Fear the Walking Dead 213: Date of Death
Date of Death was an exercise in human frailty as the drama intensified and highlighted the hardships surrounding parenting and growing up in a world you don’t understand. Walkers and the gore and mayhem of the apocalypse remained in the background, like barely audible scratches from the other side of a closed door. Despite its title, Date of Death mainly focused on what happens when difficult choices are made and how they can sometimes backfire spectacularly.
Madison’s stunt at the end of last week’s episode brings unexpected attention and drama to her front door. Madison’s selfishness has caused her to bend and sometimes break the rules without any concern for the consequences. Sometimes the ramifications have serious implications on those around her but in Date of Death, things finally catch up to her.
Flashbacks to the standoff between Chris and the farmer in the barn shed some light on how that particular scenario ended. As with Madison and Alicia, the parent/child dynamic comes into play once again between Chris and Travis. The walker apocalypse has brought about many changes, not only to society in general but to those who’ve survived it so far. Change is inevitable over time but some circumstances accelerate those changes far faster than some are ready for.
Chris’ rejection of his past life, no doubt influenced by the pain and helplessness he’s experienced so far, has set him on a dangerous path. The path is counter to his father’s wishes and when he’s forced to choose, the results are heartbreaking. If it wasn’t evident before Date of Death, the new world in Fear the Walking Dead is a cold, uncaring beast where not even the bonds of family are safe.
Rejection cuts like a knife and its searing blade slices through several of the principals on Fear. Perhaps more painful than rejection is the burden of guilt. Parenting is hard enough without the added pressure of an apocalypse. The episode did a great job conveying this and kudos to Cliff Curtis, Kim Dickens, Alycia Debnam-Carey and Lorenzo James Henrie for their strong performances.
While the various storylines have splintered the group since the mid-season hiatus, it appears as though things may be coming full circle just in time for the end of the season. Date of Death answered some questions but left many more hanging in the balance. With the show wrapping up its second season with back-to-back episodes next Sunday expect the drama to continue even if the walkers are scarce.
