Fear the Walking Dead season 7 episode 16 gives hope for season 8

Fear the Walking Dead’s season 7B has received terrible reviews. Even as many viewers tried to remain positive, the harsh criticism is well deserved. With the war build-up between Strand (Colman Domingo) and Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) during the midseason, finale viewers deserved an action-packed story pitting the two characters who were once allies against one another in the battle royale for the Tower.

Instead, what was given were many character-centric episodes that introduced new and interesting characters who were killed off by the episode’s end, John Dorie Sr. sacrificing himself through the mote of walkers as if there was no other way out but not before he throws Howard off the roof. Dwight and Sherry discover they are pregnant in a nuclear wasteland. Poor Daniel’s diminished mental state and Wes’ drastic change from moral high ground to villain, which leads to his death. And the Tower battle that never really happened. Instead, the Tower is caught on fire, and then Alicia saves Strand and leaves.

This was obviously how the creators wanted to set up Debnam-Carey’s departure from the series, and everyone leaving is to prepare for the new filming location in Georgia. Still, it could have been done much better.

But, the season finale gives hope for the upcoming season.

Fear the Walking Dead season 7 finale

From this point on there will be spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead’s season 7 finale, “Gone.” 

Madison finally made her reappearance in the series during this episode. The creators had promised her return would make an impact, and it did. She has become a partner with the illusive Padre community, but her job isn’t one you would expect her to take on. She steals children away from their parents to give them to the leaders of Padre, who then raise them, but for what? Is Padre part of the CRM, as we have thought?

This episode sees the first introduction of Madison and Morgan, a meeting that fans have been excited to see, and they weren’t disappointed. This scene was very well done with excellent performances by James and Dickens.

Madison is first introduced to Morgan after he is set upon by members of a group holding Mo, intent on taking her, believing Morgan is part of the group stealing kids. He believes Madison is there to save him and Mo, but she tells him she only wants Mo and will kill him if he follows. This is when viewers learn what Madison’s job for Padre is. We see her log Mo’s name into a book “BG 20 mons” (baby girl, 20 months) as number 758. Is this the number of children this group has taken?

We see she is reliant on oxygen due to smoke inhalation at the Dell Diamond, but her fighting skills are better than ever. In flashbacks, viewers see her introduction to Padre and their expectations of her that has required her to take on the job of stealing children.

It is tough to see Madison at this stage especially because she doesn’t want her children to see her in the position of stealing children. Sadly Nick will never see her again and it’s unknown if Alicia ever will.

The episode ends with the pair being escorted to Padre by some Padre guards. This is when Morgan discovers Madison doesn’t know where it is located as they blindfold both of them for the remainder of the journey. Padre was a place that many held out hope of being a haven and a place for a new start, but the little viewers learn in the episode doesn’t sound like this place is what it was intended to be.

This episode is an excellent way to set up season 8 with little bits revealed about Padre without giving away too much.  It wasn’t one of the best episodes of the series, but it was by far the best of season 7B giving hope to fans for a better season 8.

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