Keep your expectations low, and you'll never be disappointed.

After several lackluster episodes during the second half of this season, that's the mentality that I needed to embrace when going into Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 Episode 16. And while "I Lose Myself" acted as an acceptable season finale, it didn't manage to do much beyond that.

Whether a season ends on a cliffhanger or ties up most of its loose ends in a neat little bow, a proper finale should leave you with a sense of anticipation for what's to come. Leave you feeling content, yet leave you wanting more.

But the Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 finale simply didn't meet any of those criteria.

The ironic thing is that this was actually one of the better episodes this season. On its own, it was a decent episode, but it just didn’t work as a satisfying season finale.

The sole problem being all of the season's built up momentum was effectively killed over the last handful of episodes, making for a very underwhelming conclusion.

There was never any doubt that Al was alive following her disappearing act on Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 episode 15, but I was a bit concerned for her safety once she ran into Martha. Luckily, the Filthy Woman had no desire to harm Al, as she'd taken a liking to her.

The one thing that irked me was how Martha -- and her ninja-like speed -- was able to knock Al out before she could get a shot off on Martha. It was absolutely ridiculous and realizing that I had already rolled my eyes merely five minutes into the episode was not a good sign.

When Morgan told the rest of the group that he was going back to confront Martha, I thought to myself: "Why?"

Either let her die or let her follow them all the way to Virginia and let Rick deal with her. You know Rick wouldn't put up with Martha's nonsense.

Morgan: She's stuck. Whatever happened to her, she thinks killing is the only way.
John: How you gonna convince her otherwise?
Morgan: Because I understand her... I used to be her.

Permalink: Because I understand her... I used to be her.

So naturally, Morgan going off and putting himself in harm's way -- again -- left me shaking my head.

I could see right through Martha's ruse, and she quickly took advantage of Morgan when the opportunity presented itself. Morgan's constant naiveness with Martha has been frustrating, to say the least. I understand that he wants to help her, but he should know better than anyone that some people simply cannot be saved.

Not only did Martha not want to be saved, she intentionally infected herself so that she couldn't be saved. What a warped and twisted individual.

Martha's whole master plan to coerse Morgan into to killing her so that he would fall back into his old ways was rather dumb, but the scene that followed made up for it.

While Morgan had his hands wrapped around Martha's neck and squeezing the life out of her, I couldn't help but think that he was doing exactly what every single viewer had been wanting to do for weeks.

It was a rather conflicting moment as I didn't want Morgan to lose himself again, but at the same time, I hoped that Morgan would just end her and be done with it. It was quite the double-edged sword, to be sure.

Morgan -- finally -- realized that Martha couldn't to be saved, so handcuffing her to the car and leaving her to turn was very fitting. She ended up becoming the very thing she thought was "strong."

Be careful what you ask for, Martha.

Everyone getting poisoned at the truck stop was another gripe I had. There was absolutely no way that this show was about to kill off ninety percent of its cast in one fell swoop, so there was never any real sense of danger.

At the very least, someone shouldn't have made it out alive. While it would have been a somewhat somber note on which to end the season, it would have made the whole fiasco serve more of a purpose.

However, Morgan made it back in the nick of time to save the day with a truckload of Jim's beer.

It was funny seeing Charlie throwing back a cold one, and John's response to that was equally hysterical.

John: Charlie, you know this is a one time deal right?
June: She was poisoned, John.
John: I know, just don't go get poisoned again until you're at least twenty-one.

Permalink: I know, just don't go get poisoned again until you're at least twenty-one.

It was interesting to see that Morgan's experience in dealing with Martha had altered his plans on bringing the group back to Alexandria. Instead, Morgan opted to use Polar Bear's warehouse as a base of operations to help other people in need. People that could potentially end up like Martha.

And if that's what Morgan thinks they need to do to prevent another character like Martha from popping up, then I'm all for it.

It was one of those feel-good moments to see everyone come together as a group and find a common purpose to help others, and it should be interesting to see where and how the series explores that idea next season.

Did anyone else notice the labels on the cassette tapes right before Morgan drove away with John at the end?

The most exciting one was the label that read "Abe/Doctor." Which was an obvious nod to Abraham and Eugene from The Walking Dead! It was such a cool reference, and it's fun to know that Al had crossed paths with them at some point.

It makes you wonder who else she's come across.

Morgan, it can't just be about the boxes. We have to do what my mom did. Build this place into
something more. That's how you help people.
Alicia

Permalink: Morgan, it can't just be about the boxes. We have to do what my mom did. Build this place...

Some of the other labels read "Slim," "D.S.," "Jamison," "St. "Lukes Hospital," and "The Oil Fields."

None of those particularly jump out at me, but could they also hold some significance? Possibly places and people that we will visit next season?

Fear the Walking Dead Season 4 started out with such promise, with new showrunners Ian Goldberg and Andrew Chambliss doing an exceptional job at attempting to reinvent this series. While we did lose series originals, Madison and Nick this season, we gained a slew of intriguing new characters which we've only just begun to explore.

Overall, I did enjoy this season -- despite my recent reviews hinting otherwise. It's just unfortunate that while Martha was trying to make everyone else "strong," she ended up making the second half of the season weak.

Don't know if any of you are out there. Don't know if any of you are listening. But if you are,
hang in there... we're coming for you.
Morgan

Permalink: Don't know if any of you are out there. Don't know if any of you are listening. But if you...

Now it's your turn, TV Fanatics!

What did you think of "I Lose Myself"? Was it an acceptable season finale, or were you left expecting more? What are your hopes for Fear the Walking Dead Season 5?

Hit the comments below and let me know!

Remember, you can watch Fear the Walking Dead online anytime right here at TV Fanatic.

Don't forget to tune in for The Walking Dead Season 9 premiere on Sunday, October 7.