The Walking Dead (TV Series) Wildfire (2010) User Reviews

"It's been 194 days since 'wildfire' was declared."

[rwk2 · 7/10 · 1 December 2010]

5/6 of the first season is over. We're introduced to a new character and FINALLY we might get some info about the lead-up to the present predicament the world is in. Jenner is a scientist with the CDC in Atlanta, locked away alone for months with no contact with the outside world. He doesn't even know if anyone else is alive as his outer security cameras only show corpses piled up all around town. As he's recording a video diary we get two new nuggets of info: It's been 194 days since "wildfire" was declared and 63 days since the disease went inexplicably global.

What we don't know is what wildfire is. Could be a mutated vaccine he was working on, could be a random outbreak from nature, could even be an offshoot from a passing comet. Who knows? But over the last 6.5 months the situation has been getting worse, and about 2 months past it became apparent no place on earth was safe from it. Which begs a few questions, like, is Atlanta Ground Zero for the problem and as you go farther away the problem is less pronounced? If so, that could be even worse for people living far from the city as perhaps there was a flash point phase where healthy people got sick without being bitten by a walker. Perhaps the disease was airborne first and then altered. (Which would go a long way towards explaining why there are so many zombies walking around. Normally a body decomposes to liquidity within a month without preservatives. Perhaps whatever is causing the walkers to reanimate serves as a preservative too?) Maybe one reason family groups survived is because they carry a resistant gene. Again, who knows?

This episode ended with a classic cliffhanger, with a reinforced steel door opening up and spilling white around our heroes, totally a movie poster moment. Good development, good acting, good characterization. Can't wait for the next and final chapter of the season to give us more of the story.

PS- the old man with the beard and Glenn, the Asian pizza delivery kid, make this series. They are consistently the voice of self-preservation balanced with logical reasoning.

Wildfire: A slow burn with minor glimpses of great characterization.

[ranma627 · 7/10 · 30 November 2010]

The Walking Dead slows its pace in this week's episode drastically. For good reason, as last week's episode ended with a massacre at the camp in which Amy (Andrea's younger sister) got bit, among others. The episode opens with Rick at dawn, trying to contact Morgan over the walkies, to failed results. I understand the need to help build Rick's character as someone with a high moral code but the scenes just rung false to me. The rest of the folk back at the camp are busy disposing of the zombie bodies (burning them) and the victims of the attack. Glenn has a nice scene where he explains to Daryl that there's a pile for 'Geeks' (zombies) and there's a pile for the one's who lived among them. Obviously, humanity is a big part of any zombie story and it's clear that this episode focused on the theme extensively.

The death of Amy isn't going too well with Andrea, expectantly. She's been up all night just kneeling over Amy's body. The others are clearly worried as it's only a matter of time before she comes back as a zombie. But they are respectful and give Andrea her time as she clearly is a capable and sensible woman who knows what needs to be done, when the time comes. Tension during the episode runs high as Rick proposes the idea to go to CDC (Center for Disease Control). Shane doesn't agree with Rick but his option involves them having to travel 100 miles. Shane also expresses to Rick how unwise it was to have left them there and that many of the casualties that were suffered resulted from that decision. They built the tension well as Shane has a rather ugly moment as he contemplates shooting Rick, unknown to Rick but observed by Dale. Rick later confides in his wife Lori, looking for some peace of mind but she doesn't lie to him about how she feels. It helped build Lori's character, who has come off a bit cold, and I found myself starting to get a sense of who she is.

Dale pays his respect to Amy as he tries to console Andrea. The scene between the two of them started off a bit disingenuous but the scene took its time and grew into something more. Amy's reawakening was absolutely heartbreaking, as you see the sadness and vacancy in her eyes. We also discover Jim's been bit and his eventual death is chronicled throughout the episode. Rick wants to try to get him help, that's why he offers up the whole CDC idea in the first place. Hopeful thinking doesn't go too far, as they eventually leave Jim on the side of the road on there way to CDC, at Jim's request. Another scene that could have been heavy-handed is handled with care as Jim refuses to take a gun (to kill himself) that the group is clearly going to need.

At this point in the episode, the twist comes in as the viewer is brought into CDC headquarters. As a sole scientist (presumably) is working on a cure, a la "I Am Legend." He's on the brink of giving up as his tests go wrong on him and he considers taking his life. Our survivors eventually make their way to CDC. When they arrive to CDC the entire area is in disarray. Bodies surround the building as they make their way to the front. Most of them quickly decide that no help is to be found here but Rick is adamant that someone is in the building and this is confirmed when Rick notices the camera on the outside of the building move, as the CDC scientist is watching them, hoping they'll go away. But his conscious gets the best of him as he opens the door for them and we are left with another great cliffhanger.

I was surprised by this departure but I feel like it's a minor thing to help set up the final episode for this season. The slower pace of this episode was bothersome at first, but all the quiet moments were given enough time to blossom into something more. With one episode left, I feel like it was way shorter than it should have been. As much as I've enjoyed the show, up until this point, I don't feel a connection to most of the characters aside from Rick, Shane and Andrea. And I feel this is due to season one's time constraints. It's been a solid season but it needs more characterization. I need and want to care.

Note: Some reviews have mentioned the fact that Daryl made no mention of his missing brother, Merle, which is clearly a misstep in character continuity. But I don't like Daryl or Merle enough to care.

Very Engaging Episode!

[g-bodyl · 9/10 · 12 December 2013]

The fifth episode in this awesome series is very entertaining, despite the lack of zombie action. This episode gives us the feeling of purpose and a sense that it's time to take action or in other words, find a cure. From start to finish, we are engaged into the episode and I felt like this one flew by. The emotional core is still there especially as we see towards the end.

This episode, "Wildfire" deals with the aftermath of the walker attack. When they realize it's not safe to stay in their camp, they decide to head out to the CDC where hopefully they could find a cure.

Overall, this an effective episode and quite an emotional one as well. This is the first time we see Noah Emmerich in his cameo and he does a good job. I wish this episode never ended because it had the perfect cliffhanger and I wanted more. I rate this episode 9/10.

The dire consequences...

[Red_Identity · 28 November 2010]

The Walking Dead has been great so far, but it was not until this episode that we really learn just how dire consequences are. We lost some people, and one in particular will be hard to get over. The actors are all amazing in this episode, and there is probably even foreshadowing to hint at future story lines. There are just such rich moments in this episode that are character-based, and I think that is what will make it even worse when some of these characters die. After this episode there will be some more changes, but so far the show has done everything extremely well, and AMC has surely hit a jackpot with this. Where else can you get quality of the caliber?

Being human!

[and_mikkelsen · 8/10 · 2 January 2024]

After the devestating shocking end of the previous episode, this episode focuses on our characters and how they cope with what happened!

This was our characters getting a wake-up-call from the world they are living in! They, like the viewer, got a little to comfortable! It was heartwarming and emotional! There was a sense of not loosing your humanity, but holding on to what makes us human!

We also get to see how it would be if someone was infected and how the charecters would respond!

This episode also sees the first glimpse of how Shane actually responds to Ricks return and him taking over as the leader!

Strong emotional episode

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 3 August 2021]

The survivors of the attack clear up the dead and decide what to do next.

This is a particularly emotional episode with some touching character moments.

The episode is fairly slow in terms of plot development but it makes up for that with the scenes of emotion relating to death of loved ones and the associated guilt. There is a plausible conflict about the best course of action for the group to take which is standard formula for survival movies, but this is made more interesting by relationships between certain characters.

There are a number of powerful moments such as the scenes involving Andrea and Amy, plus the inevitable fate of Jim. It finishes very interestingly and sets up some decent intrigue for the final episode of series 1.

All the imagery is strong, with great cinematography, editing and visual storytelling. The zombie effects are less gruesome than usual but still disturb in a more subtle and psychological way.

All performances are excellent.

Burying the Relatives and Friends

[claudio_carvalho · 8/10 · 9 October 2011]

The survivors bury their relatives and friends after the attack of zombies and Andrea grieves her younger sister Amy. The camp is no longer safe and when the campers find that Jim has been bitten by a walker, Rick convinces them to move to the C.D.C. facility to seek protection and the cure for Jim. But when they reach the military installation, they find the truth about the location.

"Wildfire" is the weakest episode of "The Walking Dead" so far. The dramatic story has fez action and is focused basically in Andrea, Jim and the C.D.C. scientist performed by Noah Emmerich. Let's wait for a better sequence. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Wildfire" (1.5)

Note: On 08 April 2016, I saw this show again.

Full of fire and emotion

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 21 May 2018]

Had heard nothing but great things about 'The Walking Dead' from friends and IMDb reviewers. It took a while to get round to watching, both from being busy and also not being sure whether it would be my cup of tea. Finally getting round to it a few years ago and slowly working my way through it, having had a very long to watch and review list, 'The Walking Dead' turned out to be very much my cup of tea and as good as the hype made it out to be, have found it extremely addictive.

"Wildfire" continues the extensive character building and a full establishment of tone, in no way disappoints, maintains the complexity and delivers even more on the tension, emotional impact and adrenaline-rush guts. It does not matter at all that it's a slow burn, it never gets dull, for me it's one of Season 1's best. Another strong reminder of how Seasons 1-5 of 'The Walking Dead' to me were absolutely brilliant and seeing the show in its full glory days (Season 6 was uneven, Season 7 was a huge disappointment and am still debating whether to watch Season 8). The characters and storylines are advancing well.

It still shocks me at how an intelligent, well-made (so much so that it is easy to mistake it for a film) show about zombies could be made when so many films have tried and failed abysmally to do so.

Complaints are few actually. Sarah Wayne Callies doesn't seem at ease yet in a role that was not interesting at this point of the show. It is also a bit light on zombie action.

Like all the episodes of the show however, "Wildfire" is incredibly well made in the production values, with gritty and audacious production design, photography of almost cinematic quality, effects that look good, have soul and are not overused or abused and pretty frightening make-up. The music is haunting and affecting, having presence but never being too intrusive.

The writing, the aforementioned grievances aside, is intelligent and thought-provoking, with lots of tension and emotional resonance and already showing signs of character complexity and multiple layer storytelling. The more eventful scenes are thrilling and terrifying as well as uncompromising.

Particularly at the end, and the story building and growing characterisation are getting richer all the time.

It's all thrilling and tautly paced without rushing through the more important parts. The world building is already stunningly immersive and effective. Direction is smart and atmospheric while the show throughout has been strongly acted. "Wildfire" is no exception. Andrew Lincoln continues to be an excellent lead.

Overall, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Wildfire

[lefteris94 · 9/10 · 12 April 2015]

Season 1: Episode 5 "Wildfire"

After a spectacular episode, "Vatos", The Walking Dead reached a high point in the series so far and promises to bring more disaster, despair and of course death. After episode 4 the writers and show-runner made clear to us that no one in this show is ever safe. Everything could happen at any moment. With this said i would like to continue to the next installment of the season 1 episode 5,which is called "Wildfire".

In this episode we see the aftermath of what happened in the camp.Rick tries to contact with Morgan via a pair of walkie-talkie and let him know about what happened.He warns him about the city and all the dangers that reign in Atlanta. It seems that some members of the group have lost their faith in trying to survive in this hell that they've been through and some others are trying to move on from that tragedy. Andrea is suffering off the loss of her little sister Amy, who was bitten and died because she bled out.Carol seems to moving on with her life as her abusive husband,Ed, was eaten alive and died.We can clearly see her anger on the reanimated corpse of Ed when she stomps it with a tool until his brains blew off his head.Andrea is still struggling to let her little sister go.She stays with her until she comes back and when you realize she maybe will commit suicide, she kills reanimated sister. Dale helps her to to bury her. Rick and Shane went for a patrol in the woods, to check for any threats. They split to cover more ground and in a moment we see Shane targeting Rick with his shotgun. He's thinking to kill him off because of the problems that were brought from the moment he returned? We don't know for sure or maybe he thinks that he's a threat of what he built with Lori & Carl? After a while,he drops his gun and moves on and then he realizes that Dale was watching him. Back at the camp, Jacqui finds out that Jim was bitten and everyone are scared. Rick and Shane protect Jim from Daryl,whose about to kill him. The group decided to move on and leave the camp.Morales and his family decided to leave from Atlanta and split from Rick's group. They take care Jim and lead themselves at the CDC in the center of Atlanta hoping to find some answers and of course to find some help for Jim. During the time they spent on the road, Jim's condition is getting worse and asks from the group to let him be. They let him rest on a tree near the road and they gave him a revolver so he can put himself out of his misery.The group is reducing by numbers. They left him alone so he can rest and they continue their way to the CDC.At the CDC we see Edwin Jenner, a scientist who tries to find a cure for the disease that's taking place over the U.S.A. During an experiment he lost his last sample of walker tissue.At night, the group reaches the CDC and herd of walkers starts to surround them. Rick is in front of the gate with the rest of the group and he's screaming for help at a camera that it's on.He refuses to go knowing that someone is inside and he doesn't let them in.Shane tells him that there's nothing here and pulls him so they can leave from this place. Jenner can be seen fighting with himself and tries to decide whether to let the group in or not.At the final moment Jenner opens the door and lets Rick's group to enter CDC.

"Wildfire" is a good episode of the Walking Dead, because now the series changes its course and direction. I believe that we will learn more about that scientist,Jenner and of course the virus that it's taking place in Atlanta. We've lost too many characters and the group's members dropping dramatically. One more episode for the season to end.Very interesting stuff happening and for me it's a 9 out of 10

Slow, but interesting.

[mikeamber-36157 · 8/10 · 28 September 2020]

Wildfire is probably the weakest episode of the season, but it is still a great episode. The episode builds several characters, most notably Rick, Shane, Dale, Andrea, Carol and Daryl. The final scene is intense and fills the viewer with dread. Andrew Lincoln gives another great performance as he begs to the CDC camera. There is a bleak second where nothing happens, then boom! The doors open. Great cliffhanger.

A slower episode, but still good

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 22 October 2014]

AMC has surely hit the jackpot with "The Walking Dead" this TV show has down everything right so far. A tension filled episode that deals with the aftermath for the last episode.

Andrew Lincoln is again superb as Rick, Andrew Rothenburg gives an excellent performance as Jim, Jeffrey DeMunn continues to impress as Dale, while Sarah Wayne Callies continued to annoy.

The group split up and they suffer another loss as tensions rise between Rick and Shane as to which direction the group should take. We get to meet a new character,

Well directed with great performances. The episode ends with a great shot too.

"We need time to mourn and we need to bury our dead."

[Hey_Sweden · 8/10 · 10 June 2022]

'Wildfire' begins as Rick speaks into a walkie talkie, in the hopes that Morgan can hear him. This heartfelt monologue leads into an episode that is heavy in emotion. The survivors of the previous walker attack make the preparations to properly dispose of their fallen comrades, but it soon becomes clear that Jim was in fact bitten by a walker. However, Rick is not ready to give up on him, and proposes a journey to the Center for Disease Control in the hopes of possibly finding a cure. (Or, at least, other survivors.) Shane has his doubts - he'd prefer to make an even longer journey to a military base that he feels is a better option - but ultimately he trusts Ricks' judgment.

This episode won't be for everybody. We barely see any walkers, and there's not much in the way of gore (save for the usual plethora of sound effects). 'Wildfire' is more about character studies, and coming to terms with this new world. Andrea takes her time saying goodbye to Amy, knowing full well that she wasn't really there for Amy in better times. Jim regains some of his lucidity and he makes his own decision as to his fate. It's because so much time is spent getting to know these characters that it becomes so impactful whenever one or more of them dies. We may not always agree with, or condone, somebody's actions, but we do understand them.

The introduction of the CDC was a good hook during this first season, giving us a new location with which to familiarize ourselves. There seems to be only one scientist remaining, a man named Jenner (Noah Emmerich), and he doggedly keeps doing what he has to do, as weary as he has become. He's thrown for a loop when Rick and the others actually show up, and there's some rising tension as night is falling and he has to decide whether or not to let them in.

Wonderfully acted by all concerned.

Eight out of 10.

Not the Worst, Not the Best.

[bobwattheheck · 7/10 · 28 June 2020]

While I still rated it 9/10, the journey to the CDC was my least favorite plot line out of the entire series mainly since it felt out of place. How is this still a 9/10? The actors were performing phenomenally, especially Andrew Lincoln when he begged Edwin Jenner to open the doors of the CDC. This is also the episode that starts Shane's downfall as he points his gun at Rick. Not to mention how sad Jim's death was.

Desperation At It's Finest

[Deadlyknights · 9/10 · 3 November 2022]

The grieving process is such a fascination. So take it in stride, some act mournful or sorrowful, and some show blatant anger. All these feelings come from a deep place of sorrow and this episode shows us how different people grieve, while also giving us a taste on how bad the situation really is. Rick comes up with a plan to take Jim to the C. D. C, as they believe it will be a safe haven. Rick and Shane's first sign of conflict shows here. Shane filled with rage at the fact that Rick is "Stealing" his family from him. Lori sowing tensions to come. The group embarks and the reveal of how truly overun and destroyed everything is, is shown here. The area around the C. D. C is a battleground of corpses and unmanned military equipment. The group is at the last of it's ropes, out of food, out of water, out of gas. Rick pleads to whoever is on the other side to let them in. They find that 1 man is left in the C. D. C. The government has given up and either went into hiding or was completely dismantled. Either way this episode paints a bleak picture. It's highly underrated.

The Desicions

[friannk · 9/10 · 25 September 2018]

TWD said goodbye to one of his very first victims in this episode. Even though the episode was great, i think it was the least likeable episode for me! Character of The Week: Rick Grimes

Take Your Safety and Shove It

[devinpbuffington · 10/10 · 27 June 2023]

This entire episode feels like revenge, but not revenge from one person to another, rather revenge from nom Mother Nature to the survivors leftover.

Jim finally found his purpose for his erratic behavior, and unfortunately it came at the cost of lives including his own. Shane and Rick come to a head about what to do next, and Shane almost takes Rick's head because of it. Daryl struggles with feeling like one of the group in the wake of the tragic loss of life. Carol begins to get her freedom from Ed. Morales decides to branch off to find his own people.

The real star of this episode is in just the last few minutes. The desperation in Rick's voice as he pleads with the security camera at the CDC, the anger in Shane's voice as he blames Rick for getting them into this situation, and a first look at just how completely void of hope the CDC actually is on the inside.

Frank does a lot of psychological digging in this one, and the show benefits from it.

A change in directions

[mm-39 · 1 June 2012]

Wildfire episode is a plot changing episode. The survivors though they had a safe hide out in the woods, but were mistaken. There was a zombie attack and a few people died. The plot twist moves the story forward where the group argues about moving forward. The episode is bogged down with the human drama of people dealing with their soon to be undead family members coming back. I found the show slowed down in the middle because of the emotional back and forth from the emotional people in the group verses the stone cold realists. The group goes on a run to find the CDC and are left in a bad spot. The exciting ending saves the episode. Wildfire is not a strong episode but okay. Wildfire is 6 scares out of ten.

A great filler episode with great character development

[MomentIMDB · 9/10 · 22 October 2019]

After the attack of the walkers to the camp, the survivors look for an exit.

The episode focuses more on the development of the characters than on advancing the plot and achieves it in a good way and maintains a good pace and does not get bored.

good points: Rick tells Morgan what happened at the camp, good detail.

Andrea's character has a great change for the death of Amy and when he killed his sister he felt his pain, good development of his character.

I liked the conflict with killing Jim, as he delves into the characters and their way of facing their new reality, although I would have liked that Jim's character had had greater depth so that his death hurt us.

Carol killing her dead husband I liked and showed the future strength that this will bring.

Shane had an interesting development. And a very good moment was when Rick and Shane are in the woods and Shane points him to the head from afar and gives him a look.

The introduction of the CDC was very good and interesting and helps us to understand more how the government acted in the face of the problem.

the end of the episode I loved, in the city at night, surrounded by dead, all scared and rick knocking on the door to open them and ends with a plane of all and the door opening. big cliffhanger

Wildfire

[inefableataraxia · 8/10 · 18 December 2018]

The group clings into old traditions into burying their own people. Rick wants to go to CDC to find a cure for Jim. Meanwhile Shane seems jealous of Rick and his family that even tries to kill him but hesitate. And now Jim wants the rest to leave him behind. But that means leaving another walker roaming around. Not a good call.

As the group grapples with the loss of their loved ones, they are forced to confront difficult decisions about their future

[fernandoschiavi · 7/10 · 28 February 2024]

Directed by Ernest Dickerson, "Wildfire" delves into the emotional aftermath of the survivors' encounter with the undead. As the group grapples with the loss of their loved ones, they are forced to confront difficult decisions about their future.

One of the most poignant scenes in this episode is when the survivors arrive at the CDC in search of answers, only to be met with uncertainty and despair. The claustrophobic atmosphere of the CDC adds to the tension, as the survivors struggle to come to terms with the harsh realities of their new world.

"Wildfire" explores themes of grief, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of overwhelming tragedy. As the survivors struggle to find hope amidst despair, they are forced to confront their own mortality and the fragility of human existence.

8.7/10

[CillianMurphyEnthusiast · 9/10 · 13 August 2023]

Another Amazing Episode. Even though this is the worst episode of season 1 it's still amazing. The others are just better. The last 10 minutes of the episode is mainly the best part. The rest is just mediocre. It's a shame Glenn wasn't shown too much because I liked "season 1 Glenn" the best. I mainly loved him before he met Maggie. The scene IN THE WOODS of Rick and Shane is amazing. (Sorry the only word I'm using is amazing, I'm not a very detailed person. I average d minuses in english class.) Setting up Shane being the antagonist for the next season. This episode makes this show feel like a zombie apocalypse the most.

If you're a fan of the comics, you'll LOVE the first 45 min., BUT STOP THERE!!!!

[Stichey · 6/10 · 22 January 2011]

I have been reading The Walking Dead series since the very first comic book and had mostly adored the series to this point (aside from episode two, which was much weaker and broke a lot of rules from the comics - running zombies, smart zombies, climbing zombies, etc.) but the last 10-15 min. of this episode was so jarring in terms of narrative change that at first I thought I was watching another show.

In what felt like a complete rehash of Lost Season 2, we're introduced to a new character and provided his perspective from his place of relative safety. Such a notion could not have felt less like The Walking Dead and I could not help but watch aghast while asking why they would complete abandon the survivors and so clumsily introduce a new character while seemingly tease a reason for the zombie outbreak - something Robert Kirkman vowed would never occur in the series. At the end of this episode, I was completely disappointed and worried about what might occur in the final episode. Sadly, the final episode was astoundingly worse than I had initially feared.

Sad part continues and also some excitements.

[XueHuaBingYu · 7/10 · 26 June 2019]

Episode 5 was really intense. I mean it sort of had some difficult situation and because of those, this episode was kind of a good one.

Previously, I thought I would never get to see that damned scene where Amy turned into zombie. But in this episode, they show us that scene. It's very sad to see someone who you love turned into something you hate and something you are going to kill soon. That's a really bad thing.

There are two scenes that I love. One was Andrea killed his beloved sister Amy. Killing someone who you love with your hands is very difficult even if they become someone you can't even recognise and something you must kill. I know that that is very hard to do. But Andrea did it anyway. It must have been a great efford for her to do it. So, that becomes one of my favourite scenes of this episode.

The other one was Jim. Jim got bitten and he's been fighting it for so long. Normally, not everyone can do it. But he could. As for me, I think he's the toughest man in the group. It's very sad to see him at the end, he couldn't keep fighting against it. He said them to leave him there alone. I can feel that he did that to keep the others out of trouble and also to keep the others safe. For normal people, I believe that they would ask not to leave them alone and/or take them along. But Jim did. That's very brave of him. Initially, I didn't like him that much for some reasons. But when he asked to leave him behind, I kind of like him.

As I've said before, this episode gives you some excitements. I was really excited to see every scenes. The last scene is the best. Finally, we get to know what caused all of this, but unfortunately, it's still not clear who the hell the patient zero is. So, I'll be looking forward to find out about it. The summary is that this episode is not that strong, but it has something that I like. So, yeah, it's a fine episode. I can't wait to see what it's going to happen next.