There are few shows is perfect for catching up on during a long weekend than The Walking Dead. It works better all at once than week to week, but generally I am never able to be patient enough to make that happen for myself. Here’s the recap of the midseason premiere of The Walking Dead. Spoilers and Zombies ahead.
What a way to start back up again TWD
Negan’s Goons v. Sasha, Daryl, and Abraham
"Your property now belongs to Negan" - Negan’s Outrider
I’m not even going to try and find this dude’s name. He’s mean, he’s sadistic, and he’s not around that long, thank goodness. Plus, I don’t even know who his boss is. Now, I don’t read the graphic novel, but it seems to me that everyone who does is more excited than Game of Thrones readers were for The Red Wedding. If he’s the leader of this band of motorcycle riding raiders, then he must be something.
"Bite, Chew, Swallow, Repeat" - Negan’s Outrider
This is the perfect motto for this show and for this episode. Don’t tiptoe around the s**t the world has become. You’re in it now, so get on with it. The show does just that and comes back this season with several literal “bangs.”
"Tougher than he looked" - Daryl
Episode MVP goes to Daryl from the beginning. Way to blow up a bunch of dudes with a rocket launcher. This is why the show keeps you around. One of the shows themes, underestimation = death, is on display here and I love it. Assuming that a group of people that have survived this long in the zombie wilds is defenseless now that they’ve been disarmed is such a terrible mistake. Welcome back TWD!
Rick’s Escape Team
"I’m supposed to. I have to. I will." - Gabriel
I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust Father Gabriel with anything. I half expected him to drop Judith and run screaming into the church to barricade himself in, again. Glad he didn’t, but that doesn’t make up for all the nonsense he caused in the past.
"I can keep going, please." - Sam
Death flag. I hate this kid. I know he’s scared, and he should be; however, the idea that him or his mom should have been out there is the worst idea i’ve ever seen played out on TV. Rick should have known better. Why exactly did he need to bring them along? Would she have been that essential to driving the vehicles from the quarry? Is she a skilled fighter now just because she learned how to use a gun a few days ago? This blood is on Rick’s hands and he knows it. That said, this was a powerful scene with Team Rick.
“No...” - Rick
Oh yes, Rick. You are seeing what you are seeing. The Walking Dead just showed a child getting his face eaten of on national cable TV. The rules have changed for good folks. Kids don’t get a free pass. Mom tries to save the kid? Primary love interest of the grizzly widowed protagonist? BOOM! She’s dead too. Emotional breakdown by the lead character? Yes, but way more awesome than you’d think. Physically cutting the bonds between himself and his love interest by severing her arm with an axe is the pinnacle of Father/Son love and one of the best Rick moments of the entire series.
“You” - Ron
No, You! CARL GOT SHOT IN THE FACE! Better that than getting stabbed through the whole body by Michonne. They should have done that back at the house before they got started. That kid was never going to work. He was too soft and hormonal. Good riddance kiddo, I always hated you. Thank you though for making me realize I care about Carl.
The entire series I thought I’d be happy if Carl died. I’ve been waiting for him to get his for being so darn annoying. I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw him with his mangled eye/face. I was terrified that he got bit. Glad he’s going to be ok. For now, at least.
Glenn and Enid Rescue Team
"People you love they made you who you are. They’re still part of you...they’re still here because you’re still here." - Glenn
These two have chemistry and I have enjoyed their time together. I hope she sticks around and becomes a productive member of team Rick. She has glenn’s survival skills and scavenging ability. She is what he was Season 1, and they’ll need her to be. Glenn is an old man now in zombie years. He’s got a baby on the way. He’s one of the most essential members of the team. Time to let the next generation of supply runners take charge. Plus, she’ll make a great hostage for Negan when she inevitably gets kidnapped and forces Carl “The One-Eyed” Grimes to come to her rescue.
The Wolf and the Doctor
"I changed. Now, I want to help you change" - Wolf
I was largely uninterested in this story since last season, but it does prove that Morgan is right and remind us that Carol is no nonsense, no assumptions, and no second chances. The guy changed. He could have been redeemed. Carol shot him in the chest before we could figure all that out. She’s going to continue to be this way and because of that she’s going to be dangerous for the group. I love her, but she has issues. Now that Rick is swinging back toward “the light,” I see Carol becoming increasingly distant from Team Rick and potentially even starting her own in the aftermath of this attack. Maybe she’ll go shack up with Negan? Will we see Carol turn heel this season? I just made myself excited.
"What are you doing?" - Various people to Rick, Gabriel, and themselves
The town deciding to rally around Rick’s violent, emotional breakdown was touching and exciting. Rick acting purely on rage and instinct was able to accomplish what he set out to do 8 episodes ago. Were it not for the wolves attack, this is what would have happened coming back from the quarry. His plan worked, but not before a lot of people died. That seems to be Rick’s MO. The core group is still around though.
"God will save Alexandria because God has given us the courage to save it ourselves" - Father Gabriel
Yes, father. Now you’re earning your stripes.
"No one gets to clock out today." - Eugene
Finally Eugene arrives at the party. I didn’t see any shots of him killing anything. Perhaps I wasn’t looking close enough, but at least he left the building instead of cowering in a closet or something. Progress.
"Will you get the gate? Appreciate it pal!" - Abraham
You lovable lunatic. Thank you for saving the day. Thanks for bringing back Daryl so he could help TWD do its best Battle of the Blackwater impersonation.
If this half season is going to follow this trend, it will be the best season yet, but The Walking Dead fans know that the seasons tend to be very up, then down, then back up again. Last half season was pretty consistently solid. I’m optimistic.
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Negan’s Goons v. Sasha, Daryl, and Abraham
"Your property now belongs to Negan" - Negan’s Outrider
I’m not even going to try and find this dude’s name. He’s mean, he’s sadistic, and he’s not around that long, thank goodness. Plus, I don’t even know who his boss is. Now, I don’t read the graphic novel, but it seems to me that everyone who does is more excited than Game of Thrones readers were for The Red Wedding. If he’s the leader of this band of motorcycle riding raiders, then he must be something.
"Bite, Chew, Swallow, Repeat" - Negan’s Outrider
This is the perfect motto for this show and for this episode. Don’t tiptoe around the s**t the world has become. You’re in it now, so get on with it. The show does just that and comes back this season with several literal “bangs.”
"Tougher than he looked" - Daryl
Episode MVP goes to Daryl from the beginning. Way to blow up a bunch of dudes with a rocket launcher. This is why the show keeps you around. One of the shows themes, underestimation = death, is on display here and I love it. Assuming that a group of people that have survived this long in the zombie wilds is defenseless now that they’ve been disarmed is such a terrible mistake. Welcome back TWD!
Rick’s Escape Team
"I’m supposed to. I have to. I will." - Gabriel
I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust Father Gabriel with anything. I half expected him to drop Judith and run screaming into the church to barricade himself in, again. Glad he didn’t, but that doesn’t make up for all the nonsense he caused in the past.
"I can keep going, please." - Sam
Death flag. I hate this kid. I know he’s scared, and he should be; however, the idea that him or his mom should have been out there is the worst idea i’ve ever seen played out on TV. Rick should have known better. Why exactly did he need to bring them along? Would she have been that essential to driving the vehicles from the quarry? Is she a skilled fighter now just because she learned how to use a gun a few days ago? This blood is on Rick’s hands and he knows it. That said, this was a powerful scene with Team Rick.
“No...” - Rick
Oh yes, Rick. You are seeing what you are seeing. The Walking Dead just showed a child getting his face eaten of on national cable TV. The rules have changed for good folks. Kids don’t get a free pass. Mom tries to save the kid? Primary love interest of the grizzly widowed protagonist? BOOM! She’s dead too. Emotional breakdown by the lead character? Yes, but way more awesome than you’d think. Physically cutting the bonds between himself and his love interest by severing her arm with an axe is the pinnacle of Father/Son love and one of the best Rick moments of the entire series.
“You” - Ron
No, You! CARL GOT SHOT IN THE FACE! Better that than getting stabbed through the whole body by Michonne. They should have done that back at the house before they got started. That kid was never going to work. He was too soft and hormonal. Good riddance kiddo, I always hated you. Thank you though for making me realize I care about Carl.
The entire series I thought I’d be happy if Carl died. I’ve been waiting for him to get his for being so darn annoying. I almost jumped out of my seat when I saw him with his mangled eye/face. I was terrified that he got bit. Glad he’s going to be ok. For now, at least.
Glenn and Enid Rescue Team
"People you love they made you who you are. They’re still part of you...they’re still here because you’re still here." - Glenn
These two have chemistry and I have enjoyed their time together. I hope she sticks around and becomes a productive member of team Rick. She has glenn’s survival skills and scavenging ability. She is what he was Season 1, and they’ll need her to be. Glenn is an old man now in zombie years. He’s got a baby on the way. He’s one of the most essential members of the team. Time to let the next generation of supply runners take charge. Plus, she’ll make a great hostage for Negan when she inevitably gets kidnapped and forces Carl “The One-Eyed” Grimes to come to her rescue.
The Wolf and the Doctor
"I changed. Now, I want to help you change" - Wolf
I was largely uninterested in this story since last season, but it does prove that Morgan is right and remind us that Carol is no nonsense, no assumptions, and no second chances. The guy changed. He could have been redeemed. Carol shot him in the chest before we could figure all that out. She’s going to continue to be this way and because of that she’s going to be dangerous for the group. I love her, but she has issues. Now that Rick is swinging back toward “the light,” I see Carol becoming increasingly distant from Team Rick and potentially even starting her own in the aftermath of this attack. Maybe she’ll go shack up with Negan? Will we see Carol turn heel this season? I just made myself excited.
"What are you doing?" - Various people to Rick, Gabriel, and themselves
The town deciding to rally around Rick’s violent, emotional breakdown was touching and exciting. Rick acting purely on rage and instinct was able to accomplish what he set out to do 8 episodes ago. Were it not for the wolves attack, this is what would have happened coming back from the quarry. His plan worked, but not before a lot of people died. That seems to be Rick’s MO. The core group is still around though.
"God will save Alexandria because God has given us the courage to save it ourselves" - Father Gabriel
Yes, father. Now you’re earning your stripes.
"No one gets to clock out today." - Eugene
Finally Eugene arrives at the party. I didn’t see any shots of him killing anything. Perhaps I wasn’t looking close enough, but at least he left the building instead of cowering in a closet or something. Progress.
"Will you get the gate? Appreciate it pal!" - Abraham
You lovable lunatic. Thank you for saving the day. Thanks for bringing back Daryl so he could help TWD do its best Battle of the Blackwater impersonation.
If this half season is going to follow this trend, it will be the best season yet, but The Walking Dead fans know that the seasons tend to be very up, then down, then back up again. Last half season was pretty consistently solid. I’m optimistic.
Follow us on Facebook; Twitter; iTunes; Soundcloud; Stitcher
Related Articles:
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 8 Review
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 6-7 Review
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 2-5 Review
The Walking Dead Season 6 Episode 1 Review
Fear The Walking Dead Season 1 Episodes 1-6 Review
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