Fear the Walking Dead Review: Skidmark (Season 5 Episode 4)
When a show has a lot of characters spread out in different areas, episodes can often feel overstuffed and wheels can spin at the same time.
Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 4, “Skidmark,” though, strikes a perfect balance that allows characters to shine and plot to move forward. Nothing feels overstuffed.
It was obvious after the last time that we hadn’t seen the last of Daniel Salazar, but to see him again so soon is refreshing and exciting. But that’s not really the point..
“Skidmark,” hilarious title aside, is about characters growing, proving that they’ve changed, and using that change to help others.
This is evidenced by almost every different story in “Skidmark,” so let’s start with the biggest one: Strand and Daniel.
Daniel doesn’t believe that Strand has changed, and remains ten steps ahead. Strand, and his friends, insist that he’s a changed man.
It takes the better part of an episode for this one to come to fruition, but Daniel’s stubbornness finally gets the better of him. It’s only when Strand gives up the airplane he’s been after to save Daniel’s life, does the real catharsis take place.
Daniel displays his own growth, even, by leaving his warehouse and cat in the care of Strand and company.
Daniel Salazar: I’m not going to shoot you in the face
This is one in a long line of excellent stories that Fear the Walking Dead has been putting out. The depth of character feels stronger in the Strand/Salazar story because these two characters have been around since the beginning, so it’s easier to benchmark how far they’ve come.
Another example is Dylan deciding that he can trust the new group, after Luciana’s kindness toward him. Dylan grows over a much shorter period of time, but “Skidmark” also serves as a benchmark for Luciana’s growth.
But even further, Morgan and Alicia are able to use what they’ve learned in their past to help the (much larger than originally believed) group of kids hiding out. Morgan even goes as far as recounting his past with Jenny and Duane to Alicia. Not only does this illustrate major growth, but also cements Alicia and Morgan as one of the better odd couples in the show’s history.
“Skidmark” is just another rung in what’s been a fantastic year for developing character on Fear the Walking Dead. None of the episodes feel overstuffed, and the characters are richer, more colorful, and all-around fun to watch. There isn’t a bland character in the bunch.
A few stray thoughts:
- The budding relationship between Daniel (a father who has lost) and Charlie (the orphan) really warms my heart. I hope they explore that further.
- Finding out the kids parents were all at Camp Cackleberry may be the most heartbreaking thing that’s happened on this show.
- If there’s one character that absolutely has to survive this season, it’s Skidmark. He’s got the best name ever and I can’t bear to lose him.
- Does anyone else think we might get some Abraham Ford flashbacks or even a Rick Grimes appearance? They’re doing a lot of alluding lately.
What did you think of this episode of Fear the Walking Dead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Fear the Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.