What I Watched Today

(rambling, random thoughts & annoyingly detailed recaps from real time TV watching)

 

 

Fear the Walking Dead

Part One

Jake walks along a canyon, presumably on his way to talk to see Walker. He’s being watched. He hears the click of a gun and runs. He hides behind a tree, gets his gun ready, and turns to find Alicia. Alicia tells him about Vernon and Kathy, and how the entire family was killed. He says it’s even more urgent now. She says she wanted him to own it, but not this way. He says he’s not doing it for that reason, and she insists on going with him.

They see the tribal headquarters, otherwise known as the abandoned gas station. Jake and Alicia walk past the line of guards, and are stripped of their weapons. We see a bunch of people standing in a circle and dogs are barking. Walker steps out, with something wrapped in a bloody towel. Walker tells Jake that he’s hundreds of years late for talking, but just in time for lunch, plopping down the head of a pig that’s just been slaughtered. Of course, they’d wanted us to think it was a dog, and we did. I hate being manipulated like that.

Madison tells Nick that Alicia didn’t come home, and now she’s not in the camp. She asks him to go to Jake’s, but he tells her to leave Alicia alone. Jeremiah approaches, and says he knows Alicia and Jake are courting, which is I guess what we’re calling it now. Some of Jake’s stuff is gone, and so is he. Nick wonders where they should start looking, but Jeremiah says they don’t. He can’t spare a search party, and everyone has had enough right now. Nick and Jeremiah decide to train new recruits.

Sitting in the diner, Jake tells Walker that his father won’t abandon the ranch. He tells him that Russel is dead, and Walker says karma is overdue. Alicia says that the Trumball family is dead too, and he killed them. Walker asks if “this girl” is speaking for Jake, and adds three down, one to go. Jake says his father did nothing to warrant this, and he thought they had an understanding. Walker says he understood that when Jake came there with his drunken friends, he waited on him with a smile, but the day of the white man’s courts are over. They must vacate the land. Jake was hoping for a parlay, and to negotiate. Walker says maybe he’s right, if a parlay can spare blood They can talk after they eat.

Holy! The waitress is Ofelia!  #ThereIsOfelia

Nick approaches Troy, wanting to sign up. Troy asks why join the militia, and Nick tells him that maybe he feels badly about what he’s done to cause any death. Troy suggests leaving before something worse happens, but Nick talks about getting Travis killed, and says he needs an occupation. He also wants to protect them from whoever killed the Trumball family; he saw those savages. Troy tells someone to get Nick outfitted.

Outside the diner, Ofelia tells Alicia that it’s a long story. Alicia says to tell her, and she’ll tell Ofelia how they almost died when she took the truck. Ofelia says, sorry; she thought they were safe. She says that she almost died after that, but Alicia doesn’t care. Ofelia says Walker found her, took her in, and they’re good people. Alicia says they killed a family two days ago, but Ofelia says there was nothing scheduled for then. Walker goes on all the raids, and he was with her.

Jake tells Alicia that they’re swapping people, and he’s staying; Walker guarantees his safety. Alicia says that she’ll stay. Jeremiah has to hear it from him. Walker asks if they have a parley, and Jake says it appears they do.

At the bunkhouse, Nick gives himself a haircut, and Madison asks if she has to worry. She wonders if he’s going back to back with Troy, and he says keep your enemies close. He tells her good luck, and leaves.

Ofelia comes back with Jake. Jake explains what happened, and Ofelia says she’s the hostage from Walker’s side. Jake promises they’ll get Alicia back. He wouldn’t have left her if he didn’t think she was safe. Madison asks Ofelia how long she was there. Ofelia says long enough to know Walker’s word is good. Madison says he wants them off the ranch, and asks if that has changed. Ofelia says only Jake would know.

Walker shows Alicia around, saying that they call themselves pony warriors even though they drive jeeps. Soon they’ll have their own air force. He points out that many of the people are ex-military. As he’s talking, Alicia tells him that she was on the helicopter. He says she’s lucky; they’d been hoping it was an auto. She tells him that he killed one of her family members. He says it’s good if she hates him; maybe she can understand if she magnifies the hate a thousand times. She says that she hates him for killing Travis – and thinking he knows how she feels. He’s nothing but a hypocrite.

There’s a meeting in Jeremiah’s office. Jake says they need blood, and are willing to take it from them. Jeremiah says let them come. Jake suggests letting them share the water. Jeremiah doesn’t think it will satisfy Walker; he’ll want everything. Jake says they need to meet him halfway, but Jeremiah says he’d rather die. Madison says what about Alicia, and Jeremiah says she made her own decision. Jake says he trusts Walker. Madison is an outsider, and needs faith.

When the others leave, Madison asks Jeremiah what he’s going to do. He tells her that he’s going to listen to Jake. He doesn’t think that Walker is to be trusted though.

Walker has taken Alicia to a trailer that houses relics. Alicia looks at a bunch of weird stuff. She sees a skeleton, and Walker says it’s papier-mâché, but it fooled a lot of vacationers. He brings down a chest, and says this isn’t for tourists; this is real. He shows her his great grandfather’s bones. Alicia asks if they shouldn’t be buried, and he says that they were, in a cave. He desecrated his great-grandfather’s grave to save him from travelers and construction. He hopes his great-grandfather forgives him one day. Alicia says the idea of an afterlife doesn’t make sense; it’s hard to get out of this one. Walker says it’s part of a grand plan that had taken place long before the dead walked. He asks if she knows what apocalypse means. When she tells him the end of the world, he says no, it means a great unveiling. He tells her that he kept seeing a theme in the caves; pictures of a new age, a land that will be pure. He says it’s been a long struggle, but after the apocalypse, all will be returned to them – the first humans.

Troy thinks Ofelia is either lying or stupid. Madison says not stupid, but she needs to be on the winning side. Troy says Madison has a connection with her, but Madison says she thinks Ofelia is for herself. She’s with Walker for a reason. Madison tells him that she needs to get Alicia out, and suggests they get a few guys, and slip her out. She says that Troy owes her. She could have brought the whole ranch down on his head. Truth!

Alicia goes out to get water. While she’s walking back, someone follows behind her.

Jeremiah visits Ofelia, and tells her that he thinks they should have a chat, but she says she has nothing to say. He says it’s good that Walker found her, and she’s not dead; at least if the negotiation works, it’s good. She asks what he wants. He says he’s been thinking strange thoughts about ghosts. He talks about your sins not being the thing that holds you in limbo, and the worst of the somehow carrying your sins. Ofelia asks again what he wants. He tells her that nobody wants war, and not to complicate matters with old business. He says that’s fair and asks if she thinks so. Ofelia doesn’t answer, but he asks a second time, and I guess she figures that if she doesn’t agree, she’ll never get out of this stupid conversation, so she says it is. He tells her that he’ll have someone bring food, even though she says she’s not hungry.

Alicia slops the pigs. In the middle of the night? Troy grabs her, and she sees the others with him. She says they’ll get everyone killed. Two of the soldiers are holding a guard, and Alicia says that if they kill him, she’s not leaving. Troy doesn’t care what she thinks. The guard tries to run, and gets stabbed for his trouble. The soldiers start to drag him away, and a dog barks.

Watching from the top of a hill, Nick tells Madison that someone is coming, and they’re not going to make it. They have to bring the truck down. By now, Walker’s people realize something is going on, and are starting to come out. A guy throws Nick to the ground, and is about to stab him, when Troy shoots him (shoots the guy, not Nick). All hell is breaking loose, with shooting and people running everywhere. Troy tosses Alicia into the truck, and Madison drives away with her. Well, this isn’t going to be good.

When they get back, Jake says congratulations, they just declared war. Troy says they were successful in getting Alicia back, and Alicia can’t believe it was Madison’s idea. Jake says he’d made a deal, and Madison tells him that he was played. There was nothing at stake except Alicia’s life. Jeremiah tells her that Jake had made the call, and them that don’t listen have to be brought to heel someday. Does this guy ever say anything that doesn’t sound like a combination of Yoda and a crazy person?

Jake has filled the truck bed with water bottles. Troy asks if their dad knows what he’s doing, and Jake says he’s drunk. Jake thought Jeremiah would be happy. He’d gone to Walker himself and set everything up. Troy asks what kind of a death wish he has, and suggests that only his scalp will be returning. Jake says that he’s going to give them the water. Troy doesn’t think he’s coming back, and that he should ask himself if that would make him happier.

Ofelia takes Alicia off to the side, and says she shouldn’t stay there. Alicia asks what she knows. Ofelia tells Alicia to come with her, it’s all she can offer. Alicia says that she has to stay. Ofelia says that she’s sorry about Travis.

When he gets to the Black Hat, Jake gets the snot beat out of him. Walker tells him that he broke the parlay, but Jake says that Madison and Troy broke it. He’s brought Ofelia and water. Walker takes out a knife, pulling Jake’s head back. Jake says that there will be peace, and Walker says that there will be, but not now. Ofelia stops Walker from killing Jake. Walker says he’ll finish the scalping of the oldest son, when he sees him next. He’ll feed the youngest son to the hogs, and the father will remain alive to watch, before they burn him alive. Where is the freaking boom person whenever Walker talks?

A motorcycle comes to the ranch gate. Ofelia is dropped off. She tells Madison that all she knows is she’s lost her home and the people who took her in. Madison says shouldn’t have left them in the first place. Jeremiah tells them to take Ofelia to the infirmary.

Troy says they’ll press for attack. He says he can get more information from Ofelia, but Jeremiah says no. Madison says they shouldn’t have let her go back, and Jeremiah says to watch her.

Madison says that Ofelia can stay with her and Alicia. Ofelia asks if she’s a prisoner, and Madison tells her that they’re all prisoners of someplace. Ofelia says that there are no walls for Walker’s people because he says you can’t sneak up on an Indian. She says Alicia was never in trouble, but she had a taste of freedom, and now it’s gone.

Troy and the guys talk. Nick asks what if Walker attacks while they’re on their perimeter. Troy says there are only two roads, and they’ll be on both of them. They’ll leave a suicide note (translation: a suicide squad), and the rest will run back and defend the castle ranch. Nick says if that happens, he’ll volunteer to be up front – he’s suicide proof. Troy thinks they should go kamikaze another day. For now, they’re staying behind the fence.

Alicia asks Madison how she can be sure it was Walker who killed the Trumballs?

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the horses are restless. Soldier Joe says he doesn’t like it. The guy next to him tells him to stay frosty, but dude doesn’t feel right, then doubles over in pain. Someone else starts throwing up, and suddenly, soldiers are dropping like flies. Alicia and Madison hear them yelling, and run outside. Ofelia watches from the bunkhouse.

The guards start to turn into zombies. Nice. Everyone is running around, and Nick joins the fray. A soldier tells people to get back inside. Zombies are attacking and being attacked. Madison comes out shooting. Ofelia comes out, and Nick calls to her, but she runs. Nick starts to chase her, but then gets sick. Madison takes up the chase. It looks like Ofelia is aiming to steal another truck.

Part Two

In the desert, Ofelia sees a hole in the fence and goes through. Someone starts shooting at her. She scrambles down a hill, and hides behind a tree. She takes out a knife, and blesses herself. Jeremiah comes around the other side of the tree, and holds out his hand. She gives him the knife, and he tells her welcome to America.

She tells Jeremiah that she was headed to Santa Fe where her fiancé is. Jeremiah tells her she’s free to go, and gives her some water. He says to go from whence she came, find shade, and travel by starlight. She wants a ride, but he says he has to go back, and there’s no use for brown people on the ranch. She spits at him, and he tells her enjoy the walk, and speeds away.

Ofelia walks until she drops. She gets up, leaving her backpack. She starts taking her clothes off, and sees her father. She says the earth will protect her, and starts to dig. Daniel tells her no, she has to stay awake. She reaches for him, but he’s not there.

Eventually, Walker comes by. He checks Ofelia’s pulse, and gives her water. He puts her on his horse.

Walker brings Ofelia to the reservation, and takes her to the Black Hat Motel. He puts her in a tub and bathes her. When she comes out, he gives her some soup. They introduce themselves, and Walker tells her to rest

Back in the present, Madison runs after Ofelia. She gets in a truck and finds the keys in under the visor. Madison busts the driver’s window, and pulls her back out.

Troy and the others attend to whoever is still alive at the ranch. A soldier turns, and Jeremiah shoots him. Madison tells them that Ofelia put powder in the coffee, but doesn’t know what kind. Jake says they have antibiotics, but without knowing what it is, it’s hard to treat. Madison says to keep Nick alive, and leaves.

Madison holds a gun on Ofelia as Ofelia drives. Ofelia tells Madison that it was just supposed to make them sick. She insists her people wouldn’t do such a thing. Madison says they used to be her people. Nick was her friend, and now he might die; does she care? Ofelia says the Nation is her family now, and Madison says they’ll see about that. They drive to the motel. Madison wants to talk to Walker. A guard says he’s in the diner, and Madison drags Ofelia inside.

Madison says that Walker killed her husband, and now the ranch. He says they broke the parlay, but she says no, she did. She doesn’t give a flying about anything except her son. She wants to know what’s killing him. Walker says that it’s anthrax, cultivated from animal hides, and there’s no cure. He gets up, telling his guards to put down their weapons. He says that this woman is more of a man than Jake or any of his relatives, and she’s free to leave. I’m like, all right, Walker! He asks how old Madison’s son is, and she says nineteen. He tells her that if he’s strong, he’ll live. He says that his fight isn’t with her, and suggests she take her family and leave.  She says they’ve fought too hard, and lost too much; they’re not running anymore. Walker says they’ll die then.

Zombies amble around. Victor enters what used to be a restaurant. The food in the refrigerated case is rotten. He sees a boat just offshore, and says, hello, angel. He goes down to the water, and walks out. It’s the Abigail. He boards the yacht, and sees the undead crew stumbling around, making zombie noises. He halts a guest with an arrow to the head, and stabs the captain. He shoots more guests and crew with a handgun. He thinks he’s done.

In the infirmary, Nick throws up again. Alicia tells him, morning, sunshine, and he says it’s like old times. Madison them that it’s anthrax. Those who survive will be too weak to hold a gun. Jake tells one of the soldiers to get what’s left of militia. Madison says that’s a bad idea, and Jake says she’s not the leader. Nyah-nyah! Nick tells her that she’s still the life of the party.

Jake says that Madison is right. Alicia suggests he talk to Walker, and he says talk is cheap without anything to barter with; they have no leverage. Alicia knows where they can get some.

Victor picks up a bottle of Dom Perignon. He goes to the wheelhouse, and messes with the controls. He puts on a white jacket, and pops open the bottle, saying it’s good to be home.

Nick tells Jake that he’s feeling better, and asks to be uncuffed. He thinks someone else might need the bed more, like Jake. He tells Jake that he’s sick, but Jake says they need him. Nick says either way, if they’re attacked, he’s not going to be able to help, so please let him up. Jake undoes the cuffs, and Nick asks him where Jeremiah is. Jake says that his dad can’t help. He’s burning the dead. He’ll only disappoint Nick. The hell they’re in is all because of him.

Nick goes to the new old house and takes out a hammer. He starts ripping up the floorboards.

Ofelia knocks at Walker’s door. She says the Clarks took her in, and she cared about them. He says she volunteered for what she did, and saved the entire Nation. He says when he found her, he almost passed her for dead, but his horse sensed her spirit. She says smart horse, and he tells her smarter than him. She faced death, and wasn’t afraid, that’s why he brought her here. She says he saved her life, and he tells her that the debt is paid. They hear people outside and run out.

Fires are starting. Madison and Alicia watch from the truck. Tents are burning, and what’s left of the militia starts to shoot. Madison attaches the relic trailer to the truck, and starts to move. Troy jumps on.

Nick is digging under the floor. He finds Jeremiah in another room, drinking. Nick says Jeremiah shot up the floor and said it had blood in it. Jeremiah says he’s been known to wax metaphoric while in his cups. Nick holds up a skull, asking who it is. Jeremiah says it’s a long story, but Nick wants to know. Jeremiah tells him that when Jake and Troy were little, the local tribe decided that the ranch belonged to them – it was sacred land or some BS – even though it had been sold to them fair and square. He had a frightened family at home, so the founders killed the leaders. One was Walker’s uncle. Nick asks if it’s his skull, and Jeremiah says no, that’s Walker’s father. He’d come by to see what happened to his brother. Nick says when they were working, he just thought Jeremiah was some wise-ass cowboy. Jeremiah says that Nick is a guest, and he needs to get right with the past, or get off the land. Nick says that it’s their land, but Jeremiah says it belongs to whoever holds it, and it was given up for beer money. Nick tells him that they’ll see who can old the land – they’re coming.

Walker’s trucks surround the ranch. Troy comes back with the relics trailer. He and Madison say that it’s leverage. Nick says Walker values them, and Jeremiah says that Nick might not like his hospitality, but he’ll like it better then Walker’s.

Alicia says they’re on the wrong side. Nick says he gets that Madison wants to protect them, but there has to be a line. Nick tells them that Troy killed the Trumballs. Alicia says that Madison knew, and covered for him. Madison says that she doesn’t understand. Alicia says that Madison is just like them; she’s worse because she has no feelings. No wonder her father was depressed. Madison says she’d love to indulge herself, but doesn’t have time for feelings. They have no idea what she carries.

As Victor snoozes, the radio comes to life. He says hello, and a voice comes through. It’s from overseas, a man who was a cosmonaut (a nod to Z Nation?), and Victor asks if they know what’s happened in America. He finds out that the zombies are everywhere. The man says he speaks from his grave, and Victor says he’s sorry at least he got to go to space – no one else will have the opportunity. The man says he’d give it up for water, and Victor says how about champagne? They talk, and laugh a little, and once again, the boom person was absent that day. The man asks about the champagne, and Victor describes it. The connection is starting to break up, and the man tells Victor that the world turns. Victor says the world is dead, but the man tells him not until he dies, and not to give up. The connection is gone, and Victor says, das vidania.

Madison meets Walker. She says the artifacts are unharmed. He wants to know why she’s thrown in with trash, and she says you can’t always choose your people. She tells him they can end this, and live in peace. He says that this is their land, soaked in Indian blood, the time for peace is over. She says that she heard about his fight with the Ottos, and says she understands this is his father. She holds out the skull, but he says it’s not enough. This isn’t his father, but an old white man’s shame.

Madison comes back to the ranch, and says that Walker doesn’t care about relics; he wants the ranch. They have until sundown to clear out or die.

Victor roots around the boat, and gathers supplies together. More liquor! But instead of drinking it, this time he pours it all over, and sets it on fire. He puts on aviator sunglasses, and the flames look awesome in the lenses. He goes back to shore. The boat burns on the water.

Madison comes back to the bunkhouse. She says that Alicia and Nick have never been to Montgomery, and Alicia says she never took them, not even for her grandmother’s funeral. Madison says there was a local council man who lived there, and he had a beautiful wife and little girl. Everyone loved her daddy because he knew everyone’s names and all of their occasions; he knew when to burn the ballot boxes and which ones to burn, but what he didn’t know was when to turn down a drink. So life was hard for the little girl, and harder for her mother. As the little girl grew, she got tired of crying and seeing her mother get hurt. One morning, she ate her cereal, and brushed her teeth for school. She took the gun from her daddy’s dresser, and shot him while he slept off the night before. Nick and Alicia are like, whoa.

Madison says her mother looked at her then, like they’re looking now, but she’d do it again. She’d do it a thousand times to protect her – protect them. She’s going to convince an old man to set aside his pride and make peace with the enemy. Now I’m looking at her like that.

Madison visits Jeremiah. He says he’s going Alamo, last line of defense. He built the house as a hold out. He has supplies and weapons in the basement, and they’re welcome to join him if it comes to it. He offers her a drink, and thanks her for standing by his boys, by Troy, for trying to stop what’s coming. They clink glasses. Madison says she told Jake they couldn’t come to an agreement; there’s only one way to secure peace. Jeremiah says they want his scalp, and asks if she’s there to kill him after he took her in. He continues to list all the things he’s done for her and her family. She puts the gun on the desk, and says she’s not going to kill him for those reasons, and is tired of disappointing her kids. So he’s going to do it.

Jeremiah says he’s not going to die like some rabbit with no resistance. Madison says they’re surrounded by firepower. If he doesn’t do it, everyone dies. It’s his chance to make things up to his sons. He says the hell with them – one is a feckless crybaby, and the other, a chip off the old block. She tells him that her kids aren’t dying because some selfish old prick is afraid to do what’s right. He says go ahead and kill him then, because some selfish old prick did what needed to be done.

Nick walks in, and Jeremiah says, don’t nobody knock? having a valid point. He asks Nick if he knows why his mother came by, and starts to say, she’s just like – Madison raises the gun, but Nick shoots Jeremiah before she has a chance to do it.

Madison tells Nick to do exactly as she says. We see him running from the scene. Troy and Jake come into Jeremiah’s office. Jeremiah is slumped at his desk, while Madison sits in a nearby chair. The brothers take Jeremiah’s body out and put it into the truck. The truck drives away, as Nick, Madison, and Alicia watch from the balcony.

Madison meets Walker on the road, and sets down a backpack. He opens it. It’s Jeremiah’s head. Or so we assume, since for some reason, they decided to not gross us out and we just got a glimpse. Walker nods, and walks away carrying the backpack. Madison walks in the opposite direction.

This was the mid-season finale (please, who invented such a thing?), so there was no preview.

✈ Okay, I am slightly obsessed with 90 Day Fiancé, but it’s just so weird. I mean the coupling is weird. Maybe because the show should really be called How to Get a Green Card in 90 Days. I’m not saying all of the couples are together for that reason, but I think the ratio is heavily on that side. We have Jorge and Anfisa, who has been pretty blatant about the fact that she wanted to marry him for a free ride. The first one I saw revolved around Mohamad and Danielle, which I’ve I’ve already discussed. There is clearly something wrong with Danielle, who keeps going back and forth about whether to get a divorce or an annulment, the latter leaving Mohamad open to deportation. She goes back every time he says, come on, let’s still be friends, and forth when she realizes she’s been had again. I said it before, but being even more blatant, a guy who looks like that would not be interested in her. He’s no Marc Singer, but she’s pretty close to pre-makeover Susan Boyle. Not sayin’ it never happens, but just sayin’. Then there’s Pedro and Chantal. I don’t know how much he cares about the green card thing, but I don’t see him getting a job, and he seems to send an awful lot of her money back to his mother in wherever-the-blip they’re from. His mother is a real piece of work too, calling Chantal’s family stupid and crazy because they’re concerned about their daughter. I get that every mother thinks her son is wonderful, but she’s waaay out of line, and might consider shutting her mouth since she’s a total grifter. It was pretty funny when Chantal got Pedro to try sushi though. Next, we have Pao, a party girl who thinks she’s going to be a model and make tons of money, and Russ, who is a patient-as-hell, somewhat conservative dude from Oklahoma. At present, Pao is in Miami, hanging out with her best gay pal, while Russ is trying to sell their Oklahoma home. Russ came down for a visit, and the friend relentlessly bashed him in Spanish, with Pao translating. I hope he dumps her sorry ass before she gets her card. At least Anfisa is honest about wanting Jorge to be her meal ticket. Last, and I think the couple most likely to succeed, are Loren and Alex, who met in Israel, and are talking about moving his parents to the US. Despite some altercations, that are mostly due to her keeping things from him, they seem the most genuine. I think that’s all of them. If not, it’s enough.

🏛 The Real Housewives of Potomac had part one of their reunion tonight. Of course the main thing is what they wore and how they looked, and I can’t say I have much criticism here. Some of the dresses bordered on bridesmaids-ish (I’m talking to you Karen and Robyn), and there was one that could have doubled for prom (Monique), but not necessarily in a bad way – they were still beautiful. Huge earrings abounded, and everyone sported new hairstyles, all of them lovely. That being said, same Potomac, different day, just more confined. One of the things I always hate about reunions is the same thing I hate about litigants on court shows. Aside from the blatant lying, making faces is incredibly unattractive unless you’re five years old. And all of these women are the Grand Dames of face-making. Part one is always just the warm-up anyway. It looks like a few sparks will fly when the husbands are trotted out.

Fear the Walking Dead – Season Two Poster