Fear the Walking Dead Review: Channel 5 (Season 5 Episode 15)
Fear the Walking Dead is having a really good season overall. The character work they’re doing is unrivaled by many shows within the genre.
On Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 15, “Channel 5,” though, the characters feel stuck between expectations set by The Walking Dead, and the corner into which they’ve been backed. The excellent character work being done is overshadowed by attempts to shoehorn the plot into a box, which makes the show feel a little less whole.
The biggest problem they have right now is Virginia, the new antagonist, acting a little bit like Negan but friendlier.
Fear the Walking Dead feels like the show needs a villain, but it doesn’t. Their mission in their world is hard enough.
So the result is Virginia, offering to help them in exchange for either their talents or manpower. When they refuse her offer, it’s pretty clear they’re going to need her help before the episode is over.
Which leads to the other problem. Sure, the end of “Channel 5” leads to another branch of Humbug’s Gulch that’s filled with walkers. That convinces the group that they need Virginia’s help.
But they don’t.
Surely, with all the references to the original show, Morgan or Dwight at some point was regaled with tales of Rick Grimes and company taking the prison that was overrun. They lost a few, sure, but they lived there for a long time afterward.
Humbug’s Gulch is not so big that this humongous group couldn’t do that. They do NOT need Virginia’s help to do it. But it seems like Dwight is the only one who knows that.
So despite the strong character work elsewhere in the episode, everything to do with Virginia just feels hollow.
The documentary style is off-putting considering it’s the apocalypse, but it’s actually endearing and works well for the story they’re trying to tell.
But Fear the Walking Dead and the strong character work they’ve done still shines through the lesser choices they’ve made. The new characters add a ton of layers, John and June are the heart and soul, and every character strives to be better in every episode, which warms my heart immensely.
So even with the problems, “Channel 5” was enjoyable and set up a compelling finale. Their strong character work is still outweighing some of the weirder plot choices.
A few stray thoughts:
- They left a lot of stuff behind, but thank goodness they carried Skidmark in his carrier with them. I was worried for awhile.
- Of course it was Victor who suggested they take Virginia’s help. Come on, dude.
- Wes, Janice, and Rabbi Jacob are excellent additions to this group. I’m really pleased with them.
- Al is 100% going to have to go with Virginia as payment at the end of the season. Bank on it.
- RIP Tom. We hardly knew ye.
- I’m also really worried that John and June won’t get married before one of them dies. Thoughts?
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.