Fear the Walking Dead Review: Episode 314 – El Matadero

TV Description: Alicia encounters a potential ally; Ofelia fights for survival; Nick uses his skill set for profit.

[Warning: Spoilers Incoming]

PREVIOUSLY ON FEAR THE WALKING DEAD

Now trapped in the ranch’s pantry, Alicia, Ofelia, and Crazy Dog raced again time to save the people before everyone suffocates. On the outside Nick and Troy attempt to save the ranch, but are quickly surrounded and trapped by the infected horde. To make matters worse, the air begins to run out and all seems lost for the ranch until Madison arrives and rescues the last survivors of Broke Jaw Ranch. Then upon hearing of Jake’s death, Alicia decides to leave the group and start living on her own, with Nick and Troy following her to make sure she is safe.

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I was definitely right to worry after seeing the preview for this episode as sadly we lose a big member of the cast this episode: Ofelia, played by Mercedes Mason. It stinks to see her go, but it also felt like her character would be gone from the show soon. While she went through some great development from the second half of season 2 onwards, Ofelia eventually made some choices that go against what she was originally was as a person. With that loss of character it can be predicted that she could eventually be axed off. And sadly, her fight with that infected in the vent from the last episode got her bit, giving her a limited time before death.

While this happens we see Alicia starting her life on her own. I was so happy with how this went because while Madison said in the last episode this could be just shock value, we really see Alicia being able to survive on her own. We see her scavenge for food, hide from and fight off the dead, and secure excellent resting spots. In this episode we did have one of the best zombie fights in the franchise, with Alicia as the human fighting the dead. My god I wish to tell you all about it, but you wouldn’t believe me if I did. You got to see it for yourself. This episode reinforces her character as a strong survivor capable of handling tough situations on her own.

Throughout her travels she meets a new character by the name of Diana who has a weird hobby of collecting fingers and teeth from the infected she kills. Why? To sell as charms, which is a unique and creative use of the dead. It was a form of currency I never really considered in a zombie apocalypse. Though this is a different, more spiritual environment than where I am from, so such trinkets could be possible. It reminds me a bit of Morgan. Though that could be because she’s a loner and African American just like Morgan during his crazy period. Since Diana seems to be able survive just as well as her, Alicia decides to join her in her collecting, which I think will either be a very interesting story for her or one of the two won’t last long.

Speaking of not lasting long, Ofelia eventually kicks the bucket JUST AS her father arrives to meet her. What a hard blow that was. I was honestly surprised Daniel didn’t shoot anybody or Madison for delivering him his dead daughter. However, Daniel has changed a lot this season. We thought we was burned alive in the mid-season finale on season 2, but after his near death experience he’s become more spiritual and believing he’s still alive because there’s another purpose to him. I mean you’d think that too if a lightning bolt struck a zombie that was about to eat you when you were praying. So seeing him let go of Ofelia, even after putting her down before reanimation, as well as allowing the former inhabitants of Broke Jaw Ranch to move into the dam felt like Daniel has begun to cement his new changes. Let’s hope though they keep him sane and strong.

While Daniel began to advance himself in this episode, Nick began to regress and return to his old drug addictions. I was appalled to see this happen, after watching Nick fight off his addictions, learn to survive on his own, and find love with Luciana. First he steals a bit of Ofelia’s meds, then drags a confused and worried Troy along with him to get some really potent stuff, then goes back to classic Nick in smearing himself in blood and joins a small herd of infected. I’m so worried for Nick. Ever since losing Luciana he has begun to lose himself and his awesomeness. And yet this relapse is bringing about an interesting change in Troy. We see him not in control and in situations he’s never experienced. Maybe there is hope for Troy as a surviving member of the main cast.

On a final note, we have Strand. I love Strand. I love his original character and his tactics in surviving the apocalypse because while he used to have a great wealth to him he’s not a weakling and is capable of fighting off the infected. And yet I think this episode has set to clock for his demise. While at the market where everyone waits for Daniel to arrive, Strand goes to meet one of the higher ups, if not the head honcho, of the market called “Proctor John,” saying he has some information that the proctor would love to have. And the only thing of value we the audience still know of is the location of the dam. But what does he want though? That’s the big question. Whatever it is, his decision will lead to another major character death before the end of his season.

Overall Analysis:

Right now it looks like Alicia is in the safest situation in Fear the Walking Dead, which says a lot saying she wants to try and live by herself or with as few people as possible. We got Nick back on drugs, Strand doing some mysterious plotting, Madison in a weakened state of mind, and Daniel now alone and damaged without his family. And with next week featuring a two-part/ two episode season finale, there’s a lot that is going to happen. In the past few episodes we’ve lost several main characters and an excellent sanctuary. With such loses, there’s going to be quite some hell to come in the season finale and some questions to ponder until then: Will the dam and lake it holds still be useable afterwards? Who of the cast will still be around? What other safe locations are there if all goes bad? All these and more… on Sunday night.