REVIEW: Fear the Walking Dead, S3 Ep6 – Red Dirt

This week’s Fear the Walking Dead saw the Clarks increasing their influence over the Otto’s, as an external threat made the inhabitants of Broke Jaw Ranch feel unsafe.

After last week’s bloody encounter with the fascinating Walker (who used to be a tribal lawyer but now diversified his activities to vengeful massacres), the people of Broke Jaw ranch no longer feel like they can live in peace where they are. This is pretty funny because, as Madison pointed out, these people were so prepared that they have never experienced the horrors of the outside zombie apocalypse. But she has and she knows that the ranch is the best place to be, so she is determined to keep it from falling apart, no matter what the cost.

I’ve said it before, but Madison is really stepping up to the plate this season and becoming more and more effective as a hardened survivor in the brutal world of Fear the Walking Dead. She is using all her wits and even moving into extremely moral gray territory, particularly in this episode. She and Jeremiah found out that Troy killed a bunch of people who chose to leave the ranch (spooked by Walker’s threat). But she put a new spin on this grisly tale and used it to convince the remaining ranch-dwellers of the dangers beyond Broke Jaw. Exhibiting impressive charisma and leadership skills, she exhorted them to be united and to stay together if they were to survive the horrors of the world.

Nick knew the truth but he backed his mom up anyway, only slightly upset that she did not let him in on the plan earlier. Nick was the first of the family to properly adapt to the Fear the Walking Dead madness so he has always been pragmatic, but now he and his family are proving to be a true force to be reckoned with. Nick continued his bonding activities with Jeremiah, also playing his own game.

Meanwhile, Alicia continued her little affair with Jake, with Madison asking her for some details on the true nature of this relationship. While Alicia may also be using Jake it seems she may have some genuine affection for him as well, a tricky situation on this show.

So it looks like the Clarks are the real people with power in Broke Jaw Ranch now, especially with Madison expertly manipulating Troy to be the leader she wants him to be, to the point that she is willing to overlook his psychotic tendencies as long as he can control them. The look on his face showed that he has never had anyone be so supportive of him in his life. Madison clearly has him wrapped around her finger, and it will be interesting to see how the ranch may improve with the Clarks subtly in charge now.