Episode 5 of "Earth Abides" kicks off with Charlie's undeniable charm captivating everyone around him. As they raise their glasses in a toast celebrating his discovery of water, his name echoes in a resounding chant—all except for Ish, whose mistrust of Charlie is palpable. That very night, Charlie reveals his true colors, violating Evie while his accomplice, Silas, stands guard outside the barn.
Ish, driven by an urgent need to comfort the devastated girl, races to her side. Meanwhile, Charlie and Silas hatch a sinister plan for the next day. Evie's distress is evident, and the community's mood darkens. Maurine and Molly are inconsolable, while Jean aligns with Ish, convinced that Charlie is a predator who must be confronted. With Charlie's relentless advance, they conclude that the only viable option is to eliminate him.
The group is divided over this drastic measure until a vote is cast. Emma, resolute, believes it is their only course of action, while Jorge initially opposes it vehemently—until Maurine persuades him otherwise. That evening, Ish confronts Charlie, demanding that he leave. Charlie, fueled by defiance, provokes them until Ish, driven to extremes, strikes him down with a hammer, repeating the mantra "we had to" to cope with the mental burden of taking a life. Despite his actions, Ish is clearly tormented.
Later that night, as Joey cleans blood from his hands and finds his father near the sink, the bathtub still stains with traces of the grim deed, revealing an imperfect attempt at concealment. The murder's repercussions ripple throughout the community. Perry, Charlie's partner, learns of his demise, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with turmoil and aftershocks.
Perry is granted permission to remain, whereas Ish, along with the others, presents the group with an ultimatum: either depart with Silas or continue with the group. Left to his own devices, Silas ultimately decides to leave. However, at the gates, he passionately implores Ish, convinced that he has no other refuge and recalling how their community was the first to bravery defy adversity. Despite his heartfelt pleas, Ish steadfastly refuses to grant him entry.
Three years leap forward in time. The drought has vanished, and the community's fortunes have once again flourished. The troubles posed by figures like Charlie seem to have vanished, and presumably, Evie remains untouched by such influences. Instead, the narrative shifts to heighten the tensions surrounding Alex and Joey. The former watches as Joey receives endless accolades from his father, all thanks to his ingenuity in creating an "ultralight" — a bike powered by solar energy that appears capable of flight.
Ish is thoroughly convinced that Joey holds the key to shaping the future. With an abundance of food to celebrate, everyone heaps praise upon him. That very night, Joey shivers uncontrollably and succumbs to a fever, eventually collapsing. Molly, who has witnessed such symptoms before, believes that the relentless fever signals the virus's return. Ish remains steadfast in his disbelief, but unfortunately, the virus spreads swiftly. Those fortunate enough to remain uninfected agree to lend a helping hand, including Evie.
While Ish keeps a vigilant watch over Joey around the clock, the constant vigilance widens the rift between him and Alex. In the midst of this turmoil, Heather unexpectedly returns to the compound. She offers heartfelt apologies for her departure, confessing that she now stands alone.
Meanwhile, Ish makes a profound decision: to venture beyond the confines of the bridge barricades and embark on an exploration of the vast, unknown world. The guilt of Charlie's demise weighs heavily on him, convincing him that fate demands a life in exchange—specifically, the life of his beloved Joey. Driven by this belief, Ish heads straight for the grand hospital, desperate to procure antibiotics or any other remedy that might heal his son's wounds.
After gathering an assortment of essential supplies, Ish pauses at the chapel, where he kneels in prayer. He pleads earnestly with the Lord, begging that if a life must be taken, it should be his, not his innocent children's. With his resolve solidified, Ish races back home, leaving the viewer on a cliffhanger as the episode draws to a close.
