Fear the Walking Dead 302: The New Frontier
For anyone expecting the status quo this season on Fear the Walking Dead it didn’t take long for that notion to be dispelled. The shocking pre-credit sequence is a game changer in every sense of the word and will no doubt have massive ripple effects on the storyline and the characters as the season progresses.
Aptly titled, The New Frontier says goodbye to one of the series leads and further establishes the new surrounding and challenges that lay before Madison and the rest of the Clark family. Combined with Eye of the Beholder to form a two-hour season premiere the action soon shifts back and forth between the Clarks and Strand who is still making a go of it at the hotel of horrors south of the boarder.
Reunions are fleeting on this show but they also serve the narrative purpose of creating several story lines to keep viewers interested. At this point in time The New Frontier juggles three stories: Alicia and Luciana’s struggle to recover from being shot down in their helicopter, Strand on his own at the hotel and Madison and Nick at the new compound run by Jake and Troy’s so far unseen father. With all of this flying around we still haven’t seen anything regarding Ofilia’s whereabouts.
Struggling to hold onto what little power he holds, Strand tries to quell a potential uprising at the hotel’s gates by claiming that he’s a doctor. His boast eases the tense situation for a few moments until he runs into a situation where his mouth writes a cheque his skill set may not be able to cash.
Madison comes face to face with the man in charge at the ranch. He questions her about the missing helicopter and they soon realize that they both have a lot to lose if the chopper is lost for good. Nick’s guilt for leading everyone into their present situation puts him at odds with his mom and threatens to upset the diplomacy she’s using to ensure their safety. Alicia scores some points midway through The New Frontier when she comes to Jake’s aid. Her handiness with a gun saves him from some walkers and suggests that he’s the one who needs protecting, not her.
The New Frontier features a few surprises, including the return of an unexpected minor character. While the body count isn’t unusually high in the episode there is an overwhelming sense of loss, not only for the characters but for fans of the show as well. The scene where Alicia delivers the somber news to Madison and Nick is takes matters into his own hands is painful to watch. Kudos go to Kim Dickens for her ability to sway through Madison’s rollercoaster of emotions. Her anguish is a fitting sendoff and viewers’ chance to say goodbye, even if questions surround the wisdom of losing one of the shows central characters.
