Now that The Walking Dead season 5 has come to an end, we’ve had some time to reflect on the season as a whole. Through a very scientific calculation of IMDb’s episode rankings, fan opinions, and our personal favorites, we’ve ranked the Top 5 Episodes from the fifth season below:
#5 – Coda (508)
IMDb rating: 8.9
It’s the episode the entire first half of Season 5 is building to. It opens with some great action (car chases!?) followed by an attempted peaceful trade with the corrupt Grady cops. But the exchange ends in tragedy when Dawn shoots Beth, arguably one of the most shocking and enraging deaths of the entire series. This episode left us as heartbroken as Maggie and Daryl, and that’s part of what makes the show so good.
#4 – Spend (514)
IMDb rating: 9.2
Betrayal. Death. Redemption. This episode packed one hell of a punch. Not only did we lose Noah in one of the most gruesome TV-deaths ever, but Eugene, Abraham, Glenn and Carol all got moments to shine. And then on top of it all, Father Gabriel stole the show and cemented himself as one of the most-hated characters on the show after his breakdown and subsequent confession to Deanna.
#3 – Conquer (516)
IMDb rating: 9.5
This extended episode used every moment. Conflicts brewing the entire season finally exploded and several characters completed satisfying and powerful arcs (Sasha, Daryl, Rick, Michonne, Deanna… the list goes on and on). Not to mention Morgan’s return (!!!) and the first real glimpse of the Wolves. A great finale for sure, and one that leaves us eager for Season 6…
#2 – Four Walls and a Roof (503)
IMDb rating: 9.1
The title says it all. This episode is as nuanced as it is bloody, featuring several difficult decisions and at least two crises of faith. We get to see the Ricksterminator deal with the Termites, and Sasha deal with Bob, and Maggie deal with God—this episode is just packed.
#1 – No Sanctuary (501)
IMDb rating: 9.6
Tied on IMDb for the highest rated episode of The Walking Dead ever, it’s hard not to place this explosive season return in the top slot. Not only does it deliver on the action, it’s helmed by some great character conflicts (Tyreese’s moral standoff, for example) and infused with a dramatic core (the flashbacks to Gareth’s group being abused). So good.
Do you agree with our choices for the top episodes this season? Comment below with your own rankings, and also vote in our mini poll for best episode:
[yop_poll id=”112″]
Best. Season. Ever!
I agree!
I struggled with deciding between No Sanctuary (501) & What Happened & What’s Going On (509). I was already hyped for 501 simply because it was the premiere… and it was indeed awesome. But I cast my vote for 509. It was beautifully written & executed & I’m a little surprised not to see it listed among the top 5…. think I would’ve swapped it out with Coda (508).
I went four walls and a roof, ultra-violence and indifference to human life? Yes please!
“No Sanctuary” was def an top notch episode!! I liked how fast paced it was and the escape from terminus was flawless.Who knows how the group would’ve gotten out of that situation if it wasn’t for Carol to the rescue.I don’t think the whole Rick with the knife thing would’ve worked especially when they were moments away for they’re turn to get sliced..but who knows though lol.Rick is quite slick on occasion when it comes to survival.One thing I would’ve done though for that episode is since Gareth knowing Rick was the ring leader and all..I’d like to see Gareth giving Rick the grand disturbing tour of terminus and explaining a lil more in depth of they’re cannibalism and such..and maybe but maybe one of the group members slightly escape from train cart and check things out like getting back they’re weapons or finding out the question marks about the place while Rick gets introduced to this savage place at the same time.But the way how they opened up the season premiere with Gareth and his people captured because they let the wrong people in was very self explanatory!Very disappointed with tyreese though not finishing that dude off with Ricks kid though.Im more a fan of the comic book tyreese more than anything.But anyways The Walking Dead will always be my favorite show and best read ever!Im so ready for season 6 and fear the walking dead spinoff show!
Lol my b it wasn’t a knife..just a carved out sharp piece of wood from the train cart lol!!
Great season. I only wish they would have shown/discussed more on how the Termites escaped their captors and became/exacted revenge by becoming cannibals. If I remember correctly, there was even a quick scene in the Season 5 trailer that showed Gareth with the group and Rick saying we need to get to Washington, as if Gareth had joined the group. Might be a good webisode like the story of the Bicycle Girl.
OK – so from the 40 second to 1:09 mark, scenes are spliced together to make it look like Gareth and Rick’s gang are interacting more. Pretty slick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGGVXr7BNd4