BWW Recap: Bullet the Cobalt Blue Sky on FEAR THE WALKING DEAD

In the penultimate episode of the season, we are finally made aware of the Military's end game for the quarantined community. We've already lost one of our main characters this evening, will the rest be able to escape Operation Cobalt?

We are introduced to a new character portrayed by the velvet-voiced actor, Colman Domingo. Through Google, I learned his character name is "Strand," but I'd like to think of him as Don Cornelius. He uses his sweet talking to basically make our friendly, weeping Doug even more fragile causing the prison guards to take him away to "the basement." However, his next victim/partner is Nick. Instead of weakening him, he winds up negotiating with the guards to keep him as he would like Nick to owe him. Not much more was offered, but I can see that this will be a valuable plotline and/or character down the road. In the meantime, could he narrate my every day?

Back at home, Ophelia throws a fit at the fence causing the guards to try and apprehend her. New boyfriend, Adams, stands up for her and escorts her home. Too bad for him that it was a rouse for capture so Salazar could torture the poor soldier into admitting some things he'd like to know. Ophelia wasn't all that comfortable with it, but hey, these are the dangers of young love in these circumstances.

Travis, also wanting some answers, goes to resident d-bag, Moyers, for some help. Moyers agrees to take he and a bunch of soldiers to the place where Griselda and Nick are being held. Along the way, he dares Travis to try and shoot a walker, of which Travis cannot. They are detoured to what looks like a government building to assist another platoon full of soldiers. Travis stays in the truck, but the soldiers return and inform him that Moyers was lost and they are returning him home. Upon his arriva back homel, he discovers Salazar and Adams who reveals to them that Code Cobalt is the evacuation code they will be using in the morning. However, it is only the military that will be leaving. They will "humanely terminate" the civilians.

Chris and Alicia spend some bonding time breaking into rich people's houses and trashing them. Was there a little chemistry there? Are they of an appropriate age for some chemistry? Is it gross? I can't decide. Nobody seems all too concerned with their whereabouts, but then they were busy cutting into Adams... literally.

Liza is on the inside and seeing first hand what this virus is doing to people and she (like us) still can't figure out if Dr. Exner can be trusted. Our dear, sweet Griselda, finally succumbs to her injuries after her foot is amputated. (#ripgriselda) Liza is forced to shoot her through the head immediately after her passing to prevent her from reanimating as Exner explains that traumatic brain injury is the only way to stop it.

So, there is a lot to unpack here. Obviously, the episode was a big setup for next week's all-too-soon season finale as our group will try and outlive the scheduled termination. Was Moyers really killed in that invasion? Perhaps by his own troops? Without his authority, do these sleep-deprived soldiers who aren't all that interested in these methods have the wherewithal to go through with Cobalt?

Where is Liza's head in all this? Is she still just processing? Did she sincerely not understand what Griselda was ranting about as she died or was she just not telling Exner?

This was a light Nick episode which is maybe why I enjoyed it so much. And maybe having "Strand" boss him around will straighten him up a bit and make him more likable? He's got nothing to lose at this point, so why not?

And finally, Salazar was able to prove to Travis once and for all that the military presence wasn't there to help them. What will Travis do with that information? Will he be able to put aside his preconceived notions and stand with Salazar? Does he have a choice? I mean, if he wants his family to survive, it wouldn't seem so. And if they are able to escape, will Liza be able to find them again? Also, if that arena happens to bust open, is there any hope for them at all? I am sure many of these questions will not, in fact, be answered next week. If anything, I will assume there will be many, many more.

Here's a preview for next week's season finale:

Photo Credit: AMC

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