Summary
Fear the Walking Dead strongly hints that Troy may have killed Alicia, as he is in possession of her fake arm and was tracking the main characters.
Troy potentially holds a personal vendetta against Charlie, which might have driven him to retaliate for his friend Nick's demise by taking her life.
Should Troy be responsible for Alicia and Charlie's deaths, he would emerge as the paramount antagonist in Fear the Walking Dead, intensifying the suspense and elevating the stakes in the series' remaining six episodes.
Potentially, both major characters in Fear the Walking Dead may have met their demise at the hands of the final villain. A hint about the next obstacle faced by the main characters suggested that the villain may have actually killed a missing hero from FTWD. Interestingly, certain details indicate that a second character from the spinoff series may have also fallen victim to this villain's plan.
It has been confirmed that Daniel Sharman will be reprising his role as Troy Otto in the second half of Fear the Walking Dead season 8. In season 3, Troy was struck by Madison with a hammer (twice) and was believed to be dead for several years. However, in the midseason finale of season 8, a mystery character was shown listening to Madison's message on the radio. This character's true identity became clear with the presence of a hammer identical to the one that supposedly killed Troy in season 3. AMC is no longer keeping Troy's return to Fear the Walking Dead a secret. It appears that his main focus will be seeking revenge against Madison. And if a new theory is correct, it seems like he is already succeeding in his vengeance.
Fear The Walking Dead Strongly Hints That Troy Killed Alicia
The setup of Troy's return in Fear the Walking Dead reveals a troubling clue about Alicia's current situation. Troy somehow possesses her prosthetic arm, which raises the possibility of a mother-daughter reunion between Madison and Alicia despite Alycia Debnam-Carey's departure. However, this remains uncertain as the actress's comeback has not been confirmed, potentially indicating a darker explanation. If Troy has her fake arm, it suggests that he overcame Alicia in their encounter during his journey.
A map depicted in the background of Troy's scene in Season 8 illustrates his path from Mexico to Texas, indicating that he has been tracking the main characters. Therefore, it is plausible that he encountered Alicia since she remained behind and might have crossed paths with him first. The mere fact that he possesses her arm as a trophy implies that he emerged victorious from their confrontation.
Although Troy and Alicia did appear together on screen, they had no personal conflict that could justify their violent confrontation. Therefore, the most plausible explanation for Troy's decision to target Madison would be seeking revenge. Considering how Madison betrayed him and left him for dead in the dam in Mexico, it would be a logical conclusion for Troy to kill Alicia in order to inflict pain on Madison. Alicia's death would be Madison's worst nightmare, making it the most effective way for Troy to seek his revenge from his perspective.
Why Troy May Want Revenge Against Charlie As Well
Madison, the central figure in Fear the Walking Dead, is not the sole target of Troy's plan. Though they have never crossed paths, Troy harbors a grudge against Charlie as well. If Troy were to uncover Charlie's involvement in Nick's death during his pursuit of the group, it is likely he would seek revenge for his friend. While Troy may despise Madison now, it is important to note that he bears no animosity towards Nick. Throughout season 3, Nick consistently stood up for Troy, forging a strong bond that surpassed even Troy's relationship with his own brother, Jake.
Charlie Is Probably Dead In Fear The Walking Dead
Despite his flaws, Troy was a character with an unwavering sense of loyalty. He was willing to go to extreme lengths to eliminate those who betrayed him, but at the same time, he would risk his own life to assist those he considered friends, particularly Nick. Given that Nick was the sole person who stood by Troy through thick and thin, it's not difficult to envision Troy taking the life of Charlie if he discovered her true actions. Considering his ruthless nature, Troy likely wouldn't be affected by Charlie's vulnerability and youth.
Adding more weight to the belief that Troy was responsible for Charlie's demise is the fact that it is highly unlikely she is still alive. At the end of season 7, Charlie was already battling radiation sickness, and it has been seven years since she was last seen. Despite this, the show has chosen not to disclose her fate, perhaps to conceal the true cause of her death. It may be easy to assume that she succumbed to her illness, making it all the more shocking if Fear the Walking Dead ultimately reveals that Troy was the one who ended her life while searching for Madison's group.
Troy Killing Alicia & Charlie Would Make Him Fear The Walking Dead’s Ultimate Villain
It is important to note that since her initial prognosis indicated Charlie's impending death, Fear the Walking Dead cannot truly justify her continued presence. As a result, it is inevitable that the other characters will eventually discover Charlie's demise; the only question remains on how she met her end. While radiation sickness may seem like the obvious cause, Troy being responsible aligns more seamlessly with the narrative that Fear the Walking Dead appears to be constructing.
As Fear the Walking Dead approaches its final chapter, finding the ultimate adversary for the remaining main characters becomes crucial. With Morgan Jones out of the picture, Madison poised to be the new hero, and Troy's established connections to the older seasons, he is the ideal choice to fill the role of the show's final villain. The uncertainty surrounding Alicia and Charlie's fate further enhances Troy's potential as an even more formidable antagonist.
The fact that Troy has killed two crucial characters in Fear the Walking Dead highlights his true level of danger. Such significant reveals would underscore his threat and intensify the stakes in the show's final six episodes. This would demonstrate that no one, including fan-favorite Alicia or a dying child, is safe from Troy's wrath. If the series is willing to let these characters die at Troy's hands, it raises concerns for the safety of all Fear the Walking Dead characters, including Madison.