Alicia Clark completed her transformation into a badass in Fear The Walking Dead 3×13 “This Land Is Your Land” and she refuses to live in fear anymore.

AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead continues to be a breathtaking hour of television. With the ranch overrun Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Ofelia (Mercedes Mason) and Crazy Dog (Justin Rain) led the survivors into the bunker… only to find out the vent is blocked and they’re running out of air. Alicia has to make the hard call and ask those bitten to come forward, and voluntarily end their lives to try to buy some more time and air. Meanwhile, Ofelia and Crazy Dog get to work on the vent, attempting to go as fast as they can. Thanks to some encouraging words from a fellow rancher, Christine (“They need you because you’re strong. Don’t break on them now”) Alicia is able to carry on and remember some tender, joyful moments of her life before the world ended. One moment that stands out is of her and Nick (Frank Dillane) performing “This Land Is Your Land” badly at a camp talent show.

RELATED | Fear The Walking Dead Roundtable 3×12, “Brother’s Keeper.”

Elsewhere on the ranch, Nick and Troy (Daniel Sharman) make a plan to blow up the fuel reserves to distract the infected away from the bunker. A good plan, that leaves them halfway there stuck in a helicopter, surrounded by some of the horde. Things look bleak for all our favorites. Air has officially run out in the bunker, everyone has passed out, and Alicia is struggling to stay conscious. People start turning inside the bunker. And then finally Crazy Dog and Ofelia get the air back on. Alicia makes a stand against the dead as an explosion goes off in the distance above ground – it’s Madison (Kim Dickens), Walker (Michael Greyeyes), and Strand (Colman Domingo) blowing up the reserves and saving the day. With the ranch lost, they make a plan to move into the dam. Alicia refuses to go with them, saying Madison’s way doesn’t work. Nick follows her with Troy, and our group is split up once again.

We are still trying to process everything that happened in Fear The Walking Dead this week. We have a full deck of stellar panellists, let’s meet them!

Maribel (@Marbs84): TWD fan from San Jose, CA
Sandra (@iamthesandradee): Airport operations, avid FearTWD fan, and all around movie/tv nerd
Sonya (@sonyairyna): TV junkie, writer, TWDFamily, contributor to Undead Walking
Max (@FTWD_Memes): I’m a Paramedic, FearTWD addict and the other half of FearSource
Mallory (@girl754): Admin of @outcastfiends, mod of fan communities, TWD fan since the first episode.
Cameron (@_TWDCam): Self-employed IT consultant, convention goer, comic enthusiast, huge FTWD/TWD fan
Lucía (@FearArgentina): Architecture student, TWD and FearTWD fan since the beginning. Creator and administrator of the FearTWD account in Argentina.

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1. Alicia is definitely not the same woman we met in season one! What was your favorite moment(s) of hers in the episode? What impressed you the most?

Maribel (@Marbs84): This whole episode with Alicia were all my favorites because you see her evolution from a child to a woman. We saw her go through so many emotions. What is impressive about Alicia is how truly smart and observant she is. She was able to calculate how many hours they have until they run out of air. She saw that there were people who were bitten. And in order for Crazy Dog and Ofelia to fix the vent, they will need some of the people inside the pantry to die, but she also knew forcing those people who got bitten to come forward isn’t the way. So she asked nicely, and Blake was the first to come forward. They had morphine so they wouldn’t die in pain, and she was comforting. I really felt for her after the first volunteer she had to kill. We see her break. And Alycia Debnam-Carey was just so amazing in that scene. I really have no idea why and how it took so long for Fear The Walking Dead to showcase her talent, her depth as an actress. But I think my most favorite part is that scene with Christine when she was telling a story about her and Nick as children. Damn great acting by Alycia.

Sandra (@iamthesandradee): Hooboy. I don’t think I can pick just one moment. I was on the edge of my seat the entire hour trying to figure out how Alicia was going to try to save everyone. When it became apparent that not everyone in the pantry was going to make it, it was a downward spiral watching in awe and horror as she continued to do what was necessary for survival even though what she was doing chipped away at her heart and soul. I’ve been rooting for her to become a full-fledged badass for a long time now, but this wasn’t the way I expected it to happen and it was devastating.

Sonya (@sonyairyna): My favorite moment of Alicia’s in this episode was when she was telling Christine the story about the summer camp show and Nick. I thought in that moment we got a lot of insight into her relationship with Nick and what really drives her. But what most impressed me was that even when she was sick and half unconscious from lack of oxygen she managed to fight off walkers effectively. She has a very well-honed survival sense and I don’t think we really saw that in her until this episode.

Max (@FTWD_Memes): My favorite moment is when Alicia almost breaks down and Christine tells her they need her cause she’s strong. Alicia sets aside her feelings and does what she needs. Alicia just proved she can put others ahead of herself, she has what it takes to be a great leader.  As for what impressed me the most is probably Alicia personally “taking care of” the infected inhabitants. That is a huge trauma and responsibility for anyone, especially an 18-year-old girl who just a few months ago was still dreaming about going to college and making plans.

Mallory (@girl754): She gave such a tremendous performance throughout and owned the whole episode. I couldn’t be more impressed with her acting skills. Alycia Debnam-Carey said she got the script the day before shooting! Both her idea and speech about killing the infected showed such bravery and finesse while under extreme emotional distress. Her breakdown after the first kill was such a great scene and her conversation with Christine was so fraught with meaning on so many levels. Of course, I adored her slaying such a huge amount of the infected when she woke up and the ending scene was brilliant.

Cameron (@_TWDCam): Wow, just having a quick think back to the Alicia we saw throughout the first season and for large parts of the second. She has come so far and has developed tremendously well, at first glance most people would’ve doubted her to become a true survivor of this world. Now, we see she has all the capabilities of not just surviving but making those heart-wrenching and life-changing choices in a leader capacity. Alicia had so many incredible moments this episode so picking just one has been a challenge but I’m going to have to go with when she was speaking about how she looked up to Nick more than anyone else when she was nine years old. I loved seeing/hearing some genuinely good and touching backstory of hers. The most impressive aspect for me this episode was the writers finally giving Alycia Debnam-Carey and episode to show off. Having watched her in a couple of movies she has done and most notably on the 100 I have been waiting for this episode of hers. Debnam-Carey’s performance was easily the best we have seen from an actor/actress on this series thus far.

Lucía (@FearArgentina): She has totally become a mature woman, she isn’t the teenager who listens to music to avoid problems anymore. This time she was the voice. She had to make a very difficult decision, deciding who die so that others can survive.  I remember that in the first season she told Chris “You can’t save everyone”. In this episode, she faced many infected alone and risked her life trying to save a woman, who she did not know if she was still alive. So that was my favorite part, until the last moment she was able to give her life for her people. What surprised me most was the strength she had to make quick decisions, which were tragic and involved killing people in her group

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2. Ofelia finally found out that her father is alive! How did you find that reveal? Do you think we’ll get the Salazar reunion next week?

Maribel: I thought the reveal was anti-climactic. I hope we do get a Salazar reunion. That would be really nice. But I have a bad feeling about Ofelia’s fate.

Sandra: Ofelia finally receiving a good piece of news after everything she’s been through was a little ray of sunshine in an otherwise dark hour of storytelling. I think we’ve all been eagerly awaiting a Salazar reunion ever since Daniel reappeared, but I’m not sure we’ll see it next week. Something tells me they’re going to save that reunion until the season finale.

Sonya: That reveal made me tear up a little. When Ofelia looked at Walker and he confirmed for her that Daniel was really alive and her face crumpled up and she started to cry I wanted to cry too. She’s been very stoic throughout this season, which is to be expected after what she’s gone through, but it was touching to see her emotional reaction to finding out Daniel is alive. I really hope we get the Salazar reunion next week. I can’t believe we’ve had to wait the entire season to see them back together! I’m also looking forward to seeing how they will be with each other: will things be awkward because they weren’t in a great place emotionally when Daniel supposedly died? Or will their joy and relief at seeing each other again overcome all that uncertainty and negativity? I can’t wait to find out.

Max: It was such a small scene but so emotional. Ofelia thought she was alone in the world and suddenly she has the chance to see her father again. We better get that reunion next week. I’ve been waiting since season 2 for the Salazars to be reunited.

Mallory: I felt it was great timing for the reveal. Ofelia had just gone through so much and it was the perfect moment for her to get some good news. We’ve all been waiting for the reunion, so I think they’ll make us wait longer and it won’t happen next week.

Cameron: I have been eagerly anticipating the moment when Ofelia either reunites with Daniel or as we saw this episode, learns that he is alive.  I felt the reveal was exactly right my only nit-pick with this moment was that I felt the camera should’ve stayed on Ofelia for longer instead of switch to Madison. That aside, Mercedes Mason did very well in showing the emotion of learning this news. As for next week, I feel the episode may end with them just arriving to the dam and we see Ofelia just catching a glimpse of her father on watch that for me would be a satisfying end and beginning of the reunion to open episode 15.

Lucía: When I knew there might be a long-awaited meeting between Daniel and Ofelia, the first thing I thought about was TWD and the ending between Maggie and Beth. Really, with this type of show I lost my hope on reunions because I feel that there is always a factor that alters everything and doesn’t make it possible. I think if in the next episode we get to see Ofelia and Daniel together, it will be very exciting for all the fans. I think I would cry.

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3. Nick lied to the group about the origins of the horde, covering for Troy. How will that affect their relationship? Do you think the rest of the group will find out the truth?

Maribel: Nick and Troy remind me of the two psychopaths from the movie “Kiss The Girls”. They are two psychopaths who found each other. They are soulmates in a way. This won’t end well. I think Nick will kill Troy when he harms either Alicia or Madison. I don’t know how Madison will react to when she finds out that Nick protected the guy who brought the horde of infected to the ranch where his sister almost died. And I don’t know how Alicia will react if she finds out the truth of how Jake died.

Sandra: Given her state of mind, I think Alicia is going to lose it if she finds out Nick lied, and I wouldn’t rule out a confrontation between the two of them and Troy if the boys catch up to her. As for the rest of the group, Walker would be the one person most affected by discovering the truth. He fought so hard to try to reclaim the land for his people and still wound up losing it thanks to one of the Ottos. I wouldn’t blame him if he ends up beating the hell out of Troy and/or Nick!

Sonya: I’m not sure it really even matters anymore. Everyone knows what Troy is, including Troy himself. Everyone knows he can’t be trusted. In that moment it was expedient for Nick to lie about Troy’s involvement so he did. But I don’t think any of the few remaining survivors have any illusions about Troy being a good guy or a stable one.

Max: Nick did not have to cover for Troy, I think it just cemented their relationship. Troy now knows that Nick will be his accomplice to whatever scheme he comes up with and will do whatever to keep him safe. I think Madison and Alicia already know that Nick is covering for Troy. There is no way both of them missed those glances Nick was giving Troy.

Mallory: It really solidified their already strong bond. It was such a major mistake on Nick’s part. Troy was acting like a teenager on a joy ride in a stolen car when the purpose was to save everyone. I really don’t think he cared about the “saving” part. He’s clearly as crazy as ever and the look in his eyes reflected it. Yes, I think the group might find out. One of them could confess to either Alicia or Madison in a weak moment. Both Nick and Troy have a very co-dependent relationship with Madison, so I do see her as the more likely one. Obviously, they’ll probably see Alicia first though.

Cameron: Nick lying about Troy and the horde was one of those moments I expected and could see coming from a mile off. In terms of how this affects their relationship I genuinely don’t know, the relationship is very volatile but with a clear bond between the two. Troy and Nicks dynamic this season has been very engaging and one of the strong points. As always the rest of the group will find out, however, I don’t think this will be until season 4 perhaps when Alicia (if she does) return to the group.

Lucía: I think Nick helps Troy because he somehow feels identified with him. Both are lost boys who went through many things in their life. They are two madmen who lost their fear of dying, their relationship passed from hate to being like brothers. Nick tries to point out to Troy everything he did but then covers him, I’m really not understanding Nick right now. I’m sure Alicia did not believe any word of Troy.

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4. This episode got deep and dark at times. What moment moved you the most, and why?

Maribel: When Alicia and Christine were talking and Alicia was recalling the time when they were kids and how Nick got up on stage to save her from humiliation because Alicia forgot the words to “This Land Is Your Land” and close they once were. And that she looked up to Nick even more than she looked up to her father. And in Christine, it seems she found a mother than she doesn’t find in Madison. Christine believed in her and encouraged her. She also comforted her and made her feel that she did what she had to do in order for the rest of them to survive. And despite all the people she had to kill, when Alicia saw Christine lying there dead, she couldn’t leave her there for the infected to feast on her. She is tough, smart, a bad ass, but she also still has feelings.

Sandra: The moment Alicia breaks after euthanizing the first person in the pantry moved me the most. She’s held it together through tragedy after tragedy not only during the series but before as well, always the pillar of strength in an incredibly dysfunctional family. Seeing her breakdown was heart-wrenching, especially after that admission earlier this season that she was tired of always having to be the strong one.

Sonya: I think in this episode the most moving moment for me was when the ranchers who have accepted the inevitability of their fate and volunteered to be put down to save air for the others. The ranchers, in general, have not been the bravest or most community-oriented people, so for them to willingly give up the little remaining life they had to save others was a big deal. And of course, Alicia being the one to give the drugs and keep them from turning. Even in such a volatile and emotional situation, she had the strength of will to do what it took to keep the unbitten alive. It showed that she really is her mother’s daughter in some ways. But she was able to hang onto her humanity when it’s questionable if Madison has been able to do that.

Max: Crazy Dog “losing it in the vent” and mentioning how his PTSD affected him and his family. I think Ofelia understands what Crazy Dog is going through because she has witnessed her father live with what he has done in the past. Very short scene but very emotionally charged.

Mallory: I found the entire episode extraordinarily meaningful and it’s my favorite of the season. I was moved the most by the scene between Alicia and Christine. I loved when Christine said to Alicia, “They need you because you’re strong. Don’t break on them now.” Their subsequent conversation covered a lot of ground and was so layered emotionally. I loved the dialogue in that whole scene and the way they bantered back and forth to Alicia’s story about Nick where she revealed a lot about their relationship. I was very moved by Christine’s story of her husband dying in the First Tower and the rest of her back story. That struck me in the soul since I’m from NYC. It was a very unexpected moment. I don’t recall any actual events being discussed before and Crazy Dog’s backstory in Iraq was brought in as well.

Cameron: Moving indeed, Ofelia learning about her father being alive moved me but the most moving/engaging was Alicia having to put down the bitten survivors. The initial kill and just after when she ran out was exceptional, as mentioned before Alycia Debnam-Carey was remarkable. Then one of the final scenes where we see Alicia moving through all the dead corpses (superb camera work there by the way!) and then putting down Christine.

Lucía: Making the decision to kill your people to make others stay alive was the most shocking in this episode. I think the moment when Alicia killed Blake was very deep.

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5. Do you think Alicia made the right decision in breaking off from the group to go it alone for a while? How long can she last by herself?

Maribel: I think Alicia needs time to be with herself. She lost Travis earlier in the season, then had to kill so many people in the pantry, then found out Jake is dead. It’s too much for her. Was it the right decision? Maybe not. But it was a decision she had to make. She doesn’t trust her mother. Every decision her mother has made has been the wrong one. When she told Madison she needs to save herself, that is very telling of exactly what she thinks and how she feels about Madison. And that to her, if it comes down to Madison saving or choosing between her and Nick, Madison will choose Nick. The only thing I am worried about Alicia going on her own is that she might end up like Ofelia and Luciana, the two we barely saw this season. And if they did that in Season 4 that would be a tragic mistake for this show.

Sandra: Absolutely. Remember that scene in The Lion King where Mufasa shows Simba their kingdom and that everything the light touches belongs to them? I imagine that to be Madison and her kids, but with a much darker twist. Everywhere the Clarks go, they bring about death and destruction. I understand and can sympathize with Madison wanting to protect her family, but Alicia is right: every time they’ve done things her way, it has always gone to hell. I’m curious to see what Alicia will be like apart from Madison. We already had a glimpse of Nick becoming a leader when he was on his own at the colonia.

Sonya: I understand her need to be alone to process the horror of the events she just went through. But I don’t think she should have gone off alone. In that world people are safer together. She’s not making the best choices right now because of what she just went through. And I find it odd that Madison is willing to do anything to protect her family, but she let Nick go off on his own in Mexico and now she’s letting Alicia go off her own and letting Nick and Troy follow her. It seems like a strange choice to me for her to just let them go. That being said, Alicia is very capable and I think she will be fine on her own.

Max: I’m positive she made the right decision in leaving. Alicia needs some time to go through the motions of what she just survived and all she lost. Madison and Nick would not provide much emotional support it’s probably better for her to be on her own. Alicia is a smart girl, I think she can survive on her own as long as she wants to.

Mallory: She’s clearly grown into such a strong and independent woman. I respected her reasoning for going it alone and that was such a great scene between her and Madison. I loved when said, “I’m not in shock. I’m seeing things more clearly than I ever have. Your way doesn’t work. It won’t ever work. I need to find a way to live for myself and I can’t do that running in fear. I can’t do that with any of you.” I think she needs time to herself to heal from Jake’s loss and the emotions brought up from killing all those infected. Alicia will take comfort in being where he wanted them both to be. I feel she can last quite long if she chooses to. Jake knew the land well and wouldn’t steer her to an unsafe spot.

Cameron: Alicia breaking up from the group I must confess surprised me, I wasn’t expecting that at all especially now. As a fan of the actress, it does make me happy as hopefully, we shall get at least one more Alicia centric episode. I do think this is a decision that hasn’t truly been thought through as Alicia has just done some heart-breaking things and is suffering from those. Can she last alone by herself? Absolutely, we have seen enough of her to not be worried of her struggling to survive alone.

Lucía: Yes, she made the right decision. She needs change and to overcome everything that she experienced in this episode, mainly the deaths that she has on her hands. She doesn’t believe anymore that the idea of finding a place and killing people to make it safe will work. There are no safe places in the apocalypse. Once she knew that Jake had died, I think she needed to go to that place to know what would have happened if they had escaped. Once she discovers the possibilities that they have and surpasses everything lived, she will return to the group.

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6. Broke Jaw Ranch has fallen. How do you think Lola and Daniel will react to Madison and co. moving into the dam, unannounced?

Maribel: Well they are not going to be happy. But then again, Nick and Troy are out there watching Alicia. We won’t know Lola’s reaction until we see them all at the dam. But the dam won’t last too long either. Something will happen there too.

Sandra: Madison & Co. are not going to be the most welcome of house guests. They lost their bargaining chips when they lost the ranch. Lola is going to pull the welcome mat but Madison is going to grab on with both hands and not let go upon their arrival.

Sonya: I think Lola will be upset that they don’t have the guns and ammo that she agreed to trade water for, unless they are able to snag some remaining guns and ammo from the ranch and bring them with them. I think that she will be suspicious of the newcomers and Daniel is definitely not going to be too happy about Strand becoming a permanent resident at the dam. But I think he will be glad to have Ofelia close by.

Max: I think Lola will let them stay because she is way too compassionate to force them to leave for not holding their end of the bargain. As for Daniel, Madison and Strand better hope that Ofelia makes it to the dam safely.

Mallory: I think something truly terrible is about to take place at the dam, so it depends on when that happens. Even if they’re not pleased initially, they will be thrilled to have their help when they need saving.

Cameron: Moving into the dam is going to propel a very interesting end to this season, I feel as though Lola will not be impressed at all. Daniel will, of course, be delighted with the return of his Daughter, his relationship and trust with Madison will certainly help their course. A line Daniel said to Strand two episodes ago springs to mind about if Strand can do something to help Daniels course, he will turn a blind eye to it. This has to be a hint of foreshadowing and eventually, I do feel as though Daniel will either move on with the group from the dam or help to take over.

Lucía: I’m ready for a “Hulk” reaction by Daniel and maybe it will be the first time we will see Lola really angry. Possibly will be the next villain for the group. They need a safe place and Lola will feel cheated.

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7. Episode 3×13 was named after the famous Woody Guthrie song. What do you make of the title “This Land Is Your Land”, given what happened this week?

Maribel: It just means this land does not belong to anybody. And that no land is really a home.

Sandra: I thought the episode title was an interesting choice. It’s historically been sung in peaceful protest if I’m not mistaken. If you grew up in the American education system, there’s a good chance you were a part of a recital singing that song up on stage somewhere just like Alicia mentioned in her story.

Sonya: I think that given the fighting that was going on between The Nation and the ranchers over ownership of the land the title, and this week’s episode, were a reminder that in that post-apocalypse world those old divisions, old prejudices, and old feuds are no longer relevant. When the dead invade they don’t care who owns the land they’re taking it over. And there’s no way to fight them off when they come in a herd like that. It really underscores the primary thing that people have to accept in that world: working together is the only way to survive.

Max: I loved the title, the song had a hidden meaning to Alicia. It’s a reminder to her of how close she used to be with Nick and how she has always been in his shadow. I loved that the song played at the end as Alicia is starting a new chapter in her life.

Mallory: It was a perfect song choice and title which resounded on many levels. Alicia used it to explain her relationship with Nick as well as her Father. As she said, “We were close when we were kids. Then, it changed. I really looked up to him when I was young more than anyone, more than my Dad even.” It’s really appropriate to describe the end of Broke Jaw Ranch and the move to the dam. Additionally, Alicia too will have a new land of her own now too. Her decision was inspired by her conversation with Christine when she mentioned the song. Christine acted as somewhat of a surrogate Mother to her and it brought the whole episode full circle at the end.

Cameron: After hearing the song several times before this episode and of course at the end, I feel as though it was the perfect fit to the events during the episode. Despite the dead ‘ruling’ the world the land isn’t theirs, it is there for the survivors to prosper and rebuild civilisation is what I took from the meaning of it during the episode.

Lucía: The song that Alicia could not sing on stage, when she was a little girl, was the song that kept her awake and kept her alive.

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Final Verdict: Alicia is going to rule the world in Fear The Walking Dead one day, and we’re here for it.

We thought last week’s episode, “Brother’s Keeper” was the best of the series. Well, we were wrong – this was the best one. Holy moly. We said we wanted the training wheels to come off in one of our previous roundtables and, boy, did the Fear writers deliver. The strength of this show rests upon the shoulders of Alicia, Nick, Ofelia, Troy, and Crazy Dog. They have done more to move the story further in interesting and unique ways than anyone else this season. This was also another episode with great use of music. The title “This Land Is Your Land” obviously comes from the classic Woody Guthrie song, and not only does it provide a touching story of the Clarks’ youth but it takes on multiple meanings when you looking at this phrase, and song, through the lens of the show. The land was never the Otto’s, it really belonged to the Black Hat Reservation. If Troy couldn’t have the ranch, he was going to destroy it so no one could. And in the end, the land doesn’t belong to the living anymore, it belongs to the dead.

Once again we have to give it up for Alycia Debnam-Carey’s Alicia Clark – this episode belonged to her. Stuck in a situation that no one wanted to be in, she made the difficult calls and did what needed to be done when no one else would. She kept her humanity throughout the episode. Her end of the episode showdown against the infected was breathtakingly beautiful in its’ choreography. Alycia’s acting was top-notch, and we could really feel everything she was feeling in the moment – all the sorrow, the brief moments of joy, the reluctant heroism, and her heartbreak. Oh man, her heartbreak! When she found out Jake was dead that just broke us even more. She’s so much stronger than she has ever been, and we think she’ll be okay no matter what happens to her now. A day like the one she just had changes you, and it will make her better equipped for this world. We can’t wait to see Alicia continue to thrive.

Fear The Walking Dead returns next Sunday, October 8th at 9/8c on AMC.