Season 3[]
"Eye of the Beholder"[]
Madison, Travis, and Alicia are escorted by a military group down a path surrounded by dead bodies. A gate opens and they are brought into an area labeled as a restricted military base. Travis is separated from the group, yelling back to Madison that he will find her. Alicia and Madison drive one way while Travis goes another, each in cars with soldiers. A massive military base is revealed. Inside the facility, Alicia and Madison search for weapons or an escape route. Alicia insists they shouldn't have been looking for Nick. Troy Otto, the soldier in charge at the depot, enters a locked office where Madison and Alicia are being held. He offers them tea and seems hospitable, until he starts interrogating them. Madison explains to Troy that she’s looking for her son, Nick. Madison then demands to know where they’ve taken Travis. Troy avoids answering, but promises to let them go once he’s finished “processing” them. He shows particular interest in Madison, before exiting.
Madison searches the office for a weapon. Alicia gives her a knife that she hid in her boot before they were taken prisoner. Madison tells her that she is willing to kill if necessary, but that it will be her doing the killing, not Alicia. In the office area, Madison and Alicia sleep on the couch and chair while Troy writes notes beside them. Troy says they passed the processing but Travis has different criteria. "I'm not a bad person," Troy insists. Madison asks if he Travis is dead and Troy asks if it would hurt her if he was. She says she loves his life more than her own. Troy tells Madison that they’re getting ready to evacuate the depot. He offers to release Travis if she and Alicia travel home with him. They hear a gunshot outside. Troy runs out of the office and locks the door behind him.
Troy returns to the office and Madison attacks him with the knife, but Troy knocks the weapon out of her hand. She grabs hold of a spoon and plunges it into his eye socket, nearly gouging his eye out. Madison tells Troy if he tries to break away he will lose his eye. Madison yells for Alicia to find Travis and a vehicle. Madison drags Troy outside, holding the spoon in his gouged eye, as armed soldiers surround them. Troy tells the soldiers to back off. Alicia hides in a truck as the soldiers pack for the impending evacuation from the base. Jake Otto, Troy’s brother, arrives and urges Madison to release Troy. He acknowledges that Troy probably brought this on himself, but she’s surrounded and has no where to go. Madison releases Troy who lunges for her but is subdued by Jake who demands to know where Madison’s family is. Jake insists he will help find her family as Troy admits that Travis is in the pit. Meanwhile, Troy brings Madison to the pit, where they find an exhausted Travis surrounded by brained Infected and covered in blood. He climbs out of the pit and attacks Troy, but is quickly restrained. Alicia is brought to Madison, followed by Nick and the Clark family reunites.
Jack tells Madison and Travis about his father's ranch and insists they had that way. He says Troy is the only man who has bad intentions. Madison rejects the offer and demands their guns back. Madison thanks Travis and apologizes to him for the loss of Chris. "I'm here. You're family's here," she said. Travis tells her, "We're gonna be back in it, soon. I'm okay now. I'm with you." Though, he is acting quite disconnected. Jack pleads with Madison to come with her. They hear a gunshots before noticing a herd Nick and Luciana encountered have emerged from the sewer and breached the barracks. The compound has been compromised, and chaos ensues. Madison and Nick fight the infected, while Travis and Alicia help Luciana Galvez into a helicopter. Troy arrives in a truck and urges Madison and Nick to hop on board. The helicopter takes off with Travis, Alicia, and Luciana while Madison and Nick depart in a truck with Troy. Troy tells Madison that they’re all going to the same destination.
"The New Frontier"[]
The next day, Troy blasts heavy metal music as he drives Madison and Nick to his father’s ranch. Madison keeps her guard up, still leery of Troy and his motives. Eventually the caravan pulls up to Broke Jaw Ranch. A guard tells Troy that Jake never arrived. Troy orders Madison and Nick to get out of the truck. He drives inside the gate, leaving Madison and Nick outside looking in. Nick suggests they backtrack and find the rest of their group, but Madison insists they stay put in case the helicopter arrives. She reveals to Nick that she stole a gun off the truck and tells him they can protect themselves if they have to. Nick refuses to stay at the ranch, but Madison reminds him that this is their best shot at medical treatment for Luciana.
Troy’s father, Jeremiah Otto Sr., introduces himself to Madison and Nick and orders the guard to let them in. Jeremiah shows Madison and Nick around the ranch and explains that he initially started the camp to prepare for the fall of democracy. Madison is critical of Troy, but Jeremiah defends his son’s behavior by stating that he was just carrying out his mission at the depot. Sensing Madison and Nick’s hostility, he points out that most people would be grateful to be at the ranch. Jeremiah brings Madison and Nick to their bunkhouse and leaves them with a key. Nick grumbles about Madison being nice to Jeremiah after his son tried to kill them. Madison admits that she doesn’t have a plan yet, but they should play nice while they bide their time.
When Jake's group arrives, Madison joyfully reunites with Alicia. She looks for Travis, then falls to her knees with grief upon realizing that Travis is dead. Nick finds Luciana and tries to wake her up. Troy is quick to say that Luciana won't make it and wants to put her down. He orders Nick to move aside, so he does, but then offers to do it himself. Nick gets the gun and stares down at Luciana before pointing it at Troy. Everyone draws their guns on him. Nick orders Luciana be allowed inside. Jeremiah steps between the two men. He offers to let Luciana in if she has a pulse. Nick hands over the gun and Luciana is escorted to the infirmary. Madison grieves in private over the death of Travis. Jeremiah finds her, offers his condolences, and then gently asks her to register the gun that she stole from them. She signs out the gun in his log book. Madison tells Nick and Alicia that they’re going to make the ranch their home, even if that means they must take it over. Alicia objects, syaing that such a thing is insane, but Madison disagrees. "It's our fate." Madison tells them, "We're going to stay here. We're going to make it our home, even if we have to take it over." She says it is their fate. "Travis died getting here," she says. Madison demands to know exactly how Travis died.
"Teotwawki"[]
Madison, Nick, and Alicia attend Charlene’s memorial at the ranch. Sensing hostility from members of the community, Madison introduces herself to the ranchers and thanks them for taking her family in. She offers condolences to the little girl. She begins telling everyone about the loss of Travis, calling him their compass, and thanking them for their generosity. In line at the mess tent, Madison and Alicia are getting food, and a man accuses them of being freeloaders. Alicia can't understand why people are harassing them instead of Troy. Gretchen Trimbol, a young rancher around Alicia’s age, introduces herself to Madison and Alicia, then invites Alicia to Bible study. Madison nudges Alicia to accept the invitation.
Madison walks into her room to find Troy sleeping in one of the beds. He says he liked her speech and how she said the name, "Travis." He accuses her of reminding everyone that she is a victim, too. He asks what she did in the old world and she tells him she was a guidance counselor. He never attended high school. He says everything he does is in service to this place. He says her understanding of how brutal this world is and says that he picked her, not Nick, to join his community. Madison insists Nick will earn his keep, and orders Troy to make the bed before he leaves. In the bunkhouse, Madison assures Nick and Alicia that they can win over the minority of people who don’t want them at the ranch. She also warns them to stay away from Troy. Nick insists they start over elsewhere, but Madison refuses to leave the relative safety of their new home.
In the house, Jake gets concerned with about not hearing back from a squad that investigated the crash. Madison walks in and asks Jeremiah to protect her family from Troy and other hostile community members. She goes as far as threatening to expose Troy’s twisted experiments at the fuel depot. Jeremiah refuses to tell people how to behave, but offers to teach her the culture of this ranch. He asks Jake to show her his video lectures.
Jake sets Madison up to watch Jeremiah's old video tapes. He promises to protect her family from Troy. Madison tells Jake she wants to find whoever shot down the chopper. He understands her desire to know who killed Travis. Madison discovers a collection of outtakes from Jeremiah’s commercial. In the video, Jeremiah fights with his drunk wife and yells at a young Troy. She turns off the video when Jeremiah walks in the room. Jeremiah explains that Jake and Troy are children from two different marriages. He admits that he and his second wife were alcoholics and that Troy took care of his mother towards the end of her life. Madison informs Jeremiah that Nick is an addict. Jeremiah understands, having battled his own issues with alcohol. Jeremiah offers to show Madison why he tolerates Troy.
Jeremiah escorts Madison under the house, showing her "the pantry" which is loaded with guns and supplies. He explains that he “broke” Troy in the old world, but that Troy now has a purpose in the new world. He has the killer instinct needed to survive. Madison pledges to help rebuild in Jeremiah's new world. Madison visits Luciana in the infirmary and asks about her wound, which is getting better. Luciana thanks her for waiting for her to heal before they leave. "I'm sorry for Travis," she said. "He saved my life." Madison insists he was a good man who saved them all.
In the cafeteria, Madison sees Jake and Jeremiah talking. They look a bit concerned, prompting her to feel the same. Jeremiah announces to the community that it’s been 36 hours since they dispatched a unit to investigate the chopper attack. He asks for volunteers to accompany Troy on a search mission to find their men. Madison volunteers. At mealtime, Madison sits next to Troy instead of eating with Nick and Alicia. She lays out a napkin on Troy’s lap.
"Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame"[]
Madison, Nick and everyone wake up to some startling noise. They rush to investigate and find the burning house. Jake is dishing out orders, calling for more water. Nick joins the ranchers as they fight to put out the fire. Jeremiah steps forward and orders them to stop, the people inside are gone. "Save the water, let it burn," he said. The next day, Nick and Alicia try to dissuade Madison from joining Troy on his mission to find the missing team that went to investigate the downed chopper. Madison ignores their advice and leaves with Troy.
Meanwhile, Madison, Troy and his team arrive at their destination. Troy insists they don't use guns because they're too loud. The group approaches a bunch of infected wearing orange prison jumpsuits next to a crashed bus. Troy is first to start killing them, apparently enjoying it, with Madison quickly joining in. She finds herself pinned beneath two infected before long with one soldier shooting one down before she uses a knife to kill the other. Troy continues to massacre the dead as though it were an art form until they're all eliminated. "That's a beautiful thing," he exhales. Troy’s team eliminates the Infected, giving Madison a chance to prove her fighting skills to Troy’s men. The team arrives at the helicopter crash site only to discover that whoever shot it down dragged it away. They find shells from a gun owned by Phil and deduce that Phil engaged the assailants before retreating to his outpost.
Troy’s team drives to the outpost. On the way, Troy and Madison talk about those they lost. Madison confides that seeing the place where Travis died shook her. She wonders if Troy grieved for his mother after she died. Troy declares that dead people are dead. Troy’s group arrives at the outpost to find a pile of charred bodies. They discover Phil McCarthy, partially scalped and babbling nonsensically as a crow pecks at his exposed brain. Horrified, Madison stabs Phil in the head, and insists they leave. Before the militiamen can move, a Native American man named Qaletaqa Walker confronts them with his soldiers. Walker orders Troy and the rest to drop their weapons and they comply once they realize they are surrounded by Walker's men. He then tells the group he will be taking all their weapons, their vehicles and their boots and that the time for justice has come and Troy and his people must abandon the ranch. Troy refuses and Qaletqa threatens that he will feed them all to the crows (like McCarthy) if they do not leave.
Madison demands water from him in order to allow them to return to the ranch to deliver his message and after introducing herself, Walker tells her that she bought into a lost cause and Madison tells him it became her cause when he and his people shot down the helicopter that killed Travis. Troy’s group makes their way back toward the ranch without their shoes and weapons. Madison insists they take a break, but Troy orders his men to keep walking. When Madison challenges him, Troy pulls her aside and says she’s not his mother. Madison speculates that Troy’s mother must have hated him. As Troy reels from her words, Madison asks the team if they want to rest. Everyone raises their hands. Troy begrudgingly allows his militia to rest until dawn. Madison wakes up in the middle of the night to find Troy holding a knife to her neck. She urges him to be a better man. He relents and withdraws the knife.
"Red Dirt"[]
Madison and Troy’s team arrive, who all have bloody feet from walking without shoes. Troy pushes on and walks in. Alicia and Nick give Madison water. Jeremiah requests a private debrief, but one of the ranchers, Vernon Trimbol, insists Troy's team share their findings with everyone. Mike Trimbol announces that a group of Native Americans slaughtered Phil McCarthy and the others from the outpost. Troy tries to keep everyone calm saying they can handle the situation but Mike cracks and blurts out that they're all going to die if they don't leave.
Madison, Jeremiah, Troy and Jake discuss a course of action. Troy is being scolded by Jeremiah for leading the group to a bad situation. Madison defends him. Troy insists they fight Walker, but Jeremiah believes Walker is bluffing. Jake suggests they negotiate with Walker and points out that he beat Walker in court when Walker filed lawsuits in the past. Madison asks if they stole Walker’s land. Jeremiah maintains that the ranch was sold to his forebears. Madison insists this man is a threat. Jeremiah sends Jake to talk to Walker, armed with threats, before storming out of the room.
Madison and Alicia take care of Madison's feet. She is in a lot of pain as they care for her. Nick reveals that Luciana left. Madison sits on her bed as Alicia is heard shooting in the distance. Gretchen Trimbol walks in and asks for Alicia. Madison tells her she's busy and asks about Mike and Gretchen reveals that Mike credits Madison for saving his life. Her entire family is scared of this new threat. Her father helped create this place and he is scared enough to want to leave for a colony in Colorado. She says he's telling other ranchers about his plans. Then at night, Nick walks outside. There are fires lit all around the Broke Jaw Ranch. The community is scared and huddle together. Jeremiah looks on from his balcony. The next day, the fires have burnt out. Madison, Jeremiah and Jake examine the charred wood. Jeremiah insists that if Walker was going to come, he would have, but he isn't capable of taking the place over.
Moments later, Jeremiah is approached by Madison, experiencing a migraine. Vernon Trimbol approaches and wants to have a word. He starts by recalling the long-lasting friendship and says his priority is his family and to protect them he will leave. Jeremiah encourages him to leave if that's what he wants. Troy asks if Mike is going, too, and Vernon says, "My family's leaving Troy!" Jeremiah says men have kids and it turns them into women. Madison encourages him to provide a reason to stay and Jeremiah thinks he offered enough already.
Troy charges toward the gate and insists they keep it closed. He tells Vernon to open to the door. They refuse. Troy approaches and insists they can't leave with Ranch property. They have Ranch gas and supplies. Jake tries to stop him but they ultimately get into a fight. Jeremiah rushes in and punches Troy as a result and Madison breaks it up. The gate is opened and Vernon's family leaves with Gretchen waving farewell to Alicia. In the armory, Troy preps weapons. Madison approaches and asks if he is going after his family. He's not. He explains that all he ever had in his life was this place. Troy is struggling to accept how Mike and Vernon quit on this community, and explains that Mike was his loyal childhood friend. Madison insists they were just doing what they thought best for the family and that she will help prevent any one else from leaving. Madison looks on, as Troy gathers a small militia in the pantry and charges them with defending the ranch.
Madison catches Alicia sneaking around from Jake's. Madison questions Alicia about her relationship with Jake, but Alicia insists it is nothing serious. Madison reminds Alicia how important it is not to get pregnant before Alicia reveals that she like him, but does not love him. In the morning, Madison, Nick and Jeremiah leave the ranch on a pickup to search for Vernon's family on the road. Madison reasons that the horse may have escaped on its own but Jeremiah predicts that the Trimbol family is dead. They exit their truck having found Vernon's RV. It's been shot and ravaged. There is a zombie slamming around inside. Jeremiah puts two down with two shots. Nick examines gun shot on the side of the RV. The zombies inside were Vernon Trimbol and Kathy Trimbol. Mike is dead behind the RV. Behind the RV, Gretchen and other walkers are eating a horse on the trailer. Madison freezes. Nick puts Gretchen down. Moments later, they have gathered the bodies. Madison is taken aback by the fact that Gretchen is Alicia's age. Nick and Jeremiah think Troy killed the family in an effort to scare everyone. Jeremiah tries to believe Troy couldn't do this. Madison insists everyone turn around and go back, so they do.
At the gate, Troy is waiting. The pick-up truck and RV pull in. Madison, Nick and Jeremiah return to the ranch with the bodies. Madison reveals the dead bodies to the community. She gives a speech to the community, she covers for Troy and declares that the people who killed Travis and Phil have now killed the Trimbols. She warns that anyone who leaves the ranch will die and urges them to stay together. The crowd murmurs in support. Ranchers return supplies to the pantry. Nick confronts Madison about lying to the ranch. Madison points out that even if Troy killed the Trimbols, no one would believe them. Nick agrees to keep Madison’s secret as long as she includes him on her plans.
Madison approaches Troy at the fence and confronts him about killing the Trimbols. Troy admits that he pursued them to confront Mike over abandoning him, and then things got out of hand. Troy says, "He said some things and I did some things and it went bad." Madison reassures him he did what was right and they he is the survivor here. She says the only thing that matters is that Troy can control his rages, claiming he is integral to saving them from the fight that is coming. She hopes Troy is up to the task of protecting the Ranch from Walker. Troy says he is.
"The Unveiling"[]
Madison informs Nick that Alicia is missing, Jeremiah remarks that Jake, too, is gone. Nick offers to go after Alicia and Jake, but Jeremiah insists they can't spare people to look for them. Nick doesn't want to sit around like Jeremiah, so he suggests he train with Troy before embarking on such a dangerous mission. Nick cuts his hair and tells Madison he’s keeping his enemies close, referring to Troy. Jake returns to the ranch with Ofelia Salazar, who was at Walker's camp. Madison yells at Jake for leaving Alicia with Walker. Jake assures her that Walker will honor the hostage swap and Alicia is safe. Madison asks Troy to help rescue Alicia. Troy hesitates, preferring to see how Jake’s parley plays out. Madison points out that he owes her a favor for not turning the ranch against him. Troy, Nick and several militia soldiers sneak into Black Hat headquarters and rescue Alicia. Nick spots a guard approaching and tackles the guard, who Troy then shoots. Gunfire breaks out. Madison picks up the rescue team with Alicia in a truck.
Madison’s group returns to the ranch. Jake admonishes them for essentially declaring war on Walker’s nation. Madison admits that she convinced Troy to help save Alicia and accuses Jake of getting played by Walker. Madison, Jeremiah, Jake and Troy question Ofelia, who claims that Walker kicked her out because he suspected her of helping Alicia escape. A guard takes her to the infirmary. Madison regrets letting Ofelia return to Walker, given her promise to Ofelia’s father that she would look after Ofelia. Madison tells Ofelia she can stay at the ranch. Ofelia offers to help in the kitchen. Ofelia explains that Alicia was never in trouble and Madison says, "because of me."
In the bunkhouse, Alicia asks Madison how they can be sure that Walker killed the Trimbols. Madison doesn’t answer. Madison and Alicia wake up to the sounds of screams. They run outside. Ofelia lingers behind. Madison, Nick and Alicia slaughter the Infected in the camp. Nick sees Ofelia standing in the bunkhouse doorway and calls her name. She runs. Nick falls to the ground in pain and realizes that Ofelia is responsible for the illness. Madison chases after Ofelia.
"Children of Wrath"[]
Madison chases Ofelia as she tries to escape the ranch. Ofelia, however, gets into a truck and finds the keys. Madison catches up, though, and busts the window. She punches and interrogates her for answers. The next day, ranchers load dead bodies onto a truck. Jake and Alicia tend to the sick, which includes Nick. Madison informs everyone that Ofelia poisoned the militia’s coffee. Madison orders Jake to give Nick antibiotics.
Madison holds Ofelia at gunpoint and forces her to drive to the Black Hat Reservation. Ofelia insists that the powder was only supposed to make the militia sick so that Walker’s people could take over the ranch without bloodshed. Madison is disgusted with her and accuses her for abandoning her family, including Nick. Ofelia defends her actions and says "the nation's my family now." Madison brings Ofelia to Walker and demands to know what the poison was. He tells her that the poison was anthrax but says that Nick will survive if he’s able-bodied. He warns that she and her family will die if they don’t leave the ranch. Madison tells Jake that the poison was anthrax and that those who don’t die will be too weak to resist an attack. Jake orders Troy to gather the remaining militia, but Troy is the only one left. Madison suggests they recruit the ranchers but Jake tells her twice she doesn’t lead the ranch.
Jake eventually agrees with Madison’s plan to fight and instructs Troy to arm anyone who isn’t sick. Alicia suggests they try to negotiate with Walker again. Jake points out that they have no leverage to broker a deal. Alicia hatches a plan. Madison and Alicia hitch a wagon to her truck. Some of Walker's men spot the militia and begin gunning them down. Madison rushes back to the truck. Troy covers them and kills some of the Native Americans before leaping into the truck. The truck starts to pull away with Walker's trailer in tow.
Moments later, Nick tells Alicia and Madison about Jeremiah's previous deeds. Alicia insists they're on the wrong side. Nick doesn't want to cross any lines like Jeremiah does. When Alicia is confused by what he meant, he tells her Troy was the one who killed the Trimbols. Alicia is angered and disgusted to learn what her family lied about and upset about Troy murdering her friend, Gretchen, she tells off Madison, accuses her of being heartless for standing with Troy, saying and express how their dad was depressed because he was living with a corpse. Madison defends her action and declares that she’s too busy keeping everyone alive to have time for feelings, and insists she always had to keep everyone together and Alicia has no idea what she carries. Alicia is unfazed as Madison remains slient.
Madison speaks with Walker at the gate of Broke Jaw Ranch. She offers to return the artifacts as long as Walker agrees to peace. Madison hands over Walker's father's skull. He still says this is not enough. "This isn't my father, this is an old white man shame," Walker said before handing it over and sending her back. She tells Troy, Jake, Alicia, and Nick that they have until sundown the next day to clear out or die. Madison enters her family's quarters where Alicia is packing up. She reveals to Nick and Alicia why she’s never taken them to her hometown in Alabama. Madison shot her alcoholic father when she was a child because he beat her mother. She resolutely insists she would do it again if it meant protecting her family.
Madison walks in Jeremiah's office as he is fortifying his office. "I'm going Alamo, Madison," he said. "I built this house as a holdout in case we were ever over run or under siege." He believes himself to be prepared for the battle. Jeremiah offers Madison a drink and pours himself a little more. He thanks her for protecting his boys and standing by them. She tells Jeremiah there is one way to secure the peace. Walker is willing to offer peace in exchange for Jeremiah’s scalp. She doesn't respond so he questions if she is here to kill him. He tries to reason with her. She puts her gun on the table and says she isn't going to kill him. She pushes the gun to him and insists he kill himself. "I didn't outlive Phil and Russell and two good women to die like some rabbit with no resistance," he said. She insists if he doesn't do it, he loses the ranch, and therefore his legacy as everyone including his sons dies. He orders her out of the room and insists she do it herself if that's what has to happen.
Nick enters the room, and Jeremiah mocks him and says his mom is "exactly like" and doesn't finish the sentence before Nick shoots him in the head. Madison quickly begins to put a plan into action, and tells Nick, "I need you to do exactly as I say!" Jake and Troy run to Jeremiah’s house to find him dead, staged to look like a suicide by Madison and Nick. They remove Jeremiah’s body from the house. Madison, Alicia and Nick stand on the ranch's balcony where Jeremiah used to overlook the community. They watch Jake and Troy deliver Jeremiah's body to a coffin.
In the barn, Madison observes the coffin. As the sun comes up, Madison meets with Walker and places a backpack at his feet. He opens it and finds Jeremiah’s head inside. He nods at Madison and they part ways, peacefully.
"Minotaur"[]
Madison wakes up in Jeremiah's house and rummages through the dead man's office. Madison searches Jeremiah’s desk, his blood stain still there from the murder that took place. Some of the drawers are still locked. Madison tries to open drawers but they are locked. Her efforts halt when the commotion outside catches her attention. Everyone heads to the gate of the community with Jake walking outside to greet this apparently unexpected convoy. Walker’s convoy approaches the ranch. Jake greets the convoy and shakes Walker’s hand. The ranchers warily look on as Walker waves the convoy through the gate: The Nation has officially come to live at Broke Jaw Ranch.
In the cafeteria, Madison and Alicia discuss Jake's questionable health. Alicia says he's getting better, but Madison tells her, "lying's not useful" and tells her to take care of him. Alicia informs Madison that she is undermining Jake’s leadership by back-channeling with Walker. Madison denies that she’s been speaking to Walker, but Alicia repeats what Madison said to her, "lying's not useful" before leaving. In the meeting tent, Madison is present when Jake urges ranchers to forgive the Nation and work toward building a future together. Walker declares that his grudge against the ranch died when Jeremiah sacrificed himself for a peace deal.
Walker privately asks Madison if she’s prepared to handle Troy, should he become a threat. She assures him that she is. In Jeremiah's room, Madison pries open a drawer in Jeremiah s desk and discovers a note which claims there is 6 weeks worth of water available. The next morning, Terrance walks up to Crazy Dog and pulls a gun from his hoodie, attempting to kill him for Gretchen, but Crazy Dog manages to knock the gun away from him. A stray bullet hits a member of the Nation. Crazy Dog locks Terrance in a choke hold and nearly chokes him to death, but releases his victim when Madison and Walker steps in.
In the infirmary, Terrence is suffocated as his esophagus has been broken. Walker worries that other ranchers will follow Terrance’s example and demands the second arsenal key from Jake so that his people can arm themselves. Madison takes Walker’s side and urges Jake to let the Nation control the weapons and sweep the ranch for all remaining weapons. Jake reluctantly gives Walker the key. Moments later, Madison and Nick discuss how important it is to keep Jeremiah's murder a secret. Nick tells Madison that he can handle Troy, but Madison worries that Troy will kill Nick if he finds out that Nick killed Jeremiah. Nick is not sure what reaction he will have.
They arrive at Troy's house and demand his weapons. Troy is curious about his own safety. Nick helps convince him by saying, "You don't want to die on your doorstep." Troy allows everyone inside. He sits in his father's chair and discusses his father dying in it. When Walker attempts to search upstairs, Troy draws a gun on them. Nick stands in the way of the gun and orders everyone to leave, closing the door behind them. Madison promises Walker that she can fix the situation with Troy and Nick. Madison urges Troy and Nick to disarm, but they’re interrupted by gunfire from the Nation. Troy fires back. Someone pulls Madison out of harm’s way. The battle ends when Nick finally confesses to Troy that he killed Jeremiah. Troy is stunned and aims his gun at Nick but decides not to shoot. He's broken by the news about his father. Walker’s men barge into the room.
The next day, Madison talks with Walker. Walker wants justice. Madison says they can't kill Troy but she doesn't want them to kill him. "You can't martyr him," she said. Walker suggests exile before calling for Nick to be part of this, as well, for his support of Troy. "There can be consequences but he stays here," Madison insists. "Nick lives."
Troy is put in the bed of truck with his hands tied and given one bullet, in the event he decides he wants to kill himself. Meanwhile, Nick is escorted to a hot box where Walker promises he will suffer. Madison and Klah get in a truck to drive Troy into the desert. Later, in the middle of the desert, Madison parks there. Madison gets out and they're going to free Troy here. Troy calls her the "white witch of the apocalypse." He questions why he wouldn't come back and Madison insists he wouldn't do that to his brother. Troy gets a hold of Klah’s knife and stabs Klah, wounding him.
Madison prevents Troy from killing him as she aims a gun at Troy and orders him to go. Troy reveals that he knows about Nick killing Jeremiah. He questions her guilt for not killing Jeremiah and asks why she let Nick do it for her. She says it should have been her before Troy yanks the gun and grabs Madison. "Your father wanted to let other people die! He wanted to let you die! He could've banished himself," she insists. Madison head butts Troy and goes for the gun. She gets to it and points it at him. Troy tries to talk to Madison more before switching to how tired he is. He takes his backpack and starts walking. Madison keeps her gun aimed for a moment but eventually holsters it as Troy walks off into the desert alone.
"The Diviner"[]
Madison and Walker look upon a nearly depleted reservoir. Madison tells Walker that Jeremiah was aware of the low reserves. She insists they keep the water situation a secret in order to maintain peace at the ranch. Walker suggests they buy water from a trading post in Mexicali. Madison and Walker tell Alicia, Jake, Ofelia, and Crazy Dog that they will be gone for a couple of days to secure a backup water supply. In the meantime, they instruct them to enforce water rationing across the ranch. Madison reveals to Alicia that they only have six weeks of water left. She urges Alicia to keep the secret and gives her a radio to stay in touch.
Madison goes to Nick's box and gives him water. She drops the bottle inside. Nick is unresponsive. She doesn't want to leave in search of water with Walker until she knows Nick is okay. She walks to the truck and leaves with Walker. Madison and Walker make camp for the night. Madison touches base with Alicia over the radio and asks about Nick. Walker tells Madison that she is overprotective. Madison and Walker drive to a El Bazar at a stadium. Walker takes a canister of gold out of a box. Madison and Walker surrender their weapons to a guard at a checkpoint. Madison reluctantly trades her radio to the teller to pay for admission into the trading post.
Madison and Walker enter El Bazar. They find the outpost packed with bustling stalls and customers selling everything imaginable. Alicia tries to reach Madison over the radio but gets no response, due to her giving her radeo away. Madison and Walker approach Maria Lu at the trading post and ask for 10,000 gallons of water. Walker presents her with the gold and offers to give her a dozen more canisters. Maria Lu agrees. Madison sees a man wrestling with people. Madison realizes it is Strand, who somehow is here for a reason, and she rushes to his aid. Maria Lu calls off the deal once she realizes that Madison is friends with Strand, who owes a debt to Proctor John. Madison uses a shovel to start a fight and frees Strand. The men end up getting the upper hand but Walker comes to their rescue. Strand leads Madison and Walker to a hideout. Strand tells Madison that he plans to reconnect with a friend who controls a dam near Tijuana, but is trapped in El Bazar until his debts are paid. They rest for the night.
Madison catches up with Strand in the hideout. He gives her water and sits beside her. He asks about him then about Nick. Madison reveals she found him before telling him Alicia is north. "My children are alive," Madison said. Strand is relieved. Strand, learning of Travis's death, consoles her. Proctor Nineteen and another guard barge in with Walker as their captive. Walker says the guards had threatened to kill them. While being kicked out, A guard tells Madison that Strand must pay off his debt to Proctor by defending the front gate from Infected while chained up. Strand urges Madison to leave him and return to Nick and Alicia. "The whole world is lost," Strand tells her. "My mother named me Victor because she knew I'd always win. I'll be fine." Strand is escorted out with the rest of the prisoners.
Madison sits at a bar at the Bazar. Walker approaches and tells her he repaired the water deal with Maria Lu. They will have the water for their community in the morning. The next morning, Walker brings the gold to Maria Lu only to find that all the canisters are empty. It is revealed that Madison stole the gold to pay Strand his debt.
Meanwhile Strand has become surrounded, He uses a hammer to take them down. He is surrounded just as Madison and the men who put him out there gun down the undead and help him up. "Your debt is paid," Madison tells him. Walker confronts Madison about using his gold to pay off Strand’s debt. She reasons that the water tanker was just a short-term solution and that Strand can lead them to a longer-term solution: Gonzalez Dam.
"La Serpiente"[]
Madison, Strand and Walker drive to the dam in the water tanker. They encounter a herd of Infected. Strand throws a beeping alarm out the window to draw the mass of walkers away from the road, allowing the truck to pass unharmed. Madison, Strand and Walker pull into a gated parking lot. Strand pushes a car aside to reveal a sewage grate. Walker does not like the idea of heading underground, but Madison reassures him this is the fastest way. The group descends into the tunnels. Suddenly an infected approaches the group. Madison wants to take the small group out but Strand insists there may be more in the dark behind it. They come to a crossroads and Strand leads the way, revealing he is looking for an eye logo which are laid out by the Proctors. He finds it and continues.
Down further, Madison comes across a bloated walker blocking the way. It is stuck. Madison kills it with a hatchet but realizes they are going to have to chop it up and remove it piece by piece. She starts with its head then it's arm. After pulling too much, water starts to flood the sewer. Walker decides to head back to the surface and leaves them. Strand finally tells Madison that Daniel Salazar is alive and is at Gonzalez Dam, but that Daniel is angry with him for misleading him on Ofelia’s whereabouts. Strand breathes a sigh of relief when Madison informs him that Ofelia is alive and safe at the ranch. As they head down the tunnel they run into Walker who is fleeing from a group of Infected.
Daniel and his group reaches the dam and shuts the gate behind them. Daniel sees someone emerging from a pipe: It's Strand. He is not happy to see him but Madison emerges and asks Daniel to lower the gun. Walker lowers his first. Madison is happy to see that Daniel is alive. He tells her he is better now before asking about Ofelia. "She's alive, Daniel," Madison tells him. He is reluctant to trust her because of Strand, but Madison reveals Walker helped her and now they need Daniel's help. She tells him they’ve come for water. Daniel holsters his gun and brings them inside.
Daniel takes Madison’s group to Gonzalez Dam to meet Lola Guerrero. They wait outside as Daniel speaks to Lola. Madison wants to handle the negotiation with Daniel, insisting she knows Daniel will help them. Moments later, Daniel invites them inside. Lola offers Madison a seat while the men in the room remain standing. Madison asks Lola for water in exchange for resources such as cattle or guns.. Lola is completely disinterested and refuses to make a deal. "We have no water to spare," she tells Madison. Madison stands up to tell Lola of the threats she will be facing. Lola insists, there is nothing left to discuss. She offers refuge for the night, but leave in the morning.
Later, Madison speaks privately to Lola. Lola insists she has had enough trouble trying to trade with other communities. If she trades with Madison, there will be bloodshed. She is ready to fight against that. Madison pleads with her, for her children, but Lola doesn't buy in. However, she offers to let Madison and her family live and work at the dam. Madison tells Lola it is impossible to do right by everyone and walks off.
In their rooms, Madison and Strand have a moment together. Strand suggests she leaves the Ranch. Madison, however, insists the dam is not safe because Lola refuses to defend it. They open up more deeply. Madison reveals how much she has done for the kids and how much they have seen. Strand wants her to remove the kids from the picture for a moment and Strand asks what she wants. Madison says that she wants to keep living at the ranch. She says the ranch has problems to spare, but it's the closest thing to what she knows. It's where she wants to be, she tells him before asking what future he sees. "One where I don't fail my friends," Strand said.
Walker leaves the dam and warns Madison that he is kicking out the ranchers. "They can leave peacefully or we can force them. Your choice." he says. He refuses to reason with her and leaves. Daniel and Madison catch up. Madison asks Daniel if he tried to change Lola's mind, but he couldn't, he says he won't abandon her because she saved his life. Madison, however, questions whether the truth of it is Daniel being afraid to face his daughter. "Ofelia will always be my daughter, no matter what that man had her do," Daniel said.
Madison joins Strand at the gate to head back to the ranch. Strand tells Madison to stay away from the water tanker. Moments later it explodes, blowing open the gate. Infected flood inside. Lola’s men kill the Infected with help from Madison and Strand. Daniel hears an angry mob approaching the breached gate. Lola still doesn’t believe the people would revolt against her until they see an angry mob approaching. Lola’s crew secures the gate just as the rioters arrive. Lola retreats, while Daniel calls Strand and Madison over so the crew can fix the fence.
In her office, Lola finally agrees to make a deal with Madison, and asks Daniel how many guns and munitions they will need to protect the dam. Daniel writes down a number. Madison agrees to provide them with the required armaments in exchange for 10,000 gallons of water a week until the rains come. Madison suggests they make the first trade in five days at the trading post in Mexicali. Lola also demands that Ofelia show up at the exchange. Madison agrees to this.
Daniel sends off Madison and Strand in a water tanker provided by Lola. She thanks Daniel before leaving. Daniel warns her that Strand will double-cross her and he knows this. Madison and Strand drive down the road in their truck full of water. Strand admits he rigged the explosion. Madison asks how Strand pulled off making the truck explode. "Trick I saw in an old movie," he said. "I had my doubts!" She thanks him. "You would've done the same for me," he insists. She jokes back with him before the two come upon Walker walking back alone. "Thirsty?" Madison asks him. Walker smiles and gets inside the truck.
"This Land Is Your Land"[]
Madison arrives back at the ranch with Walker and Strand to find it overrun by walkers. After Ofelia and Crazy Dog blow up the ranch's fuel reserve to destroy the horde, Madison, Walker, Strand, Nick and Troy join in rescuing Alicia from the pantry. However, they are too late to save the majority of the ranch's residents and Natives who either died in the walker attack or suffocated in the pantry. Madison tells Alicia they have to go, She tries to help Christine but realizes she has died, so she stabs her in the head. Madison gazes upon the decimated ranch. She tells Nick that they are driving to the trading post and then to the dam. She gives a look to Troy.
Madison approaches Ofelia, who is sitting with Walker. She tells Ofelia that Daniel is alive and is desperate to see her. Ofelia cries in shock, Madison insists that they have to move. Nick informs Alicia that Jake is dead. Alicia asks where the horde came from. Nick covers for Troy and says that Troy spotted the mass of Infected but was too late in warning them. Madison tells Alicia they're going to head to the dam but Alicia insists that there are no places that are safe no matter what everyone is saying. Strand insists it is the best they're going to get. The group gets ready to go but Alicia says she is not going, nor is she in shock. Alicia tells Madison that she wants to find a way to live for herself that doesn't involve running from place to place in fear. She is not going to get on the truck. Instead, she reveals a plan to live alone in the cabin that Jake told her about.
Alicia leaves in a truck. Nick tells Madison he will meet her at the dam after he follows Alicia to make sure she reaches her destination safely. Madison tells him to take Troy. Everyone heads off in their own directions, with Alicia driving across the plain. Nick and Troy follow her at a distance. Madison’s group leaves in the oil tanker.
"El Matadero"[]
Madison, Strand and Walker drive a tanker to the trading outpost to meet with Lola and Daniel. Strand worries that things might go south when they show up to the trade empty-handed, but she is confident that handing over what they have will be enough to convince Daniel to continue helping them, even after the attack on the Ranch cost them so many supplies. If Daniel refuses, Madison is still confident because they have Ofelia.
Meanwhile, on the back of the truck, Ofelia grows weak and falls off of her perch. Madison checks on Ofelia and spots a bite wound. Ofelia asks for Madison’s word that she will take her to see Daniel. Madison promises. Madison’s group arrives at the outpost a day early. Strand tells Madison that the outpost guards will kill Ofelia if they think she’s sick, but Madison insists they must enter to get Ofelia a bed and medicine. She insists Ofelia play it cool and work her way in with everyone. A man checks Ofelia, who is struggling to stand, and doesn't find the bite. Meanwhile, Strand and Madison accept a lower trade rate and everyone heads inside.
Madison sets up Ofelia inside a room then goes to find painkillers. Walker says her fever is up. Madison gives him a knife and tells him to stay awake. She leaves, Strand catches up and says that they just gave away their bartering tools for Ofelia to say goodbye. Strand tells her she is giving up all of their resources without thinking of the consequences. Madison wonders if he’s afraid of Daniel, but Strand says that she shouldn’t assume he’s going to help them when they show up with no weapons and a dead daughter and walks away.
Madison brings medicine back to Ofelia and Walker but she’s fading fast. Madison says Ofelia and Daniel don’t deserve this and maybe Strand was right. Walker says he lost everything at the ranch. He says he was raised on loss, and that’s why Ofelia needs to see her father one last time. He needs to be able to bury his daughter even if that means they all die. She thanks him.
Nick arrives and finds Madison sleeping by Ofelia’s side. He wakes up Madison. Walker told him what happened to Ofelia. He explains that Alicia is happy and isn’t coming with them. Madison nods and says ok. Nick says Troy is at the bar, freaked out by all of the Mexicans. Madison says that’s ok because they need people right now. She starts crying, and Nick hugs her and says it’s ok. She thanks him for being there. He says she needs fresh air and he’ll look after Ofelia. Madison gives him the knife and leaves, and then Nick takes a deep breath and goes to sit with her.
Madison wakes up Ofelia and she and Walker pick her up. Walker wants to take her there but Madison says it would be best if he didn’t go. Walker gives Ofelia a hug goodbye and she leaves with Madison. Outside, Madison leads her to a box to sit on. Ofelia is shivering so Madison puts her jacket on her and Ofelia tells her that she needs her to put her down if she turns. Madison says it won’t come to that. Ofelia asks Madison to tell her father she was really looking forward to getting to know her father better. Madison says that parents work so hard to hide things from their kids but the kids always know. Ofelia knew her father, she says, and Ofelia thanks her.
The car pulls up and Ofelia dies right at that moment. Daniel walks up to Madison and Madison begs him to stop and listen, but he won’t stop. He sees his lifeless daughter and hugs her. He demands to know what kind of sick joke this is and points the gun at Madison as he breaks down in tears. “This is the price,” he says. He tells Madison to get away from them or he’ll kill her. Madison realizes that they’re done and walks away. As she walks away, Daniel shoots Ofelia.
Madison returns to the Ofelia'a room to find it empty. Daniel comes in and looks around. Madison watches as he leans against a pole and tells her that he was walking all night. He carried Ofelia away and buried her. Madison says Ofelia saved Alicia, and that Alicia went off on her own. Daniel isn’t surprised. He asks if Madison was with her when she died. Madison says she wanted him to know she loved him, and that she was looking forward to getting to know her. She tells Daniel their conversation and he says she only saw the real man for a moment. Daniel informs her that she can still come to the dam, along with Strand, Walker, and the others.
Madison finds Nick and Troy. She says they’re going to the dam. He tells his mom he wants to stay a few days with Troy and establish a foothold there. Knowing that Nick has ulterior motives for staying, Madison simply tells him that he knows where to find her. Madison asks Strand if he's ready to go to the dam. Strand looks at the guards at the bazar, and tells her that he’s always ready.
"Things Bad Begun"[]
Madison will appear in this episode.
"Sleigh Ride"[]
Madison will appear in this episode.