Fear the Walking Dead Is Better Than Ever with Morgan Jones

Laura Bradley
Updated

This post contains spoilers for the Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 premiere, “What’s Your Story?”

It was hard to blame anyone who asked, back in 2015 when Fear the Walking Dead first began, why AMC needed two zombie shows. From a ratings standpoint, yes, the answer was clear enough—but were there really that many unique stories to tell in this apocalyptic world . . . and enough faded flannel shirts to costume everyone required to tell them? When it was announced that Lennie James’s longtime Walking Dead character Morgan Jones would join the series, that question loomed even larger. On Sunday night, however, Fear the Walking Dead proved the naysayers wrong—again. Rather than making the spin-off feel unnecessarily redundant, Morgan’s introduction to Fear the Walking Dead has ushered in a new era for the spin-off—and possibly its best season yet.

Fear’s season premiere aired directly after The Walking Dead’s Season 8 finale—in which Morgan decided to leave the group after (spoiler alert) winning the war against the Saviors. And if his introduction on Fear is any indication, his story is set to go somewhere even more fascinating. The season premieres after a time jump that allows Fear to catch up with T.W.D.—and to leave behind the dam, Proctor John, and all the dangling threads that exiting show-runner Dave Erickson intentionally left behind. So far, new show-runners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg have largely started fresh: at the beginning of the episode, Morgan meets John—a drawling cowboy with an antique revolver who had to stop talking to himself because “I started to enjoy the conversation too much.” Garret Dillahunt, who plays the lonesome cowboy, was a brilliant casting choice: his comedic background, as seen on Raising Hope, allows him to balance out Morgan’s dour outlook with some levity; on The Walking Dead, too often, Morgan got paired off with people who were just as negative as he was. John, on the other hand, is a perfect foil for Morgan—not quite as intellectual, much more optimistic, and certainly more interested in becoming partners in crime than Morgan is.

And then there’s Althea, who goes by Al. As portrayed by Lost alumna Maggie Grace, Al is a journalist who drives a SWAT vehicle with a nasty gun. Her goal? Document survivors’ stories for whoever is left in this world who might be interested in watching. The trio demonstrated their potential as a team in a quick shoot-out this week, but in the end they might be in trouble: Strand, Alicia, Nick, and Luciana intercepted them on the road, and while it’s unclear what they’re up to, they’re clearly not messing around.

It’s all a promising start for Chambliss and Goldberg. Over the years, Fear has distinguished itself from its progenitor series in a couple key ways: its drama is usually smaller scale, it tends to burn through plot a lot quicker, and its cast tends to stay smaller. This leaner approach allows the series to feel nimble and unpredictable where The Walking Dead can be bloated and lumbering—especially in recent seasons. Chambliss and Goldberg seem to clearly understand that distinction—and even better, seem prepared to add to it a levity that’s been missing from both series for quite some time. The dynamic between Morgan, John, and Al is genuinely enjoyable to watch—and unlike some of The Walking Dead’s newer characters, both John and Al enter the series with clear characterization. Especially for fans who have been with this franchise all along, Fear the Walking Dead could be a welcome sign that, yes, there are actually some interesting stories left to tell in the zombie apocalypse.

What Time of Year Is It on The Walking Dead?

This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryl’s shirt. Then again, if it’s so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if we’re going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.
King Ezekiel looks like he’s ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you'd see it through that coat.
It’s been many a moon since we’ve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let 'em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.
Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently it’s so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.

Carol Peletier

Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently it’s so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.
Courtesy of AMC.
Again: here’s our Big Bad, zipped into his leather jacket, which looks like a thick summer sausage casing—and looking pretty comfy. In one episode, we see Negan all layered up and then totally comfy on the porch with Carl—sporting bare arms. One of those two outfits must be uncomfortable, right?
Jesus might be the key to unlocking this puzzle. In recent episodes, he’s been seen without his beanie and jacket—which would imply to us that it’s getting warmer. So perhaps it’s spring? But if that's the case, how are Ezekiel and the Kingdom growing such luscious apples and pomegranates? Back to Square One.
Far be it for us to tell a woman how to dress—but why layer two short-sleeved shirts? If it’s warm, this would theoretically be uncomfortable—and if it’s cool, wouldn’t it be easier to simply wear sleeves? Perhaps long-sleeved shirts are in short supply during the zombie apocalypse.
Morgan is wearing the same clothing as Rick these days, yet he produces less sweat. That kind of biological poise is why he belongs in a place called the Kingdom, and Rick does not.

Morgan Jones

Morgan is wearing the same clothing as Rick these days, yet he produces less sweat. That kind of biological poise is why he belongs in a place called the Kingdom, and Rick does not.
Courtesy of AMC.
Speaking of the Kingdom: my kingdom to whoever can explain to me Michonne and Ezekiel's clearly polar opposite body temperatures.

Michonne

Speaking of the Kingdom: my kingdom to whoever can explain to me Michonne and Ezekiel's clearly polar opposite body temperatures.
Courtesy of AMC.
God, of course Eugene wears cargo shorts. Or, wait a minute, are those. . . cargo pants? Rolled up? Somehow that’s even more fitting, isn’t it? Yet, you’ll note, as Eugene sweats through his summer look, there's Negan. In leather. Barely sweating a drop.
I don’t know, man. I just don’t know.

Dwight

I don’t know, man. I just don’t know.
Courtesy of AMC.
I guess it’s warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sasha’s even wearing short sleeves now!
Then again, here’s Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.

Maggie Greene

Then again, here’s Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.
Courtesy of AMC.
I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. I’ll be here, staring at everyone’s clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.

Enid and Carl

I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. I’ll be here, staring at everyone’s clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.
Courtesy of AMC.