How Fear The Walking Dead’s Butterflies Predict Strand’s Downfall

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The Tower's butterfly collection isn't just for decorative purposes - the winged insects foreshadow Victor Strand's downfall in Fear The Walking Dead season 7. Guest-starring Ashton Arbab as Ali, Fear The Walking Dead's «Mourning Cloak» opens on a shelf of jarred butterflies inside Victor Strand's infamous Tower settlement. Strand is apparently very particular about this butterfly arrangement, and Ali is charged with finding the next addition — a rare Mourning Cloak. It's a mission that leads Ali directly to Fear The Walking Dead's Charlie, who points out the cruelty of capturing such beautiful creatures. To cheer his new girlfriend up after she contracts radiation poisoning, Ali rebelliously frees Victor's insect collection, delighting Charlie with a surprise butterfly party.

The symbolism behind Fear The Walking Dead's butterflies in relation to Victor Strand and the The Tower is clear. Strand is obsessed with trapping these beautiful bugs, whereas Charlie believes they should be allowed to roam. It's a metaphor for how Strand rules The Tower with an iron fist — keeping folks leashed to satisfy his own sense of self-importance. The butterflies represent The Tower's human population, yearning for freedom from their jar-wielding master in the pointy hat.

Related: Fear TWD Reveals The Villain Story Walking Dead Has Never Done

But Fear The Walking Dead's season 7 trapped butterflies might also tease how Victor Strand is ultimately defeated. Moved by Charlie's speech (and probably a little love-struck, bless the lad), Ali releases Strand's butterflies and defiantly tells Howard that The Tower must change. From idolizing Strand when the episode first began, Ali now perceives the ruthless dictator beneath all that charismatic