The best season yet of the Walking Dead prequel…

Picking up from the fragmented events and brutal conclusion of season 2, season 3 of Fear The Walking Dead hits the ground running and never stops. The first half introduces the inhabitants of a nearby ranch, all of whom were prepared for the apocalypse and none of whom feel particularly inclined to share. The Otto family, especially murderous son Troy, spend the entire season walking the razor thin line between friend and foe. Some other characters cross that line, more than once.

The fragile alliance at the Ranch evokes the fragile truce between the Galactica and the Pegasus in Battlestar Galactica. It’s just as effective too and the apocalyptic events of the second half of the season pack a real punch. Alicia and Nick in particular are tested to near destruction as the focus shifts to who controls a nearby dam. Daniel is eager to maintain power there. Strand is eager to maintain power everywhere. Neither of them see what’s coming until it’s far too late.

This is the year that Fear The Walking Dead doesn’t just hit its stride, it breaks out into a full on sprint. Brilliant world building, great characters, excellent performances and shocks galore to give this show the identity, and urgency, it’s always needed. A great continuation of what went before and an even better jumping on point.

Alasdair Stuart

The Bluray and DVD extras include looks ahead to the season, as well as a number of “inside the episode” making of features; they’re a decent add-on to the meat of the episodes. (PS)