FTWD’s Victor Strand: Mourning the person he was

Victor Strand’s character on Fear the Walking Dead has taken a fascinating turn as he mourns the loss of who he once was and what he always wanted.

Victor Strand introduced himself to us with a smooth talking speech that gave him a mystery and confidence that even made us suspicious of him.

Who was this cool, calm, almost callous man? He seemed unshakable. He told Thomas that his father never understood what he wanted which was to create, control, own.

Victor seemed to be very much in control and seemed to own quite a bit. He had sophisticated clothes and jewelry to trade withe the guards. He had a home on the water and a boat. He was a closer.

But even Victor had his limits. He had fears:

"Fire, earthquake, flood. You bought it all, didn’t you? That’s not a question. I’m not asking, I’m telling you. I look at a person like you and I know. You are a buyer. How do I know? Because I am a closer. I can sell anything, everything. Ask anyone. Except, uh, insurance. Can’t stomach it. preying on people so weak, so frightened of the future that they entrust the protection of their family to a piece of paper. To some promise of a corporation. What kind of man does that? Puts his wife and children in the hand of strangers. People he’s never even met."

Now everything that Victor had is gone. He has lost Thomas. He lost his home. But more than that. He has lost himself. Everyone loses things in the apocalypse. Everyone loses their home. Everyone loses loved ones. Everyone loses what they thought was in their future.

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But most of the time, the essence of the person can be found in the new survival skills and the new group dynamics. NIck is still running away from his family and using his survival skills in La Colonia. Alicia is still taking care of herself. Madison is still taking care of everybody else. Travis is still trying to protect his son.

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Victor has lost everything that is Victor. He was quiet when Madison negotiated the deal for the hotel because he knew she had things under control, but also because he knew he had no passion for the negotiation. That hotel is not home for him.

He never wanted to sell insurance because he didn’t believe in putting his future in the hands of strangers. That’s exactly where his future is now. In the hands of Madison and Alicia. They are essentially strangers. He is not in control anymore.

It’s not his boat. It’s not his hotel. It’s not his damn anything anymore. He can’t cut the rope anymore. He can’t make the rules. He can’t say he’s filled his mercy quota. He has to make sure he’s a value add now.

He’s buying now. He’s not selling.

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This has quieted the once gregarious Strand. He told the groom that he will one morning wake up and start thinking like someone new. When the groom said he liked the person he was, Strand said he did too. Strand liked the old Strand. Confident Strand. Closer Strand. Mysterious Strand. It’s my boat Strand.

I don’t think we need to worry too much about Victor. Strand may just find his strengths in areas he never expected. He may find leadership with people other than Madison and Alicia. He may find new meaning to the words create, control, and own.