3.05: Fear The Walking Dead - Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame

[ctg]

Nick and Jeremiah (Photo by Richard Foreman/AMC)

A new threat reveals itself to Madison and Troy as they search for answers. Alicia must reconcile with her past decisions.

Kill List: Strand, Luciana, Jeremiah, Jake, Troy
Redeemed: Alicia, Nick, Madison, Daniel and Ofelia
Lost: Alex

 

[REBerg]

For a man on a "kill list," Strand seems to be a bit immortal.
I've lost track of how many times he should have been offed. He must have been a cat in a previous life.

 

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For a man on a "kill list," Strand seems to be a bit immortal. I've lost track of how many times he should have been offed.

He is on the list for things he has done in the past. Strand knew all bad people and he delivered evil things to anyone who had enough of money. Since the Dawn of Apocalypse he hasn't shown a skill to actually survive this world, or deliver anything outside the realm of yesteryear. He is like Luciana, a person I dropped from the list, because I thought she had redeemed herself.

Except she hasn't. I just cannot remember an instance, where she has shown to be able to live in this world. At the moment all she does is mcguffin. An anchor that keeps Daniel from going crazy. In a way his father hasn't accepted that she's dead already.

I think Daniel could live with her death, as long as he could put her down. Or someone he respected, like Madison and not Strand. The "Negotiator" isn't going to save Daniel from Hell. He might be doomed to live on this earth with all his sins. All those ghosts following him until his days ends as a walker, because he couldn't find a way to end himself.

Strand I need to see him actually doing it. Surviving, because there will a day, when his "negotiating" skills are needed. Possibly to save a large number of living. Or act as a diplomat between the communities. Now that they've left that damned dam behind, there's even even fever communities around.

What I loved to see was the walkers grouping in the streets of Tijuana. Wandering around, searching for the people who not long ago made a helluva racket by taking over the base. The hotel was doomed to be locked down by the dead for ages.

It's what we humans do. We gather around fridges. Food places, because we know there's something edible inside. Over at the Ranch, that is a hard thing to do, because there's so much of empty space, and difficult terrain for the zombies to travel. It's more likely they will break their bones or get stuck in the bogs, holes, even deep canyons like we saw with the Prison Bus.

Given time, enough of zombies would fall in there and create a critical mass, making that place a very dangerous. Something for normal people to avoid. Just think about the noise thousand zombies could create in this places. At the mountains that noise would travel far away.

I think the one person I would like to move out from kill list is Jeremiah. But thing is I'm biased towards keeping old, wise man alive. In the parent series, they've been unable to survive the list. It is almost a rule that you won't live to be old in the Kirkman's world. Although he isn't even among the executive producers list until next year.

The reason is they possess so much knowledge. So much experience from the situations you might have not faced yet.

 

[nixie]

Madison, she needs to realise she is not untouchable. I don't think she knows when to shut up and bide her time.

I'd be happy to move Jeremiah from the kill list.

Some really good scenes in this series, the rats in the wall, the raven eating the man's brain, both have made me shudder.

I can see part of me wanting the Indians to take the ranch. I would like to know more of the back story between them and the survivalists.

 

[Judderman]

There was a bit less happening in this episode outside conversation, a bit more like a normal Walking Dead episode. But it was still interesting. I suspect Strand will meet Ofelia before Daniel. Though again they will probably rejoin the others (Madison etc) by some coincidence.

There is no Negan/Governor but there is now a vengeful native. He doesn't seem evil as such but it will be tough to persuade him not to kill everyone at the ranch. Maybe Madison and co will have to escape again.

 

[Dave]

There is no Negan/Governor but there is now a vengeful native. He doesn't seem evil as such but it will be tough to persuade him not to kill everyone at the ranch. Maybe Madison and co will have to escape again.

It was another twist that, while in hindsight makes sense, I didn't see coming. You say, "he doesn't seem evil as such." Yes, but when he said to Madison that she had picked the wrong side, and she replied that he forced her hand when he shot down the helicopter and killed Travis, he just looked dumbfounded. As he said nothing in reply, it is difficult to know what he thinks. Ancient rights or not, no one has any more right to the land now than anyone else, so if he believes that he does then he is on a sticky wicket. However, an old-fashioned feud between the natives and the preppers, well that is far more believable, and also a scenario that might be resolved with an independent negotiator, such as someone trained as a school counsellor.

 

[svalbard]

I loved this episode. It was the best of all of FOTWD series so far. So much character development, thought provoking scenes, slow but still advancing the story. Producers of the TWD take note. This is how it should be done.

Points of interest.

1. Madison is building a rep. It looks like she has recruited a few soldiers to her. There is a touch of Rick about her character, although he is still the most single minded badass leader on TV(excluding last 2 seasons).

2. Nick and Otto. Fantastic scenes, really powerful. I am conflicted about Jeremiah Otto. There is a darkness about his character, yet he has the welfare of his community at heart. Is this what a Dark Age chieftain might have looked like. Don't know the the actors name but he is charismatic.

3. Jake is right. Poetry matters and I think Alicia sees this at the end. I do not like cheese but I really hope their relationship blossoms, although a conflict with Troy might be Jake's undoing at some stage, leading Alicia to take desperate measures.

4. The Indian dude on about the land etc. I think this could be a more recent complaint against the Otto family than a more historic claim to the land. There are hints in the general conversations that 'things' needed to be done to preserve the ranch.

5. Strand and Daniel, for a moment I thought we were on the verge of one of the great TV bromances. Alas it was not to be. I know I mentioned in the last thread that Strand has few redeeming features, Daniel is just as bad. ( One prediction came through. I did say Daniel would leave Lola in charge of the dam.)

6. And finally Luciano. Hope it works out for her. I believe she knows that all is not well in the state of Denmark and at some stage will meet up with Indian Dude and Opheila.

Final point. Anyone know the game of the song at the end.

 

[ctg]

I think this could be a more recent complaint against the Otto family than a more historic claim to the land.

Exactly. It's a historical grudge that should have been buried a long time ago. But it didn't as the white man couldn't finish the job he'd started in the Indian Wars. Since then, maybe even before, Native Indians has been the underdog. Not any more.

To be honest, I don't understand why they brought the helicopter down and why they're giving second chances to Troy's men. Reverse the situation and they will kill you. What I don't understand is why to trod on the road if your feet gets bloody? Why don't you walk on grass and everywhere else, where it's softer?

Final point. Anyone know the game of the song at the end.