Review – Fear the Walking Dead season 6 episode 7: The horror, the horror

The Fear the Walking Dead mid-season finale delivers frights and insights

The first half of Fear the Walking Dead season 6 has been absolutely solid. The anthology format has worked to give characters a chance to shine and explore different stories. Though 607 was never meant to be the mid-season finale, “Damage from the Inside” did a fantastic job bringing the first half of the season to an end.

We learned a lot from “Damage from the Inside.” John Dorie has been missing for a week, presumably the amount of time between episode 606 and 607. Al and Dwight have established themselves at Casa Morgan. Strand might be out of luck with Alicia after leaving her behind to become Virginia’s right hand man. And we finally got a glimpse of a very pregnant Grace.

Overall, the episode had a major creep factor with the scenes at the lodge and the crazy walkers that Ed was making. “Damage from the Inside” felt like a horror movie trapped in a show about zombies, with a ton of tension and drama to boot. It was a departure from other episodes of the season, but it packed a punch thanks to powerful performances from the cast.

At the start of the season, Alycia Debnam-Carey said that Alicia was going to have a chance to show how “grown” she is during an interview on set in February. It’s possible to see that growth in 607 as she decides how she’s going to move forward. Before Strand called her, she’d already been plotting an escape to the ballpark with Charlie. Debnam-Carey carries the episode, being the adult that Charlie and Dakota need her to be despite being young herself.

Colman Domingo delivers another fantastic performance. You can see the wheels turning in his expression when he considers Dakota’s words of warning in the beginning and her suggestion that they run away. You can see how concerned he is that Dakota has gone missing on his watch, but nothing compares to the look on his face when Alicia says she’s not handing Dakota over to him.

Strand’s decision to send Alicia and Charlie away was a gamble, and it would seem that it’s a gamble that didn’t pay off the way he thought it would. Though he might be doing what he thinks is right, he didn’t stop to think about how Alicia would feel about being “abandoned” by the only person who has been there since the beginning. (Remember, as far as they know, Salazar doesn’t remember anything)

Charlie has certainly come into her own, demonstrating an uncanny ability to escape from just about anywhere and a newfound strength – thanks in large part to Alicia’s training – that gives her the courage to kill walkers like a pro and (attempt) to drug Ed and steal his keys. It’s hard to believe she’s just a kid because she’s so wise for her age, but there’s no missing the sense of camaraderie and sisterhood bond forming with Alicia. There’s also no missing the way Dakota looks at both of them with admiration and more than just a touch of jealousy. Alexa Nisenson has really grown the role over the seasons, and she’s done a great job showing how far Charlie has come thus far in season 6.

I think I’m a big fan of new Morgan. New Morgan says hello to Alicia, then pauses to kill a few walkers before returning to the conversation like it’s nothing. He’s more assertive and not willing to take risks, though he did see the logic in Alicia’s argument to bring Dakota with them rather than send her back to her sister. New Morgan is a badass, and I like it.

There were also some fascinating callbacks in the episode. Alicia thinking about a return to the ballpark is a nice nod to a return to the last place she called home with her mother and brother. Many fans were speculating that the episode signalled a possible return for Madison, but I see it more of a hint that there is someone out there who is trying to help. (Unless she truly is the one who saved Morgan’s life)

The tension between Strand and Alicia is very similar to the tension between Madison and Strand after she discovered that he had been stockpiling supplies at the ballpark in case he needed to flee, which isn’t the first time he cut a deal to save himself.

Though episode 607 was perfect as a mid-season finale, it does make me wonder what would have come in 608. What are they setting up with the finale scene between Grace, Virginia and Strand? What would have happened to bring 6A to an end so that 6B can run in a new direction?

Given that Fear TWD is filming again, there’s hope that the show will return after the six bonus episodes of The Walking Dead, which would put the mid-season premiere in mid-April. It’s a long time to wait, but if the second half of season 6 is as solid as the first half, it will be well worth the wait.

What did you think about the Fear the Walking Dead season 6 mid-season finale? Let us know in the comments!