We wanted war, and we got it.
The Walking Dead started season 8 off with a bang, showing
Rick and the group taking a calculated, strategic approach to dismantling Negan’s
empire.
After Daryl gets some intel from Dwight, we see Negan’s
lookouts getting picked off one by one. Anticipating that such a loss of ground
would result in an investigation, the crew has already rigged up a trap to
dismantle the soldiers Negan sent out.
The three communities combine their forces, rolling up to
The Sanctuary in armored vehicles and packing enough firepower to stand their
ground. It’s then the showrunners reference a concept that still doesn’t get
the attention it deserves – Negan’s followers.
His lieutenants are all given a choice to walk away. They’re
all there – Simon, Gavin, Dwight, Eugene and…Regina? Fine, but that fifth spot
could’ve gone to Arat, just saying.
Rick holds off on the fire fight here because he understands
a simple truth that has been repeated throughout history. Many people who do
terrible things at the behest of a leader are, in a sense, only “doing their
job.” They’re trying to get resources for themselves and those they care about,
and prop up a system they’ve been taught to have faith in.
Not only has Rick found his backbone again, but he’s also
rekindling the wit we’ve seen sporadically throughout the series. He quotes
Negan twice, saying “this is the only way” when Gavin asks for a time out, and
even asking “are you going to make me count?”
It could be argued that Negan’s lieutenants are even more responsible
than he is in some regards. After all, they’ve actually acted out his orders
and gotten their hands dirty (or bloody) more than Negan himself. Even the
workers inside may have to make a tough choice, as their continued obedience to
Negan for security/resources has put other communities in great danger.
Then we get a good fake-out attempt by the writers. Negan
hints that he has the numbers, making us wonder if we’re about to see another last-minute
surprise like the garbage people turning on Rick. Gregory emerges, proclaiming
the Hilltop stands with Negan, and ordering the members to
stand down and obey The Saviors’ orders.
Unfortunately for Gregory, the people of Hilltop have accepted
Maggie as their new leader. This angers Simon, who vouched for Gregory, and has
a great outburst before shoving the former leader off the platform.
A firefight ensues, putting the pressure on Negan like we’ve
never seen. Daryl takes the roll of the pied piper, leading a herd of walkers
straight toward The Sanctuary. Gabriel ends up trying to save Gregory in the
ensuing chaos, only to end up trapped with Negan in a trailer surrounded by
zombies.
This means we’ll have a chance to see two of the series’ most charismatic
characters have some one-on-one interaction.
Peppered throughout the episode were scenes that appeared to
show Rick in the future, brandishing gray hair and a cane while living in
relative comfort alongside Michonne and Judith. Is Rick just having deluded fantasies,
or are the writers putting things in place for something bigger?
Our Rating: 3.5/5
Overall, this episode gave us what we hoped for. While it
wasn’t the type of blowout we saw when Carol infiltrated Terminus in the Season
5 premiere, it was solid. The war is on, and our heroes have landed the first
shot. We may not have gotten the type of major payoff we wanted, but it’s definitely
coming – probably a few times over. Seeds have been planted for the future
while still giving us plenty of action. If the season keeps up this pace, we’re
in for a treat.
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