Fear the Walking Dead (7×01) The Beacon Review

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

Synopsis: While most of the landscape is destroyed by nuclear warheads, Strand thrives in one of the few inhabitable places left; Strand’s search for survivors uncovers a stranger with an unexpected connection to his past. (IMDb)

We’re beginning to wonder how Fear The Walking Dead managed to get so good as a spin-off TV show. Granted, it’s not better than The Walking Dead was at the height of its popularity, but some seasons have been just as good as any of its best ones. For this review,

In the final episode of season six, the nuclear warheads were released. Texas became contaminated with atomic fallout, which contaminated the walking dead, making them more deadly and harder to kill. Strand avoided the fallout living in the tower that he now controls with the assistance of his right-hand man, Toby. Strand has done exceptionally well and now has his militia and a thriving community in a relatively secure building.

The fallout brings new strangers into Strand’s vicinity in the shape of a loner named Will (Gus Halper), who Strand takes in. Strand listens to Will’s stories about surviving in the fallout, noting everything he says, particularly the group of fallout survivors named the stalkers. We don’t know much about these people, nor do we know why they seem to like stripping the walkers of their clothing. Strand feels pretty confident they don’t pose a threat to him or his plans.

Strand and Will seem to get on well – as well as two strangers can. But Victor is a complex character to read at the best of times. That’s what makes him both interesting and dangerous. If there’s one thing about Victor that rings true, it’s that nobody knows how to survive better than him. And when Will finally admits something to Victor about his past, this triggers Victor’s self-preservation personality trait.

It’s interesting to see how fallout affects everything it touches, including the undead. In hazy shades of yellow and brown, the world is a different place now. It has become even more hostile than it was, and only the very strongest will survive it. With the promotional material for season seven highlighting a battle between Strand and Morgan, it’s only a matter of time before we eventually see these two leaders with entirely different views on survival go head-to-head. And we can’t wait!

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