Spoilers Fear the Walking Dead - Season 7

The Rabi was with the group Al's girlfriend retrieved in the helicopter, and has since been mentioned either this week or last as being on the sub. Those kids were last seen in the season 5 finale when they were rounded up along with everyone else at the gulch and sent to one of Virginia's communities and haven't been seen or heard from since.

 

I finally got caught up a couple weeks ago, and I've been meaning to post my thoughts.
After all the references to her througout the season it was nice to finally find out what Alicia has been doing all this time.
It'll be interesting to see if they actually kill her off or if this is just a regular infection that she'll be able to recover from.
I'm wondering now if the reason they're bringing back Madison is because they are killing Alicia, and they want to have another original cast member on the show.
Speaking of Madison's return, EW has posted a short interview with the showrunners about her return. As you'd expect in this kind of interview they're pretty vague.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 9 - "Follow Me"- Mid-season premiere

Alicia: Alicia hallucinates (dreams) she's walking with a group of unprotected survivors, but is caught off guard by someone whispering "follow me". Seeing a man in the distance who seems to say "Padre,", she runs to face him, but he turns out to be a walker who falls on her...

Waking up in a well-furnished house (and finding that she's wearing earplugs to protect against terribly loud music), the feverish Alicia imagines she sees a man unaware of her presence--and that of a walker close to biting him. Her yelling unanswered, she knocks a stereo (the one blasting the music) to the floor, disconnecting it from speakers, which finally alerts the man to danger. After killing the walker, the man--Paul (a middle aged black man wearing a hearing implant) says he found her two days earlier in a barn, and notes that despite the medicine he gave her, she's still "idling" with a fever.

Alicia's mind replays where she might have been--and what she was doing over the past two days, mentioning a little girl had been with her; Paul did not see a girl, and tells Alicia that the loud music is so he can feel what he can no longer hear (he was once a concert pianist). He insists Alicia bring him up to speed about her situation when she sees Arnold and his team approaching the house. Begging Paul to hide her, he obliges, meeting Arnold, and telling him he has not encountered a woman in the area. Being the asshole, Arnold and two men push their way in, where Arnold notices the bottle of acetaminophen and suspects it was not for Paul. Further, he screws around with a piano's keys and when one of its hammers fails to connect, Arnold--once again--becomes suspicious...but fails to see Alicia hiding inside the piano.

Arnold gives Paul a walkie-talkie, just in case he sees Alicia. Having enough of the BS, Paul orders the men out of his home, and appear to leave.

Paul: Getting a chuckle from watching Alicia struggle with the taste of fried haggis, he lets out a bit more about his recent past, such as one of the missiles killing his wife, and taking the remainder of his hearing. Alicia tries to convince Paul that Arnold might be right about her--that she has no business trying to lead people--but Paul demands she help him replace the stereo she damaged, otherwise he's as good as dead.

Finding another stereo at the amphitheater where he once played, he asks Alicia about Padre (again), and trying to get her to stop guilt-tripping herself over adults making their own choice in following her, no matter the risk. Paul opens up about his wife, and how he took out his loss of hearing on her. Seeing how sad he is, Alicia invites him to leave his lonely home and join the fight to take the Tower.

This is interrupted by the sounds of horses; Alicia investigates and is immediately caught by Arnold and his men. Uninterested in hearing her excuses for their situation, and believing they would find "Padre" and/or Senator Vasquez, he reveals he's transporting the reanimated walkers of those who lived in the bunker. Intending to punish Alicia with the bites of the people she failed, he's ambushed by Paul, who shoots Arnold in the hand, and wounds or kills two of Arnold's men just as the caged walkers are set free. Paul nearly kills Arnold, but Alicia unknowingly blocks his aim as she runs to lock herself in a car, yelling for Paul to join her.

Perplexed about his insistence of retrieving the stereo, Alicia learns Paul uses loud noise not as some sort of deterrent, but to drown out the sound of his late wife (in his mind). He recounts how his wife had been out on some errand as the missiles were striking--how he tried to calm her (by walkie), when the high pitched whine of the missile accompanied its detonation, his wife's scream, then silence.

Alicia says she too hears a voice (of the walker who bit her) she cannot shut off--the same voice which she feels misled her to send Arnold's people to their doom. Despite all of the failure and doubt, Paul believes in Alicia and takes her up on her offer to build a new place (out of the Tower), but the Arnold matter has to be handled. Paul calls Arnold, spinning a story that Alicia turned on him, too and they should meet at his house after dark...

Paul rigs his entire sound system to blast Beethoven when Arnold arrives; he tries to convince Alicia that the voice she hears may not be that of someone else, but her own, and perhaps she should listen to it, rather than assume its caused her problems. Before she can consider his view, Arnold and his men show up--knowing Alicia is with Paul. Blasting the music, Arnold and his men are nearly writhing in pain from the deafening music--which has attracted a pack of walkers. Paul empties his gun killing walkers and trying to kill Arnold, but has to resort to brandishing a guitar. Arnold enters the house, but is attacked by walkers..just as the sound system blows out, allowing Arnold to hear Paul behind him, turn and shoot the man in the abdomen. As Arnold is swarmed by walkers, Alicia spirits the mortally wounded Paul into another room and promises to save him, blaming herself for hurting yet another person who believed in her.

Knowing he's close to death, Paul pushes Alicia to escape, and believe in her ability to lead her people. He gives Alicia cover by playing his wife's bagpipes (which he refused to do after her death); the extremely loud sounds momentarily rattle Arnold, but he breaks into the room, and studies a crying Paul (obviously thinking of his wife), before shooting him in the head (SEE NOTES).

Alicia races through the woods until she sees the same little girl in a gas mask, who offers to help her before Alicia passes out and once again, dreams of the walker who bit her, only as she approaches the creature, it turns out to be...Alicia.

She wakes up aboard the sub, tended to by Morgan; Alicia finally understands what Paul tried to tell her: for so long, she listened to the strong voices of others around her--from her mother to Nick and Morgan, but she is now listening to her own, which has inspired her to seek out an army (by returning to the bunker to use its transmitter)--the only way they will be able to fight and win against Strand.

Arnold: Arnold and his surviving companion locate a massive sinkhole, sees armies of walkers aimlessly walking in it. Similar to his actions during 7A, where he stuffed irradiated walkers with explosives in an attempt to either break into or destroy the Tower, Arnold intends to use this army of ticking time-bomb walkers against the Tower....

NOTES:
Sort of an uneven episode, and much in the spirit (or template) of many a WD episode where a regular runs into the main guest star who is wealth of backstory, only to be killed off (e.g., Eastman, Will, et al.). Not for a moment did I believe Paul was going to survive. Still, seeing him playing, then dropping from the shot in the background as Alicia ran away was a sad coda to a good man.

Well, Alicia's off to lead any stragglers back to the sub to be the Padre-that-never-was. Perhaps she runs into Madison during this trip--or Madison (and her companions) discover the sub while she's away. In any case, in the next episode, tensions mount at the Tower, and Charlie appears to be in a bit of trouble...

GRADE: B.

 

I struggled a bit with this episodes as I kept feeling like I was forgetting something important from the midseason finale that was integral to this episode. But I've sense found out that was not indeed the case this episode just happens something like a few weeks afterwards with some developments happening off camera.

Otherwise, the episode was okay and builds on what seems to be an arc for Alicia achieving some sort of leadership position. I question whether this was suitable "premiere" material, this feels more like the sort of thing that would be more appropriate between other new episodes rather than what one jumps into after a hiatus of a few months, but it's possible after seeing the other episodes, this one may feel right exactly where it is.

 

When Trek God gives a Walking Dead episode a B instead of an A+ you KNOW it was a true stinker. IMDB has been tearing this season to shreds so far. The first 2 of this season are below 6! Yikes.

As for viewers... stable. 0.88 million for the midseason finale... 0.88 million for the premiere.

BTW an episode directed by Alycia Is coming soon, and it will be called 'Ofelia'. That's episode 11 of the season.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 10 - "Mourning Cloak"

Ali: 15-year-old Ali--a resident of the Tower--is desperate to become one of Strand's Rangers, but resident aide-de-camp Howard flatly denies the teen's belief that he's ready to be a ranger. Ali continues to badger Howard, who gives Ali one task as a means of proving himself (up to a point) --take a glass jar, head out into the woods to capture a live Mourning Cloak butterfly for Strand's collection. Ali's not exactly respectful of Strand's hobbies, but takes the assignment.

In the woods, Ali spots the elusive butterfly and manages to catch it, while killing approaching walkers. On his way back to his horse, he spots a gas-masked stranger rifling though his saddle-bags; the moment ali has to shoot a walker, the stranger tries to attack but is beat back just as Howard, Dorie Sr and others locate Ali. The stranger turns out to be Charlie, who is identified by Dorie Sr. Back at the Tower, she is questioned about her motives--whether she was put up to it by Morgan, etc. Charlie claims she wanted to sneak into the Tower (hoping June and/or Grace could keep her hidden) as she sees it as the only chance at a normal life--an escape from the constant fights she's lived through. Ali is obviously taken with Charlie, but Howard is skeptical.

Howard: Howard is called to the infirmary, where June treats a ranger (Garcia) who failed to obtain parts for the Tower elevator--only ending up with an acute case of radiation burns/poisoning due to the walkers in the area. The ranger made his way back to warn Howard, saying he would do anything to protect the Tower.

Although Ali clearly likes Charlie, he's not willing to share details about his life or what he does for the tower, other than that he's trying to be a ranger. Suddenly, they hear a scream outside of the window--a man falls to his death in the most of walkers. On the roof, June, Dorie, Wendell and Howard inform Ali & Charlie that Garcia jumped to his death, keeping his promise that he'd do anything to protect the Tower. Learning that Garcia was searching for elevator parts, Charlie volunteers to retrieve the parts against June's protests, but Howard--basing his view of Charlie's skills infiltrating places on Strand's word--accepts her offer.

Out of earshot of the others, Howard asks Ali to accompany Charlie as a chance to prove himself...with the proviso that he learns if Charlie is telling the truth. Ali does not like the subterfuge, but agrees to go on the mission.

Charlie: Ali & Charlie make their way toward the target building, but need to hide from armed scavengers; Ali locates a hidden key to a bowling alley once owned by his family. While hiding, Charlie admits she's never bowled before, and asks Ali to teach her, arguing that they might not make it back. Ali helps her along, clearly falling for the girl, but breaks the tension by getting ready to leave. Chalie notices photos of a younger Ali and his family pinned to a wall, which disturbs the teen. On the road, Ali opens up, talking about his father Mohammed (his love of boxing inspiring him to name his son "Ali"), his service in the military--and how he did not survive long after the bombs dropped.

Charlie believes the walkers are on the ground floor of the building, so she enters the second story via a fire escape; the scavengers sneak up on a waiting Ali, knowing he's from the Tower and demanding answers about what Charlie is looking for. Ali betrays no secrets but is forced to lead the group into the building through a side entrance. Hearing something inside, Ali yanks the door open, releasing several radiation-scarred walkers who make short work of every scavenger.

Making his way to the second story, Ali kills walkers along the way, but needs to be recused by Charlie when he freezes at the sight of a walker in a military uniform. She admits to a few things: one, she was sent to the Tower to turn off the beacon, so the walkers would leave the area, allowing Morgan to rescue Grace and the baby--but she did not lie about wanting a new life. Outraged that she confirmed Howard's suspicions, Ali locks Charlie in the elevator as a horde of walkers break out of another room and head straight for the elevator, where a pleading Charlie screams she will die if he leaves her there. Ali lets her know he will do anything to protect the Tower...

Ali radios Howard, saying he's coming back alone with the elevator panel; Howard knows what that means and says its what Strand would do. All the while, Ali hears Charlie calling out, saying they can have a different life away from Strand and Morgan. Her begging, along with seeing the military walker again leads Ali to rescue Charlie--and tell her that he--in fact--abandoned his ailing father out of cowardice, but he's not that person anymore. He now sees himself wanting--like Charlie--to do all of those things the world had prevented up to this point, and does not fear Strand or Howard. One of those things he's thinking of is sharing a kiss with Charlie, the latter admitting its better than bowling. Their newfound romance--and plans to run away--are cut short by Charlie passing out....

Taking her back to the Tower, June and Grace give Ali and Dorie Sr the bad news: Charlie is suffering from radiation poisoning like the rangers, and should try to make the most of what time she has left. Later, the teartbroken Ali is questioned by Howard about Charlie's intentions. He lies, saying she was not working on Morgan's behalf, but Howard still plans to send Charlie out of the Tower, reminding Ali that its what's good for the Tower, and that hisn actions should make him a ranger.

Visiting Charlie, Ali seeks to comfort her with a surprise--a room filled with all of Strand's butterflies as a her birthday gift, echoing her opinion that something so beautiful deserves to live...no matter how short that is. The two enjoy each other's company for some time, with Ali promising to always be at Charlie's side. Charlie says she needs to get a message to Morgan about her failing to shut the beacon off, but Ali assures her he will take care of everything....

Howard: Puppy love-struck Ali goes to the rooftop and tries to shut off the beacon; just as he reaches for the switch, Howard and his guards--suspecting Ali might try this--get the jump on him. Ali blurts out that he wants the Tower to change--which cannot happen with Strand in charge. Howard obviously disagrees, and s he reaches for his gun, Ali attacks him, but instead of allowing the guards to intervene, he gives Ali a chance to fight for his life, which does not go well, as Howard quickly gets the begging teen in a chokehold, telling him its what Strand would do.

As Charlie stands looking out of a window, she hears a scream--and sees Ali plummeting to his death. Shattered, she's approached by June just as Howard emerges from the elevator to be accused of killing Ali. Howard warns her to back off unless she wants to join Ali. June is shocked that Dorie agrees with Howard's position, which gives Howard the justification to draw his gun on Charlie. June steps in the way, saying Charlie is under her care, and if anything happens to the girl, she will kill Howard. She adds nothing will happen to her because Strand needs her medical service, noting that if anything happened to her, the Tower would eventually fall. Howard warns her to tread lightly, then stalks off.

Dorie only supported Howard as a means of staying "in" and eventually having Strand's ear--the only way to stop the conflict. June points out that she had Virginia's ear, but it did not stop anything.

June apologizes to Charlie for allowing her to go on that mission, stating that she's been afraid since coming to the Tower, but it only hurt herself...until now. June promises that in whatever amount of time Charlie has left, she will see the end of Strand.

NOTES:
If June's diagnosis is correct, Charlie does not have long to live--unless they come into contact with the resources of a certain helicopter-flying group. Unlike the situation with Grace's radiation poisoning (which was absorbed by her unborn child) where her fate was on a tightrope, Charlie's plight appears to be something she is not going to escape. I wonder if its due to the character running out of plot; when introduced, she was a member of a marauding group who threatened Madison's stadium shelter, ultimately the recipient of Nick's sympathy, only for Charlie to murder him. After that, she was on a redemption arc with Alicia, and since that's been settled, she had a minor connection to Daniel, but that was never fleshed out. Her scenes here--the emphasis on her recently reaching her thirteenth birthday, her first steps into (a short-lived) romance and the references to the short-lived butterflies--all lean in the form of screenwriting used to give a character quick development before they bow out.

The showrunners could throw audiences for a loop and have her saved, but she--like some of the other protagonists--have not seen much in the way of development in a number of seasons. With the coming fight with the Tower (and Arnold's group), and the return of Madison, this might be the point where the showrunners really clean house with the less-developed characters, and for shock value, one major player.


GRADE: B+.

 

I enjoyed getting a look at the "internal mechanics" if you will of life inside the Tower this week as well as getting to see Howard as more of his own character rather than just Strand's henchman. Howard, in particular is proving to be an intriguing character the more the show progresses this season.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 11 - "Ofelia"

Daniel: Aboard the sub, Luciana uses picture cards to help Daniel with his memory. While he makes some progress, he refers to Luciana as "Ofelia" (his deceased daughter). Luciana corrects him, but his confusion worries her. The others are preparing to find weapons for the coming fight with Strand, but Morgan asks Luciana to continue working on Daniel's cognition issues in the hope that he will be able to use his knowledge of Strand's thought process as an advantage. Before the conversation can continue, Wes reports that Daniel has suited up and left the sub.

Wes accompanies Luciana, and eventually, they find Daniel, who insists the picture card (with a boat on its face) is a signal or sign from Ofelia regarding her whereabouts. Luciana reminds him that his daughter died in Mexico sever years earlier, but Daniel is not accepting a word of her information, becoming insulting and accusing Luciana of being lonely & wanting to take Ofelia's place in his life. Soon, they are surrounded by armed people--Arnold's people.

Arnold and his crew: Arnold's people take the trio to their home--a boatyard where gangplanks are used as bridges from one ship to another, since they have no means of keeping the walkers out of the area. Aside from blaming Alicia for their current state, Arnold demands the trio tell them where the cache of weapons are located (noting that they learned this from the open radio chatter from the sub), as they are out of bullets--which Daniel learns the hard way when he swipes a gun and pulls the trigger on Arnold.

While locked up, Daniel tries to be a bit more apologetic to Luciana (regarding the "lonely" crack), but is convinced one of Arnold's boats is Strand's long-gone ship the Abigail, where Ofelia is allegedly living. He convinces a younger member of the group to take them to Arnold, promising to tell them the coordinates of the weapons.

Outside, Wes is locked in a cage suspended over a group of irradiated walkers; Arnold threatens to lower the cage to the creatures if Wes does not reveal the location of the weapons. Wes refuses, with Arnold also accusing him of killing Derek (Wes' brother), who happened to be his friend. Before Wes is lowered, the guards bring Daniel & Luciana to Arnold. Daniel flatly criticizes Arnold's interrogation techniques as worthless, since its clear he just kills everyone and learns nothing. Daniel barters--the coordinates of the weapons for passage aboard what he thinks is the Abigail to reunite with his daughter. Thinking Daniel is senile, Arnold nevertheless makes a deal with the man, sending some of his crew (over 20 miles away) to find the weapons. Arnold cryptically warns that Morgan and Alicia do not know what's coming (SEE NOTES), but warns the trio they will end up in the case if Daniel is feeding them lies.

Back in their cell, Daniel reveals he stole a knife from one of the guards and intends to escape; Wes believed Daniel is using his disease as a cover to commit brutal acts, and initially did want to have any involvement with an escape plan. While Wes is fuming, Daniel tells Luciana that he knows his memory is not improving, but it becomes clear whenever he thinks of Ofelia, as he barely divulged his CIA past to her, nor did he apologize to her for being secretive. Feeling apologizing to her will help his condition as well as his conscience, Daniel won't think of leaving until he boards the would-be Abigail.

Daniel pretends to be unconscious as Arnold's young/dumb guard rushes in to help, only to be taken as a hostage, and forced to lead the trio to the boat...finding no one. The panicking guard tries to blame recent events on Arnold, and is about to tell Wes about his brother when Daniel slits the man's throat. Daniel removes the gangplank from the boat--trapping Luciana & Wes aboard the boat, so they will not be hurt--or try to stop his next actions. Wes' anger with Daniel taking the guard's life, and he seems inconsolable, even as Luciana tries to comfort him.

Daniel finds Arnold, takes him hostage and forces hm into the suspended cage. Without a shred of mercy, Daniel lowers the cage to the ground, with the screaming Arnold swarmed by walkers, who chew into his calves and feet. Luciana and Wes make their way back to the area to find Arnold sitting in the cage silent--most of the flesh torn from his legs and feet. Arnold warns that this will only lead the people Morgan & Alicia are protecting to their doom. Picking up on that statement, Luciana gets him to finally explain the danger from the crater of walkers...and that someone is letting them out. Arnold laments his failing to get his people to the Tower--the one place they would be safe. Luciana promises to help his people just as Arnold dies.

Luciana: Speaking to Arnold's group, Luciana offers salvation in the form of joining forces to take the Tower--the only protection from the irradiated walkers. Wes wonders if they--all former supporters of Teddy--can be trusted, but for some reason, Luciana is willing to take a chance of them. Daniel echoes Wes' doubts, noting Arnold's group failed to take the Tower even when they had a nuclear warhead in their possession. Luciana shifts blame to Arnold, and pleads with Daniel to help...going so far as to tell him Arnold told her Ofelia is in the Tower. Disgusted by the non-stop deception, he leaves. Daniel buys Luciana's lie, but adds if it turns out she lied, he will be completely broken....

Wes: Wes has had enough and prepares to leave--everyone. He explains that Luciana--at the end of it all--is no different than Strand, Alicia or anyone else who lies to get what they want. He believes he can find another way to survive, and leaves...

Luciana leads the group back to the sub, just as Dwight and the others returned with the large cache of guns. Morgan's expression seems to question the wisdom in leading Arnold's (Teddy's) people to their sanctuary....

Wes ends up at the call box for the Tower, where he promises to help defend the structure from their enemies...

NOTES:
A couple of things: Daniel laid it all out--if he learns Luciana has lied to him about Ofelia being alive / in the Tower, he's going to have a final breakdown, but in consideration of his CIA-trained past, will he go on a suicidal killing spree, taking many with him--including Luciana?

Then there's Luciana taking Arnold's people to the sub as the muscle they need to attack the Tower--that was unbelievably foolish on her part. She knew Arnold and his crew had committed acts of terror with the explosive walkers and above all else, were hunting Alicia in order to kill her. How is she able to just believe anything Arnold's group said (including any promises of loyalty--especially when Alicia returns)?

Wes apparently betraying Morgan's group was unexpected. At one point, I imagined he was going to attempt to kill Daniel, since their capture and near-death experience was due to Daniel leaving the sub. I hope Wes is merely playing Strand, as it would be rather unbelievable for Wes to join Strand--who would make him fight/kill those he recently considered his friends (to prove his loyalty).

Arnold's warning about "what's coming" is--of course--a reference to the giant crater containing the legion of irradiated (probably explosive) walkers (which the young/dumb guard mentioned). As noted in E9 ("Follow Me"), Arnold observed the danger in the event even one of those walkers managed to escape the crater, but he believed someone was letting the walkers out. That someone could be anyone (including Madison and anyone among Team Morgan), but I feel this army of walkers may figure prominently in a couple of episodes down the line.


GRADE: B+.

 

Can't believe they pulled out the old, pretending to be sick so the dumb guard opens the door out of fear being blamed only to get knocked out by the other person locked up. Must have been along time since any of these people have watched any tv and simply forgot about that old trick.

 

The trick worked because one of the few things you can count on surviving well into a zombie apocalypse is disrespect for older/elderly people. Arnold's "old man" line and open mockery of Daniel's demands and threats were ageism at play, so with that as a shared mindset, there's no reason why Daniel pretending to be sick would not lure the guard in.

 

My theory is when Team Morgan storms the Tower, Daniel's going to get killed in the battle, but in his final moments he'll be visited by a hallucinatory Ofelia, allowing him to die in peace and comfort and perhaps even completely ignorant of the fact Luciana lied to him.

 

That reads as a possible exit for the Daniel character, and its not without precedent, since seriously injured Daryl imagined Merle was talking to him (TWD / S2), and the same with Rick (with Hershel, young Carl and Shane) during his final TWD appearance.

Daniel--like Charlie--has run out of plot, and his bonding with Luciana is not enough to keep him around.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 12 - "Sonny Boy"

Dorie Sr.: As Dorie Sr debates with June over the chance of getting into Strand's head--trying to steer the Tower in a less-dictatorial, paranoid direction, this conversation is juxtaposed with Howard and the guards raiding residents' rooms; any found with walkies (with the charge that they're conspiring with Morgan) are tossed from the roof, which is obviously unsettling to Dorie.

June fears Dorie would not change Strand, but the opposite would happen, just as his son had been changed by Virginia. A guard informs Dorie that another walkie was discovered...in Howard's room....

Strand and Howard: As Howard is about to be tossed from the roof, he screams his innocence, claiming to be set up, and reminding Strand that he's been here since the beginning, so why would he toss all of that away. Strand counters with a reference to Howard possibly thinking that his son is outside--or plotting with enemies, but in any case, he no longer trusts Howard. Still, Strand gives him one last chance to find out who set him up.

Moments later, Strand is notified that Baby Mo vanished from her crib; Howard begs to be allowed to find her to prove he can be trusted. Strand allows this, as long as he's accompanied by guards.

Strand takes Dorie aside, asking him to be the one to find Baby Mo, implying Howard is just trying to buy time. He adds that he wants the Tower to work as it will be his legacy. Dorie cautions him about doing "wrong things for the right reason,"--that it does not end well (referring to Teddy saga and its impact on his family).

Dories questions everyone--from Grace, Wes, to June. June wonders why Dorie is aiding Strand, and bluntly points out that Strand does not care about the child (who would never have a normal, safe life at the Tower)--he's using her as leverage, knowing that the second Mo is liberated, there would nothing to stop any attack on the Tower. Dorie suspects June knows where Mo is, and his suspicion is enough to get her to admit she's part of the resistance in the Tower. She refuses to tell him anything else...but her shoes provide a clue, as they leave wet shoe-prints in her wake...

Dorie questions a tense Howard, who reveals that before the world fell, he was more concerned with making history with his rare artifacts (specifically William Barret Travis' so-named "Alamo Letter" from 1836) than being with his wife to raise their son. Howard echoes Strand, saying he's helped build the Tower to be a legacy based (in part) on his idea of history. Dorie wonders about the people Howard's murdered--how they fit into this legacy. Howard tries to rationalize his actions--saying his murders would have been worth it, if his family comes to the Tower. If not, then it would have all been for nothing.

Dorie and June: Dorie tracks June to the sewer tunnels beneath the Tower, planning to wear some flimsy armor to get her through walkers--with Baby Mo. The storm floods the area, forcing Dorie and June to take shelter in an alcove using a gate for protection from the walkers. Dorie argues that Mo's best chance for a life--and his own legacy--is to return the child to Strand. He admits he was the one who planted the walkie in Howard's room, partially as the way to ingratiate himself with Strand in the hope he might change business as usual. June believes he's simply repeating the same "wrong things for the right reasons" mistake he made with Teddy.

June plans to knock the walkers out the way long enough for Dorie to escape with Mo, but he refuses, stating she will not survive outside--that she will suffer a similar same fate as Charlie...and the one he now faces, as he opens his shirt to reveal serious radiation burns acquired during the rescue of Charlie. Dorie's accepted that he does not have long to live, and is determined to not lose Mo to the world as he lost John. June calls Grace for help, but she's intercepted by Strand, Howard and the guards, who end up rescuing Dorie, June and Mo. Howard smugly assumes he will receive credit for finding the child, but Strand gives the nod to Dorie....

Strand and Howard: Back on the roof, Strand asks Dorie to toss Howard over the edge; Howard repeatedly pleas for his life, citing his loyalty, which Strand no longer believes in the wake of the walkie discovery. Dorie refuses to kill Howard, finally admitting he planted the walkie; Howard sees this as his last chance, but unfortunately for him, Strand was amused Dorie took that action just to gain Strand's ear.

Dorie still refuses to kill Howard, until Strand threatens June and Grace. With no option, and after telling Howard he's tossed people from the roof for less, he throws Howard to his death, clearly trying to internalize so ruthless an act.

Strand says Howard's family would never come to the Tower because they're dead--his scouts found them as walkers several months ago, but he hid that fact from Howard, as the hope of reuniting with them gave Howard the drive to build the Tower into what its become.

Strand gives Howard's room to Dorie, who is now vomiting due to radiation sickness. Due his guilt from murdering Howard, he's fallen off of the wagon due to guilt, nearly finishing off a bottle of liquor on his own. Strand visits him with his list of plans: Mo will only live with Strand--forever separated from Grace & June, and that he's not too interested in hearing Dorie's ideas for the Tower, as he only led Dorie on to motivate him to act, just as he manipulated Howard regarding his family. Dorie warns that Mo will never give him what he wants (love, a legacy, etc.), and makes a fateful decision by taking his gun and instead of shooting Strand, he knocks him out, then radios Morgan...

Outside, Grace says goodbye to Mo as Dorie (wearing Howard's armor pieces and Jack Johnson's boxing gloves) prepares to leave with the child. Grace gives a tape recorder of songs to Dorie to use to calm Mo. With that, Dorie bids farewell to June, Grace and Wendell, and makes his way through the moat of walkers. It is not long before Wes finds Strand, and Strand's guards find the trio...

Dorie Sr. and Morgan: Dorie--even covered with the pieces of armor--is being hurt by the hordes of walkers (along the way, seeing the reanimated Howard crawling toward him with broken legs). Still, he manages to make it to the call box stand, where he meets Morgan, who takes Baby Mo, but Dorie Sr says he cannot go with Morgan...because he's been bitten on the shoulder. A wound that high is inoperable--a guaranteed death sentence. Dorie says his goodbyes to Morgan and bravely walks into the approaching walkers as a diversion.

As Dorie is being devoured alive, Strand radios Morgan, acknowledging that Morgan may have won the battle, but not the war, promising to kill Grace and June is he ever sets a foot into the Tower. Strand also sends out a message to anyone else, inviting them to join the Tower.

Wes volunteers to replace Howard.

As Morgan and Mo head off, they are followed by a sea of walkers...


NOTES:
One big character death, and another that was sort of expected. With Dorie Sr's sacrifice, his original family line comes to an end.
Knowledgeable ears recognized Keith Carradine singing "Sonny Boy" at the close of this episode; despite his acting pedigree, Carradine was a recording artist as well, scoring a self-penned hit titled "I'm Easy"--written for the 1975 film Nashville. The song won a Golden Globe & Oscar for Best Original Song (and has since been added to a number of 70s music collections). With that kind of background, I'm sure the showrunners were not going to pass on the opportunity to have Carradine deliver a maudlin performance of "Sonny Boy" for all it meant for the Dorie Sr. character and the weight he was carrying regarding his son.

Howard finally met his end--being a lackey to a man who uses murder as a punishment / control measure did not promise job or life security--or that should have dawned on Howard long ago. He was a completely unsympathetic character--even after his telling Dorie the story of his (presumed) lost family.

Charlie's condition seems to be taking a major turn for the worst. I would guess she dies in E14, or before Madison reappears.

Next episode: a pretty big turn of events, but one can guess why this event is happening...

GRADE: B+.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 13 - "The Raft"

Dwight & Sherry I: On the edge of a river, Sherry unpacks one of the sub's emergency rafts, inflates it, and loads it with supplies, as if she's going off on her own. Before she can finish her task, she's radioed by Dwight for help with a woman who sent an S.O.S.; Sherry wonders if she's legitimate, but Dwight feels the woman is not associated with Strand and intends to help, forcing Sherry to set her raft business aside...

Dwight intercepts a woman running from a group of walkers; he shoots all but one, but it is taken out by Sherry. The woman identifies herself as Maya, who recently came ashore after a long-term stay aboard a boat. Although its has been months since she's seen her child, she's still looking for him, and thought he might be at the Tower (after hearing Strand's message). Sherry warns her against going to the Tower, but Dwight suggests her son might be there (since its the most likely place one could survive in the area), much to Sherry's annoyance.

Morgan & Mo: Sill on the road, Morgan leads Strand's walkers several miles down the highway, and meets up with Dwight and Sherry, finally learning the fate of Dorie Sr. Before they're able to lead the walkers away, their are ambushed by Strand's guards

Evading Strand's guards, Morgan hands Mo off to the couple, as he attempts to lead the walkers toward the center of the action. Dwight, Sherry and Mo manage to ride off, but run into a horse-bound Wes--holding them at gunpoint. Dwight tries to get Wes to re-join the group to fight Strand, but his offer is rejected, with Wes accusing Team Morgan of not being who they sold themselves to be, and expresses his regret in not joining his Teddy-brainwashed brother. Sherry spooks Wes' horse with a gunshot, leading the animal to buck, sending Wes slamming to the ground.

Later, while hiding out & waiting for a signal from Morgan, Dwight constructs a makeshift mobile for Mo, which irritates an already tense Sherry--her excuse being its hard to see him playing with Mo when she knows they will never have that (i.e. a family). Dwight asks if she's just going to give up on their plans, but they are cut off by Luciana on the radio, who informs the couple that the sub is being evacuated due to a radiation leak from the engineering compartment. Dwight is ready to leave, fearing Wes and the others overheard their communication and will zero in on their location. As Sherry becomes defensive about Dwight picking up her bag, he yanks it away, discovering navigation charts inside. Sherry reveals what she was doing earlier that day with the emergency raft--only he was prepping it for Dwight, not herself. She explains that with the coming conflict, she wanted him to leave and not lose himself with offers from Strand in the way he did before (meaning serving Negan).

Outraged, Dwight fires back at how that could not happen to him, just as Wes and his guards corner the duo, demanding they hand Mo over to them. Still angered that Sherry--apparently--thinks he's so easy to manipulate, Dwight asks Wes if they could still take Strand up on his original offer if they hand over Mo; Wes states its not his call to make, but it would help their case. Dwight orders Sherry to get Mo--presumably for the hand off---while he approaches Wes' party. As one of the guards tries to frisk Dwight, he grabs the man, using him as a shield for the bullet fired by another, who in turn is shot dead. Dwight yells for Sherry to run as Wes struggles with Dwight on the ground...

Morgan & Alicia: Morgan wonders what Alicia had been up to since she returned empty-handed; Alicia mentions her fevers return every night, and the dreams are becoming hard to ignore. Morgan is leading the horde of walkers to the crater--leaving the Tower without its moat of the dead. Alicia warns that Strand is going to come after him hard for redirecting his walkers, which Morgan acknowledges--and the need to take the Tower as soon as possible. He plays a message from Grace, begging him to get himself and Mo as far away from the area.

Obviously intending to keep Mo safe, Morgan is reading between the lines, realizing that the worst is about to happen, but they can no longer wait, despite Alicia saying they are not ready for the fight (low on numbers, tired and hungry). Morgan counters that he's left people he cared about before (TWD) and its never set right with him, so if there's a chance they can take the Tower, he does not need to break up this family.

Sherry & Dwight II: Sherry has stopped near the ruins of a building to change Mo; Dwight catches up, and notices the name Franklin on a piece of rubble, which Alicia (by walkie) confirms was the entrance to the bunker. Sherry believes its a good place to hide, but Dwight notes if there's only one way out, they would be trapped, adding that they can head toward the crater--just as long as they can keep Mo (in her lead-lined suit) safe. Sherry seems unwilling to move, leading Dwight to question her about whatever is troubling her (bringing up her fear of Dwight taking Strand's offer again). Sherry announces that she might be pregnant and is surprised that for all of their current problems, Dwight still thinks its a good thing. Hearing Wes' group approaching, the trio hide in the bunker.

Sherry has taken a pregnancy test, but was fearful about the results, thinking if it was positive, Dwight would want to do everything he could for the child--including take Strand up on his offer. She would not want that, dreading that she'd lose all of what she loves about Dwight to the control of Strand. Wes and his men enter the bunker...

Exploring the office (where Alicia was treated after her bite), they find her abandoned barrel shroud weapon, but are informed by Morgan that someone has let the walkers out of the crater, so they need to lead them to another location--which will take them right over the bunker. Dwight & Sherry attempt to escape via the same blocked tunnel Alicia once tried; knowing Morgan and Alicia are headed toward the bunker, Sherry lights a match near a sprinkler to set off the alarm, in the hope that it draws the walkers to the area--essentially the same plan concocted by Alicia, who believes Dwight and Sherry will find another way out.

Wes & the guards: With the fire alarm blaring, a pissed off Wes and his men fail to silence the alarm as Morgan and Alicia guide their walker army into the bunker, where the creatures quickly overtake / devour all--except Wes, who managed to flee to safety in time.

Dwight & Sherry III: Trapped by a cave in caused by the weight of the walkers above and thinking they may not escape, Sherry decides to read the pregnancy test, which she says is something she should not have taken / experienced alone. Seeing the blue plus sign, the couple are ecstatic at the news, which gives Sherry the drive to dig their way past the rubble with Alicia's weapon. Outside, Alicia tells Morgan she's been hesitating because she knows the coming fight will likely place her in the position of having to kill Strand--but she's not sure she will be able to do that. Morgan feels she will do what is necessary when the time comes.

With Sherry, Dwight & Mo reunited with Morgan & Alicia, they find themselves at a crossroads: the entire group needs to find shelter but Morgan--despite his misgivings--needs to take Mo out of the area. Sherry leads them to the site of the emergency raft, which Morgan will use to paddle up the coast to the area where the woman hailed from. Still upset that he has to go, a tearful Alicia says he should do it for Mo and Grace. She tries to appear strong, promising to do what is necessary in the coming war with Strand.

Alicia promises Morgan they will see each other again (SEE NOTES), and with that, Morgan and Mo board the raft, paddling off and around the coastline. Dwight suggested Sherry accompany Morgan & Mo, but she believes they now have something to fight for.

Alicia leads the others in the direction of the Tower...

NOTES:
Sherry has her personal trauma from the Negan experience, but by now, she has to know Dwight is not an empty vessel any random dictator can pour his ideology into and re-shape to do his bidding. Dwight being a bit incensed was the right emotional beat for the character, as it was Dwight--never knowing who his allies were--took the step to plot leave the Saviors, and later, plot against them. Surely Sherry knows that part of the story, and the fact he only questioned Strand more for the possibility of the Larson family having a secure home than the idea of serving Strand.

Now that Sherry is pregnant, there will come a point where Dwight will want her less involved in the struggles, but the WD universe being the WD universe, I expect her to refuse to sit back while others shoulder the burdens. That said, the showrunners might subvert expectations with Sherry living on to give birth.

Morgan does not appear in E14 ("Divine Providence"), which leaves that episode as a showcase for Alicia and Strand's relationship, and what a showcase it is...

Well, the submarine location goes bye-bye, placing the heroes in a very dangerous situation--i.e., finding shelter. That quest obviously begins with the Tower, but if that does not work out, where can they turn...?

GRADE: B+.

 

@The Old Mixer
Okay, I'm a bit confused - there's a YouTube channel that's posting clips from Episode14 and the opening minutes of episode 15.

Where is the poster getting these clips if you're only up to episode 13?

 

AMC+ shows one extra episode ahead of what's being broadcast on basic AMC. They're probably also showing previews from the episode after that on Plus as well. That's likely where these extra things are coming from that nobody else has seen yet.

 

Apologies - I thought I was quoting Trek God. It's probably because I quoted you in the Classic/Retro thread and still had you in mind when I posted here.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 14 - "Divine Providence"

Strand & Alicia I: Alicia's army is gathered at the phone stand; Strand calls Alicia, inviting her into the Tower for a one-on-one chat by Strand; he notices Morgan is not among the army, and--of course--has to insult the absent man. Wes expresses his fear that letting Alicia in might lead to the destruction of all Strand built, but Victor is not concerned.

Alicia is admitted into the Tower, surrounded guards. Daniel barges his way in seeking his daughter, ignoring any agreements, and frankly not caring about that, but Strand has him taken to the basement for a "time out." Wes serves drinks, and reading Alicia's glare, tells her that she, Morgan and Luciana are no different than Strand (Strand shoots a look at Wes), but at least he owns up to his ways.

Strand notes that’s she still wearing the medal he gave her—which she reminds him was retrieved from the body of Will. Strand adds that when he gave her the medal, he asked her to forget the man he used to be, but he's since embraced that identity. Alicia is not impressed, implying there will be no peace with a group of people he's abused and pissed off. With that, Strand radios the rooftop, ordering the beacon to be turned on, so the walkers will gather again--and kill Alicia's group. As the sun sets, the moans of a massive number of beacon-attracted walkers can be heard approaching the Tower's general location.

Alicia tries to fight her way out to warn the others, but she's outnumbered, with Strand bluntly informing her that they were never a part of his vision of the future.

Strand orders Wes to throw Daniel from the roof--a move which restores his faith in Strand. Suddenly, Alicia attacks with her claw-arm, slicing Wes' face, and managing to take Strand's gun--holding him hostage. Strand orders Wes not to shoot Alicia, as she hustles him into the elevator.

Strand and Alicia II: The elevator is locked on the third floor; Alicia accused Strand of being another Teddy--locking her up while he destroys all she cares about. Strand still refuses to sacrifice his legacy--even at gunpoint. Alicia's fever spikes, making her delirious enough for Strand to disarm her. She pleads with Strand to shut the light off to save her friends; he implores her to stay in the Tower to see what it can be. She weakly counters that she does not have much time left (or so she believes) and that June and the Tower's stock of medicine will not help. Seeing her medal again, Strand asks that Alicia give him what time she has left.

Alicia agrees to live in the Tower if Strand saves her group. Leaving the elevator, they are confronted by Wes and his guards; Wes is boiling with anger at the idea that Strand would allow his "weak spot" (Alicia) to destroy the Tower, and aims his gun at Alicia. Strand notes that Wes is outnumbered...until Wes asks the guards if they would want to live outside again--which is what Strand's questionable instincts would force them to do. The guards turn on a genuinely shocked Strand, who shoots a guard and an outcropping of pipes, which send hot steam into the room, giving Strand and Alicia enough cover to escape into the stairwell.

Daniel: Wes calls the basement, ordering the guard to kill Daniel--but Daniel uses his handcuff chains to strangle the guard, admonishing him for not knowing that a man's hands are supposed to be cuffed behind him to prevent exactly what he's doing.

Free and armed, Daniel prepares to leave just as Alicia and Strand arrive; Daniel aims his gun at Strand, demanding he take her to Ofelia--or else. in addition to Daniel learning that a Tower coup is in effect, Alicia tries to remind Daniel about Mexico--but all he will say is that yes, Ofelia was sick, but she's in the Tower. Thinking fast, Strand lies--claiming Ofelia is in the Tower. Making their way up the stairs, Daniel picks off one guard after another. Just below, Strand tells Alicia that he will turn off the beacon to show her what's he achieved--but he's still the same man she's always known---he's just not apologizing for it any longer.

Alicia becomes dizzy and passes out. Strand carries her to the infirmary, and as Daniel kills more guards, Strand finds adrenaline to revive Alicia. Daniel demands to know where Ofelia is, and Strand takes him to Charlie. Daniel recognizes her...but knows she's not his child. Strand argues that he needed Daniel's help to save the closest thing he has to a daughter--and surely he could understand that.

Daniel is obviously enraged at Strand for deceiving him again (no shock, there), and is ready to kill him, until Alicia stresses that he could be the figure to the ailing Charlie that he did not have the time to be with Ofelia. A crying Daniel sees her point, and spares Strand's life. Strand reveals Charlie's case is terminal due to being exposed to Alpha particles--the same as the walkers now heading toward the Tower.

Daniel chooses to stay with Charlie, with the man believing that in re-connecting with Charlie, its helped his mind clear again--just as the promise of finding Ofelia had helped him before.

Strand & Alicia III: While arming themselves for the coming fight, Strand confirms Alicia is a daughter figure to him, and despite their history, they work well together. Spreading tear gas in the stairwell, Strand makes his way to the 6th floor penthouse, but is met by Wes and more guards. Wes makes one, last attempt to push Strand into saving the Tower--which means betraying (and killing) Alicia. Strand makes a break for the stairs, finds Alicia on the ground--the adrenaline having worn off--and together, the y barricade themselves in another room, with Wes and his men shooting through the doors.

Strand spills out everything: his desire to build and heal with Alicia..and choking up, admits he loves her--that she's the closest thing to family he has left in the world. He pretty much admits that if he could not show the point of the Tower to her (essentially building it for her), then it was not worth the cost and effort at all.

Wes: Wes and his turncoats break in, and he’s determined to kill Alicia--who he believes was a deceiver all along. He produces the transmitter Alicia had in her bag, arguing she was going to use it to draw a larger number of threats to the Tower. Alicia admits she was going to call people--but to help them, as there is no PADRE, but she could build it here for others to thrive...long after she's gone. As Strand cries over Alicia's reminder that she's terminally ill, Wes barks that she's manipulating Strand again and she has to die (despite Strand's protest). Alicia--resigned to her fate--tells Strand it's okay, and closes her eyes, expecting the shot. Shots to ring out, but its Daniel--who kills Wes' guards, but is shot in the shoulder by Wes.

In the chaos, Alicia grabs a rifle and has a stand off with Wes; she asks Strand to warn her group away from the area and shut off the beacon, but Wes threatens to kill Alicia if he tries it. Alicia begs Wes to help her as she once saved his own life, but Wes is unsympathetic and is a moment away from shooting...until he's run through by Strand's sword. Strand guides the severely wounded Wes to a wall, where he falls--dead.

Alicia gasps--asking why did Strand kill Wes. He replies for the same reason he built the Tower---so she would not have to.

The rest of Team Alicia: June, Grace, Wendell and Daniel emerge from the Tower; while Sarah reunites with her brother, Luciana tends to Daniel, the latter not allowing her to forget her lie about Ofelia. Luciana apologizes, but its up in the air whether Daniel accepted it. The group--now seeing the army of irradiated walkers heading their way, and nearly pinned down by Strand's former rangers--take shelter in the Tower.

Strand & Alicia IV: The duo make their way to the rooftop; as Alicia sees the horde of walkers piling in on the Tower--and headed for her friends, she notices Strand is now reluctant to shut off the beacon. He complains that even if he shut it off, that no good he performed would ever be enough, that she had no intention of forgiving him (for a number of sins, including killing Wes). Alicia screams for Strand to shut the beacon down again, then moves to do it herself. Alicia attacks him--her claw hand puncturing a gas canister, sending fuel all over the rooftop. As the struggle continues, one of the cables holding the beacon in place is cut, whips up to the light--shattering it and sending sparks to the rooftop--igniting the fuel.

Alicia climbs to the beacon platform, hooks her transmitter to the antennae, and calls out--using her full name--to anyone survivors in range, giving coordinates to the Tower--just as the irradiated walkers pound on the entrance to the Tower. With the adrenaline worn off, Alicia passes out on the platform, as flames quickly spread across the entire rooftop, with Strand calling out to Alicia...


NOTES:

Alicia gave her full name during her broadcast (one wonders why she would do that, since no one knows who she is), and I’m guessing a certain missing mother will be one of the ears hearing that, thus Madison has her reason for returning.

Alicia could be suffering from a form of ZA virus-induced delirium, but her vociferous argument with Strand over the killing of Wes was odd…since Wes was a moment away from executing her.

So, as part of the season house-cleaning, Wes goes bye-bye, but I feel part of his motives in recent episodes were simply not genuine; while one could understand his distaste for the manipulation and lies used by Luciana (and others) to get what they want (including trying to find any way into the Tower), his reasoning for joining Strand (being “honest” about his being a user) were shaky at best, since he was well aware that he did not have much job (or life) security with a man who regularly tosses people from the rooftop for even the slightest infraction.

While Strand’s affection for Alicia had been established long ago, the idea that he loved her and considered her a surrogate daughter was unexpected. Now that he let that out, its unclear how strong that bond will be once the Tower falls.

Daniel appeared to be shot too close to some major arteries not to eventually bleed out--unless luck (AKA Plot Armor) steps in to keep him around. I've said he's outlived his arc, but now that's he has Charlie to care for, who knows how long he will be around...

Next episode: everyone is back on the road, including a still alive and kicking Charlie. I imagine most of the Tower residents will just be killed off, similar to the nameless residents of The Walking Dead’s prison population (the former residents of Woodbury), who were pretty much eliminated in a single episode.

GRADE: A.

 

Fear the Walking Dead
Season 7 / Episode 15 - "Amina”

Alicia I: Alicia is rescued from the Tower by her group, informed that Strand declined to accompany them. June has administered various drugs to stabilize Alicia from her feverish state, but all signs point to Alicia quickly losing her fight to survive.

Believing she’s seen the gas mask-wearing little girl again, Alicia takes off after her, and coming across Althea’s van. With another spike in her fever, Alicia passes out. She conveniently comes to in Althea’s S.W.A.T. van, where she was dragged inside by the little girl. There’s back and forth over saving people, Alicia’s life, and the girl asking Alicia to help her find a friend (at the Tower) who saved her. Alicia tries to get the girl to understand that she does not have much time left due to the bite’s effects (while grabbing a tape of her mother named “Amina”), but the girl argues one can survive that—just as she survived, punctuating her claim by showing a nearly healed bite on her wrist.

Alicia passes out again, but it found by her friends, who did not see a little girl at all. Insistent that she find the girl, Alicia returns to the Tower, see the girl, but tries to dissuade the child from trying to enter the burning building.

Strand & Alicia I: Making her way to the Tower’s rooftop, she finds the transmitter charred and inoperable. The girl shows up again (much to Alicia’s anger) talking about the friend she wanted to save—Strand, but passes out again. Waking up in time to see the girl enter the building, Alicia is met by the bird again, who flies to the penthouse area, leading her to Strand, who is profusely apologetic over his mistreatment of Alicia.

Alicia drowns in sadness over the prospect of dying and failing to save more people, but she cannot bear to just turn into a walker, so she attempts to shoot herself, with Strand first believing she was going to use the gun on him. Burdened by memories of various people she’s lost, Alicia is close to pulling the trigger until she sees the bird again—this time, it’s in the penthouse trying to find a way out at the window.

Alicia tries to break the glass, but is visited by the girl again, who finally removes her gas mask, revealing herself to be Alicia as a child. All along, this vision was her subconscious mind trying to direct her toward doing what she needed to—to save one who was not given a second chance by anyone else, much like she gave an injured bird a second chance, instead of waging a war with Strand (SEE NOTES).

Strand & Alicia II:Back on the S.W.A.T. van, Strand asks why she saved him, when her friends will never allow him to join their group; Alicia knows she’s dying, but needs Strand to continue her mission. She—like her mother—is aware of Strand and his behavior, but sees something else.

Reuniting with the others, Alicia is radioed by Morgan with news that he’s heard radio chatter which might lead them to Padre. Although he asks her how she’s feeling, Alicia declines to answer that, but through her growing sadness tries to reassure Morgan about the group’s future before shutting off the walkie.

As the others depart in the emergency rafts, Strand steadies his, waiting for Alicia to board it, but she refuses (believing she does not have much time left to live / does not want to be a threat to anyone) she begs him (again) to do what she set out to—give a chance for others to live. Strand is almost in hysterics, refusing to abandon her, blurting out any idea that would offer hope to Alicia. Strand resigns himself to what has to be, and shoves off—just as Alicia tells him that she saved him not just to take up her mantle, but due to the fact she loves him, too. Filled with joy, yet sad at the idea he may be seeing Alicia for the last time, Strand waves to Clark (who responds in kind), then catches up with the other rafts.

Alicia collapses, seemingly so ill that she must be close to death. Sometime later, she awakens, appearing healthy. The infection has passed, fully recovering from the walker bite; she’s met by her younger self, who reveals her own wound has not only healed, but vanished. Alicia tells the vision she will try to find anyone who heard her message, in the hope of directing them to someplace to live (presumably in the direction her friends took along the coastline). Alicia shoots a walker, using what was once her suicide bullet, and looking toward the horizon (and the smoke trail from the Tower), she walks off to an unknown location and fate.

NOTES:

…and so ends Alycia Debnam-Carey’s time on the series as Alicia Clark. Viewers were well aware of Debnam-Carey landing a role on the Hulu series Saint X, so her time on Fear the Walking Dead was coming to an end. Some viewers see Alicia’s recovery and the “walking off into the sunset”-type ending hopeful that Debnam-Carey might make another appearance at some point in FTWD’s remaining seasons, but there’s no official word indicating that is under consideration.

There’s a number of viewers angry with Alicia’s departure one episode before Kim Dickens’ return as Madison, questioning the sense in bringing back a character who was almost obligated to reunite with her daughter. At present, one can assume said reunion will ever happen, so they will either accept the realities of showrunner plan and an actor’s career choices…or not.

This episode settles / answers Morgan’s question about Alicia stalling in gathering people & resources for the attack on the Tower: deep down, she did not want to kill Strand, but save him.

Next episode: ”Gone”, the season seven finale / return of Madison.

GRADE: A.