Fear the Walking Dead’s Worst Good Guy Isn’t Changing Anytime Soon

After a close call, it seems Fear the Walking Dead's infamous grifter experiences a moment of clarity. However, old habits are hard to break.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 16, "The Beginning," which aired Sunday on AMC.

Fear the Walking Dead concludes Season 6 with an explosive finale. After Teddy launches a nuclear missile equipped with ten warheads pre-programmed with unknown locations, the protagonists contemplate their uncertain fate. They expect to die, and the revelation prompts them to look back on their lives and make amends. This is also true of Victor Strand, who reflects on his selfish ways. However, despite a moment of clarity, it seems Fear the Walking Dead's worst good guy knows old habits are hard to break.

Since his Season 1 debut, Strand's earned somewhat of an infamous reputation in Fear the Walking Dead. He's secretive, selfish and quick to throw others under the bus if a better opportunity presents itself. He drags Madison and the group to Mexico to reunite with his lover. When that goes south, he quickly abandons them. Later, he reunites with Daniel at the Gonzalez Dam and plays a large part in its destruction. Nonetheless, Strand remains (mostly) loyal to the main protagonists, especially Alicia. As such, he wiggled his way into many Fear the Walking Dead fans' hearts, despite his tendency to toe the line of good and bad.

In the Season 6 finale, Strand flees after the nuclear missile launches. He crosses paths with Howard, a historian with a love of bourbon and Blind Lemon Jefferson's music. With no other choice but to ride out their final moments together, Howard offers Strand a drink. He asks Strand who he is and what he's doing here. Strand tells him his group was trying to build a future, but the enemies wanted to end it. He explains they were close to stopping them. However, it came down to two men who needed to give their lives so others could live -- and one couldn't do it. The two men in question are Morgan and himself.

While talking in the third person, Strand admits his reasons for not sacrificing himself were self-serving. He wanted to live and take all the glory. Now, he realizes his instincts were selfish, and despite his best efforts to survive, he's probably going to die anyway. Despite this moment of honesty, when Howard asks which man he is, Strand says, "The one who was ready to die," and introduces himself as Morgan Jones. An honest question is met with lies in true Strand fashion.

After surviving the blast, Strand bursts into laughter. When Howard asks why, Strand responds, "Because I'm alive. After everything I did, I'm still here." This prompts him to confess that he isn't Morgan Jones, but the other man, the one who put everyone's life in jeopardy because of his selfishness. He re-introduces himself as Victor Strand, "a man who has thrown men to the wolves when necessary." He admits he cheats, lies and backstabs, all in the name of survival. They are skills he utilized even before the apocalypse when he had nothing and experienced a different type of survival.

Strand seems intent on rebuilding a new future with art, music and good bourbon. The prospect excites him. While it seems Strand's earned a new appreciation for life, it's not entirely clear if his grifter ways are behind him. After all, in his conversations with Howard, he admits that despite every bad thing he's done, he's still here. As such, Strand doesn't really have to face a consequence for his actions.

Fans will have to wait for Fear the Walking Dead Season 7 to see if Strand's brush with death changes his unpredictable ways, but it's doubtful. However, there's the fact Strand introduced himself as Morgan in the first place. While it's easy to brush it off as Strand's attempt to glorify himself yet again, it could also hint that he wishes he was the "better man," like Morgan. Regardless, Morgan promised to deal with Strand for pushing him into a group of walkers at a later date. With that in mind, it could be Morgan who finally brings the hammer of justice down on Strand.

Fear the Walking Dead stars Lennie James, Rubén Blades, Colman Domingo, Danay Garcia, Maggie Grace, Garret Dillahunt, Jenna Elfman, Alexa Nisenson, Karen David, Austin Amelio, Mo Collins, Zoe Colletti and Christine Evangelista. New episodes air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on AMC.