Title: Fear the Walking Dead: Midseason Return
Network: AMC
Air Date: September 10th, 2017
Genre: Serial Drama, Horror
Fear the Walking Dead returned from its midseason break tonight with an all new two-hour episode. The episodes titled “Minotaur” and “The Diviner” quickly put us right smack dab in the middle of a tense situation. Walker and the Nation have made their way to Broke Jaw Ranch to stay. An already fragile peace between and members of the Ranch and Nation is at risk when a brutal truth is uncovered. The ranch…is almost out of water. Madison and Walker find themselves venturing to an unknown barter town where Madison reunites with Victor Strand. Is there that Madison finds out about the dam where Daniel now is. Interestingly enough, while Strand tells Madison about the dam, he fails to reveal that Daniel is alive and currently at the dam. Walker and Madison must now race against the clock with Victor to secure water for the ranch before its inhabitants tear themselves apart.
When Nick and Troy see the Nation heading towards the ramp, it’s an “Oh S*it” moment. Fear the Walking Dead has given us two groups that go at it hard during the first half of the season and now…they have to live together? It’s like Trump and Hilary’s supporters having to actually live together and face each other opposed to acting tough to each other over the internet. I mean, really imagine that. Someone you loathe to your core. Someone…who is just evil in your eyes. This person is now in your house and you’re being forced to live them. Sure you could try and kill them but it will almost certainly end in your death. Would you take that risk? Furthermore, would you take that risk if you knew it potentially meant the death of your only child as well? Fear the Walking Dead did an amazing job at setting up the back half of season three with this tense opening.
Another important scene in this Fear the Walking Dead episode. As expected, Troy is not going to go along with the Nation having any power at the Ranch whatsoever. I can sympathize with Troy here in a way. I don’t care who you are, you are not searching my house. Troy fights back but Nick is unwillingly pulled into Troy’s defense of his home. In a last ditch effort to deter Troy from fighting, Nick reveals the truth about Jeremiah. While Troy does eventually surrender and is ultimately banished (still not without a fight), I expect he’ll be back. The setup here was also done well. Even though we as the viewer know that Nick was pulled into Troy’s last stand. The rest of the Ranch does not. In fact, the Militia sees Nick as a hero and ultimately look to him for leadership. If you like scary stuff, be sure to check out our review of IT film.
The scene at the dam was short and sweet but it really stood out for me. It just goes to show that regardless of who’s in charge or whatever their intentions may be, someone will feel oppressed. People will feel like you weaseled or snaked your way into position and you need to be forcefully removed. Lola at the dam absolutely has the peoples interest at heart. Yet still, someone views her as the villain. As soon as you have one Jabroni to lead the charge, others suddenly get the hidden courage to fall in. It replicates what you see in social media and politics today perfectly.
What I dug about the water situation is that, regardless of what anyone thinks, Walkers is in the same pinched spot as everyone else. Even if Walker killed everyone at the ranch but his people, it would only be a temporary solution. There’s no more “us and them mentality” to be had here. Talk about the irony of the Militia approaching Nick. The Militia, of course, does not know Nick was the one that murdered Jeremiah. Nick leading the Militia puts him in a power position to avert further conflict with the Nation. It’s also a very dangerous game Nick is playing because if the Nation finds out he’s conspiring with the Militia, it will almost certainly mean death.
During Madison’s trip to barter town, she finds out about the damn from Strand. She also goes behind Walker’s back to pay off Strand’s debt. This scene really shows that Madison is going to do whatever she feels in her best interest regardless of potential cost. If the dam doesn’t work out. Madison essentially just sacrificed 5,000 gallons of water on a story from Victor Strand…of all people.
After Nick’s stand at the well, he was all but forced to take action against the Nation. Nick thankfully averts this action and pending attack by going to help Alycia dig for water. This scene represents the hope that both of these groups realize the stakes at hand and can work together to overcome.
Verdict: Fear the Walking Dead returned with a strong two-hour premiere. Punishment, Exile, and internal turmoil all played a big part in tonight’s episode. The ground work has been laid for further reunions between our main characters. Fear is really doing a great job of coming into its own and being able to present in-depth problems we haven’t seen before with The Walking Dead.
Be sure to check again next Sunday for our all new review. You can also check out our review of the mid season finale if you need to catch up on events.
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