Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 14 Review: El Matadero
Steve Ford
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"Wow" is all I can say.
On Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 14, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, Daniel was finally reunited with his daughter. Unfortunately, it was neither the tearful reunion we had hoped nor expected. Oh, there were tears alright, but they were that of despair rather than joy.
I supposed the writing was on the wall, but once Ofelia fell off the back of that truck, all bets were off. Seeing the wound on her shoulder had confirmed the worst.
In my review for Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 13, I mentioned how miraculous it was that Ofelia escaped from her infected encounter unscathed. Sadly, that turned out not to be the case.
It was a shocking turn of events, but in the end, I am satisfied with how it was handled.
We've grown so accustomed to seeing similar close calls such as Ofelia's infected attack that we just expect these characters to get themselves out of those predicaments. Losing Travis on Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 2 set the tone that no one is truly safe.
Keeping that clear and present danger throughout a season is a tall order for any series, but kudos to Fear the Walking Dead for making its deaths have an impact.
Nick: This is crazy.
Alicia: I've seen crazy, this is kind of nice.
Previously on Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 11, Madison left off on very good terms with Daniel. They struck a deal for trade with Lola, and Daniel was given information that his daughter, who he'd been searching for, was alive.
And now, Ofelia's fate put everything (and everyone) in jeopardy. It's amazing how quickly things can head south.
A million thoughts must have been racing through Madison's mind. The most pressing though, was how she was going to explain it all to Daniel.
The man had just found out that Ofelia was alive, and the next thing you know he's holding his daughter's lifeless body in his arms.
It was a heart-wrenching moment, especially since Ofelia proclaimed to Madison just moments earlier that she had been looking forward to getting to know her father.
Those pesky onion cutting ninjas got into my house again!
Surviving is killing me.
Alicia
I've never actually been a fan of Ofelia. She's made some pretty boneheaded moves in the past, but the same can be said for most of the characters on this show.
I am, however, significantly invested in Daniel and seeing him absolutely wrecked over losing his daughter is what made that scene so devastating to watch.
In the end, Madison honored her promise to bring Ofelia to Daniel. And although Daniel was beside himself and needed time to grieve and mourn, he had time to think clearly again.
Inviting Madison back to the dam was a touching moment, and it was good to see that in spite of the situation, they're able to move forward.
Why you gotta make trouble where there isn't any?
Alicia
Strand calling out Madison on squandering their opportunities for securing resources was a bit harsh, but I don't blame him. The guy is scared to death of Daniel, and the two aren't exactly on what you'd call "the best of terms" right now.
Unsurprisingly, in typical Strand fashion, he's securing an opportunity with working out a deal of his own.
I'm very concerned about what that "deal" is. My guess is that Strand told Procter John about the dam and its significant water resource.
It's safe to say that whatever comes of it, it won't be anything good.
Nick's relapse, loses out to Ofelia's death as the shocker of the hour, but just slightly.
When he came across the pills set aside for Ofelia, I truly hoped that he wouldn't give into temptation. Unfortunately, Nick succumbed to the urge.
It was disappointing on so many levels.
But as with any addict, it just goes to show that no matter how long someone has been clean, how easy it is to fall back on those vices.
It's frustrating because Nick has come too far to head back down that path again. It was like finding out that someone close to you, who has been clean for years, suddenly fell off the wagon.
Here I was thinking Troy was the bad influence, but now Nick is showing him up with his nightly walks among the dead. When Troy thinks you're crazy, you know there's something's seriously wrong.
Nick opting to stay behind at the trading outpost wasn't much of a surprise. You could see by the look on Madison's face that she knew what was happening. Mothers always know.
Nick and Troy on their own in that atmosphere is a recipe for disaster.
Fine, we'll wait and see what Daniel does when you show up to pay for water you don't need, with a dead daughter and empty hands!
Strand
Elsewhere during the hour, Alicia headed out on her own and found it was much more difficult than she anticipated. Although Nick tried to convince her to come back with him, Alicia remained steadfast in her decision.
I understand why she's venturing off on her own, but that doesn't make it a smart decision.
Alicia ran into some trouble in the restaurant with some infected, but the best part was when she was attacked by the child infected in the ball pit.
The idea of zombie children is much more frightening than anything Fear the Walking Dead or The Walking Dead have thrown at us lately. Children can be creepy in general, but throw a bunch of infected children in and you have something truly terrifying on your hands that I wish was utilized more.
While Alicia did have her share of issues while adjusting to life on her own, she made a new friend, or at the very least an ally.
We didn't really get to spend a whole lot of time with the character to even learn her name, but we saw the two develop a rapport almost instantly. There is definitely something promising in the works there.
So far my first impression of "Lady Pickaxe" has me hesitant but highly curious. Can she be trusted? Could she be part of a larger group? She's a mysterious and intriguing new character that I hope gets explored a bit more before the end of the season.
The infected teeth jewelry was definitely an interesting approach to the camouflage technique that's been used predominantly throughout the series.
It was disgusting but definitely creative.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 came out of the gate swinging over the summer, and now with the final two episodes being packed into a two-hour finale, let's hope the season can finish as strong as it started.
That's enough from me, now let's hear what you have to say TV Fanatics!
What did you think of "El Matadero"? What was your reaction to Ofelia's fate? What card does Strand have up his sleeve? What are your first impressions of Lady Pickaxe and can she be trusted?
You can always watch Fear the Walking Dead online right here at TV Fanatic!
Fear the Walking Dead returns for a 2-hour Season Finale on Sunday, October 15.
