'Fear The Walking Dead' Spoilers: Episode 4 Synopsis Released; Teaser Clip Shows The Military Quickly Becoming The Villains [VIDEO]

Although it feels like it just began, AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead” is halfway done with its first season. In the aftermath of the incredibly spooky events of episode 3, it looks like the zombies will be taking a backseat in episode 4 as a new threat starts lurking in the neighborhood.

The third episode ended when [SPOILER ALERT] the family’s trip to hide out in the desert is cut abruptly short as the National Guard rolls through, heavily armed, and occupies the neighborhood to assist with the cleanup of the latest zombie outbreak. It would have been the happy ending to most horror movies, but as fans who have watched the show’s companion series, “The Walking Dead,” know, the military only has things under control for a very brief time before the world comes to a proper end.

Although fans of either series have yet to see exactly how the United States military gets broken, it looks like their presence isn’t going to be the welcomed rescue that it seemed. According to the episode 4 synopsis, it’s instead the main point of contention for Madison (Kim Dickens), Travis (Cliff Curtis) and the rest of our intrepid heroes.

“Madison and Travis see different sides of the National Guard’s occupation in their neighborhood; the family tries to adapt to the new world,” the synopsis from AMC reads.

It’s unclear exactly what sparks the dissent between the survivors and the soldiers, but the preview for next week’s episode, that played at the end of “Fear the Walking Dead” episode 3, “The Dog,” hints that the disagreement might have to do with Madison’s drug addicted son, Nick (Frank Dillane).

Whatever actually causes the rift, things will apparently get dangerous for Madison, who can be seen in a preview clip from the episode walking up her neighborhood’s streets baring witness to a slew of residence that, presumably, the military had put down. However, given the layout of some of the bodies, it seems like they might not have all been walkers before catching a bullet to the head. After all, zombies don’t hold guns, right?

As previously reported, the world of “The Walking Dead” has a history of showing the military turning against citizens once the zombie apocalypse arrives. Whether it’s the quarantined hospital Rick (Andrew Lincoln) wakes up in, the air force dropping bombs on Atlanta or occupying a small suburban cul-de-sac in Los Angeles – series creator Robert Kirkman clearly doesn’t want his audience to put too much fair in military law and order.

“Fear the Walking Dead” will premiere episode 4, titled “Not Fade Away,” Sunday, Sept. 21, at 9 p.m. EDT on AMC.