Fear the Walking Dead In Dreams emotion overload and Roy Orbison song

The Fear the Walking Dead episode, titled “In Dreams,” was a tough episode to take in, especially on Mother’s Day. We got a heartbreaking look at Grace’s (Karen David) struggles while trying to deliver her child. This moment was devastating to the fandom and was difficult to watch for many people.

As if the episode wasn’t gut-wrenching enough, the lyrics to the song choice, “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison, were spot on. The emotions Grace has to endure during her dream state and then, in reality, were actually unbearable for many who have gone through the same trauma.

As with many people, music moves me and creates a new dynamic level when the lyrics can be relatable. Whoever chose this song for this episode, bravo!

Breaking down “In Dreams” by Roy Orbison

Everyone will have their interpretation of this song and how it fits with the episode, but here is what I see.

The beginning of the song talks about the candy-colored clown, and this is seen throughout the episode. The colors were dramatic, and those trees certainly looked candy-colored. I even think the walkers at the end could be these candy-colored clowns, whispering to Grace to just let go and things will be alright, but only for them.

A candy-colored clown they call the sandman
Tiptoes to my room every night
Just to sprinkle stardust and to whisper
Go to sleep, everything is alright
I close my eyes then I drift away
Into the magic night, I softly say
A silent prayer like dreamers do
Then I fall asleep to dream my dreams of you

In her dream, Grace meets Althena, and when they go on their walk with Morgan, they spend much time together talking and getting to know one another. Grace knows this is her daughter; you can hear a mother saying to their child, you’re mine all of the time.

In dreams, I walk with you
In dreams, I talk to you
In dreams, you’re mine all of the time

They are only together in the dream, and the dawn isn’t the beginning of a new day but the beginning of Grace’s life without her child. She wakes from the dream to find that her child has died along with the hopes she had for her child’s life.

We’re together in dreams, in dreams
But just before the dawn
I awake and find you gone

Anyone who loses a child knows you cannot stop the tears.

I can’t help it
I can’t help it
If I cry
I remember that you said goodbye

Her time with Athena was precious, but it only happened in her dream, her beautiful dream.

It’s too bad that all these things
Can only happen in my dreams
Only in dreams
In beautiful dreams

My heart goes out to each person who watched this episode and felt Grace’s pain and agony.

Fear the Walking Dead returns to AMC on May 16 with the next episode of season six.

AMC+ members can stream this episode on May 13.