Thoughts based on the first episode.
I like zombie movies, especially the old ones. And what the more recent films of the genre don't pay attention to is the fact that zombies are dumb, they are slow. "Night of the living dead" [minor spoiler ahead] ends with humanity prevailing (in a way), and it's not surprising, decaying slow-moving corpses are a threat that can be dealt with. [end of spoiler] But I guess it doesn't make for a good movie or a long-running series. And film makers would rather have a grittier, tougher, depressing ending, that would make it clear that humanity is doomed and they are willing to toss all logic aside. But I've never felt it, because it doesn't make any sense. It's like a cliche now, and I'm sick of it. [minor spoilers for 28 days/weeks later ahead] 28 days later had an amazing ending. But the sequel had to go and ruin it: "Yeah! Zombies are everywhere, humanity is doomed, look at it! Are you depressed yet, are you?! Isn't this cool and exciting?" No! Quit it. [end of spoilers]
My point is, Fear the Walking Dead shows the start of the epidemic from a social standpoint and it does it well. It seems realistic. I watch it and I think "yeah, that is probably how it would have happened". Not fast with lots of screaming and people running around, but with lots of confused people not knowing what's going on. The government doesn't know how to deal with this problem, no one does.
This show finally dares to answer the question: if zombies are slow and dumb - how are they in power? Even when people see a walker, they don't fully comprehend it, they can't believe their eyes. They have never seen a zombie-movie, there's no such thing as a walker yet. No one knows the true gravity of the situation, they don't know what awaits them, they don't know there is going to be an apocalypse.
And that's why it's interesting for me to watch.
I also continue hoping for a zombie movie sequel taking place after the apocalypse, where survivors would have to deal with the guilt of things they've done, trying to rebuild society, scientists trying to figure out what caused the epidemic (with possible flashback). But I don't think it'll happen, because the majority apparently thinks it's boring. And it's a shame. Oh, well.