Fear the Walking Dead 512 – Ner Tamid
Help sometimes comes in unexpected forms and after Charlie gets separated from her group she comes across a rabbi who provides her with a place to rest. Charlie’s encounter with Rabbi Jacob continues Fear’s theme of hope this time veering into the realm of faith. The real reason Charlie isn’t with the group soon becomes apparent as does the fact that there is more to the lone rabbi than first meets the eye.
Ner Tamid represents the flame of truth and signifies the presence of God. In an apocalypse it is hard to make sense of things and the challenge is even greater for those who make their living through a greater connection to a higher power. Charlie’s mettle is tested as she has grown weary of her nomadic existence. She lobbies June to get everyone to come and live at the synagogue with the rabbi. June sympathizes with her but the realities of the location’s shortcomings eliminate any chance that it could be a viable option. It wouldn’t be a likely destination anyway once the rabbi’s reasons for remaining on his own come to light.
Humor is something that has been in short supply on Fear this season so more screen time for Sarah is a welcome sight. Her acerbic nature and quick wit is refreshing and now that she’s beginning to bond with GQ Dwight there’s potential for some new dynamics to be forged between the characters.
Things begin to get a little heated about half way through Ner Tamid when Logan’s crew track down the caravan causing them to abandon their temporary settlement. At the same moment, a hoard of walkers starts to overrun the grounds of the synagogue and the rabbi reveals that they are members of his congregation. Charlie, with a child’s level of optimism argues that the hoard will disperse but John and June decide to use a ladder and some cars to escape in a scene that belongs in a video game puzzle sequence.
There are a couple of twists in Ner Tamid that aren’t exactly unexpected but they result in a new character joining the crew as well as a revelation about one of the mainstays. The biggest development though is the fact that Logan, through the info contained in Al’s interview tapes has found the location of the oil fields. This changes things and will hopefully let viewers see what his grand plan is as it’s time for Fear to get a proper villain to help raise the stakes.
