Is Daniel going to release the horde of walkers trapped behind the locked doors?

Maybe someone should have scrawled the words seen on a set of locked doors on The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 1: Don’t open. Dead inside.

But after feeling like zombies have been on vacation from Fear the Walking Dead (dead eyes Kimberly didn’t get the memo), I kind of really want Daniel to set them free. I’m ready to see some walker action.

But Fear the Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 5 was able to introduce a fascinating new character right from the outset of the hour. The smooth-talking wheeler and dealer (Colman Domingo) broke down Doug within seconds, and he was able to make a trade for Nick, saving the heroin addict from probable termination.

I really wish we got to see more of both Nick and this new character, but the scenes they did have were engaging and made me look forward to seeing their story continue.

At the same time, we got to learn more about Daniel’s dark past as a torturer. I liked that we got to see some more depth to a character that instantly popped during his first appearance, even if I wish that he didn’t have to pull out his torture skills on Ofelia’s soldier boyfriend.

You can definitely tell that Daniel will have a much easier time surviving in this new world, much like it seems Madison is heading in that direction. She seemed perfectly fine with letting Daniel do his “work” to get the info they needed to save her son.

It’s definitely a different direction than Travis, who seems still reluctant to adapt. And I kind of like that, even though he’s going to have to at some point either transition or end up as walker chow.

It was great to see him stand up to Moyers and talk about an uprising (even if I’m not really sure how many people are in the safe zone aside form the main characters). But it was more interesting to see the contrast in action with his ex-wife.

Liza finally seemed like she had something to do, being deep within the confines of the sick area, and she was able to step up and take Griselda out once and for all. But wow, Griselda was really able to milk her time on this show. I swear she was set for death’s door since Fear the Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 2, but the season decided to drag it out.

It made me more interested to see what the show has in store for her character, especially in her interactions with the doctor and what’s about to happen. 

Because “Cobalt” is set to be activated and the military is geared up to evacuate themselves and terminate the rest. I’m pretty sure that means everyone – including in the safe zone. Looks like Alicia and Chris won’t get to spend any more time off destroying people’s homes and trying on their clothes? Bummer.

I definitely could have done with less of those scenes.

Overall, this has me looking forward to what’s next, but I’m still not completely sold on the series as a whole. It’s taking me a bit longer to really care about the characters when compared to the ones of say The Walking Dead, but it’s good to know that we should have plenty of time to watch the story and the characters grow once Fear the Walking Dead Season 2 starts.

Let’s just hope the series doesn’t keep skimping out on walkers.

What did you think? Will Daniel open the doors? Sound off below, and get caught up before the season finale when you watch Fear the Walking Dead online right here at TV Fanatic!

Quotables from Week Ending Sept. 24, 2015

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Sean McKenna was a TV Fanatic Staff Writer. He retired in May of 2017. Follow him on Twitter.