Ep 9. Los Muertos

As the second season of Fear The Walking Dead continues, the ninth episode titled "Los Muertos" begins with Nick (Frank Dillane) wandering around a deserted Los Angeles after his departure from the group at the end of episode four. He seems to have found a way to navigate the post-apocalyptic world by openly using the zombie blood camouflage tactic he learned from his interactions with drug addicts in his past life. As he travels further away from Los Angeles, he comes across a community that appears to be unaffected by the zombie apocalypse.

The community Nick has stumbled upon is comprised of a hotel complex, where he finds a sense of peace and belonging. Meanwhile, back in the Abigail, Madison (Kim Dickens), Strand (Colman Domingo), Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Ofelia (Mercedes Mason), and Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie) are attempting to survive without Travis, whose whereabouts are unknown.

The episode shifts between the two groups, revealing the differences between them. The hotel community seems secure and abundant while the Abigail community is constantly under threat, running out of supplies, and divided. Madison is struggling to take charge, with Strand taking on a suspicious tone towards her leadership and urging her to make some difficult decisions to ensure their survival. Alicia is also feeling unmoored and uncertain about her place in the group now that her mother is in charge. Chris, still grappling with the loss of his mother, has made some difficult decisions that worry the group and puts himself at great risk.

Meanwhile, Nick wanders into the community of strangers and takes notice of many perplexing aspects of their society. The hotel is operating as if the apocalypse never happened, with people lounging in chairs, sunbathing, drinking, and having parties. They are not attacked by walkers, except for a few that flock to the pool area, which the community has cleverly drained. Nick discovers some secrets behind the façade, causing him to question the safety of the community. He sees some of the inhabitants struggling with maintaining their humanity, with one resident attempting to hoard and control the opiates that the hotel doctor is providing.

Nick also encounters a fascinating character named Luciana (Danay Garcia), who is a leader of an assigned patrol group in the community. Nick shows interest in the group, and Luciana tests him by taking him on a task to retrieve supplies from a supermarket. However, the task doesn't go as planned as they are forced to deal with a massive herd of walkers that have been drawn to the area. Nick and Luciana create an alliance as they figure out how to escape from the danger.

The episode "Los Muertos" is more of a character study than an action-packed episode. The episode delves deeper into character relationships and reveals more about the inhabitants of the hotel and their motivations. The episode ends on an uncertain note, with Nick discovering a new danger that threatens the hotel community, while the survivors on the Abigail boat still struggle to maintain unity and survive in the harsh reality of the apocalypse.