with absurd ease, or how Daniel (Rubén Blades) manages to ambush and capture members of the group without any difficulty. These issues related to the group's incapability and how easy it becomes to subdue them removes all tension, mystery, and danger around them, making these new villains, instead of being threatening, laughable.

Revisiting this iconic setting from the first season of the main series brings back to this universe a taste of the sensation this work caused at the beginning, besides making us reflect on everything that happened to these characters over time. Revisiting the house where Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Morgan hid from zombies in the first episode of this universe reminds us and makes us rethink the entire journey these two characters had over the years, and reflect on who they were and who they have become. When the episode explores these settings, which were very well recreated by the way, it constantly makes us reflect and use this narrative mirror. This goes from the evolution of the characters to the entire work of scenery deterioration. How dead and destroyed this world is and how much humanity these characters have lost over the years.

Revisiting King County brings back dark memories and triggers the most questionable part of his sanity in the character. Then, he finds himself in a situation where he needs to gather strength to move forward or let his past literally kill his future, as in the scene where Morgan needs to shoot Duane to save Mo. This is not just a scene that shows the character managed to confront his "ghosts," but also a scene that shows he gave up his past, in this case his son, to dedicate himself to the future. The scene shows that he finally managed to detach from his old family so that he could live his new life.

Besides the hallucinations he has with his ex-wife Jenny (Keisha Tillis), which appear every time he needs to make a crucial decision. When he finally manages to ignore her, he sets aside his dead wife to care for and save his current wife, Grace (Karen David), who is dying. After ignoring Jenny and finally ending Duane, Morgan manages not only to let go of his past but also to commit to the future. And the scene that cements this character transition is when he buries his ex-wife and son, where he seals his past and places a white flower on their graves, symbolizing forgiveness and peace. "Forgiveness," as he says in front of their grave, and Peace symbolizes his current state of finally having managed to detach from his past. The white flower may also represent the character's passage to a new life and a new journey that lies ahead. These scenes are symbolic, and the text is very rich in finally putting an end to this story. In the end, what is conveyed is a feeling of conclusion, not only of a character arc but also of a cycle.

Oh, dear lawd

[killercards · 1/10 · 4 June 2023]

This... this is truly a new low. I am so frustrated. This show and the whole universe, really, has gotten so utterly absurd in every way. I dread every new episode, but I watch because the early days of the original and even this one meant so much to me. This episode was so, so awful. I had to watch in increments, taking breaks to talk to myself, head in hand, about how unwatchable this was and how much that fact bums me out. Each time I resumed, it got worse. I'll probably leave something out, but this is what comes back to me right now...

1. How were we supposed to know the current story is taking place back in Atlanta, or the immediate surrounding area?! Did they just casually drop that on us? Why?

2. What are they even talking about regarding coded messages that somehow everyone knows about, even Dwight and his psycho wife? Did I miss what form these messages came in? And Mo sent them and not Morgan?? How would she have a clue where exactly he'd be? Random graffiti wouldn't reveal those kind of answers to a little girl. That is just silly. I don't even care. It's just implausible, and they they keep pretending little kids are genius adults.

3. Morgan sat right on the porch area, explaining the entire situation to Mo & Grace, motioning toward the front door of the home where he said his son's animated dead body remains on the other side, mere feet away. He gets up to finally put his son to rest. Dwight & psycho chick roll up. They make their demands, threaten his life if he doesn't immediately cooperate. As soon as Dwight sees Mo & Grace, everything changed. Dwight tells Morgan to leave, and he will fake their deaths for Padre. Morgan says no, as not to put Dwight & Psycho's son in danger. All of a sudden, Morgan gets violent against Dwight. No explanation. Morgan, Mo & Grace run to a different house for some reason, while Dwight yells to follow & catch them... HUH?! I thought Dwight was ok with them leaving and he was confident his plan to fake their deaths would work? So, the trio gets into the new house to hide from Dwight & Psycho... where we quickly find out THIS is the house from episode 1 of The Walking Dead. But... huh?!? Morgan literally was just on the porch of another home saying his kid was just inside, and we could hear him. I would have to assume that was his home from that previously mentioned first episode, because that is how they presented it. Once inside the new home, Morgan starts announcing where everything is in the house... as if he'd remember that. Grace asks how he is familiar with that house... he tells her he lived there with his son. With that, the camera pans out to reveal to some familiar things we saw with Rick in episode 1 of the original. It was a major reveal. Again, I ask HUH?!?!?! We already knew he was going to that house! He was always very clear about that. No pun intended. Grace reacted in horror. Despite how he has just explained in great detail that this is where he was going all along. The question remains: what was the other house?! Why were they on that porch, preparing to put down the walker on the other side of it?? And where was Morgan's kid if THIS is the house he lived in with him?! Ugh.

4. Anyway, Dwight, Psycho, and other Padre goons try to murder everyone in the house by burning it down. Still not making sense there. The trio comes up with some plan to kill all the walkers outside, and get to the truck. And why would no one have taken that truck yet? In fact, why had no one gone through any of these houses to take things like food, guns, ammo? Zero logic to be found. Once outside, Morgan can't shoot anything despite the walkers almost killing his family. He keeps seeing his dead wife as a walker, which he already knows isn't real. They did this bit again and again and again and again and again in this episode. Mo runs into the house they just came from to escape the walkers. Mo & Grace are captured. Dwight says to prove why Morgan is there, and no one will get hurt. Alrighty.

5. They enter house #1, all together. There was no walker(s) on the other side of the door. No walkers to be seen. When they find one, it's some rando. He does find his dead wife he had put down all those years ago. He covers her up. His son not being there, means Padre will murder him. I'm still not seeing much of a connection there. Regardless, Dwight saves the day yet again despite often being the bad guy causing the trouble. Again, same old bit. Dwight can't seem to make up his mind on killing Morgan, nor on if his son is in imminent danger or not. Randomly, Dwight gets on the radio and tells his son to magically knock out Padre's sister. If it was that easy, what were they waiting for? What was the purpose of everything else? So, Dwight & Psycho wife leave the trio alone.

6. In house #2, Mo is burning to death in a fire started by a flair much, much, much earlier. This show has already decided that timelines mean nothing, so this isn't a surprise. Mo has had a walkie the entire time, but she decided to wait until Morgan got back in touch to let him know she was going down in flames, and she even knew the exact cause. Morgan goes to rescue her, only to continue the bit about seeing his walker wife everywhere. Again, he knows it's not actually her, but he's willing to let current love ones die anyway. We then find out Morgan's son was chained up, upstairs of house #2. He does eventually get up there and put him down. Fine. But need I point out how the creators of this universe have clearly stated that walkers are not eternal, and do starve to death? Morgan's kid looked fresh & lively... chained up for nearly 2 decades.

7. We are now outside, house burned down, but other houses unaffected despite them all touching. It is dead silent. Pun a little intended. As Mo picks up a photo album that is the only thing not burned to ashes (ABSURD), the silence is broken as a burned up walker is suddenly super animated and loud, despite it not having the ability to control that. For the last time, walkers are not capable of surprise attacks. Just stop. Morgan & Grace freak out, and put the walker down, frantically checking Mo for bites. But we saw that Mo was not bit. We watched her not get bit though. You understand? We saw the walker the entire time, and it never came close to biting anyone. But guess what?! SWERVE! Grace has been viciously bit. Clothing torn to shreds, a big 'ol chunk of her side gone. But... I JUST told you how we saw that the walker's face was nowhere near anyone in order to bite them at all, let alone tear them shreds like a pack of wolves. Not one person involved in making this and editing this thought to not have a bite like that when no one got bit?? This is just crazy. This show and the entire Walking Dead universe is such low quality, to the point every episode should have Rifftrax commentary attached.

I will end by pointing out another fact the franchise ignores. Age. Does Morgan look 60-something to you? Does he act 60+? Literally none of the characters have aged a day. Madison must be the hottest 60 year old on Earth. And no makeup on top of it. Amazing. And the way her destroyed lungs are fine 90% of the time. Fascinating. Daniel... Daniel. He would be about 80 years old right now. That added to how his dementia had completely taken over 7 years prior... so, the fact he's sharper than ever now means... what, exactly? They just changed their minds on giving him dementia/alzheimer's? They care that little about the product that they'll just pretend something that major didn't happen? I'm disappointed in those of you giving this high ratings when you would know it makes no sense whatsoever if you actually pay attention. They are insulting you, genius.

About freaking time

[nikitamedianik · 9/10 · 2 June 2023]

Fear the Walking Dead is your distant relative who wanders into the room at the family table every year, and contrary to his endless ramblings, you still listen to him and even manage to get a peculiar form of pleasure from his ludicrous tales.

The series is frightening in its fragmentation because the local history at times goes into such scripted wilderness that one cannot help but wonder if you might become an AMC employee yourself since they so readily approve of all these dumbass plots.

The show's creative duo is, at times, able to put their heads together and write great material while also getting a savvy person to direct who will not stand still and organize the most diverse and dynamic shooting.

The fourth episode of the eighth season is that very anomaly because, ideologically, this episode was one of the most powerful works of the franchise. Some will invoke the principle of nostalgia, some will say that those forty minutes were excellent due to the brilliant acting of Lennie James. But the truth here is surprisingly one thing: when you take a complex character and put him in a personal space so that he can sort himself out, you form a smooth and valuable plot without all the fillers and other trademark blather of the genre. Morgan confronts long-standing, deep-seated demons deep inside his conscience, first mentally and then physically. The character's inner conflict evokes a contradictory perception, for his path is indeed difficult: Jones has repeatedly made many mistakes that cost the lives of others but also managed to breathe in his acquaintances and friends' faith, hope for a better world, or rather the chance to become those who carry the right to a second chance for every neighbor, rather than choosing the principle of response to violence to violence.

This character's heavy compass has guided him in many different directions until a pattern leads him to where it all began--his hometown. Morgan is aware that he has to lead a people ready to fight another totalitarian group. But first, he needs to make sure he doesn't numb himself and doesn't let his allies down, and so he must kill the zombie-turned-son that Morgan ran away from while frightened and angry at himself.

According to the show's writers, they got their hands on exclusive art of the original Walking Dead and reconstructed that very house almost in detail. Boarded-up windows, barely-burning candles, a spacious living room: you're mentally transported to that very pilot episode and remember the confusion of Rick Grimes, who, even as a frightened man, was able to give Morgan some good advice for the future. Because of such recollections, the episode properly hits the emotions. It's just works in every possible way. It's exciting and well written. Bravo! About freaking time!

Zero spoiler due to nothing new in episode

[grlym-46849 · 4/10 · 3 June 2023]

Sadly, this episode is just like the previous one.

It's a terrible cat and mouse that follows this outline "I captured you" "No, I captured you" "Oh, ok. I'm captured"

And the concept of "show, don't tell" is completely lost on this show. I think the writers were paid by word count. So much worthless drivel between the characters that propels nothing. In fact this episode could be deleted and I'm sure nothing would be lost. Or at least nothing that the 5 sec "previously on" segment could not cover.

While the kid actors do their best, at the end of the day...the show has allowed their level of presence to dilute what made the show great and why TWD:new world bombed. It feels like Nickelodeon instead of a gritty horror show.

Lasting impression: AMC IS GRASPING SO TIGHTLY TO TWD IN THE SAME WAY FOX DID TO X-FILES. In this I mean that they did not know how to do anything else, they diluted the shiws quality. And canx other shows too early that could have been the next big thing. Also, TWD dwindled into a horrific death it's last several years. Then the made the horrific New World. And fear the walking dead is following suit with a few seasons of really weak everything. I don't think any of these spin-offs will be any better. The writers are tired and can't think of a way to write anything consistently good.

I'll probably still watch out of hope. But I think the writing has been in the walls for far too long to expect anything better.

A somewhat Solid enough entry, confusing, but solid.

[Cannonbult066 · 8/10 · 2 June 2023]

(I am by no means a critic, I just like shows.)

Season 8 has been the prime example for the terrible, Lazy and Dull writing that Chamberliss and Goldberg can't seem to break free from.

But I think that this episode 'King County' was a solid enough edition among the sludge that has been the last season.

I was invested in this episode and I do truly believe it was the highlight of the entire season, but the episode just kinda seemed irrelevent and confusing.

For starters, the writers don't even know what to do with Morgan. Is he on padres side... Oh well hes actually faking it... They can't seem to make up their mind and clearly direct what Morgan is meant to be feeling this season. So off to a bad start.

But this episode he goes back to King County, where he is followed by Grace with Moe in tow, as well as being stalked by Sherry, Dwight and Padre. The whole episode has an interesting premise and it gets incredibly tense with Padre first shows up.

The music immediately changes tone and the whole episode becomes a game of cat and mouse, while also Morgan trying to put Duane to rest, while also uncovering the mystery of what Morgan did during his time at King County.

First Major gripe I have with this episode, is that Morgan just WALKED alllll the way to King County? Like I get that he literally Walked to Texas in the first place, but you're telling me that he walked all the way back to Atlanta?

But I did like the nod back to the comics with Duane being left inside a house as a walker, and I did also really enjoy the scene inside the house when they find out Duane isn't there anymore.

A lot of stuff to like, but a very hit or miss in terms of what it wanted to accomplish.

Overall, far from perfect, but deffinetly the highlight of the season.

Heres to hoping that the rest of the season saves itself.

Nothing Left Untouched

[amongpixels · 5/10 · 1 June 2023]

They've finally done it. Chambliss & Goldberg had already systematically destroyed all of the original Fear the Walking Dead characters we loved so much from the beginning, but now they've reached right back to the beginning of The Walking Dead itself and ensured there is nothing left that they haven't mutilated with their writing.

Lennie James is truly trying his best here, and any emotional weight present is purely because of the work of much better writers and storyline's from TWD's past, but everything else is let down by the immense and shameless flaws of this show's writing. Its dialogue is without a slither of subtlety, always explaining every minute detail or characterisation and symbolism to the audience so that there is not an ounce of credit given to the audience. Not a single chance for us to interpret or think about these events ourselves or for the actors to deliver their emotions through performance alone. They can't even let the potentially heavy and dramatic moments linger without constant unfunny jokes about how much Morgan smells like a skunk...Are we serious, right now? You're taking one of the most iconic and effective emotional pillars of TWDU, the very heart and drama that kickstarted this entire franchise, and you feel the need to undercut it with dumb jokes? Even after Morgan commits one of the most difficult acts any parent could do, putting down his own son, Mo doesn't hug him or console him, oh no. Instead she is smiling and shouting "You did it, dad!" like he just won a prize for a race. This is honestly a disgrace and I can't believe these showrunners have been allowed to maintain their position after practically screaming at us that they don't care about this franchise and its characters in the slightest. It's downright insulting and embarrassing to us fans who have stuck by this franchise. Aside from its first three seasons, this show will go down as one of the worst television series of all time because of these showrunners.

A tribute to the origin of the walking dead

[rapood_darapper · 8/10 · 5 June 2023]

What can I say. We hardcore TWD and FTWD fans have not always agreed with the choices Morgan has made in recent years within the two shows. Was that due to the writers and their laziness ? Was the irrationality based on Morgan's PTSD ? I guess we will never know.

But what is fact is that the writers have created a (filler) episode this time that nevertheless ties in with the plot and even pushes the character development of an OG, even if many moments in this episode were far too easy and predictable. Do we now see a Clear Morgan who is finally - after 4 seasons - able to lead a community into war, whatever the cost?

All in all, thankfully, we saw an solid episode that didn't really feel like an FTWD episode, but more like an homage to TWD. The tone of the season continues to be dark and somehow mysterious. The tension builds gradually but surely. For a long time I, as a viewer, have wanted to know how the season is going to continue, because the season is pointing in a clear direction and not rippling back and forth like season 7, which in my opinion was absolutely awful and unnecessary. And I hope that the last episodes of FTWD will be as convincing as TWD was in its prime.

Mass exodus

[Rob-O-Cop · 2/10 · 2 June 2023]

Hello, is anyone left here, After multiple series of decline and fumbling the season premiere proved this sinking boat was going nowhere but down, and when the boat is sinking everyone abandons ship.

No one is talking about this series because there's no one left watching it. There's no motivation to do so we've all accepted it is not worth it, there's no John Dorie Moments, no insight, no thrill, there's just budget and low level crew using the opportunity to practice above their station. That's what this series feels like. Test footage.

We've had so many series disappoint as they go one but I guess the walking dead series can take comfort in them being early adopters for the principle.

Where is Sarah Rabinowitz?

[Ngy_drn · 5 June 2023]

What happened to her? I tought that we will de her later but they just forgotten her? She had a great role in the previous seasons and a great character,at least AMC should say something about her character,or they should mention her and Vendell,if they are fired or i dont know.

Sherry and Dwight are great characters,Morgan is a dull one. He has a story with comtains all the walking dead cliche characters. I dont get that why Morgan is acting just dumb in every episode. He was a better character in the mother series the walking dead,in this series especially in this season and in season 7,his decisions are unlogical.

S8.E4 - Finally, A Good Episode [7.8/10]

[panagiotis1993 · 8/10 · 16 October 2023]

(S8. E4) My Reaction / Review for Fear The Walking Dead Season 8 Episode 4 ''King County'': Episode 3 was ok and I gave it a rating of 6.5/10. Let's see if this one is better or worse. The episode starts with a cool fight scene where Morgan kills half a dozen walkers. Morgan's son is a walker now and Morgan wants to kill him? Interesting. I enjoy Morgan's tragic story. Dwight and Sherry want for Morgan to go back to Padre with them so that Padre will give them their kid Finch back? That's brutal. Where is Alicia? Where is Victor? Its so sad that Morgan had to come back to kill his son. Grace is sick? That sucks. Grace got bit? Now that's some really bad news. Finally a good episode with action and everything. My rating is 7.8/10.

Forgot this show was still on, sadly.

[avnrulz · 5/10 · 28 July 2023]

Having been a fan since day one, season one, episode one, seeing the events in this episode reminds me of why I stopped caring a season or two ago, about the time 'A world beyond' premiered. The characters there told us the Mississippi bridges were destroyed during the outbreak, yet Morgan walked to Texas. Now, he's back in Georgia, followed all the way back from Texas, by Grace, in a truck, and Deight and Sheri on horseback, as well as half of PADRE. Hundreds of miles, across 5 states, across the Big Muddy. Oh, and the hand-held radio transmits and receives across the distance? Let's not even discuss treating the bites with radiation.

AMAZING- Full Circle

[meltingmel · 9/10 · 23 June 2023]

We know this is the last season. I am SO GLAD they wrapped up Morgan. I'm really surprised this episode doesn't have a higher rating. It was so great getting to see the first few episodes again - almost memorialized. It was interesting how he got there though? These characters suddenly seem to be able to travel around and far really fast. Are they really that close to Atlanta???

The wrap up of Duane was nicely done. I enjoyed the parallels of the new family vs the original.

What is also interesting is the radiation for tx. I think it's a good bit - but come on... the CRM most definitely would have tried radiation?? I do like the direction of that though.

Wow I'd rather watch World Beyond

[kariverson · 1/10 · 7 June 2023]

I've stuck with this franchise for 13 years. I was in highschool when TWD started.

This isn't only the worst season of FTWD, this is the worst episode of the whole franchise.

Horrible pacing, horrible dialogue, characters appear out of nowhere while they were doing something else last episode.

They have absolutely massacred the character of Morgan. Butchered. So disrespectful to him. Seriously how can you put out something so bad.

I hate every darn character. No wonder Lennie James wanted no more.

I need like 100 more characters and I cannot express my disappointment. How are the people responsible still employed??