Fear the Walking Dead 214: Wrath
For viewers who may have been a little disappointed by the level of walker action over the past few episodes the initial moments of Wrath did not disappoint. Ofelia’s car trouble leads to some tense moments and proves that she’s learned a few tricks from her dearly departed dad. Wasting little time to advance the plot, the scene shifts to Nick at La Colonia as he liberates some drugs from the pharmacy before heading out of the compound. Meanwhile, back at the hotel of horrors, Madison struggles with Travis’ return. Absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder, but for this couple it appears the opposite may be true. Their love for each other is undeniable but the horrors, guilt and familial responsibilities they’ve endured has placed a heavy burden on their bond.
As far as the gore goes, Wrath may be one of the most disturbing episodes yet. The body count isn’t particularly high but it’s the manner in which victims are infected and the way walkers are dispatched that are cringe worthy. Whether it be intrigue, twists or gore, as things progress towards the final hour of the season, Fear the Walking Dead holds nothing back. Several moments give viewers pause, including one featuring a chain link fence at the U.S./Mexico boarder. When the fence is breached, the barren landscape on either side and what it represents for this particular character is not only ironic but quite topical considering what’s going on in the U.S. at the moment. The human elements, including the moral dilemma facing Madison and the long walk from La Colonia, combined with the gruesome realities of the walkers made Wrath one of the standout episodes of the season. Several characters in the main cast had their chance to shine and there were enough unanswered plot threads left hanging to set things up for the final episode.
The final moments of Wrath will have viewers talking for a while. The slow boil that’s been building for almost two seasons finally overheats with heat breaking results. The title is an apt one and captures the overall tone of the closing moments perfectly. Wrath, with its violence, character development and intrigue could have been a worthy season finale on its own. With AMC’s decision to broadcast the finale two episodes back to back, there is virtually no time for viewers to catch their breath before moving into the final 60 minutes of the season. For fans of the show, it’s a good bet that Wrath will still be on their minds as the opening scenes of North, the finale episode, flicker across the screen.
