A Preview of Season Six of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

The true beauty of being able to assemble a rich universe in television or film, is that such a move allows for storytellers to explore all kinds of unique concepts. Because new characters and a new setting offer up endless possibilities for a creative team and for proof that this is indeed a reality, well then look no further than The Walking Dead Universe. For this humble and sweeping re-telling of a modern comic book classic is now three shows strong and the two that split off from the original are keen to explore concepts that The Walking Dead can only toy with, since it is married to its printed source material.
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Take The Walking Dead: World Beyond ​for instance. Since this brand-new entry in the TWDU is wasting no time in examining the impact of sustained trauma upon the human psyche and whether or not is possible to live with meaning at the end of the world. But while it will be interesting to see where that examination takes us in the weeks to come, there is no series in this particular universe that is more experimental than Fear the Walking Dead. For not only did this particular tale work to re-envision what the collapse of civilization might look at the hands of the living dead, it’s taken all kinds of incredible storytelling chances every year that it has been on the air. 

After all, this is a series that took the zombie apocalypse to the high seas, and gave us our first taste of what the end of the world looks like outside of the United States, thanks to a trip to Mexico and of course… it’s been the boldest show of all when it comes to main character deaths. Since we’ve seen big name leads disappear from the roster over the past couple of years, only to have them replaced in an equally bold manner. Since Morgan Jones and Dwight have found a new home here after leaving The Walking Dead behind and the wonder of its bold decisions don’t end there. Because this is a series that dared to explored positivity in its fifth season by pondering upon whether or not hope could be used as a weapon in the end times, and the failure of our heroes’ mission to make that happen, brought about all kinds of criticism. 

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For fans weren’t looking for these characters to fail or hold their heads high in a prideful manner at trying. They wanted everyone here to fight Ginny and her gang of cowboys and well, with season six now looming on the horizon, everyone is wondering if this series is going to try and maintain the ‘high road’ theme that permeated the fabric of season five, or if we are finally heading back into darker territory. And as it turns out, season six is big on the latter of those two options. Because the darkness and the danger that is a standard in this world is present here in spades. For the dead are once again a threat and our characters are in quite the morose place and understandably so. Because they lost, and that’s never easy for brave people to swallow in the slightest and really, it is the characters that make season six so supremely fascinating.
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Because it is clear early on that everyone that we know and love on this show, are struggling badly with that loss and struggling with what it means to be a good person in a world where that might not matter anymore. Because people akin to Ginny in this universe are strong and powerful and resourceful and beating them seems almost impossible when only a handful of people believe in something more. And finding themselves in a lost place, where hope is robbed from them and where victory or joy seems out of reach is what truly challenges these characters at last. Because now they have to decide if the fight and everything that they could lose in the process is worth it or not, and that really is the perfect way to set up this year’s adventures. 

For that more or less lay the foundation for a redemption story, one that will finally allow for a group of broken people to find unity and strength and their potential at a time when mankind is lost and shattered. Which means that we are in for one incredible season for certain, one that is filled with danger and intrigue and unexpected surprises and if it seems as though this preview is sticking to broad concepts and nothing more, you’re absolutely right. Because the last thing we want to do is spoil the details, so that you can enjoy them when Fear the Walking Dead returns to the airwaves this Sunday, October 11, 2020 and truly, this reviewer hopes that you tune in and give this series another chance. Because season six is quite impressive.

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