By Tammy Reese
Fear The Walking Dead finale, titled "The Beginning," served as an impressive farewell to the series that has offically wrapped eight seasons. The series finale provided closure for the characters and their respective journeys and overall, it was a satisfying conclusion that tied up loose ends and delivered some unexpected twists. I highly recommed watching this series from beginning to end. Though the finale has aired, its still freshly new content. So I don't want to give too much away for those who have not experienced it yet.
It was refreshing to see the show continue to expand its universe even in its final moments. The final episodes were filled with intense and emotional scenes that left a lasting impact. The heightened tension and high stakes kept me on the edge of my seat.
In particular, the return of Alicia Clark (Alycia Debnam-Carey) in the finale of Fear The Walking Dead was not only deeply moving but also a much-needed moment for fans. After being separated from her loved ones for so long, seeing Alicia reunite with her mother Madison (Kim Dickens) was undoubtedly the highlight of the episode. It is worth mentioning that while characters like Daniel(Rubén Blades), Strand(Colman Domingo), Luciana(Danay García), and June(Jenna Elfman) didn't get the chance to talk to Alicia directly in the final episode, it was reassuring to see that Strand knows that both Madison and Alicia are alive and well.
The emotional impact of Alicia's return cannot be overstated. Her character has been through numerous trials and tribulations throughout the series, making her reunion with Madison a cathartic moment for fans who have followed their journey closely. It serves as a reminder that even in a post-apocalyptic world, familial bonds can still prevail.
One shocking moment was when Madison took matters into her own hands and killed Troy (Daniel Sharman), a character who had been a source of tension throughout the series. Adding to the intensity, Troy had previously lied about his daughter Tracy being Alicia's child, creating a web of deception that heightened the stakes for our beloved characters. The revelation that this claim was false added another layer of complexity to an already gripping storyline.
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Despite these tense moments, it was heartwarming to see that even in the face of danger and uncertainty, characters like Daniel, Madison, and Strand found a way to maintain civility and friendship. Their ability to end the series on a cordial and hopeful note showcased not only their resilience but also their capacity for compassion amidst chaos.
Skidmark the cat deserves an honorable mention for bringing joy and brightness to Daniel's zombie-infested environment. In the midst of chaos and despair, this feline companion has managed to uplift spirits and provide a sense of comfort.
Also, Dwight (Austin Amelio) and Sherry's (Christine Evangelista) decision to return back to the sanctuary is a moment that deserves praise. Their commitment to each other amidst the challenges of a post-apocalyptic world showcases their resilience and determination. It is a testament to their love that they choose to face danger together rather than being apart. I feel that Dwight became a leader and did exactlly what Daryl wanted him to do in the mothership series. Which was find Sherry and make it right. In a world filled with uncertainty and darkness, these moments of lightness and connection remind us of the power of companionship and hope. Skidmark the cat's presence brings a touch of warmth, while Dwight and Sherry's unwavering bond serves as an inspiration in the face of adversity.
I had the honor to attend the finale Fear The Walking Dead virtual press day ahead of the series finale. Cast members in attendance included: Danay Garcia (Luciana), Ruben Blades (Daniel), Kim Dickens (Madison) and Jenna Elfman (June).
Tammy: When I screened the final episode, I was like, yes, this is a perfect way to end the series, for sure. When you first read the script for the finale, what went across your mind, and did you make any suggestions that best fit your character?
Danay: When I read the finale, I remember I called Ruben. I usually call Ruben. I was like, hi, did you read it? Because it’s like the end right, I’m reading it. I’m halfway. I’m like, okay, I’ll talk to you later.
As an actor you always try to justify everything you do, and I couldn’t help myself but to be like where are we going? Then Ruben and I were like, oh, we need to say where we’re going. We can’t just take off. We kept wanting to, we couldn’t help ourselves but to justify where we’re going. We’ve been trained so much to push this story forward. That’s our job to push each other, push the characters and challenge everything around it.
Dwight and Sherry say that they’re going back to the Sanctuary, but other than that, it was so open that it was a part of me that felt like it wasn’t over. Maybe because I am trained to return in a few months and then later we’re going to explain where we are. I was happy that we have a cat with us, , that was a very nice thing. Maybe Skidmark is the way forward, maybe he’s our captain. I just had to accept that we had a journey and we didn’t have to talk about it.
Rubén: I read the script and I didn’t believe it was over. It’s a funny thing because a very good friend of mine who’s an actor, I said how do you choose your roles? And he said,” I looked at the last page to see if they kill me or not.” I think he was joking, but the thing is, it tells you something if you’re alive. So I thought, okay, we’re not all joining hands and jumping off a cliff or dying somehow. So that means maybe something else is going to happen. Because I mean, frankly, you refuse to believe it’s over.
It didn’t feel to me that the stories have been told, all of them. I thought that there were things that needed to be explored or continued. I also understand that life is a cycle. There’s things that come up and come down. There’s a moment for everything, and there’s a moment to say goodbye and go. I still have that feeling that it’s not over for some reason in my mind. I know I’m not coming back and nobody has said anything to me about spin offs.
Tammy: Thank you Jenna and Kim for your contribution to the entire Walking Dead Universe. I love me some June and I love me some Madison. How do you feel your character legacy will be in the Walking Dead Universe?
Jenna: For June, I feel like she always was aiming to do the right thing and always coming from a good intention. As a human being, I think she always well intentioned and she’s just one of the helpers. It’s who she was before the apocalypse as a trauma nurse. I think courage and bravery is also something, but just the inherent decency in her. Despite all the trauma that she’s gone through, she always was trying to stay connected to her decency or stay connected to her true self. She felt that she was still existing in the world, like she was still present, like she hadn’t lost her mind.
Kim: With Madison, she’s a controversial character and always has been. She didn’t always do the right thing or the morally correct thing. When I think back about when the show started and what we set out to represent, we started with a family, but it was a broken family. It wasn’t like a picture perfect family, it was a mixed family and there was drug addiction in it. There was also suicide in it, and there was divorce in it. There was that imperfection and yet still being a family, I think it’s nice to have that as our legacy.
Congratulations to the entire 2015-2023 cast and crew of AMC's Fear The Walking Dead on completing an incredible journey. As the series has now come to a close, it will forever hold a special place in the hearts of The Walking Dead Universe fans. The dedication and hard work put in by every member of the cast and crew have brought this thrilling series to life, captivating audiences around the world.
From the gripping performances to the meticulous attention to detail, each episode has been a testament to their passion for storytelling. Fear The Walking Dead has not only entertained viewers but also expanded upon the rich tapestry of The Walking Dead Universe. It has provided new perspectives, introduced compelling characters, and explored uncharted territories within this post-apocalyptic world.
While this chapter may now be concluded, its impact will continue to resonate. Fans will fondly remember the intense moments, heart-wrenching decisions, and unforgettable characters that made Fear The Walking Dead an integral part of their television experience. I extend my heartfelt congratulations once again to everyone involved in bringing this remarkable series to fruition. Your talent and dedication have created something truly extraordinary that will be cherished by fans for years to come.
Catch up on the finale season by visiting https://www.amc.com/
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TAMMY REESE
Tammy Reese began her career as a theater actress performing in 60 live stage shows a year with The Media Unit TV and Stage Production Company. She also directed the weekly live TV show Rough Times Live.
Eventually, she went to Empire State College to obtain her degree in media studies. After graduation, she did more theater and wrote and produced her own videos to spread awareness on social issues through the arts.
Tammy is an award-winning journalist and is best known for her legendary interviews with Sharon Stone, Angela Bassett, Sigourney Weaver, Phylicia Rashad, Billy Porter, Luke Evans, Geena Davis, Morris Chestnut, Essie Davis, Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Michael James Shaw, Ross Marquand, Merritt Wever, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Giancarlo Esposito, Meagan Good, Jennifer Connelly, Laurence Fishburne, Vivica A. Fox, Omar Epps, Joseph Sikora, Nelly, Ryan Coogler, Carmen Electra, Tom Arnold, Michole Briana White, and many more.
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