Fear the Walking Dead wraps up its tumultuous third season with an explosive finale.
Our review…
ThisFear the Walking Deadreview contains spoilers.
We witnessed many, many deaths, most notably Travis, Ofelia, and the entire Otto family.
And yet, despite all of this death and destruction, the Clark family somehow stayed intact.
This isnt to say they never found themselves in harms way, because just the opposite is true.
The Clarks are no strangers to periland were often directly responsible for the chaos that killed those around them.
Its even harder to root for these same characters when their selfishness is their biggest character trait.
Fearwould have you believe that Jeremiah and Troy Otto were season threes big bads.
Or maybe Ray McKinons Proctor John.
Or even the zombies.
But in reality, the biggest threat to the Clarks are the Clarks themselves.
Is it that Nicks addiction is nothing more than a convenient plot machine?
Or is it that everyone but the Clarks is expendable, cannon fodder for Madisons self-serving agenda?
Or maybe its all of the above.
Only at the very end did Troy give voice to the bigotry in his heart.
His death was a long time coming, but it isnt nearly as cathartic as it could have been.
The finale is also beset by questionable character motivations, most notably Nick turning on Madison after Troys death.
Luciana certainly couldnt forgive and forget what happened at the depot.
Once she left the ranch, rather than pine for her, Nick seemingly pined for Troy.
For all the terrible things shes doneTroy certainly has her beat, hands down.
For Nick not to see this defies all logic.
That he would be willing to sacrifice himself in a standoff at the dam also defies logic.
But his sacrificehis self-described suicide noteis robbed of its power if he escapes death yet again.
Heres to hoping we see him emerge from this a better, stronger, and more likable character.
I hope the same holds true for Madison.
Shes in need of a makeover, too.
If Madisons meant to be a leader, she needs to behave more like one.
Morality cant always take a back seat to survival.
We need to believe shes capable of empathy, if were ever to root for her again.
Moments like her competing with Troy for who is the bigger victim wont endear viewers to her cause.
The ranch was his to lose, not hers.
Deep down she knows this, of course, knows that theres blood on her hands.
But this is something she needs to consciously admit, otherwise shell never grow.
Alicia grew the most this season, assuming the mantle of leadership in a way that felt more believable.
Still, Proctor John holds a lot of promise for what may come next season.
He reminds me of David Morriseys Governor, if he had Negans Saviors to enforce his agenda.
Or at least it did.
By finales end, the Clark family has survived a catastrophe only to be separated yet again.
Strand and Daniel have also survived, despite their best efforts to kill each other this season.
So have Walker and Lee, who are striking north for more hospitable climes.
Lola andEfrain, however, arent so lucky.
They died so the Clark family legacy might continue.
To quote Kurt Vonnegut, And so it goes.
Im relieved their sweaty, awkward handclasp doesnt lead to more.
Madisons nightmares are visually arresting and emotionally haunting.
Their brief cameos are silent but nonetheless haunting and effective.
It left me wondering (and hoping) if well see Garcias Luciana next season.
Who knew Johnny Mathis and Peggy Lees music would ever turn up in a zombie show?
The finale marks the end of showrunner Dave Ericksons tenure on the series he co-created with Robert Kirkman.
Rating:
2.5 out of 5
