Fear the Walking Dead Review: The Little Prince (Season 5 Episode 6)
Fear the Walking Dead has a propensity for wheel-spinning.
On Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 6, “The Little Prince,” the show sets up what appear to be final dominoes before a major fallout.
In a review capacity, wheel spinning or setting up dominoes really sounds like a bad thing, and I don’t mean it that way here. On any other show, it would definitely be a bad thing.
But Fear the Walking Dead has developed such rich and full characters that watching them is a joy. The ensemble functions well and the interactions are satisfying and fulfilling.
Part of the problem with Althea’s solo venture is that she hardly interacts with any of the other characters. The minute she reunites with Morgan and Alicia is the best part of the episode.
But “The Little Prince” brings the ensemble closer together, which makes for a satisfying episode, even when it’s major purpose is “put people together and reveal some things.”
It’s difficult to explain what’s satisfying about the relationships manifesting on-screen, but I’m going to try anyway.
Morgan and Alicia, for instance, have developed a bond as leaders. The moment when Alicia walks in and Morgan is trying to re-purpose a mop is stunningly simple, but both funny and effective. Lennie James and Alycia Debnam-Carey have really mastered the subtlety it requires to add layers like this.
June and Luciana have similar interactions with the kids. You get a strong sense of care for others just from the way Danay Garcia and Jenna Elfman present themselves in these simple scenes with the kids.
Some folks would call these scenes “filler,” but from my perspective it really makes the characters feel rich and fully explored. There’s no questioning who these characters are and what their motives are, because Fear the Walking Dead paints a brilliant, vibrant picture.
Though “The Little Prince” is another reminder of the things Fear the Walking Dead does well, it has its faults. Namely, the plot surrounding John Dorie and Dwight makes a big mistake.
John and Dwight are further examples of the rich character work that Fear the Walking Dead does, but John not telling Dwight about the new note he found is a mistake.
The John Dorie portrayed on the show thus far inspires hope in others, including Dwight, but it is out of character to choose to give Dwight (likely false) hope.
The domino set up by Dwight and John’s journey will culminate in predictable fashion, and the show can and should do better.
The rest of “The Little Prince,” sets up several exciting stories for the first half of the season, putting these fleshed out characters in several dire, high-stakes situations. The next few episodes should prove very exciting.
A few stray thoughts:
- I assume that we eventually find Sherry dead, but maybe it’s better left unexplored.
- I’m anticipating a major death soon, which will not be fun. It’s going to be something heartbreaking, like Charlie or John.
- The work by Austin Amelio is some of the best he’s done on either show.
- Fear the Walking Dead really has become the character focused drama set in the apocalypse that The Walking Dead set out to be. I’m here for it.
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.