The Big Scary U

Season 8 wasn't the best season but it has had some memorable moments which makes this episode stand out

this episode also showed that it doesn't need action to be entertaining and mostly focused on Negans point of view

definitely worth watching

After really disliking the first three episodes of Season 8 (especially "Monsters"), "Some Guy" turned out to be a big improvement and shed some hope. Didn't care for Season 8 as an overall whole, but it was not devoid of good episodes. Expectations were a bit mixed on first watch, despite being pleasantly surprised by "Some Guy" that "The Big Scary U" was going to focus on two characters that have not been that interesting in a long time concerned me a bit.

"The Big Scary U" was another Season 8 episode that was better than expected. It is not one of the best episodes of 'The Walking Dead', Season 6's "Not Tomorrow Yet" was the last "great" instalment of 'The Walking Dead', but its handling of the two characters that are not favourites of mine by any stretch was surprisingly well done. Flaws and all, "The Big Scary U" definitely to me is one of the better episodes of Season 8 and in the small group of instalments that weren't disappointing.

Sure, "The Big Scary U" could have been better. Again the action is somewhat messy and more silly than thrilling, especially in the final third. The ending felt a bit abrupt.

Felt too that some of the dialogue did ramble, especially some of Negan's. Which was not surprising, as long-winded dialogue is a common problem with Negan's character. Also Eugene is annoying and he is another character who has never been a favourite of mine.

However, "The Big Scary U" does very well with the development of Father Gabriel and Negan, both characters progressing and given more nuance than usual. It was great to see a more conflicted (without it wallowing into excessive self-pity or anything) and humanised Father Gabriel and Negan has more menace than he has done in some time while having more nuance to usual. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Seth Gilliam do fine jobs in their roles, Morgan particularly.

It never bothered me that "The Big Scary U" was a slower paced episode and not the taut action-packed sort of episode of 'The Walking Dead'. It is more character driven than plot driven, it succeeds on that front because the characterisation is interesting and illuminating in the case of Negan. While the story isn't perfectly executed, it still compels and not only does it feel like things are progressing it also does a great job with filling in the gaps the previous episodes had. Particularly in regard to the backstory of Negan.

Photography isn't disorganised or self-indulgant in the way that it was in the first three episodes of Season 8. The lighting has a foreboding atmosphere to it. The music similarly is suitably ominous and while the script is not perfect either it provokes thought.

On the whole, not great but by Season 8 standards it was good. 7/10.

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.

It's great to see Negan again after such a long absence in the series. Well, it certainly seemed that way! It's great to learn more about such an important character. I love how Gabriel says at the beginning that maybe he was sent to redeem Negan. It's not just them as we get some great scenes from Daryl and Rick as well. There's even a lot of talking scenes with many of the minor characters. I admit that this episode didn't have as much action as most, but it didn't matter because it was still awesome! It was quite easy to follow.

We just get more insight onto the characters. This series always was in fact about the psychological implications of a zombie apocalypse. Or should I say walker apocalypse. I'm glad to have been familiar with the comic books even though I haven't read them in a long time. We're getting more built up to how the good guys are going to handle the saviors. I feel bad for that really hated review below me. For once, I won't have the most hated review of an episode! I think that 16 minute opening is the longest in the show's run. ****

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