This review may contain spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead Season 8, Episode 2.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 8, Episode 2 might just go down as one of the most shocking episodes the show has produced so far, as it contains some moments that will genuinely stun many viewers, regardless of how much they can handle. This episode features Jenna Elfman as June Dorie, Austin Amelio as Dwight, Christine Evangelista as Sherry, new joiner Gavin Warren as Finch, Maya Eshet as PADRE’s Shrike, with Lennie James and Kim Dickens as Morgan Jones and Madison Clark.
Related: Fear the Walking Dead Season 8, Episode 2 Full Spoiler Recap
The pacing of this episode is almost perfect, besides from a couple of moments that do seem a little rushed at first, such as huge reveals that may have been more shocking down the line but just don’t quite pack the punch that they may have intended to, mostly due to their speedy delivery. However, the performances compensate for the inconsistent pacing of the final season’s second episode, as Elfman, Amelio, and Evangelista manage to pull you in and invest you into their characters’ lives.
Some moments, as mentioned, don’t come across as too surprising, with some feeling a bit recycled when compared to the first episode of this season, however, the less shocking reveals don’t take up too much time, so it’s safe to assume that the team behind this episode knew this. New joiner Warren who plays Finch, aka Dwight and Sherry’s child, is the prominent key point of this episode, with the majority of the plot focusing on him needing surgery, which is sold well by Warren’s performance. One thing this show never ceases to fail on is its casting, even in the younger members of the cast, performance can be everything for some episodes, and Season 8 is no exception, with all performances so far being done well to a point that truly captivates you, immersing you into their world.
For this just being the second episode, its final moments contain one of the most shocking scenes that the entire show has potentially shown yet, it’s at least up there in the top 10 most shocking moments for sure. This is an element that defines any story set in the universe of The Walking Dead, and when done well, creates stories that viewers will remember for years to come.
To conclude, the final season’s second episode of Fear the Walking Dead starts off with a calm-ish and slow pace that makes you feel comfortable before throwing you into anxiety city by the end, the performances are captivating, with the plot being interesting enough to want more, and the surprises are so shocking that you will be jumping to the edge of your seat.
Four out of Five Stars.
You can watch Fear the Walking Dead Season 8, Episode 2 on AMC and AMC+
