The plot started moving forward in significant ways during an overstuffed episode.
After an action packed episode last week, it was a given really that this week would be a somewhat calmer affair. That turned out to be simultaneously true an untrue. There was no big, crazy action set piece as there was in the previous episode, but a number of smaller moments kept the tension high. This episode suffered however for two notable reasons, one of which has plagued it in past weeks.
The first reason is that the episode was just too full. With the group as disjointed as they are, we now have multiple running storylines. This episode once again kept much of the focus upon the groups at the Hotel and Colonia, but in addition we have Ofelia off doing her thing, and from the looks of the end of the episode it seems Chris and Travis have split up as well. If the show continues to check in with each of them, that means we’ll have five different storylines to keep a track of. As a result, some aren’t getting the service they deserve.
Take Ofelia’s story. She disappears for a couple weeks, which is fine as it adds some mystery to the show, but then what we do see of her feels rushed and shoehorned in. Some character building flashbacks explain the motivation behind her actions, but by the end we’re back where we started, with her driving off to who knows where. It’s the same with Travis and Chris’ story. We’ve seen them once in the past five episodes. What we have seen is good material, with both going in different directions in their approach to survival, but having the story so disjointed is dampening its effect. A lot of the focus this half season has been upon Nick and the Colonia. This would be fine if, like at the Hotel, there was anything compelling going on there. Whilst the Hotel story has had some thrilling action, patience for the Colonia is waning. It seems as though they’re pushing Nick to be the Rick like figure of the show, placing much of the emphasis on him, but until the character stops being so gullible, and they present a compelling story there, it’s just going to keep damaging the show.
This episode did take steps towards improving the story, as Francesco and his family were taken captive by the gang the Colonia trades with. They were a clear example that faith is waning within the Colonia, which will no doubt bring about some interesting developments, but their part in the story as a whole suffered from a problem that was so prevalent last week as well. We’ve barely seen Francesco, whilst his family were introduced just this episode, so once again we don’t really care about them. Placing so much emphasis on the fate of them doesn’t evoke much emotion from the audience. Sure we don’t want them to die, but if they did we wouldn’t care as much as we would with say Alicia or Strand. (Those two are the only ones I would be sad about dying right now.)
This was also the episode that all the running stories started to intersect. After the emotionally unstable mother of the bride stabbed Strand in her grief, Maddison and Elena go get medical supplies from the same gang trading with the Colonia. Unfortunately, it’s also where Maddison once again starts to go downhill. Overhearing Francesco being questioned by the gang, a description of a ratty haired American boy immediately piques her interest as Nick. Seeing her act to stupidly was painful. As Alicia later states, she risked everything, including all their lives, for a chance at finding Nick.
The show has always been billed as a family drama though, so it was brilliant to see Alicia put Maddison in her place for what she did. Alicia is probably the strongest character on the show, and it’s great to see her come into her own. Maddison clearly isn’t going to get over Nick, so here’s hoping Alicia severs ties with her before she drags the both of them down with her recklessness. Such recklessness as turning on all the hotel lights at night, which does bring Travis towards them, but no doubt a whole load of Walkers as well.
Of course such a stuffed episode as this has a lot of moving parts, so other highlights include:
- Family drama for Elena as well, as it turns out her brother is one of the bandits at the Warehouse. Gotta think they’ll be seeing each other again, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for the Hotel group.
- Speaking of the bandits, Nick sees them scouting the Colonia towards the end of the episode. Things are starting to draw to a climax now and I like it. Though those living at the Colonia probably won’t.
- So Ofelia is headed back to the States. Do you think we’ll see her again, or did the writers just not know what to do with her and think let’s just write her out? I for one hope it’s the former.
- I enjoyed the montage at the beginning of the Hotel crew fortifying the place, but I just know that it’ll probably be gone soon.
- So Travis is alone now. I wonder what happened there? Hopefully we’ll finally find out next episode.
And so another episode of ‘Fear The Walking Dead’ draws to a close, though unfortunately weaker than previous instalments. There are several issues currently plaguing the show that need to get gone, otherwise the quality will continue to peter out. Toning down the stuff at the Colonia for a couple episodes would help, as it’s starting to drag, whilst focusing on some of the lesser storylines like Chris and Travis’. In addition, what should be tense situations aren’t coming across that way, as we’re forced to endure them with characters we really don’t care about. If these problems can be fixed, then the show can continue its increase in quality. Still, things are starting to come to a head now, so it will be interesting to see what these final three episodes bring.
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