Fear the Walking Dead has set up Victor Strand (Coleman Domingo) as this season’s villain. He has the outfit, the personality, and his tower, to do this job justice. Many have compared him to Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), but I think he is actually more like the Governor (David Morrissey).
Victor Strand is a scoudrel. Before the outbreak, he was a con man making him an ideal villain for Fear the Walking Dead. He has said that Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) is the closest thing he has to family and then proceeds to throw her most recent love interest, Will (Gus Halper), off of the roof of his tower. This action ensures any affection she has for Strand will be void, allowing him the room to spread his wings in this new role.
Strand is hellbent on proving that Morgan (Lennie James) is the lesser man. He is trying to bring anyone to his side that was formerly on Morgan’s.
Victor Strand Fear the Walking Dead
I have seen many comments about Strand being Fear the Walking Dead’s Negan. But I disagree with that. Strand is more like the Governor, if anything.
He has this beautifully decorated and furnished community that appeals to everyone who doesn’t know Strand from before. He has walkers and a wall to protect those trying to get in, or is it really a way to keep tabs on anyone who wants to leave? And, just like the Governor, he will tell you that you can leave, but in reality, that isn’t true. Strand even has his henchman, Howard (Omid Abtahi), willing to do his dirty work for him.
And, he likes to play golf!! Just like the Governor.
Negan required people to bow down to him, have a points system to earn things, his harem, and not to mention his always present weapon, Lucille. He was very upfront about how things worked in his community. Everything was out in the open, and he even forced the other residents to watch as he dished out punishments.
Strand, like the Governor, keeps a well-guarded front about him. He is charming and charismatic, with a personable demeanor, making many promises if you only join his side. But, he is also manipulative, and we are finding out callous. He ordered the hitman to kill the Larson’s, which included their daughter.
The Governor brutally decapitated Hershel. Will Strand do something similar with Morgan?
What do you think? Is Strand more like Negan or the Governor?
Fear the Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, November 21, with the episode titled “Reclamation.” This episode is currently available to stream on AMC+.