Fear the Walking Dead Review: Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame (Season 3 Episode 5)

After a strong start to Season 3, it’s only natural for Fear the Walking Dead to have a bit of a dud episode.

Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 5, “Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame,” isn’t a terrible episode, but there are missed opportunities to give a fresh narrative to some of the characters repeating themselves and to also raise tensions.

That being said, there are some great moments like the cold open, the disgusting image of the crow pecking at someone’s brain while they’re still alive, and the spooky imagery of the overrun hotel.

“Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame” starts out strongly with the cute old couple, Martha and Russell, Nick saw dancing on “Teotwawki.” Russell wakes and sees Martha out of bed and at the front door.

We already suspect that Martha is a walker, and sure enough, she is. As she doesn’t have her dentures in, Russell lets Martha walk into his arms and gnaw at his neck. It is both disturbing and awfully sweet. Russell shoots himself and meanwhile causes an accidental fire.

It’s an amazing opening scene, however, the outcome is lacking. It’s almost like the fire needed to happen so that Nick and Jeremiah could bond. Or so Nick could relay Martha and Russell’s romantic stories to Luciana. But it would have been much more terrifying if Martha had gotten out the front door.

Jeremiah and Nick’s conversation as they clean up the burnt out house take up a chunk of the episode. Does Jeremiah see himself in Nick? Does he want to keep Nick close because he either realizes how strong the Clarks are and can be resourceful; or keep them close because they are strong and therefore, threatening?

Nick is obviously torn between wanting to stay at the ranch with his mom and sister and leaving the ranch to be with Luciana. Troy has major issues and that’s why Luciana wants to leave–because she hasn’t forgiven him. The apocalypse is still quite new, otherwise, Luciana might have realized already that there are a lot of people out there worse than Troy.

Just ask some characters on The Walking Dead.

“Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame” has a parallel plotline with Daniel and Victor, who I was quite excited to see after the fantastic episode, “Fear the Walking Dead Season 3 Episode 4, “100.” However, the excitement faded as Daniel and Victor took on a tired narrative of bickering with one another and Strand lying about Ofelia’s whereabouts.

The actual hotel scene is scary and conveys dread. What happened at the hotel? Victor hadn’t been gone that long, so how did things get so bad so quickly?

When Victor had first told Daniel about Ofelia being at the hotel waiting for him, it seemed like Daniel didn’t really believe him, so what is the point of going on the road trip? It doesn’t establish anything and just seems pointless.  We get it, Daniel. You don’t trust Strand.

Where is Ofelia? I can’t help but wonder if she’s locked up somewhere at Broke Jaw Ranch where Troy has easy access to her. Dead or alive.

Dead or alive.

Speaking of Troy, he and Madison (along with some randoms) are on a mission to find the downed helicopter and to get some answers as to who is responsible. On the way, there is some zombie action where Madison proves herself to the randoms.

The scene itself is cool and shows us how skilled a fighter Madison has become. There’s also a dude with a Daryl Dixon bow and arrow which proves that archery skills are very necessary for a zombie apocalypse.

We meet the man who killed Travis– a Native American named Walker–who wants the Ottos to abandon Broke Jaw Ranch. It’ll be interesting to see where this storyline goes. Will Madison fight alongside the Ottos because she’s still angry about Travis? Or might she side with Walker because Troy is nuts, Jeremiah is racist, and she wants the ranch for herself?

Lastly, Alicia and Jake had sex and she didn’t seem too impressed. Was she bored and just wanted to experience something “normal?” Is she playing her own kind of game to keep Jake keen so that her family is in a better position at the ranch?

Regardless, it’s nice to see Alicia smile at the end of the episode, because she’s been kind of mopey. We also need more Gretchen because that girl is a breath of fresh air.

Overall, “Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame,” is an okay episode with some great effects, but weak storytelling. The plots seem unfocused and repetitive. This may just be an episode to set up for events in the future, but it should still feel purposeful.

Walker Nibbles:

• I love Nick Clark, but man, he has got to wash his hair.
• Seriously, Luciana? You’re going to find some tunnel people? That sounds great.
• We really do not need an episode about the fall of the hotel but at the same time, I’d love to see it.
• Troy has zero people skills and awful taste in music.

What did you think of this episode of Fear the Walking Dead? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

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