What’s next for Morgan Jones in Fear the Walking Dead season 4B?
By Jamie Brewer
Morgan Jones left The Walking Dead feeling unfit to be around others, but his new journey on Fear the Walking Dead has meant adapting to life with new acquaintances.
It was a new beginning. After two years of solitary life on the road, Morgan Jones would meet John Dorie during the season 4 premiere of Fear The Walking Dead. The last thing Morgan was looking for was a friend though. He had friends. Some were alive, but a lot of them were dead.
Morgan’s journey had been a repeating cycle of losing people and then losing himself. Early in The Walking Dead, Morgan lost his wife and young son. This left him with post-traumatic stress that would haunt him until he finally chose to leave Georgia and Virginia behind.
An end to loneliness
Morgan left Alexandria tormented by hallucinations so vivid that he didn’t know what was real anymore. It took months of companionless travel to find the serenity he needed to begin healing. Living among others was not part of his plan. Crossing paths with John Dorie would end Morgan’s lonely exile. And, despite vowing to move on alone he later found himself, once again, surviving among others.
John didn’t like to kill people and he survived much like Morgan survived. Alone. It was his charm and unsuspecting nature that won Morgan’s trust, but they also both shared a desire to survive without harming others.
Unfortunately for both of them, they eventually ended up in Alicia’s warpath. Her Rick Grimes-style search and destroy mission against the Vultures became Morgan’s biggest test since leaving The Walking Dead. Witnessing Nick’s senseless death at the hands of Charlie could have easily sent him spiraling. He had made a brief connection with Nick before he was killed, but in the end, Nick wasn’t receptive to Morgan’s warnings. Later, Morgan would offer Charlie safety and forgiveness in an effort to stop the cycle of killings.
A place among the others
In the Episode 9 teaser, Morgan appears to be trying to help the other survivors heal their deep wounds. While Alicia doesn’t seem ready to talk, he looks determined to avoid seeing his new companions follow another path to conflict. He also travels to Strand’s new residence. Perhaps this is to help repair some of the long-term trauma he has been struggling with as well.
"“You’ve been through a lot. I think I can help you” – Morgan to Alicia, Episode 9 Teaser"
The group may not realize it yet, but having a counselor to help them cope with the present may be the most valuable survival asset they could acquire. Eastman brought Morgan back from his lowest point. Morgan could do the same for those who are willing give him the chance.
What’s next?
Morgan still is still recovering from his own traumatic history. “All Out War” on The Walking Dead caused him to relapse so dramatically that he became a fatal danger to everyone in his path. Self-programmed to clear all dangers, not long ago Morgan was a killing machine. He may not be prepared for Alicia or Strand’s baggage just yet. Morgan also brought Charlie and her disturbing host of interrupted-childhood issues into the equation. He did it to end the cycle of violence but that doesn’t mean harmony will ensue.
Next: What's next for Victor Strand?
It should also be noted that in the Episode 9 teaser, Morgan is walking just fine on that injured leg. This means that some time has passed and he is still around. Morgan’s solo trek may be over, but his new journey is just beginning.
Fear the Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, August 12.