5 episodes in, does it get better?

It gets better. Hang in there

Good question because I’m thinking the same after 4 episodes. The indiscriminate killings and ridiculous characters like Beth are hard work to get your head around.

I had to drag myself through season 1 and figured I'll just check out s02 before I quit the show for good as I found it really bad, over the top and just... not appealing.

However, this changed drastically in season 2 and now I am glad I watched it all.

This is the first TV show I recall where the first season was trash but what came after I found actually enjoyable.
The characters calm down a little, are less over the top, are explained better and the series isn't so... super dark all the time.
I appreciate the scenery and the actual cowboy related scenes as well as the comradeship between the crew, and the struggles that come with it.

It becomes strangely appealing later on.