The Lucky Ones

The performances are great, it's just one non engaging storyline after another. And the 10+ minutes of exclusive commentary is even far less interesting.

The woman introduces herself to Eugene as Max Mercer, who was using her mother's name as a code name. Even though she wanted to meet Eugene, once her brother Mercer caught wind of it, he covered it up when Lance also was alerted to her breach in communication protocol, and forced herself to remain quiet upon seeing Eugene with Shira. Eugene storms away due to being too hurt, but eventually goes to reconcile with Max and the pair expresses lingering interest in each other. Meanwhile, Pamela takes a tour of the Coalition's settlements and is unimpressed to hear Alexandria has fallen more than once. After meeting with Oceanside, Pamela goes to Hilltop where she debates Maggie over their different leadership styles and forms of government. Maggie is suspicious of the Commonwealth and refuses to accept aid from them, to the frustration of several Hilltop residents who decide to go join the Commonwealth. Lance is also frustrated by Maggie's decision but insists to Aaron he will persevere, seeking to build up his power to get out from under Pamela. Meanwhile, Ezekiel is admitted for surgery to remove his tumor, having been moved up the line for treatment by Lance as a favor to Carol.

"The Lucky Ones" stands as a profound and reflective episode in the eleventh season of "The Walking Dead," delving into themes of fortune, sacrifice, and the stark disparities within the Commonwealth. This episode shifts the narrative focus, juxtaposing the relative safety and prosperity of the Commonwealth's elite with the ongoing struggles of those on its periphery. Through this lens, "The Lucky Ones" offers a poignant commentary on social inequality and the arbitrary nature of survival in a post-apocalyptic world.

At the heart of this episode are the personal stories of characters who are forced to confront their pasts and the choices that have led them to the present. It's a narrative filled with emotional depth, as characters reckon with the realization that what separates them from those deemed less fortunate is often nothing more than circumstance or chance. The storytelling is nuanced, weaving together individual arcs that highlight the resilience of the human spirit and the complex motivations driving each character. These personal journeys are underscored by powerful performances that bring vulnerability and strength to the fore, emphasizing the humanity of each character amidst the chaos of their world.

"The Lucky Ones" also excels in its exploration of the moral ambiguities of leadership and the responsibilities that come with power. It questions the cost of security and the sacrifices made in the name of progress, challenging both the characters and the audience to consider the ethical implications of their actions. The episode skillfully balances these heavier themes with moments of hope and solidarity, showcasing the small victories and connections that sustain the characters through their darkest hours.

Visually, the episode is striking, utilizing the stark contrasts between the opulence of the Commonwealth and the desolation of the world outside to further highlight the thematic concerns of inequality and privilege. The direction and cinematography work in tandem to create a sense of tension and foreboding, even in moments of calm, hinting at the underlying conflicts that threaten to erupt.

In conclusion, "The Lucky Ones" is a compelling addition to "The Walking Dead's" final season, rich in thematic complexity and emotional resonance. It challenges viewers to reflect on the notions of luck, privilege, and the inherent value of all lives in a world ravaged by loss and despair. Through its thought-provoking narrative and strong character development, this episode reinforces the series' enduring exploration of what it means to be human in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Looking back on it as a whole, in a universe where the dead have come alive, I will still say the most unrealistic thing about this show was probably the romantic pairing of Eugene and Max. As. If.

As a side note to that impossible romance, did we need 2 of the very last episodes of this series to almost exclusively be about Eugene? There are 12 episodes left, grand total, maybe some progress beyond Eugene's love life should be made.

Oh, Maggie briefly shows up, to turn down the thing we know she'll later do. Why the holdup? Why the endless dragging with this series?

It's. The. Last. Season. Wrap. This. Garbage. Up.

This was a rather calm episode with more politics and negotiations than immediate dangers of zombies attacking or two groups fighting each other, and I quite enjoyed it.

First of all, I really liked all the scenes with Eugene and I think he's grown so much on me as a character since when we first saw his rather pathetic azz in season 5.

I already know some people are gonna say "oh boohoo incel Eugene got rejected again and now we gotta now watch him cry." But those scenes were surprisingly quite emotional for me, because that guy has seriously been through a lot and when he thought he actually find something good, the world kicked him down again and he realized it was all a lie. So I can feel him and I'm really liking the chemistry they're building between him and Max. It might not seem that at first, but I think we're getting there.

Then we have Pamela and Hornsby visiting Hilltop and put on a show so Maggie could accept their offer but Maggie is smarter than that.

So I kinda didn't like Maggie when she first came to Hilltop and was just an azz to Rick and the rest and then she left for like 2 seasons and now that she's back again, I don't really know how to feel about her. I'm neutral about her right now but I liked her in this episode. Obviously, it seems that what she's doing is gonna impact her community negatively, but it's obvious that she made the right choice for the long run.

And Hornsby is definitely a fascinating character that gets more and more interesting each episode, and the actor is doing a really good job. You're never quite sure what his intentions are, or if he's just a good man trying to help people or just a power-hungry politician trying to overthrow the leader. Which the second one is is the most probable and obvious one, but I hope there's more to it than just a guy like the Governor. For now, they're not revealing much about Hornsby and Pamela's intentions, so I hope the writers have some interesting things up their sleeve and they're not just delaying it just to reach the 16 and 24 episodes AMC ordered them to do.

So far it seems like the speculations about the "Six months later" scene were right and Hornsby is gonna attempt a coup against Pamela. Which is nice I guess, and not a bad story line, but I think I need more of a nuanced plot with more surprising twists since they're being shy about revealing what Hornsby really wants and what his secret group is all about.

I think I agree with the other review that said they're dedicating too much screen time to Daryl and Aaron should get some of those instead of him. I think Aaron has been a really underappreciated character in this series and should get more screen time like he did last season. This is The Walking Dead, there are so many characters with potential that are just getting dusted on the shelf. I think they should've somehow made Aaron fill the role of Rick whenever he was gone. Daryl is definitely a great character but he doesn't have to be the main focus every episode. I think since Rick was gone, they decided that Daryl should be the center of the story (which he's really not here in this episode, nor was in the last one, but Aaron should've gotten more screen time this episode) and some times they don't know what to do with him.

All in all, a very interesting episode that builds and sets in motion lots of interesting conflicts and story lines and we have to wait and see the outcome.

I am starting to believe that the staff is writing positive reviews to keep the show barely afloat until it dies for good.

Every walker showing up is not being introduced just to pass the time until the episode ends. There is absolutely nothing added to the plot by walkers anymore.

"Interesting narrative" "Never been in a more intriguing place" "Building the story"

What narrative? What story? Everything is all over the place. The characters have been incredibly dumbed down and nothing makes sense.

Only once in my life I had this feeling. And it's the feeling from the last season of Game of Thrones. It's happening again folks.

And don't get me started with the lady at the end explaining the episode. If you need to explain the episode then the episode is baaaaad.

Also, she explains it like a 3rd grader writing a composition about his summer vacation.