Fear the Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ (2015) is a gripping prequel to the acclaimed The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, offering a fresh perspective on the early days of the zombie apocalypse. Created by Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson, the series immerses viewers in the chaos of civilization’s collapse, exploring how ordinary people navigate the sudden and devastating unraveling of society. Set in Los Angeles at the onset of the outbreak, the show provides a deeply personal look at the origins of the apocalypse, tracing the struggles of a blended family as they fight to survive a world spiraling into chaos.

The series follows Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), a high school guidance counselor, and her fiancé Travis Manawa (Cliff Curtis), a well-meaning but conflicted teacher, as they try to protect their families from the rapidly spreading infection. Madison’s children, the troubled Nick (Frank Dillane) and the resourceful Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey), each bring unique challenges to the group, as does Travis’ son Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie), whose resentment toward his father adds layers of tension. Together, they form a reluctant unit, thrust into a fight for survival that tests their resilience, morality, and ability to adapt.

What sets Fear the Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ apart from its predecessor is its focus on the early stages of the outbreak, exploring how the world reacts to the sudden collapse of order. The first season masterfully captures the fear, confusion, and denial that accompany the apocalypse’s onset. From eerie reports of isolated incidents to full-scale panic, the series chronicles the swift breakdown of civilization, showcasing how individuals and communities grapple with the unthinkable. This grounded approach makes the horror feel immediate and relatable, emphasizing the human cost of survival.

As the series progresses, the focus shifts from the collapse of society to the harsh realities of life in a lawless world. The characters are forced to make impossible choices, and their moral boundaries blur as they encounter other survivors with conflicting agendas. Themes of trust, loyalty, and sacrifice are at the heart of the narrative, with each character undergoing profound transformations. Madison evolves into a fiercely protective leader, willing to go to any lengths to keep her family safe. Nick’s journey is particularly compelling, as he transitions from a drug-addicted outcast to a survivor who finds unexpected purpose in the chaos.

The show’s setting plays a significant role in shaping its tone and narrative. From the sprawling urban decay of Los Angeles to the rugged wilderness and desolate landscapes of Mexico, the diverse locations reflect the characters’ evolving journey. The cinematography captures both the eerie beauty and the brutal harshness of the apocalypse, creating a visual tapestry that is as compelling as the story itself.

The ensemble cast delivers standout performances, bringing depth and nuance to their roles. Kim Dickens shines as Madison, embodying a character who is both deeply human and ruthlessly determined. Frank Dillane’s portrayal of Nick is equally captivating, balancing vulnerability with resilience. The supporting cast, including Colman Domingo as the enigmatic Victor Strand and Mercedes Mason as the compᴀssionate but hardened Ofelia Salazar, adds richness to the ensemble, ensuring every character feels integral to the story.

Fear the Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ also excels in its exploration of the social and psychological effects of the apocalypse. It delves into how people cope with trauma, loss, and the erosion of societal norms, offering a thought-provoking examination of human nature under extreme circumstances. The series doesn’t shy away from difficult questions: What does it mean to survive when humanity itself seems to be lost? How far would you go to protect those you love?

With its compelling characters, rich storytelling, and unique perspective on the zombie apocalypse, Fear the Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ has carved out its own idenтιтy within the Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ universe. It is a harrowing, character-driven drama that goes beyond the horror of the unᴅᴇᴀᴅ to explore the resilience of the human spirit in a world forever changed.

A Farmer’s Misplaced Hammer Led to the Largest Roman Treasure in Britain

Hoxne Hoard treasures. Photo by Helen Simonsson CC by SA-2.0

November 16, 1992 was the day which changed Suffolk-resident Eric Lawes’ life in a huge way. What he thought would have been an innocent search for a hammer he had misplaced on his farm in Hoxne Village, Suffolk, England ended up bringing him much more than he had bargained for — namely, uncovering the hiding spot of a long-hidden treasure. Based on the Guardian’s coverage of the story, Eric Lawes had been previously gifted a metal detector upon his retirement as a parting token. He decided to put his retirement gift to good use in order to locate the hammer which he had had some trouble finding. According to a 2018 Smithsonian Magazine article, when the device started recording that there was a strong signal coming from the earth, he knew that he was about to discover something big. As he started digging, it soon became clear to him that he had unearthed a treasure trove.

Hoxne Village. Photo by Duncan Grey CC BY-SA 2.0

The Guardian reports that, when Lawes saw that his preliminary digging had yielded a few gold coins and silver spoons, he immediately contacted both the local archaeological society and the police department. Archaeologists came to the property the following day and had the area of earth holding the treasure carefully sectioned-off and removed. Their hope was that at a later stage, in their laboratory, they could examined the items in order to identify both their age and how they were stored.

Hoxne Hoard: Display case at the British Museum showing a reconstruction of the arrangement of the hoard treasure when excavated in 1992. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

When all was said and done, close to 60 pounds of items made from silver and gold were found on the site. These included more than 15,000 Roman coins, 200 gold objects, and several silver spoons. For archaeologists, this find — which later became labeled as the Hoxne Hoard — was an incredible discovery. AP News reported that archaeologist Judith Plouviez was over-the-moon about the discovery, saying that it was “an incredibly exciting and amazing find.” What’s more, another archaeologist, Rachel Wilkinson, told Smithsonian Magazine that this discovery was “the largest and latest ever found in Britain.”

Hoxne Hoard: Coins. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Ordinarily, archaeologists would use radiocarbon dating as a means of identifying the age of ancient relics. However, they couldn’t locate any suitable material from the haul. Consequently, they determined the age by examining writing on the coins, as well as the ruler carved into them, estimating that the treasure was probably buried in either 408 or 409 AD.

The silver “Hoxne Tigress” – the broken-off handle from an unknown object – is the best known single piece out of some 15,000 in the hoard. Photo by Mike Peel CC BY-SA 4.0

Roman-era archaeologist Peter Guest told Smithsonian Magazine that “if you look at them a little more carefully, then they should be dated to the period after the separation of Britain from the Roman Empire.” He offers as part of his evidence the fact that almost all of the coins found in the Hoxne Hoard were clipped – in other words, small chunks of their edges had been taken off. These clippings would have been used to create coins which were similar to the Roman coins of that era.

A silver-gilt spoon with a marine beast from the Hoxne Hoard. Currently in the British Museum. Photo by JMiall CC BY-SA 3.0

Guest has a logical reason for this, arguing that “The Roman Empire wasn’t supplying Britain with new gold and silver coins, and in light of that, the population tried to get over this sudden cutoff in the supply of their precious metals by making the existing supplies go further.”

Reconstruction of the Hoxne treasure chest. Photo by Mike Peel CC-BY-SA-4.0

Archaeologists also believe that the treasure belonged to a Romano-British family. During that time, considering that there was so much societal discord and upheaval, it was common for Romans who had settled in Britain to bury their most prized possessions.

Two gold bracelets from the Hoxne Hoard, in the British Museum. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

That said, one archaeologist is of the belief that the hoard had a lot of sentimental value for the Romano-British family to whom it is believed to have belonged. In her book The Hoxne Late Roman Treasure: Gold Jewellery and Silver Plate, Catherine Johns claims that the manner in which the treasure was kept supported this claim. Some of the items which were recovered had been packaged in small, wooden boxes which were lined with leather. What’s more, pieces of wood, locks, and nails, among other things, surrounded the gold and silver pieces. This leads Catherine to assert that the package was carefully buried and not simply chucked away in a rush.

Three silver-gilt Roman piperatoria or pepper pots from the Hoxne Hoard on display at the British Museum

Interestingly enough, the items unearthed might shed some light on the identity of the family who owned them. They cite a gold bracelet bearing the inscription “UTERE FELIX DOMINA IULIANE,” which roughly translates to “use this happily Lady Juliane”. A second name “Aurelius Ursicinus” has also been discovered. This has consequently led some to believe that Juliane and Aurelius were the couple and the original owners of the treasure. That said, that has yet to be confirmed.

Two toiletry items, one in the shape of a crane-like bird; the other with an empty socket, probably for bristles for a makeup brush. Photo by Fæ CC BY-SA 3.0

All in all, the discovery was a real treasure for archaeologists, and by extension, for Lawes. According to Smithsonian Magazine, in recognition of his discovery and willingness to contact authorities, the British government rewarded him with over £1.7 million, an amount which he shared with the farmer whose land was dug out in order to get the treasure. Funnily enough, apart from the treasure, Lawes also found his lost hammer — which now resides in the British Museum.