‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Recap: ‘Sanctuary’

11/6/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Christine Evangelista and Austin Amelio as Sherry and Dwight in Episode 809 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ – ‘Sanctuary’. (Photo Courtesy of Seth F. Johnson/AMC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 809 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere. Also, this piece was written during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the actors currently on strike, the series being covered here wouldn’t exist.

One unfortunate truth that no fan of a television series that is going off the air likes to face, is that not every loose end will be tied up before or during the series finale. Especially when that show is an ensemble piece. Because there is only so much screen time available and the final season is often moving toward something big and juicy, so only a handful of characters can see their arcs come to completion before the greater story comes together and brings the whole thing to grandiose close. And that’s tough to swallow when someone we love doesn’t get their due and that frustration, is why the final season of Fear the Walking Dead on AMC is of note.

Simply because… the eighth and final season, is trying to serve as the anthesis to that. After all, Morgan Jones finally faced his painful past and made peace with it before heading off into the world to find the man that gave him a second chance, and as of late… supporting characters are also seeing their arcs find closure, as are some principles. After all, Strand is finally (mostly) atoning for his mistakes, and the same goes for Madison Clark. Plus, we saw Charlie’s arc end with redemption and Luciana and Daniel have reconciled their darkness. Giving rise to a final six episodes mired in resolution and wrapping up every character’s arc, and the show is showing no signs of slowing down on this matter.

For last night’s story, ‘Sanctuary’, took the time to offer closure for Dwight, and others. For Dwight, we came to discover, had made his way back toward his old stomping grounds near Alexandria and the Sanctuary, and the house that he and Sherry were supposed to meet at and start over within, and well… Dwight was in a dark place upon his arrival. For he really felt as though the death of his son and the events of life between that moment and the day he left Virginia at Daryl’s request… were a direct result of karmic punishment. As though his decision to stand with Negan doomed him and made him a monster from which there would be no redemption or closure. But of course, the universe found a way to make Dwight question that again.

Because a random and sickly man, a diabetic to be specific, was asking for help. Help to get his insulin back from a group of strangers that holed up in a stronghold and help to just… find peace. A move that Dwight understood was another opportunity to set things right, and he made every attempt to help this man… only to find himself deeply reflecting up the journey once again. Since the stronghold those men were using for shelter was the Sanctuary and that brought back all kinds of horrible memories and traumas, and matters were only further complicated by the fact… that his musings delayed his return and his new friend slipped into a diabetic coma and death and resurrection. Giving rise to even lower moments for Dwight, the kind that made it seem his soul was about to be lost to this hopeless world.

Jenna Elfman and Jayla Walton as June Dorie and Dove in Episode 809 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ – ‘Sanctuary’. (Photo Courtesy of Seth F. Johnson/AMC)

But a strange miracle made its way into that moment, one that came courtesy of the arrival of June, Dove, and Sherry. Of course, Sherry led everyone here because she well knew, this was where Dwight would end up after everything that happened. But while this should have a been a moment of celebration and reflection, it was nothing but sour grapes for D. Who simply wanted to suffer and wanted no part of what June and Sherry were asking. Which was to come back to P.A.D.R.E. and defend it from Troy’s forces. Because he was a good man with good ideals, and also because, everyone would follow him into battle. But of course, a simple no wasn’t enough to chase off Sherry and June, and they kept pressing, that is until disaster struck.

For Dove tried to steal some supplies so she could escape everyone, period. And in doing so, took a bullet from those unsavory fellows. Which brought our heroes back to the Sanctuary, since it was indeed a bastion for good medical supplies and well… that’s when our heroes were really forced to face their past. Because in this place bad memories were amplified for Sherry, and a sense of failure for June hung heavy in the air, and each hero here really leaned into their flaws and their doubts despite the fact that the dead were closing in and ready to collapse the building. But the damage they experienced over the past eight years ran deep and they were indeed lost, until the possibility of seeing an innocent die and seeing their own lives end in sorrow… finally woke them up to the reality of the situation and of their pain.

In that yes, mistakes were made, and stumbles were common for this trio, but they were still heroes. They were still admired, and they were still good people. Who saw a lot of bad days and experienced a lot of hurt. But as the saying goes, no one is gone until they are gone, and they still could shine and still do right, if they really worked at leaving their past behind and worked to heal their traumas and that led… to closure at last for everyone. For they faced the truths and understood what lie ahead. And… it led to Dove’s healing and in the end, Dwight returned with this duo to Texas and truly left the Sanctuary and bad days behind, and it really was time for everyone to do so. Which brought forth a happyish ending for certain.

One that stayed in line with this year’s theme of redemption and if we can find salvation as a species, and that really did make for a satisfying ending to Dwight and Sherry’s pained plight, one that has spanned two shows and years on end. Plus, it was nice to see June heal at last as well. But of course, it wasn’t a perfectly happy ending. Since we did come to learn that while Strand is better, he is still Strand and still believes in going the extra mile for survival, which was why he brought Troy’s daughter into the Madison’s old holding cell. For insurance and of course… to survive. But while we wait to see what repercussions come from this, we can indeed celebrate another story that brought about closure for characters that need it, and truly… it will be interesting to see what other characters will find peace before this storied saga about broken people at the end of everything, comes to a close. Until next time.

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