Fear the Walking Dead 502 review: Toxic people

Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 2 - Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC
Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 2 - Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC /
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Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC
Fear the Walking Dead _ Season 5, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Ryan Green/AMC /

Lowlights

If you thought that the pacing between the Fear the Walking Dead season 5 premiere and the second episode of season 5 were different, you’re absolutely right. Episode 502 marked a very distinct change of pace that allowed the story to slow down and introduce new people and new threats as the fledgling season unfolds. “The Hurt That Will Happen” is meant to slow the pace down and explore the fallout (pun intended) from the intense season premiere. The story is what carried the episode, along with seeing Salazar again, meeting Grace and killing some crazy new walkers.

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The pacing felt slow at times, almost too slow, and for fans who aren’t thrilled by Morgan’s penchant for monologue it was hard to take in at times. Thankfully those moments were boosted by other key moments, like Grace’s revelation about her past and Alicia’s admission that she was supposed to be taking care of people.

However, speaking from my experience of seeing the first four episodes, this episode was absolutely critical in setting up what’s coming up next so if you can embrace the context it provides while looking past the pacing then you’ll be rewarded for it.

Interestingly, I used “The Hurt That Will Happen” as the argument as to why it could be so awesome to have Fear the Walking Dead released as a full season all at once. The experience of watching four episodes back to back without commercials (since screeners don’t have commercials) really changed how I viewed the pacing problem. When sandwiched between 501 and 503 it wasn’t as noticeable as I think it will be when viewed week to week. Food for thought, for sure.