A New Deal

The premise of episode 11.18 titled "A New Deal": Carol makes a deal with Pamela to wipe the slate clean on behalf of her friends. Aaron, Jerry, Lydia and Elijah get on the road to Oceanside to fill them in on a plan. The Commonwealth celebrates Founders Day. This episode contains some brilliant editing, transitions and pacing. Corey Reed & Kevin Deiboldt penned the script for 11.18 and I have only good things about their work in this episode, the overall writing was brilliant and the dialogue felt right. These two have become two of my favorite writers for the latest season, their work is appreciated. Overseen by Angela Kang, the writing for this episode is consistent of the previous episodes in Part 1 and 2 if not better. The episode uses the big budget wisely, making it brilliant both technically and the acting and so on, the camera work are brilliant and visually a great episode, an overall impressive production.

Jeffrey F. January directed "A New Deal" and he actually did a terrific job, having been a second unit director since the show's start and a director since 2014, he know both the actors and story so well but most importantly the show so well. The episode contains yet again superb drama with plenty of suspension and tension to keep you entertained and on the edge of your seat. There are so many great scenes in this episode and there's not one single bad performance throughout the entire episode. Scenes that are beautifully shot, scenes that are acted with such brilliance, and every other department and people working on the episode, terrific work. The close ups used, the attention to detail and all the shots in the nature, they nailed it on the camera side of things. The cinematography is once again breathtaking and incredible, just right for the show, the way it was shot and so on, simply brilliant. The sets were detailed and perfect, and so are the art and production design. I also found the effects to be fantastic in this episode, practical effects always makes it so more real, and The Walking Dead is known for their practical effects and they didn't let us down for this episode. Superb sound design and a musical score both gripping and dramatic. It's one of many things on the technical side of things that the show succeeds perfectly with.

"A New Deal" has lots of things that fans of The Walking Dead will like. But it's the writing and the characters actions that makes this episode so memorable, but of course the acting. Norman Reedus was brilliant as Daryl, but other terrific performances were Josh Hamilton as Lance Hornsby and Teo Rapp-Olsson as Sebastian Milton. Honorable mention goes to Cailey Fleming as Judith Grimes. Teo Rapp-Olsson have done a brilliant performance as Sebastian in the entire season, he does a great job in the role. Though there weren't as much action in this as the previous, there were more dialogue and dramatic, thus giving the actors more time to shine.

This episode kept the story going and makes sure that you should stay for the final episodes. I've always tried to look past the Covid restrictions but I've been thinking more and more about how its hurting the Commonwealth arc, it feels more restricted than the possibilities it once presented. It feels too small and now as a fan of the source material, we didn't even get the American Football sequence, instead getting a wrestling scene. The thing of this criticism of mine is how it once again makes the settlement which is supposed to be one of the universe's biggest smaller, there is so much meaning behind that scene in the graphic novel and it feels so off with it being made into wrestling for the show. Other than that, I thought it was a great episode. No spoilers from me but that ending was brilliantly executed thanks to the writing and direction, seriously, it was epic.

Ok, every single member of the crew of this episode at all phases of production need to go back and observe the very first episode of this show.

That was greatness, this, was scraping the sides of a bad made for TV movie from the 90s. The cinematography was trash (overexposed to the degree of a student short), the set designs were worse and worse yet is the story itself. The zombies are no longer the threat, they are the hero's sent to save us from the abizmality of not only the story. But the very work of the film makers behind the camera. And this is how they are ending this show? Is this the lows we've slumped to?

A very average episode now and one that smacks of filler. I'm astonished that there are only six episodes left after this one and yet they're still treading water. Too much time is spent on getting characters from one place to the next which is never very interesting. The political shenanigans fail to inspire and the new 'villains' must be some of the least imposing ever. This one builds to a final twist ending which you'll see coming a mile off if you're got any idea at all of how this show works. Let's hope it starts to pick up a head of steam once we move into the next few episodes, but I won't hold my breath.

Literally edge of my seat. The tension hasn't been this intense since season 7. The end of this episode was quite satisfying, and the gore in this episode is quite nasty and had me and the wife flinching several times. Judith is looking so old at this point and getting tall, I really hope they continue with the character in the spin offs though I doubt the actress would carry over, maybe a time jump and re-cast? I am deeply concerned that Eugene is going to get the Rick death from the comic books. Unfortunately it is clear as a bell that he will be shot in retaliation from Pamela Milton directed at Stephanie.

Underground, the standoff escalates when Daryl takes Lance hostage just as Carol, Negan, Pamela, and Mercer arrive. Although the three of them manage to convince Daryl to surrender, he brutally stabs Lance in the hand as revenge for his earlier actions. Sometime later as the Commonwealth prepares to celebrate their anniversary, Carol confronts Daryl about what he did to Lance and confesses that he was trying to be more like Rick. Meanwhile an imprisoned Lance has Shira and Calhoun murder some Commonwealth janitors, and Max has a talk with Sebastian during which he rants on how the Commonwealth citizens are too civilized and weak not realizing she was recording the conversation. The following day, during the celebration, Sebastian prepares to deliver a recorded speech to the people but Max and Eugene play Max's recording instead. During the commotion, the reanimated janitors wander into the crowd, a vengeful Sebastian attempts to murder Max by pushing her on top of one of the walkers but Eugene saves her by throwing the walker on Sebastian who is severely bitten. The walker is put down by Judith but Sebastian dies of his wounds as a horrified crowd looks on.

In this episode, the survivors are faced with a new challenge as they negotiate a deal with the Commonwealth, leading to a series of tense and dramatic events that test their loyalty and resolve.

The episode begins with the survivors meeting with the leaders of the Commonwealth to discuss a trade agreement. As negotiations progress, tensions rise as the survivors realize the true cost of the deal and the compromises they must make to secure their future.

One of the standout scenes in "A New Deal" is when Maggie confronts the Commonwealth leaders about their treatment of the lower-class citizens, highlighting the inequalities within the community. This scene adds depth to Maggie's character and raises compelling questions about the nature of power and privilege.

Thematically, "A New Deal" explores the idea of sacrifice and compromise in the pursuit of a better future. The episode raises thought-provoking questions about the lengths people will go to for security and the moral dilemmas that arise when faced with difficult choices.

In conclusion, "A New Deal" is a compelling episode that delves into the complexities of negotiation and compromise in a post-apocalyptic world. With its tense scenes, thought-provoking themes, and strong character development, this episode is a standout in the final season of "The Walking Dead."