After a disastrous mission into the zombie apocalypse, a survivor discovers that they, the un-dead, a secret military operation, and a Lovecraftian force of nature all share a deep, and deadly, connection.

SYNOPSIS:

Almost a year after being overrun by a zombie plague, an undisclosed Southwestern city is left in ruins. The zombies are shown to have some level of attention span and self-awareness, and even have adverse reactions to their own reflections. Only one major collection of survivors remains, which has systematically created a series of safe-zones. This settlement is run by Dean Rockwell, a military officer, and a council handling all administrative duties.

The episode opens with a group of Special Forces camped out in the foothills. They celebrate the imminent end to their mission as they nonchalantly dispatch a group of zombies. Their strict leader, Wilma, is at first furious at her Squad’s lackadaisical attitude, but is persuaded to join in the revelries. Early the next morning, Francis “Fritz” Callum prepares within the settlement to go on his first scouting mission accompanied by his guide, Char. Tully, Fritz’s roommate and Char’s brother, heavily objects to Fritz leaving, as he has unrequited feelings for Fritz. Fritz lashes out in an argument, leaving the relationship sour between the two.

As Fritz prepares to leave, he learns that Rockwell switched out Char for the antagonistic and brutish Albert after the settlement’s doctor, Abdul, joined to scavenge for medicine. Rockwell tells Al that he needs to gain Fritz’s trust, revealing that this had been part of a secret plan. After Fritz, Al, and Abdul embark, Char investigates the changed roster and learns that Rockwell stepped outside his power in order to put Al on the mission.

Al’s Team travels through the city, all the while attracting zombies that can somehow sense the Team despite having no reason to. After Al discharges a gun in order to save Fritz’s life, the zombies converge on them, chasing them to their destination: a hospital. The Team searches for supplies, but Abdul abandons them to pursue his own objective: a mysterious, leather-bound book locked inside an office room. When Abdul finds the book, it causes Fritz to experience a series of hallucinations, where he is inexplicably transported to a mysterious candle-lit room and witnesses a gigantic, horrific monster rise from the sea. He is transported back and the Team reconvenes.

At this point, Wilma’s Squad has been secretly communicating with Al using light signals, and has set up a rendezvous near the hospital. As Al’s Team makes their escape, Fritz experiences a premonition of Abdul and Al being killed by zombies, and through this information is able to save them. Wilma’s Squad is overrun and Al’s Team is unable to rendezvous, so the Team makes their way back to the settlement, all the while being chased by the growing swarm of zombies. Just before they make it back, Fritz experiences another vision and succumbs to fatigue. The Team is saved by settlement forces and Fritz falls into Tully’s arms, asking for forgiveness.