Fear the Walking Dead Review: Today and Tomorrow (Season 5 Episode 14)
Fear the Walking Dead is starting to wind down, and the characters are feeling the effects. There’s a new villain in town, and really the story could go anywhere from here.
On Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 14, “Today and Tomorrow,” Morgan and Al stumble into the Settlers…erm…settlement in a less-than-friendly encounter, which illustrates an impending conflict and carries a good message at the same time.
“Today and Tomorrow” doesn’t feel like the rest of Fear the Walking Dead‘s season so far. “Today and Tomorrow” still has some of the character work and emotional depth established earlier in Season 5, but displayed in a way that feels much more urgent.
Some elements of “Today and Tomorrow” really work, and others really don’t.
For instance, the relationship building that takes place when Morgan is giving Al little interview snippets about Jenny and Duane, or as Daniel and Grace get to know each other. Building relationships and revealing character is something Fear the Walking Dead has proven they can do effectively.
But setting up the Settlers and their leader, Virginia, as enemies feels a bit sloppy.
For one, they’re desperately trying to make Virginia seem like a less violent female Negan. She could turn out completely different, of course, but her approach to taking things for the “greater good” feels quite a bit like the Saviors to me.
Secondly, Morgan and Al encounter Tom, who is very obviously brother to the young woman that Wes, Strand, and Alicia saved on the previous episode. The rest of it feels a bit contrived to get Morgan and Al in front of Virginia.
This appears to set up what will be a larger conflict over the next season or so, as it doesn’t seem they’ll be able to dispatch with Virginia very soon. But it feels like set up, which is a bad thing.
I’m most certainly in the minority of fans who have adored Fear the Walking Dead and their character focused approach all year. They haven’t abandoned that, as seen with Morgan and Al, Daniel and Grace, and even calling Morgan to come help Grace when she falls ill again.
Daniel Salazar: You, me, and a cat with serious behavioral issues
But Virginia and her people don’t feel fleshed out enough, or dangerous enough, to make a serious impact on the show just yet. Of course that remains to be seen, but it isn’t off to a great start.
A few stray thoughts:
- Daniel losing out on that vinyl was straight up devastating, but softened by his admission that Charlie brought him back to life.
- Virginia being nice to Morgan and Al, and even fixing Morgan’s stick, is off-putting and a little confusing. Then again, Negan was nice to some of Rick’s people, too.
- I adored the musical stylings of Karen David and Ruben Blades. David used to sing on Galavant, and Blades took a break from Fear the Walking Dead to tour with his band. .
- Can we have some more Dwight, please? Kthanks.
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.