Fear the Walking Dead: Ep. 307 The Unveiling
With only two episodes left before the mid season finale, Fear the Walking Dead has done a good job of placing its characters in fresh circumstances without losing some of the originality that gives the show its own voice. Surprising deaths, strange character arcs and real world politics have presented some interesting challenges for the Clark family and their allies.
Jeremiah’s southern sanctuary is suffering from unrest. The patriarch is suffering from a crisis of confidence, the community is beginning to fracture and his sons appear to be on two distinct paths. Speaking of paths, The Unveiling opens with Jake on his way to make peace with Walker in an attempt to stop the bloodshed from escalating. His solo sojourn into the wilderness soon becomes a reunion as Alicia arrives to update him on the Trimbol’s deaths. Unaware of Troy’s role in their murder, Jake and Alicia set forth on a journey that brings them to Walker’s front door.
An attempt at peace making sheds some light on the conflict between Walker and the founders of the community. Walker, burnt by the “white man’s court”, has taken the law into his own hands. Alicia continues her ascendancy when she speaks out of turn during the meeting and later comes face to face with someone from her not to distant past. Seeing Ofelia again answers some of the questions that have plagued viewers for several episodes. Her welcome return gives rise to an interesting scenario. With Ofelia and Alicia effectively playing the same role on different sides, as more is revealed about the conflict it becomes clear that the entanglements of war are like a bloody, twisted mess of twine.
Seeing things from only their own peculiar vantage point, all of the players whether it be Walker, Madison, Jeremiah, Ofelia or Alicia are accepting of – or complicit to –unforgivable acts. As long as the ends justify the means all is fair in the never-ending war for survival.
Going in this direction casts everyone in a different light. Madison, once the hero, depending on one’s point of view may be viewed as a villain. Is Walker the one to be cheered or vilified? Sometimes all it takes to tip the balance of perception is where along the continuum you’ve entered the fray.
The Unveiling is an eye-opening episode. Not for anything dramatic or gory but for how characters we’ve watched for almost two and a half seasons have evolved. A wedge is being formed between allies and loved ones, particularly where the men of the Otto family and the women of the Clark family are concerned. There’s an interesting parallel occurring between Jeremiah’s struggles with his sons and Madison and Alicia’s relationship. Madison’s choices run counter to Alicia’s changing instincts. As Alicia matures into adulthood her willingness to speak up and question anybody, including her mother is apparent. Will it continue? Perhaps but even with the episode’s final moments of mayhem their differences will surely continue to test the bonds of family.
