Fear The Walking Dead (6×04) The Key Review

For our review of the last episode of Fear The Walking Dead, click here.

Synopsis: John is settling in as one of Virginia’s rangers when a mysterious death sends him on an investigation that makes him question everything he thought about himself. (IMDb)

The character check-ins are now complete in what was a mostly John Dory standalone episode (more on that later). There’s more going on in Lawton than it appeared and this episode was only the beginning. Thankfully. Garret Dillahunt is on the case in what was a decent showcase for him.

It was only a matter of time so the opening of The Key was devoted to John recounting his experience as a newly-installed ranger in Lawton through correspondence with June who was somewhere else. He was reluctant at first but the meniality of it all and the routine was calming for him in a way. However, he was faced with some adversity once his fellow rangers named Cameron (Noah Khyle) was found dead in a barbed wire fence. However, Virginia didn’t seem to be taking it as seriously as John (she wanted to maintain the peace and did not want to rile anyone up so she told him to keep it quiet). His only evidence was a earring found near Cameron’s body. It wasn’t until after his funeral that the other earring was found in Janis’ bag after she was caught trying to escape from that same barbed wire fence.

Janis claimed the earrings weren’t hers and that the other was planted. She and Cameron were together but they kept their relationship secret out of fear of retribution by Virginia. They were about to leave Lawton (she got caught trying to leave with supplies). Virginia knew of John’s letters and read them all. Dakota believed she was protecting someone. To get some answers, John dug up Cameron’s body, only to have walkers drop in on him. In the end, John found part of a grip of a knife that could have slashed Cameron’s throat. With Strand’s help, he found a missing knife in the armory and a missing record of whoever signed it out. John was determined to find the knife. As far as Virginia was concerned, she was guilty and was about to make an example out of Janis. Giving up, she confessed and offered John a way out.

Nevertheless, John of course persisted and there was a good reason for it, stemming back from his time with his father. He was ready to accept the circumstances for whatever he was about to do. Unfortunately, it was too late for Janis. Strand had her execution moved up to protect John (who wanted to save her and escape which wouldn’t have done either any good) which didn’t make him any less upset. Virginia then made an example out of John in front of the others for his efforts, awarded him a key to the future. The rewards didn’t end there as Virginia had June transferred to Lawton. But life goes on (minus the bad tooth that was ailing John that he removed representing a change from the beginning of the episode).

Morgan was on the hunt for Grace, now with the help of Daniel and Laroux’s hound. He didn’t like where he had to go. The episode ended with him encountering the people who wanted his key and it did not end well for them. While it was cool to see Morgan, he didn’t have to be in this episode.

So now we’ve checked in with everyone. Now it’s time to see them heading back towards one another for the inevitable climax come midseason.

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.