Fear the Walking Dead season 5, episode 4 hit audiences with a new twist regarding the three children, and finally saw Salazar (Rubén Blades) begin to forgive Strand (Colman Domingo). The episode, titled "Skidmark", shed light on what Salazar has been up to recently, and also touched on the ongoing search for Al (Maggie Grace), who was kidnapped in the season 5 premiere.
While Strand, Sarah (Mo Collins), Wendell (Daryl Mitchell), and Charlie (Alexa Nisenson) attempt to steal Salazar's plane, Morgan (Lennie James) and Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and Luciana (Danay Garcia) try to help one of the three children, but were unaware that they were all being deceived. As it turns out, the three kids are part of a much larger group of children whose parents were killed. Shortly after it's determined that Morgan and Alicia only want to help, they spot a helicopter flying away. The symbol on the helicopter erases any lingering doubts of a connection between what happened to Al and Rick's fate on The Walking Dead.
Meanwhile, Salazar makes friends with Charlie and survives a zombie herd with help from Strand. Salazar and Strand have now made amends, but Strand isn't sticking around. The plane is damaged, and where they go from here is left uncertain. Here's what still needs explaining in the coming episodes of Fear the Walking Dead.
How Did The Children's Parents Die?
In a previous episode, the group found a camp full of zombies. Apparently, these people are the parents of Max, Dylan, Annie, and all the other children. Somehow they were killed, but the children are still alive. So it would appear that the children were either separated from the parents, or were spared the same fates. What happened to the kids and their families may be a story for a later episode of Fear the Walking Dead.
Did The Helicopter Take Al?
There's no mistaking the black helicopter at the end of the episode. It bears the same symbol as the helicopter that took Rick in The Walking Dead. There, it was established the mysterious pilots were after leaders and other important people. This is most likely the same reason why Al was taken. Does this mean Al was in the helicopter, or could it be that she was already taken, and this trip was for someone else entirely?
How Will The Fear The Walking Dead Group Fix The Plane?
The plan to save Al has hit yet another roadblock in Fear the Walking Dead season 5, episode 4. Rescuing Salazar cost them the plane, but as Dylan pointed out to Luciana, there may be another way: fix the plane. It's possible that they'll be able to salvage the necessary parts from the warehouse, but if they do find everything they need, who among them would have the mechanical expertise to pull it off? If Dylan's suggestion becomes their new plan, repairing the plane may take top priority for the near future.
Who Gave Salazar The Cigar?
Before leaving, Salazar told the group they could take anything they wanted other than a cigar, which was given to him by someone whose name was never mentioned. According to Salazar, he's saving it for when things get better. Many believe the scene to be a reference to Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) from The Walking Dead, a military man, Texas native, and cigar-smoker. It does seem possible that Salazar crossed paths with Abraham while he, Rosita, and Eugene were traveling across the country.
Where Did Salazar Go (& Where Has He Been)?
Salazar never said where he was going when he left the warehouse. Instead, he was only able to give everybody else a vague hint by saying that he was alone for a reason, and now he has something important that he has to take care of.
Though this episode of Fear the Walking Dead mostly focused on Salazar, it only dropped a few details on what he's been up to since the dam exploded at the end of season 3. Where did the cat, Skidmark, come from? What unfinished business is Salazar referring to? And who he did "inherit" the warehouse from? A large gap in Salazar's story still needs to be filled.