This article contains spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead season 8, part 2.
Although Fear the Walking Dead was on a questionable path going into season 8, part 2, the series has shown promise in just the first episode by fixing its villain problem via Troy’s return. The Walking Dead prequel Fear the Walking Dead has just begun airing its final episodes in the form of season 8, part 2. The newest episode, entitled “Anton,” featured a number of shocking character returns but none as shocking as Troy Otto, who is determined to glean the location of PADRE, and may have committed a terrifying murder.
It should be no surprise that Troy’s return to Fear the Walking Dead is completely wrapped up with another long-running character, Madison. In Fear the Walking Dead season 8, episode 7, Madison comes face-to-face with Troy after getting captured by him and his group, along with Fear the Walking Dead’s Victor Strand, another returned character that is weirdly calling himself Anton. Although Madison believed she had killed Troy in season 3, apparently the cold-blooded killer lived, and worse, he is claiming to have killed Madison’s daughter Alicia, showing off her severed arm as proof. Overall, Troy’s return is unexpected but far from unwanted at this point in the series.
Troy Improves Upon Fear The Walking Dead Season 8’s Weak Villains
The biggest benefit of Troy’s return to Fear the Walking Dead is that he fixes season 8’s bad villain problem. In the first half of the season, Fear the Walking Dead’s characters were heavily occupied with finding PADRE, a mysterious location that was said to have everything needed to restart society after the apocalypse. Various hints made it seem that this organization would not only be powerful, but could also be hiding integral information, such as how the apocalypse started in the first place. But unfortunately, PADRE was finally revealed to have much less strength and far fewer answers than that, making it something of a disappointment.
Because PADRE had such an underwhelming reveal, Troy’s return in the middle of season 8 is a great pivot for Fear the Walking Dead. Although PADRE is clearly still playing a role in the series, there is now a solid villainous individual that the characters can focus their attentions on, and no one has any doubts that Troy is dangerous. In some ways, he is far more dangerous than PADRE, and also, has deep connections to Madison that make him even more volatile. Overall, the problems that PADRE created can easily be wrapped up by Troy’s return.
Why Troy Is Fear The Walking Dead’s Perfect Final Villain
In actuality, Troy is Fear the Walking Dead’s ideal choice for a final villain. He brings up the energy that PADRE left hanging, but he also offers an incredible element of surprise and a scary sort of nostalgia. Prior to season 8, episode 7, Troy was presumed to be dead for five whole seasons, making his return as unexpected as it gets. Also, Troy’s previous storyline in season 3 gives audiences a strange sense of nostalgia. Despite being a villain, it is fun for viewers to see Troy again, especially because they already know what he is capable of. Unlike an entirely new villain, Troy already has a reputation.
Another significant and positive aspect of Troy’s return is what it means for Madison. In some ways, Madison is returning to Fear the Walking Dead just as much as Troy is, and so, to bring them back around the same time is very meaningful. It offers a sense of unfinished business, and brings back a storyline that is ensured to be good. Troy may be the overarching anatagonist of Fear the Walking Dead season 8, but his villainy is really set aside for Madison. In the end, their connection is sure to lead to a blow out of epic proportions.
Fear The Walking Dead Can Make Troy Its Greatest Villain Yet
Ultimately, Fear the Walking Dead can make Troy its best villain. With the episodes it has left, the series can confirm Troy’s place as a villain, but also, make his return mean something. A cruel villain is always exciting to watch, but the best antagonists are those with many layers. Already, Troy’s relationship with Madison hints at these layers, but the final season can go further. If Fear the Walking Dead leans into the aspects of Troy that made him enjoyable in season 3, and then elevate him into new heights in season 8, he could certainly go down as the best villain Fear the Walking Dead has ever seen.
