‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Recap: ‘More Time Than You Know’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Lennie James as Morgan Jones, Karen David as Grace, Zoey Merchant as Wren in Episode 805 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ – ‘More Time Than You Know’. Photo Credit: Lauren "Lo" Smith/AMC

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 805 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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There is something quite fascinating going on from a storytelling perspective when it comes to the AMC series, Fear the Walking Dead. In that, suddenly the show is taking the time to explore some unique concepts that The Walking Dead Universe tends to not dive into all that often. For instance, last week’s episode explored in great detail, the long-term negative impact of unresolved trauma as a result of grief from loss. Not to mention, that episode showcased just how we come back from that level of trauma and that really was something quite incredible. Since horror rarely tends to explore how we heal, it oft explores the horrors of the pain we experience, and well… what makes this fascinating… is the sheer fact that the series is deeply interested and invested in examining more concepts in that vein, as evidenced by last night’s episode.
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For the bite that Grace endured at the end of ‘King County’, allowed for ‘More Time Than You Know’, to examine the fragility of life. How we tend to take every single second we have with those we love for granted, and how we struggle to process and accept death. Even though it is our biological purpose and endgame through and through… and it explored such thoughts… by having the crew race toward saving Grace. For Morgan truly believed that if they could get Grace to the train and have her spend a little time with June, they could utilize June’s knowledge of bites to save Grace and give her precious time to enjoy moments with her family. So that when the time was right, in their eyes… she could pass peacefully and happily and all could properly process her ending and the beautiful final moments they spent together.

A concept that well, mirrored everyday life. For we too often believe that we will soak up every precious moment and every joyous smile and embrace, when the final days of a loved one are coming. Only for us to learn… that everyday life doesn’t always allow for that. For other factors can distract us from what is special, and the universe will happily take someone from us without warning or understanding and that… is what Morgan and Mo really dealt with in this tale. Because Shrike’s forces were of course on their tail and there were no deals to be made, despite Morgan’s best efforts to make one happen. Which led to a panicked push to do a bevy of things that Grace was asking for as the infection that living death brings was raging through her veins, and that too… was chaotic in nature. Simply because no one could agree on how best to honor Grace.

For Morgan wanted to do everything she wanted, which was to move them to a nearby relay station where she said she had something special waiting for everyone. Whereas Mo wanted to get Grace to the train and get June by her side to give her the bite treatment and well… that conflict between father and daughter, allowed for the both of them, to miss out on special moments. Granted, that’s no easy task when guns and outright brainwashed soldiers are in hot pursuit, but even still… there was time. Time to really reflect on the journey they had all endured, and what it meant to be reunited in this moment. But alas, it was all about figuring out the right agenda and well, once they were separated, Mo had a chance to follow her own, and took Grace through the land of the dead and Shrike’s future soldiers to get her into that train and work with June via the radio to finally set up the gear to save the day and keep her mother alive just that much longer. 

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Karen David as Grace in Episode 805 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ – ‘More Time Than You Know’. Photo Credit: Lauren "Lo" Smith/AMC

Which of course, once again mirrored life, and how we process death and fear it and desperately try to process the ugly stuff over the stuff that matters. Those memories and those moments that fill our heart with more than the sorrow that is at the forefront of our mind. But alas, it takes time and wisdom to often learn that, to accept the reality that we all perish and leave behind memories and legacy and sadly… Mo’s first taste of real loss, brought about great darkness in this tale. Since the radiation didn’t work. A sobering reality that could also cost Finch his life since he made it to relay station with his folks, wherein they found Grace’s little oasis of family life to give him comfort while his own bite infection raged. But that aside, the failure of the ‘cure’ meant that Grace perished in this tale, and sadly returned from the void of death as the monstrous nightmare that now plagued this world. Bringing forth real trouble and fear for Mo and of course… a tough moment for Morgan when he had to put down the husk that remained of his love.  
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Not to mention, the trauma and pain that Mo endured in seeing this kind of reality about the world, was utilized and weaponized by Shrike. Who did everything to motivate her to use it for progress, such as having her and the trainees clear out the many, many members of the living dead that meandered about the docks where the supplies that Shrike wanted resided. A move that put Mo in danger of losing her own life, in the name of traumatic pursuits, something her father struggled mightily with, especially since the dangers inherent to this mission were enough to keep a small army at bay, and well… that sets the stage for an ugly midseason finale. One where an ailing father, who must process his own fresh trauma about the death of his love, also must figure out how to save his daughter before her own fury and pain gets the better of her. 

But while we wait to see how that all plays out, we can celebrate one powerful and intelligent tale. Because truly, everything that Mo and Morgan did here, and even to a lesser extent, Dwight, and Sherry… painfully reflected our world. Where we all struggle to process the reality that sometimes a terminal illness will soon claim the life of someone we love, and we spend more time worrying about their salvation then we do the spiritual salvation we can provide them and ourselves with, through making amends or strengthening a bond. So we can find the haunted beauty that comes with death and a life well lived. Not to mention, this episode beautifully encapsulated the pain and the fury we feel when a life that matters deeply to us, is removed from this world under circumstances we don’t agree with or care for. Making this a fascinating examination of own relationship with death, whilst pointing out that in the world of The Walking Dead, little has changed when it comes to the power of human life, when the moment allows for it. 

However, while that was fascinating to learn, we do need to take a moment today and offer up a round of applause to Karen David. Who turned in a phenomenal and moving final performance here as Grace Mukherjee. For she truly moved us every single second she was on the screen and sold the fading light in Grace’s eyes and even left us in an uncomfortable and terrified place with her inspired work as a Walker. Plus, she deserves accolades for turning in four years of wondrous performances on the show, and she will definitely be missed, and we thank her for everything she’s done on the show, and for taking the time to discuss her final episode with us as well. And now, that we’ve reached the end of this incredible and sorrowful journey, all we can do now is wonder how the mid-season finale is going to play out. Since clearly, the future, as represented by Mo and her friends… is in danger. Courtesy of a broken soul that is determined to heal through hollow pursuits. Until next time.

To learn more about Grace’s farewell from ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ and ‘The Walking Dead’ Universe, check out our interview with Karen David.  

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