Fear the Walking Dead Review: This Land is Your Land (Season 3 Episode 13)

Wow, what an episode. Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 13, “This Land is Your Land,” is the best episode this season and maybe one of the best period. It’s emotional, devastating, and intense.

I have been waiting for Fear the Walking Dead to really inject fear into this season. Thankfully, Psycho Troy lured a huge horde of walkers towards the ranch with the previous episode, “Brother’s Keeper,” which was also fantastic.

Broke Jaw Ranch wasn’t going to last and if it was, it wouldn’t be the same as when Otto ran things. However, I did not expect for it to fall so quickly. As Alicia told everyone to seek shelter in the bunker on the last episode, I expected the horde issue to be resolved by “This Land is Your Land.”

In a way, the ranch storyline is resolved—but in a completely unpredictable and dark way. Alicia is the star of this episode and anyone who thought that she was a bratty, unlikeable character should think differently of her now.

Not only is Alicia a badass fighter, but she cares about people. very kill, whether it’s for survival, mercy, or the greater good, she feels it.

She isn’t ruthless like Madison nor does she enjoy the leadership role like Nick. Alicia also isn’t as idealistic as Jake, and she realizes that nowhere is safe. But she’s not willing to kill for the illusion.

“This Land is Your Land” would have been a good episode even if it was just the blocked air vents causing trouble for the survivors. But add bitten survivors to the mix and it makes for a nail-biter of an episode.

At first, the premise of killing the infected to save some air seems a little weak because it doesn’t seem like it would do much good. If anything, they should kill the bitten to make sure they don’t turn into walkers.

But then, Alicia makes an impossible decision and gives those infected a dose of morphine before she puts a knife in the back of their head. Once we see the large pile of the bitten, the saving air plan makes more sense.

We also get to see that Alicia is a leader and that she must make heart-wrenching decisions. And she makes them because she has to—not because she has other motives.

The carbon monoxide starts to kill the ranchers in the bunker, but luckily, Alicia still has the strength to fight off the dead.

And then, Strand, Madison, Taqa, Troy, and Nick swoop in and save the day.

I never thought that Alicia was going to die, but that didn’t stop the heightened intensity of the episode. I’m still in shock that the ranch is no more.

But now, the group size of the Fear the Walking Dead survivors is the right size because all the characters we know well or know well enough about to care for them.

As the episode ends, it feels very much like it could be the season finale.

So where do we go from here? Alicia strikes out on her own to become Fear the Walking Dead’s Carol. Nick and Troy follow her to make sure she’s okay. I’m not sure about Troy and Nick’s relationship.

Alicia is right—they are similar because they both have self-destructive tendencies. I’m sure the truth will come out that Troy brought the horde to the ranch. But right now, it kind of seems like Troy and Nick are on a buddy joyride together.

It also looks like Ofelia and Daniel will finally be reunited, which will be good to see. And what about Luciana? Will we see her again by the end of the season?

Overall, “This Land is Your Land,” is a fantastic episode which elevates the caliber of Fear the Walking Dead. It’s brutal and raises tensions in an organic way. I just hope the rest of the season keeps the momentum and tone of this episode.

Walker Nibbles:

• Troy takes so much joy in zombie killing. It’s fun to watch him but he’s also very disturbing.
• I haven’t had much of an opinion of Crazy Dog before this episode but I’ve decided I like him. His panic attack is endearing.
• I really hope we see more of the trading post where Madison and Strand were reunited. It seems like such an interesting place and there can be plenty of action there.
• Once again, I’m so impressed by Alicia and Alycia Debnam Carey’s acting.
• It was great to get insight into Nick and Alicia’s relationship.
• “This Land is Your Land” is going to be stuck in my head for a while.

What did you think of this episode of Fear the Walking Dead? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

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