But FTWD--being the beginning of it all--is skipping over that for what reason? Are they trying to avoid costly location shooting and mass make-up jobs (or CG zombie armies)?
That's another thing I've been wondering. It makes sense that huge population centers like LA, New York, Atlanta, etc. would fall pretty fast considering the sheer number of zombies/potential zombies.
..and if Atlanta demanded napalm, why not Los Angeles--if not for a stronger military ground response?
Maybe season two will see Travis and Madison reaching the desert, or perhaps a small town where most of its denizens are card-carrying concealed weapons enthusiasts with itchy trigger fingers that would keep the zombie apocalypse at bay for a while longer.
The desert--if equipped with adequate supplies--would do well for some time. The only problem with that is others--fleeing the city in great numbers--would end up flooding the desert, mountain areas, etc. I see that turning into a survivalist / Deliverance nightmare situation almost overnight, not to mention Terminus reactions springing up.
So, there's no real safe zone, only areas where you might buy yourself more time. Even Grady Memorial situations are near impossible anywhere around major cities, as they would be the first structures to be exhausted, or taken over by the state.