The Way Home Season 1 Episode 5 Recap “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
Episode 5 of The Way Home, titled “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” balances nostalgia, heartbreak, and more than a little small-town drama. From closing night at the Roxy to Alice’s complicated crush, the Landry women are all wrestling with their pasts and their futures.
On this week’s episode of Girls Gone Hallmark, we’re recapping every beat: the bittersweet farewell to Port Haven’s beloved movie theater, Alice’s risky attachment to Nick, Kat and Brady’s tense dinners (yes, plural), and Del’s surprising new connection with Byron. Plus, we’ll dig into the episode’s biggest emotional gut punches, the ‘90s callbacks that had us grinning, and the moments that set up major tension for the rest of the season.
Listen to Girl’s Gone Hallmark’s Recap and Review of The Way Home, Season 1, Episode 5 “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
Episode 5 Recap
Life at the farm seems temporarily calm with Brady back in the kitchen, but Alice wants nothing to do with her dad. She’s far more focused on Nick’s social media and the possibility of seeing him in the present day. Meanwhile, Kat finally confronts Elliot about keeping the time-travel secret, while Del says goodbye to the Roxy—the town’s iconic movie theater that’s closing its doors.
Alice’s involvement in planning the high school dance adds more ‘90s references (butterfly clips, chokers, the Macarena). At the same time, Del reluctantly leans on Byron for companionship, and Kat and Brady’s fragile truce falls apart after an emotional—and very messy—argument. The episode ends with a hopeful but haunting final scene as the Roxy closes and the Landrys, Elliot, and Alice stand together in reflection.
What We Loved
- The music moments: from Kiss Me to Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” the soundtrack is perfection.
- Alice’s dance committee glow-up: butterfly clips, chokers, and all.
- Elliot calling Brady on his nonsense—the banter was top-notch.
- Del’s vulnerability: seeing her ask Byron for support was a rare, tender moment.
Questions We’re Asking
- Will Alice’s obsession with Nick in the present spiral out of control?
- Is Del ready to let someone new into her life—or is she just avoiding grief?
- And can Kat really keep her time-travel knowledge from Alice?
Why This Episode Works
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” acts as a turning point for the season by closing one chapter with the Roxy’s farewell while opening up new emotional stakes for Kat, Alice, and Del. It’s messy, heartfelt, and keeps us craving answers.
Your Ultimate Source for All Things The Way Home
It’s official: The Way Home has come to Netflix! Don’t miss our full episode breakdowns, season guides, and everything you need to know.
Listen to all reviews of The Way Home Season One
Did you miss last week’s recap of “The Way Home?’
- Episode 1 ‘Mothers and Daughters’
- Episode 2 ‘Scar Tissue’
- Episode 3 ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing’
- Episode 4 ‘What’s My Age Again?’
- Episode 5 ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’
- Episode 6 ‘Building a Mystery’
- Episode 7 ‘The End of the World As We Know It’
- Episode 8 ‘Lovefool’
- Episode 9 ‘The Day the Music Died’
- Episode 10 ‘Not All Who Wander are Lost’
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