‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Recap: ‘The Key’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 604 of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
​
Thus far, season six of Fear the Walking Dead, has taken the time to explore some truly fascinating concepts in regard to the human condition. For not only has it dug deep into how hopeless individuals find hope in a desperate situation, it’s also gone so far as to explore whether or not decent men can remain just that during an indecent time and that has led to some powerful examinations for certain. The kind that have left us pondering where some of our favorite characters from this franchise are going to end up emotionally and mentally when their struggle against Ginny has come to an end. Since they are making some difficult and challenging choices for certain, the kind that won’t be easy to shake off or justify in the slightest. 
​
But while it has been lovely to see the characters in those stories have their morals and what they stand for challenged to some degree, there has been some level of familiarity to their respective plights. After all, Dwight and Al have been pushed to the brink before and of course, both Morgan and Victor Strand have lived comfortably within the gray area of life from time to time. Which to a certain extent, makes it seem as though the overall story is simply pushing these characters harder, rather than outright challenging their fundamentals on a level we’ve never seen before. But as it turns out, going the easier route in pushing some of the characters was all part of a grand plan. One that was designed to ease us into some far darker and heavier explorations, as evidenced by last night’s episode.

For ‘The Key’ is a story that was intent on pondering upon how good men lose their way, and how hard it is for someone that is pure to find their way back to the light when they’ve surrendered their morals for all the wrong reasons. And it accomplished this particular exploration, by putting John Dorie through that journey. For when we catch up with gentle John in this story… he’s truly immersed himself that the grand lie that Ginny is selling. Because not only has he embraced his role as a ranger/constable of Lawton, he’s beginning to preach that Virginia’s ideals might not be so bad after all. Quickly making it clear that sometimes, when a good person has spent a long time fighting for what’s right and has seen some losses along the way, they’re willing to make some moral compromises in the name of safety and security.

But it doesn’t take long for old John Dorie to make an appearance in this tale. For once another ranger dies in what appears to be an accident, his training and his morals bubble to the surface, and he quickly uncovers the fact that he’s stumbled onto a murder case. One that is quickly solved in an outright suspicious manner and that’s where the grand conflict begins for John. Because all signs begin to point to Ginny’s involvement in this murder, and John is eager to solve this case and bring the culprit to light, regardless of whether or not it’s the leader of this tiny little berg, since it is the right thing to do. But the constant attempts to pull him off of this case, by both Virginia and Strand to a lesser extent, begin to frustrate John in a manner we’ve never seen before. 

---

Mainly because he feels complicit in regard to what's happening in Lawton. For hiding behind three squares and a bed has allowed for Ginny to tighten her grip on Lawton and perform horrible acts. Plus, playing along and being complacent has also enabled her to manipulate John to her liking so she can continue to do whatever she wants. But he is also frustrated, because… one cannot hide from their true self forever. For his moral core kicks into overdrive when he realizes that he could be doing more, and that motivates John to push himself harder to try and set things right in both Lawton and within his own soul, a decision that makes it seem as though he is headed for ruin in the name of the greater good. Something he is comfortable with, simply because perhaps his sacrifice will serve as a grand penance for enabling evil. 

But alas, in the end, John is unable to make things right in the manner he desires, and he is even hailed as a hero by Ginny once this mess comes to a close, to the point where he is rewarded for his inaction. Since June is transferred to Lawton and allowed to move in with her love. All as part of an attempt to placate his morals further, and in essence, John views the return of June as punishment for certain. Because he didn’t earn her return into his life. He was handed it as thanks for letting Ginny do whatever she wants, and now he has to live with the fact that an innocent person was allowed to die on his watch and that he’s given into all the lies that Ginny is selling, and that is a brutal punishment indeed, and his journey made for one bleak and powerful story when all is said and done. 

Simply because normally, morality tales in this vein end with the hero triumphant, not lamenting their journey. But this tale once again speaks volumes to how life never quite works in the black and white manner we think it does and how sometimes, it really is easy to lose ourselves in creature comforts when we know we should be fighting harder for something personal or professional or greater in general. If anything, this story sets the stage for John Dorie’s potential redemption down the line since clearly, he is carrying a great deal of guilt over what happened here, and hopefully he gets said redemption. Because he is a good man that allowed for himself to disappear into the ether for a bit and perhaps that is the best lesson of all in this tale, in that… if such a thing can happen to a straight arrow like John Dorie, it can happen to any of us if we aren't vigilant.

In the end however, this was simply another fascinating episode, one that continues to demonstrate that season six is going to offer up some supremely unique storytelling for certain. Because back and forth morality tales and moments of weakness are elements you just don’t see in zombie themed storytelling, and it is making for some refreshing and ponderous tales. The kind that stay with you for a while. Which is making season six one incredible journey, one that is also building to something special for the characters and the overall plot as well, as evidenced by the closing moments of this tale. Since Morgan ran into those mysterious dudes we met in the premiere, the ones that love to preach ‘the end is the beginning’ and it should be quite interesting to learn the significance of the key that Morgan has around his neck and how these dudes will tie into these morality tales as season six continues to unfold. Until next time.

---