The Big Scary U

You've got to admire Negan. He is the perfect example of the the successful psychopath leader. They represent him as many true leaders actually are, dictators who killed millions of people for a specific purpose. It's all utilitarian with him. I am glad they didn't just get an average criminal role and the actor plays it perfectly well.

Well, we finally got the return of Negan this week as he's been locked away with Father Gabriel in that small building for 4 weeks (but likely only a few hours in the show's timeline). Either way, it was nice to get him back, and we got quite a few nuggets of information based on his life before the outbreak. Before Robert Kirkman spilled the beans on Talking Dead last week, I wouldn't have predicted the show would ever divulge such info. Some things are better left unsaid right?

With that said, I really enjoyed Negan's back and forth with Gabriel (or as Negan calls him, Gabe(e)), it was something both characters needed. We needed to see Gabriel in a situation where he can stand up to someone in power, it's not something we have been able to get from his awkward and even creepy character. And it was also nice to see Negan in a different light. The tidbits of information he gave to Gabriel about having a wife and not being able to put her down when the time came was interesting. Not exactly something stunning or anything we haven't heard before with other characters. But it did feel a little bit more interesting coming from Negan.

Rick and Daryl had another episode where they shared most of their screen time with each other. Again, I like the fact that we are getting these moments with the two of them because it feels like it's been a few years since we have. However, the two of them ended up on the wrong side of their punches, breaking out into a small scuffle after they disagreed on tactics towards taking out the Sanctuary. It's hard to really pick which one is right in this situation. I understand why Rick wants to think about the innocent lives considering from the beginning that was always their motto of taking people in from the outside. But how can you not think about the consequences of NOT using full force towards the Sanctuary? You know that it's going to come down to a big decision and Rick will be on the short end of the stick. It always has to get a little bit worse before it can get better again.

Even though we did have to endure another Walker escape while being covered in Walker guts, tonight's episode was a good one. Things are escalating at the Sanctuary with Dwight edging closer and closer to meeting his end, while Gabriel all of a sudden got really sick. So while I don't think this season is moving as fast as they marketed it to be, I still very much enjoyed the dialogue tonight. It's far from filler.

8.4/10

After the first few Season 8 episodes of stilly comic-book like shoot 'em ups, human drama, fragility and conflict returns to The Walking Dead last week and especially this week. At last.

Last week and this week were centred on character. It has been these character-centric episodes which have helped make this show one of the best ever. Father Gabriel has never been one of my favourite characters despite the great performances, but this episode contrasted strength and weakness beautifully using TWDs most powerful performer right now, JD Morgans' Negan, with the difficult and haunted Father Gabriel.

Great drama and emotion in this episode. And the near-unravelling of the Saviours was also well played and makes for interesting times in the coming episodes.

Hope there's' more like this for the rest of the season. 8.5/10

Oh my god i really cant look at Eugenes face anymore. His boring lifeless expression, it almost seems he is continuously constipated. Negan is even worse with his stupid grin, the only thing he does now is talking about genitals, feces and other BS. Rick and Daryl fighting each other didn't make no sense at all but then again these two guys are the only one that makes watching this messy episode bearable. 3/10

Excellent comeback to season 8. I really loved this episode. It was certainly an improvement over the episodes before it. Big scary U was pretty good, I liked the ominous vibes of this episode.