Lincoln A. Castellanos as Tobias – Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 1, Episode 1 – Photo Credit: Justin Lubin/AMC

After seeing the extensive promoting done at San Diego Comic Con 2015 for Fear the Walking Dead (FWD); a very realistic walk-through location outside of the Con depicting the church where we see our very first walker, complete with blood strewn absolutely everywhere to the point I was watching where I stepped and also jumping at every turn for fear a walker would JUMP OUT AND GET ME and winding down with a digital spray paint interactive area that was really cool, I was really psyched to watch how FWD was going to capture the attention of the already feigning The Walking Dead (TWD) fans who were counting the days until the return of our beloved characters. But I was also cautious; because the fans are so dedicated, how were they going to react to the new series? While I can’t speak for everyone, I certainly can offer some observations.

We wanted to like it. Some probably liked it, but the comments I read the most on Twitter were…meh, at best.  Yes, we know. We know that the characters didn’t know what was happening. But COME ON, it took waaaaay too long for the main characters to figure it out and react appropriately. The pace of the show was all over the place. At first it dragged like the feet of a 6 month-dead walker, then suddenly and without showing the detail needed to connect with the story, it was a military compound.

Ruben Blades as Daniel Salazar – Fear The Walking Dead _ Season 1, Episode 3 – Photo Credit: Justina Mintz/AMC

It’s unfair to judge the FWD world by the standards of TWD world; but it’s supposed to be the same world! We have been shown the aftermath, and the unraveling of society shown in FWD really felt like it went far too slowly then suddenly THE MILITARY AND THE GOVERNMENT AND OH GOD OH GOD IT’S ALL CRAZY…I mean, wow. After having to watch the crawling progression of character development (which felt like forever but never endeared me to anyone), having the environment changed so drastically without the necessary elements was frustrating. I hadn’t had time to like anyone!

Other than the characters of Tobias and Daniel Salazar. Tobias was the ONLY ONE other than Nick who was the voice of reason and made ANY sense in that series so I thought he was great; and Daniel was such a bad-ass I couldn’t help but fear and like him.

But I still didn’t care. Anyone could’ve been killed off and I would’ve been fine with it. I expected to care and I just couldn’t make myself care.

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead _ Season 6, Episode 1 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Not like on The Walking Dead, where I’m definitely in agreement with the common viewer mentality of “IF DARYL DIES, WE RIOT”, I mean, I will drop that show and delete it from my DVR sooo fast when/if that happens! And with the major losses last season (don’t worry, no spoilers, but seriously, CATCH UP) I cried actual tears and was sad for a good 2 days after each episode, couldn’t bring myself to re-watch for missed details either. The writers really took us on a ride, and it looks like this new season is more of that same excitement!

The premiere of newest season of The Walking Dead was confusing and frustrating but I was quickly on board and understood what was happening; but on the edge of my seat and with my finger on the mute button (sometimes the squish noises still freak me out!). The effects are stunning and terrifying, but even more so than other seasons! It’s so impressive and gross!

Michael Cudlitz as Abraham , Lennie James as Morgan, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne and Corey Hawkins as Heath – The Walking Dead _ Season 6, Episode 1 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

But more than anything it’s the story, the characters that keep everyone coming back. The effects are incredible, but the relationship with the characters is what keeps me watching live and in syndication. I’m scared for them, I’m happy for them, I’m nervous for them, and I’m not alone. There’s no shortage of viewers, that’s for sure. With the ratings numbers showing that TWD even beat out a Sunday Night Football game; the show has power.

And even though FWD is getting a second season in 2016, I’m not convinced that if they don’t somehow wind up with Rick and his crew over in Alexandria; that I’m going to give a crap about any of them. And I wanted to! I guess we’ll just have to wait and see! In the meantime, I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE OF THE WALKING DEAD!! I know I’ll definitely be watching, how about you?