Just when it seemed like Fear the Walking Dead was forever ruined, we have hope that the show is about to improve. 

Fear the Walking Dead Season 5 Episode 8 was a real diamond in the rough.

It proved there was still life yet in this spinoff, and part of the success of the installment was that our heroes finally escaped that horrible location. 

The Walking Dead franchise has never been about happy endings, so this was a rare win for the characters. The plane worked, and everyone managed to live to fight another day.

That's a positive. 

If you watch Fear the Walking Dead online, you know that the show kills characters off without so much as a second thought, so everyone surviving was surprising, but it means the body count will probably rise during the second half of the season. 

Related: Fear the Walking Dead Future Confirmed as Series Snags Season 6 Renewal

The imagery of the reactor blowing while everyone was trying to escape on the plane was pretty cool.

John: Oh no.
June: John, John are you there?
John: Yeah, I'm here sweetheart.
June: You must be getting closer.
John: We are. Or, I mean, we were. I imagine we're both looking at the same thing right now. We're not giving up or anything, but I might not make it back in time.
June: John, where are you? I'll come.
John: It's too far.
June: Just tell me.
John: Is the plane working?
June: We're getting there. We're waiting for Morgan and Alicia, John. Where are you?
John: We're going to do our best to get back there, but I need you to promise me. Promise me that you'll take off whether I'm there or not?
June: John.
John: From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew I'd found my reason to live. I want you to always have a reason to. Whether I'm there or not, okay? You hear me?
June: John.
John: You live, June.

• Permalink: You live, June.

But the very notion that just because the plane mostly avoided the smoke, thus rendering everyone safe was a bit silly. 

There are so many variables when it comes to radiation that I dare say everyone on the plane was exposed to the same amount as Alicia, meaning that she's probably going to live for as long as the series does. 

That's assuming Alycia Debnam-Carey doesn't decide to exit the series. 

It's clear that most of the budget was saved for this episode because, let's face it, these characters have been walking in circles for half a season talking about what happened off the screen instead of just showing it. 

We have food, shelter, supplies. We don't have an angle.

Strand

• Permalink: We have food, shelter, supplies. We don't have an angle.

The group's plight to save people got them into this predicament, and they would be better off trying to coexist inside the denim factory instead of looking for other people to save.

That's why they wound up in the dire situation across the mountain in the first place.

The opening scene with everyone desperately calling out for survivors reminded me just how silly this group is, and I hope their brush with death will help them make better decisions from here on out. 

Related: The Walking Dead Season 10 Trailer Teases the Whisperer War

All of the stuff with the runway and the plane landing made for some tense viewing, but it would have been much more effective if everyone took into consideration that walkers could emerge at any given moment. 

Wendell was a true hero during that moment. He knew that it could have been his last stand, but it's good that he managed to live another day. He's a great asset to the team and knows how to keep people safe. 

However, it seems like the team is intent on making the same mistakes all over again.

The woman communicating on the radio will probably lead to our heroes embarking on another silly mission only to be messed with along the way. 

Logan showing up after shutting Sarah down was quite the surprise, but he was the one who sent the characters to the radiation wasteland.

Granted, Grace and the kids are now officially part of Team Redemption, but still, the dude is not to be trusted. 

Related: The Walking Dead Renewed for Season 10

The big issue with Logan's comments about gas is that we haven't heard any issues with gas mentioned beyond the quest for fuel. Do our characters really need to make a deal with the devil? 

No. Will they? Hell yes, because the writing on this spinoff has been on a slippery slope for a while now. 

It's hard to care for these characters when they continue making dumb decisions. At least John came clean to Dwight about Sherry's letter because there was no way Dwight would leave the location behind. 

Dwight's storyline has been bogged down by his search for his wife. It should never have followed him from The Walking Dead. Now that we know Dwight is willing to fight to live, he should be back to his former self soon enough.

Given the title of the episode was "Is anybody out there?" I figured we were going to get a more significant tie-in with The Walking Dead. 

As you will recall if you watch The Walking Dead online, Rick's final episode involved a female voice which sounded very much like Alicia coming over the radio saying the same thing. 

We're still quite a bit behind The Walking Dead timeline, but this could confirm that Alicia and her team will stay put at the denim factory and that they'll continue their search. 

Related: The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 16 Review: Winter is Here

You win some, you lose some. 

Looking ahead, we don't have much of a wait in store for the second half of the season. It was confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con this weekend that the show will return Sunday, August 11. 

That's not all: It has been renewed for a sixth season!

What are your thoughts on all the developments?

Did you enjoy this episode more than some of the others this season?

Hit the comments below. 

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.