Fear The Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 9-10 Reviews: White Witch Of The Apocalypse

"Fear The Walking Dead" is back with a two episode mid season premiere. They are entitled "Minotaur" and "The Diviner". As I've said numerous times before, I have some major issues with "Fear TWD". Most of the time there's WAY too much gibber jabbering and WAY too few zombies (errr, I mean infected). A few bright spots keep me coming back and hoping for better days. It's always two steps forward and one step back with this show.

At the end of last year the conflict between the Broke Jaw Ranch (led by Jeremiah Otto) and the Black Hat Reservation (led by Walker) came to a head. Otto had to die in order to preserve the peace. He wasnt going willingly so Nick shot him in the head (after Madison tells her children a story about how she killed her abusive father to protect her mother). I have been frustrated by Madison's lack of emotion but this explains a lot. Madison is one of the main reason I watch the show. Many other find her to be the weakest link. The writers need to make her a bit more human if they want viewers to relate.

Everyone decides to lock up their weapons so calmer heads prevail. There are two keys. Jake has one and Walker has the other. Troy doesnt like this plan. He holds up in Otto's house to make a last stand. Nick is there. Nick tries to talk Troy down. Nick eventually tells Troy he killed Otto. He surprisingly doesnt kill him. We knew Nick wouldnt die. He's a main character. Just then, Taqa's crew busts in and subdues Troy.

What to do with the little psychopath? The decision is made to exile him. Uh, who thinks that's a good idea? He's DEFINITELY going to come back later and kill everyone. Nick gets off with a lighter sentence and goes into the sweatbox (where he has some fun hallucinations).

Madison and some red shirt (Klah) take a hooded Troy far into the desert to release him. Troy of course breaks free and kills Klah. He then attacks Madison. I wasnt sure if he was going to try to rape her or what. He's had a weird Oedipal thing going with Madison since they met. She eventually gets the upper hand and sends Troy on his way. But not before he calls her the "White Witch Of The Apocalypse". Haaaa, best line of the show. More of this please!

The Nation has moved in (much to the chagrin of the survivalists). The ranch is about to run out of water so Madison and Taqa head to a bazaar in search of more. That leaves Alicia and Nick back at home to referee the fighting factions. It looks like an all out war might break out. Jake is still suffering from the effects of Ofelia's anthrax poisoning so he's a bit sidelined. Is he going to die? Does anyone care?

Madison and Walker run into Strand in Mexicali. Strand is of course in trouble (as always). He's in debt to Proctor. We think for a moment Strand might be a goner (after being chained to a fence and attacked by a number the infected). Madison pays his debt with Taqa's gold (without asking him first). She always had a soft spot for Strand.

Meanwhile Daniel is doing water delivery runs. Since Madison, Strand and Walker are headed to the dam, they will meet again soon.

Back at home, Alicia flexes her leadership muscles and keeps everyone from killing each other (at least for now). They all decide to make good use of their time and start digging a well. Alicia says quietly to herself that she's tired of being "the strong one". Well it's the apocalypse girl, you dont have much choice!

Grade: 3 3/4 Monsters (out of 5). The mid season premiere would have benefited from being just one episode (instead of two). It was WAY too heavy on dialogue and light on zombies.

I have a hard time watching this show due to the stupid decisions these people make. I'm looking at you Madison. Number one is letting Troy live, number 2 is is Madison giving up her walkie talkie at the bazaar; and number 3 is bypassing the water deal and choosing instead to head to the dam. I know you want to meet up with Daniel again but everyone may have died of thirst by then.

I REALLY want to like these characters but "FTWD" makes it hard. Give us some characters we can root for. Throw in some more zombies while you're at it. If I just wanted to watch people fight with each other all the time, I'd watch reality TV.