In the same vein (pun intended) as the (reviewed) Lionsgate March 13 2018 DVD and Blu-ray releases of the second season of the AMC action-adventure series "Into the Badlands" a few weeks before the S3 premiere, the Lionsgate March 13 S3 DVD and Blu-ray releases of the AMC action-adventure series "Fear the Walking Dead" provides a chance to watch these episodes before the Tax Day S4 premiere.
The general premise of the "Dead" franchise is that roaming hordes of flesh-craving zombies requires those of whose hearts still beat to spend most of our time on the run; the related threats of our fellow men (and woman) resorting to our baser instincts to survive and/or profit also requires constant vigilance and regular travel.
"Fear" centers around typical middle-class Los Angeles mom Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), her early 20s recovering heroin-addict son Nick (teen idol Frank Dillane), and her (mostly) good teen daughter Alicia. Hunky boyfriend Travis Manawa rounds out the central group.
Reviewed (special-edition BD) S1 centers around the initial outbreak of zombieism and somewhat revolves around the common theme of a harsh lesson regarding the "big three" lie of "I'm from the government; I'm here to help." Also reviewed S2 has the clan and their inner circle fleeing LA and taking to the open waters in search of a better life in Mexico.
Although S2 is perfectly good, S3 follows the pattern of a film franchise of a third installment being better than the first sequel in a series. The main reason for this assessment is that S3 involves less movement and focuses on human threats more than the prospect of foolhardiness literally costing you an arm and a leg.
The S3 premiere episode finds our family reunited at a base where young sadists gleefully conduct brutal experiments to determine the period between dying and becoming a zombie. Meanwhile, American psycho Troy Otto (Daniel Sharman of "The Originals") is taking a shine to Madison (and gets a shiner in return).
These events lead to the group (including Troy) heading out to the survivalist ranch of Troy's father Jeremiah. One aspect of this journey is that the Clark clan still does not seem to recognize the risks of separating.
Otto family drama surrounds around oldest brother Jake being the golden child, and Troy being the black sheep. Troy further clashes with Nick for reasons that extend beyond Madison being a MILF in the eyes of the former.
The larger conflict at the ranch relates to resentment by the long-term residents regarding the Clarks waltzing in and reaping the benefits of decades-worth of hard work. On top of this, a local tribe is on the warpath regarding old and new resentments. One spoiler is that most efforts to create a treaty fail.
Meanwhile brutal-soldier-turned-barber Daniel Salazar (Ruben Blades) experiences a couple of figurative (and perhaps one literal) miracles as he travels through Mexico in search of both redemption and his daughter Ofelia. This leads to his primary relatively safe haven being a dam that a brutal tyrant who clearly does not give one operates. This facility effectively having a lion pit provides some sense of the conditions.
All the worlds collide when Madison, an ally with whom she has a rough history, and her newly reunited traveling companion/"snake" Victor arrive at the dam to negotiate for badly needed water. The phrase "meanwhile back at the ranch" takes on special meaning during this period as natives other than the members of the local tribe get very restless.
This portion of the series further gives us the highly notable element of a "Dead" version of "A Christmas Carol" complete with Tiny Nick.
The last several episodes lead to a explosive climax that prompts counting down the days to the April 15 S4 premiere. The regularly reunited members of the core ensemble once again regroup and face perils that stem from malicious intents and/or a desire to promote the greater good.
The special features consist of deleted and extended scenes.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Dead" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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