The Fear the Walking Dead season 5 finale has put Morgan (Lennie James) in dire straits, but it would be a mistake for the AMC series to kill off the character. Morgan, who has greatly outlived his comic book counterpart, may be about to meet an untimely end.
In the final episode of Fear the Walking Dead season 5, Morgan and the others came to realize that they had no choice but to give in to the demands of Virginia (Colby Minifie) and the Pioneers, who wanted to split up Morgan’s group and bring them back to their headquarters. Morgan defiantly told Virginia that they would agree to her terms only on the condition that everyone would be saved. Virginia reluctantly accepted, and as soon as everyone else was sent on their way, Virginia double-crossed Morgan and told him that she had no intention of letting him leave alive. After shooting Morgan, Virginia left him for dead. The episodes ended with Morgan being surrounded by zombies but with his fate uncertain.
While Fear the Walking Dead may have a plan to save Morgan in season 6, death is still an option for the character - but not a good one. Since leaving The Walking Dead and joining Fear the Walking Dead for its fourth season as the show’s first crossover character, Morgan has been the narrative driving force for the show. AMC reshaped the series in season 4 when it shook up the cast, killed off Madison (Kim Dickens) and Nick (Frank Dillane), and made Morgan the show’s new main character. His story has come a long way from The Walking Dead season 1, and now he’s finally come to terms with who he is and can move on. Throwing all of that away would be a waste.
Morgan’s values and internal conflicts have contributed much to the plot and to the development of the other characters. Morgan’s effect on the group was evident in the season 4 finale when everyone, including the cynical Jim (Aaron Stanford), pitched in to save Morgan’s life. Morgan’s principles have redefined the series and the direction of its characters by striking a tone of optimism and hope that stands in stark contrast to what the show had been in the past. Who the characters are now is due in large part to Morgan’s actions and influence. For better or worse, Fear the Walking Dead has become Morgan’s story. Killing off a character with that much importance would cost the series a piece of its identity.
Furthermore, the season 5 finale doesn’t feel like it should be the end for Morgan, even if the last twenty minutes of the episode gave Morgan some of his best moments. The ending sets up an exciting new storyline with the main characters split up by Virginia, and who better to unite them again than Morgan? Also, season 5 provided him with the perfect adversary. Virginia is the antithesis to Morgan, as everything he believes in is contrary to her own ideals. It would be disappointing for anyone but Morgan to serve as Virginia’s main opponent in Fear the Walking Dead season 6.
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