Probably. TWD and FTWD are on life support. I don't give a crap about 95% of the characters on either show. I think these spinoffs are sorely needed to inject life back into the franchise even though they were announced way too early.
Spoilers The Walking Dead: the 11th and final season
- Thread starter TREK_GOD_1
- Start date
Absolutely right! Completely killed the buzz for the show's ending. The only show that should have been announced at this point is the Rick spinoff, since Rick is already missing so to wouldn't spoil anything.
Agreed. No one just shkes off a bullet wound as if they accidentally banged their shoulder into a door. That's a problem for many movies and TV series, especially superhero films where non-powered characters receive injuries that no one else would ever walk away from, or survive.
Even when Sebastian was down, he never completely let go of his entitlement mentality. For a character with a 0.0 threat level, he's one of the most irritating in the show's history.
I also found his character suspension-of-disbelief-breaking. Nobody THAT spoiled could have made it this far in this world, even with a powerful mother.
I see no reason to believe that at this time. But even if it is true (and I stress IF) it's not anything especially surprising. I doubt anyone expected Fear to last 11 seasons like the parent show has, and an 8 season run is nothing to be ashamed of for any TV show. The Walking Dead franchise is going through a bit of a transition phase at the moment, so I can see the decks being cleared if you will of the current shows coming to an end to start fresh with a blank slate of new spin-offs. The whole "Issue #1 sells better than Issue #45" mentality that always sees comic book series getting re-branded and relaunched.
True, and over the course of TV history, most spin-offs rarely lasted as long as the parent series. That, and FTWD's story was never promised to take any set amount of time to be resolved. If one recalls all events following the Teddy/nuclear missile arc, there was a strong feeling of "time to make a permanent home / moving on" running through each character, especially Morgan/Grace and Dwight/Sherry.
For FTWD, I imagine Strand's arc will intersect with Madison's, probably a reunion / reconciliation ending with the death of both, whether Alicia ever returns for a cameo or not. Although Morgan became the lead of the series, with Strand and Madison dying, that truly bookends the entire series, with a bit of hope that Morgan/Grace/Mo and Sherry/Dwight/unborn child will live in peace.
The reaming characters (Althea, Daniel, Luciana, Charlie, et al.) do not have much story left, so they might be on the death watch list.
Well, the finale of The Walking Dead: World Beyond revealed the existence of faster, stronger walkers--a subject that is supposed to come up in TWD's final episodes, so perhaps that might lead to a new phase for the franchise.
wow...not even @TREK_GOD_1 has posted a review of the latest episode?
It was action packed, with the COmmonwealth now shaken to its core. This arc definitely seems like it is gonna end soon, and that we will have time for some kind of serious finale... but not sure how that wll look in light of 3 new spinoff series, 2 of which will take place after everything has ended on the main show (i assume the Rick series will be about 1/2 to 2/3 prior to current TWD events)
[spoilers] So Sebastian died! Definitely in a way that seems "appropriate", and citizens just staring at him. Not sure how this squares with the comic, but obviously Mama will be on the warpath. [/spoilers]
It is a shame that HBO seems to have strategically decided to release House of the Dragon at 9pm EST.... EXACTLY when Walking Dead airs. They sucked up quite a bit of audience who OUGHT to be here.
Regarding Fear..... I think we have 2 more seasons left... the next one, which will determine if Fear will go much farther.... if the Return of Madison doesn't revive things, then they might have 1 last season, to wrap things up. But i just don't find Kim DIckens appealing, and i doubt many others do. So we will see what happens. It might be that ratings are so bad that they make Fear wrap early, with just that one season.
I would have loved for MOrgan and RIck have one last reunion (with one of them in the middle of something vioelnt when they meet again...and then joke about it).
It was action packed, with the COmmonwealth now shaken to its core. This arc definitely seems like it is gonna end soon, and that we will have time for some kind of serious finale... but not sure how that wll look in light of 3 new spinoff series, 2 of which will take place after everything has ended on the main show (i assume the Rick series will be about 1/2 to 2/3 prior to current TWD events)
[spoilers] So Sebastian died! Definitely in a way that seems "appropriate", and citizens just staring at him. Not sure how this squares with the comic, but obviously Mama will be on the warpath. [/spoilers]
It is a shame that HBO seems to have strategically decided to release House of the Dragon at 9pm EST.... EXACTLY when Walking Dead airs. They sucked up quite a bit of audience who OUGHT to be here.
Regarding Fear..... I think we have 2 more seasons left... the next one, which will determine if Fear will go much farther.... if the Return of Madison doesn't revive things, then they might have 1 last season, to wrap things up. But i just don't find Kim DIckens appealing, and i doubt many others do. So we will see what happens. It might be that ratings are so bad that they make Fear wrap early, with just that one season.
I would have loved for MOrgan and RIck have one last reunion (with one of them in the middle of something vioelnt when they meet again...and then joke about it).
My review of E18 - "A New Deal" is on page 13.
As others have speculated, viewers should expect housecleaning--including some longtime characters dating back to seasons 4 and/or 5--if you get my meaning about that.
Pamela being on the warpath should lead to her own end in one way or another, since it should be clear to her that the residents of the Commonwealth--or most of them--no longer see her as their benevolent leader.
The Madison character was a major turn-off in the first two seasons, as she was written to be so self-serving and some sort of cunning killer, when nothing in her background would ever set her (or her husband, for that matter) up to be that kind of survivor. The showrunners must have realized she was an irritating character, as her behavior took a 180-degree turn in her final regular season (where she supposedly died). Now, she seems to be a blend of a pathetic and predatory character, leading me to believe she will be the end of the Padre arc, along with the other original character, Strand.
That would be great--another bookend of characters there since the very beginning of the series. Some forget that Morgan was introduced before Daryl. Carol, Andrea, Glenn, et al., so he's as much a fixture of Rick's journey as anyone else. TWD and FTWD are not on the same timeline right now, so FTWD would need a time jump--preferable if the series will end in the next two years, post-Padre.
The Walking Dead
Season 11 - Episode 19 - "Variant"
Judith's narration focuses on Eugene, and his history of doing whatever he needed to in order to survive--
The Commonwealth: is still in chaos-mode, with people running in every direction, and Troopers beating residents. Eugene loses Max--but another resident calls him out for the death of Sebastian. Typically mumble-mouthed when confronted, Eugene is saved by Daryl, who grabs and hides him inside of a store.
In the Commonwealth morgue (SEE NOTES), Pamela laments her son's death, standing over his corpse, now bound to an autopsy table. Mercer stands by, and suggests Sebastian should be prevented from turning into a walker, but Pamela does not want him touched...until..
Ever the manipulator, she admits Sebastian lost his way, then adds Max has as well to a stiffening Mercer. Clearly implicating Max as the culprit, with a subtle threat that someone needs to be made an example for the town that actions have consequences, she also asks for Eugene to be arrested. In other words, if Mercer does not want anything to happen to Max, he will find Eugene.
Troopers take all of Alexandria, Riverside (formerly Oceanside) and Hilltop migrants into custody for questioning about their alleged role in the riot.
Aaron, Jerry, Elijah and Lydia: This group is stopped by a pack of walkers in the distance; Aaron--after taking notice of how close Elijah & Lydia are--decides they should work around the walkers and make their supply drops at Riverside and Alexandria. One of the walkers stops, looking in the direction of the humans...
Their wagon's wheels become stuck in a hole, and while they're able to free the wagon, Jerry's leg is injured. Spotting a large, fenced-in property with a multi-story and other structures once sued for a Renaissance fair, the group takes shelter there. Aaron forms spikes out of wood, Jerry tends to his injury, while Elijah & Lydia are starting a campfire. Elijah tries to kiss Lydia, but she pulls back, and asks to take first watch with an agitated Aaron, who does not share Jerry's optimism about their new location, which--on paper--would seem to be perfect: a large, standing home surrounded by walls with a fresh water stream nearby.
The Commonwealth 2: Mercer questions Rosita, who has--as Mercer observes--lost respect for him. He's to the point, letting her know that Eugene turning himself in would go a long way toward helping Rosita and her friends. Anything less than that means they are not going anywhere.
In the church, Rosita meets up with Daryl and Eugene; knowing Mercer and the Troopers will be searching, they intend to use the Trooper's own duty detail to slip out of the Commonwealth. Eugene becomes frantic (well, what else is new?), arguing that he cannot leave Max. Rosita volunteers to look for Max when they hear another public address from Pamela, offering a large reward for the whereabouts of Eugene and his group.
In the morgue, Pamela cleans the blood from Sebastian's face, admitting the Commonwealth was always going to come before him, but with Sebastian dead, she questions the sacrifices she made, adding they no longer have to disappoint each other anymore (i.e., her failings as a mother, his as a son). Suddenly, Sebastian reanimates as a walker, and its mother backs away, ordering a Trooper to "take care of him".
Mercer and Princess: At Trooper HQ, Princess angrily questions Mercer about her treatment, and about his willingness to capture Eugene for what end in a death sentence carried out. Princess reminds Mercer that she was once alone, losing her mind until Eugene met her, accepted her for who she was--saving her. Good men do not do that--or kill anyone, she adds. Mercer admits he has to look out for his family, when he's called away to a possible sighting. Mercer tells her he has to go, with Princess replying that she has to as well...
Aaron and Lydia: Lydia discusses her near-kiss with Elijah; she pulled back because she was still thinking of Henry--unsure if she would ever be able to open her heart again, considering what happened to Henry. Aaron recalls how his relationship with Erik unfolded, and the happy years spent together in Alexandria-how he wished he had more time with him, all to remind Lydia that loss is a part of life, and she should not back away from the possibility of feeling again out of fear of another death...
Outside of the fence, a walker's hand grabs one of the planks, as if he's readying himself to pull it apart...
Max and Mercer: That evening, Max is still on the run, but soon apprehended by the Troopers. At HQ, Mercer argues that she should sign a false confession claiming she had not taken medication for her psychological issues, which led her to doctor the Sebastian tape. Max flatly refuses, and pushes her brother by reminding him that although their father was a general, his ultimate responsibility was to the community--the people. She pours salt in Mercer's growing wounds to his conscience by saying she believed their father would like Eugene (also telling him Eugene saved her from Sebastian)...but be ashamed of what Mercer has become.
Pamela and Hornsby: Bound in another cell, Hornsby is visited by Pamela, who lets him know she is fully aware that he aided Sebastian on the latter's various misdeeds, and sent Calhoun and Shira to kill the workers, so they would attack the residents as walkers. A stammering Hornsby tries to justify his insurrection stunt while blaming the heroes for the overall disruption to the community. Pamela strokes his face, with Hornsby acting--as seen in earlier episodes--as if her attention (arguably seductive in his mind) is what he's long desired. Taking his coin, she hides one in her hand, asking him to pick the one holding it, and if guesses correctly, he will live. He does select the right hand, and is profuse in his groveling, saying he is here to serve the Miltons. Pamela has Troopers lead a still reanimated Sebastian into the cell, along with the dead body of Calhoun (shot in the forehead), and a machete. Pamela orders Hornsby to use the machete to chop up the still-warm corpse of Calhoun in order to feed Sebastian (SEE NOTES)...
Eugene and Daryl: At the church, Eugene is desperate to search for Max, going so far as the challenge Daryl to a fight (comedy gold) if Dixon does not move out of the way. Daryl stares him down, leaving Eugene to blubber about his history of being a user, noting his only survival skill was telling lies to convince others to protect him. Daryl acknowledges Eugene's intellect, but does not judge him.
Princess and Mercer: Princess has her bags packed, ready to leave; Mercer tries to convince her to stay, but she questions her own belief that he was a good man--something she's rarely known. She reveals much about her past--from her biological father leaving when she was nine, to her mother's second marriage to a man--and his son--who were physically and psychologically abusive to her, often locking her in closet, allowing her to urinate on herself, but arguing that life "could be worse." In no surprise, she does not believe terrible situations are worth accepting because things could be worse elsewhere.
Princess departs, telling Mercer that she used to see all men as monsters...but she does not see him as one. Mercer's face bears all of the signs of being shaken to his core..or so one would think...
Aaron, Jerry, Lydia and Elijah: Aaron and Lydia hear the gates to the property open--after they had been secured earlier that day. The duo jump to their feet as they see walkers filing into the property--apparently responsible for opening the gates. Soon, Jerry and Elijah aid in fighting off the walkers, until they retreat into one of the buildings. They are all shocked to see a doorknob turned by a walker. Aaron orders Lydia, Elijah and Jerry to the roof, and soon joins them.
Lydia believes they can jump from the roof and make their escape, but as they contemplate that, the door opening walker climbs to the rooftop, picks up a large rock and prepares to kill Jerry (SEE NOTES). Aaron beats the walker down, finally killing it. Jerry is alarmed--he's never known of a walker to behave like this one, but Aaron reveals that there have been some stories or rumors of more evolved or intelligent walkers existing. Further, it turns out that the walker was wearing a skin mask--meaning in life, he was once a Whisperer.
The following morning, the quartet (after killing the entire herd of walkers) continue their journey back to Riverside and Alexandria. Lydia finally kisses Elijah, while Aaron suggests that Jerry--as opposed to Ezekiel--could be the new king of this property. Jerry likes the sound of that...
Eugene and Rosita: Eugene decides to turn himself in, knowing it may lead to his death. Rosita argues against the highly questionable nature of his decision, but he cannot be convinced to abandon Max, saying if he made his escape without her, his life would not be worth living--that he's never been a better man than the period after he started a relationship with her. Crying, Rosita is resigned to accept what Eugene is going to do. He gives her his necklace to be gifted to Coco in the years to come. Two two longtime friends--pretty much family--hug each other, perhaps for the last time.
Trooper HQ: Eugene is brought in to Mercer, and he freely admits to creating tape which caused the riot...and the unintentional death of Sebastian. Eugene adds that Max had nothing to do with the matter--a statement likely reminding him of what Max said about Eugene's character.
Thugs: Two men in street clothes break in on Rosita; despite her skill in fighting them off, she is kidnapped...(SEE NOTES)
NOTES: After 11 seasons of TWD, we see a community with a working morgue. Some might say FTWD's Teddy had one too, but he was not using it for its intended purpose.
The relationship between Pamela and Hornsby is disturbing; he has an unrequited sexual longing for her, which she exploits with her caressing of his face (always engendering his hungry reaction), and reaching into his pants pocket (notice his expression), all the while watching his behavior. At this point, his entire operation has been exposed, with his main assassin--Calhoun--executed and left as meat to be fed to walker-Sebastian. Shira is--for the moment--AWOL.
One of the most controversial walker-related subjects since the 1st season of TWD has been the idea of walkers being "intelligent" enough to use tools or weapons. In S1/E2 - "Guts", a walker used a brick to crack the glass doors of the department store. From that moment, a certain part of the fanbase howled in protest, arguing that zombies cannot use tools. This group took their "rule" from Romero zombie films, as if any other production had to base the behavior of their zombies on whatever Romero created. Others reminded the "no tools" crowd that in the original Night of the Living Dead, a zombie used one of the burned out table-leg torches to pound on the farmhouse, and of course, there was Day of the Dead's "Bub" quickly learning (or recalling) how to aim and shoot a gun. Whoops.
Thankfully, the showrunners of TWD did not handcuff themselves to the "rules" of another filmmaker.
After Pamela's announcements demanding the capture of the heroes, one would believe Rosita's kidnappers were plainclothes men working for Pamela. I'm guessing the kidnappers were actually more of Hornsby's men, grabbing anyone who can be used as a bargaining chip / knife-twister for the scheming man.
You know, all of the attention paid to Lydia and Elijah's romance was doing everything short of the showrunners sending up a skywriter with the message, "This romance will be short-lived!". This hope-for-the-future young romance has the same vibes as Beth with Zach (S4/E1's "30 Days Without An Accident"), and we know how that turned out...
Another episode with solid, character-driven tension, and with intelligent walkers on the loose, a tease of things to come.
GRADE: A+
Season 11 - Episode 19 - "Variant"
Judith's narration focuses on Eugene, and his history of doing whatever he needed to in order to survive--
The Commonwealth: is still in chaos-mode, with people running in every direction, and Troopers beating residents. Eugene loses Max--but another resident calls him out for the death of Sebastian. Typically mumble-mouthed when confronted, Eugene is saved by Daryl, who grabs and hides him inside of a store.
In the Commonwealth morgue (SEE NOTES), Pamela laments her son's death, standing over his corpse, now bound to an autopsy table. Mercer stands by, and suggests Sebastian should be prevented from turning into a walker, but Pamela does not want him touched...until..
Ever the manipulator, she admits Sebastian lost his way, then adds Max has as well to a stiffening Mercer. Clearly implicating Max as the culprit, with a subtle threat that someone needs to be made an example for the town that actions have consequences, she also asks for Eugene to be arrested. In other words, if Mercer does not want anything to happen to Max, he will find Eugene.
Troopers take all of Alexandria, Riverside (formerly Oceanside) and Hilltop migrants into custody for questioning about their alleged role in the riot.
Aaron, Jerry, Elijah and Lydia: This group is stopped by a pack of walkers in the distance; Aaron--after taking notice of how close Elijah & Lydia are--decides they should work around the walkers and make their supply drops at Riverside and Alexandria. One of the walkers stops, looking in the direction of the humans...
Their wagon's wheels become stuck in a hole, and while they're able to free the wagon, Jerry's leg is injured. Spotting a large, fenced-in property with a multi-story and other structures once sued for a Renaissance fair, the group takes shelter there. Aaron forms spikes out of wood, Jerry tends to his injury, while Elijah & Lydia are starting a campfire. Elijah tries to kiss Lydia, but she pulls back, and asks to take first watch with an agitated Aaron, who does not share Jerry's optimism about their new location, which--on paper--would seem to be perfect: a large, standing home surrounded by walls with a fresh water stream nearby.
The Commonwealth 2: Mercer questions Rosita, who has--as Mercer observes--lost respect for him. He's to the point, letting her know that Eugene turning himself in would go a long way toward helping Rosita and her friends. Anything less than that means they are not going anywhere.
In the church, Rosita meets up with Daryl and Eugene; knowing Mercer and the Troopers will be searching, they intend to use the Trooper's own duty detail to slip out of the Commonwealth. Eugene becomes frantic (well, what else is new?), arguing that he cannot leave Max. Rosita volunteers to look for Max when they hear another public address from Pamela, offering a large reward for the whereabouts of Eugene and his group.
In the morgue, Pamela cleans the blood from Sebastian's face, admitting the Commonwealth was always going to come before him, but with Sebastian dead, she questions the sacrifices she made, adding they no longer have to disappoint each other anymore (i.e., her failings as a mother, his as a son). Suddenly, Sebastian reanimates as a walker, and its mother backs away, ordering a Trooper to "take care of him".
Mercer and Princess: At Trooper HQ, Princess angrily questions Mercer about her treatment, and about his willingness to capture Eugene for what end in a death sentence carried out. Princess reminds Mercer that she was once alone, losing her mind until Eugene met her, accepted her for who she was--saving her. Good men do not do that--or kill anyone, she adds. Mercer admits he has to look out for his family, when he's called away to a possible sighting. Mercer tells her he has to go, with Princess replying that she has to as well...
Aaron and Lydia: Lydia discusses her near-kiss with Elijah; she pulled back because she was still thinking of Henry--unsure if she would ever be able to open her heart again, considering what happened to Henry. Aaron recalls how his relationship with Erik unfolded, and the happy years spent together in Alexandria-how he wished he had more time with him, all to remind Lydia that loss is a part of life, and she should not back away from the possibility of feeling again out of fear of another death...
Outside of the fence, a walker's hand grabs one of the planks, as if he's readying himself to pull it apart...
Max and Mercer: That evening, Max is still on the run, but soon apprehended by the Troopers. At HQ, Mercer argues that she should sign a false confession claiming she had not taken medication for her psychological issues, which led her to doctor the Sebastian tape. Max flatly refuses, and pushes her brother by reminding him that although their father was a general, his ultimate responsibility was to the community--the people. She pours salt in Mercer's growing wounds to his conscience by saying she believed their father would like Eugene (also telling him Eugene saved her from Sebastian)...but be ashamed of what Mercer has become.
Pamela and Hornsby: Bound in another cell, Hornsby is visited by Pamela, who lets him know she is fully aware that he aided Sebastian on the latter's various misdeeds, and sent Calhoun and Shira to kill the workers, so they would attack the residents as walkers. A stammering Hornsby tries to justify his insurrection stunt while blaming the heroes for the overall disruption to the community. Pamela strokes his face, with Hornsby acting--as seen in earlier episodes--as if her attention (arguably seductive in his mind) is what he's long desired. Taking his coin, she hides one in her hand, asking him to pick the one holding it, and if guesses correctly, he will live. He does select the right hand, and is profuse in his groveling, saying he is here to serve the Miltons. Pamela has Troopers lead a still reanimated Sebastian into the cell, along with the dead body of Calhoun (shot in the forehead), and a machete. Pamela orders Hornsby to use the machete to chop up the still-warm corpse of Calhoun in order to feed Sebastian (SEE NOTES)...
Eugene and Daryl: At the church, Eugene is desperate to search for Max, going so far as the challenge Daryl to a fight (comedy gold) if Dixon does not move out of the way. Daryl stares him down, leaving Eugene to blubber about his history of being a user, noting his only survival skill was telling lies to convince others to protect him. Daryl acknowledges Eugene's intellect, but does not judge him.
Princess and Mercer: Princess has her bags packed, ready to leave; Mercer tries to convince her to stay, but she questions her own belief that he was a good man--something she's rarely known. She reveals much about her past--from her biological father leaving when she was nine, to her mother's second marriage to a man--and his son--who were physically and psychologically abusive to her, often locking her in closet, allowing her to urinate on herself, but arguing that life "could be worse." In no surprise, she does not believe terrible situations are worth accepting because things could be worse elsewhere.
Princess departs, telling Mercer that she used to see all men as monsters...but she does not see him as one. Mercer's face bears all of the signs of being shaken to his core..or so one would think...
Aaron, Jerry, Lydia and Elijah: Aaron and Lydia hear the gates to the property open--after they had been secured earlier that day. The duo jump to their feet as they see walkers filing into the property--apparently responsible for opening the gates. Soon, Jerry and Elijah aid in fighting off the walkers, until they retreat into one of the buildings. They are all shocked to see a doorknob turned by a walker. Aaron orders Lydia, Elijah and Jerry to the roof, and soon joins them.
Lydia believes they can jump from the roof and make their escape, but as they contemplate that, the door opening walker climbs to the rooftop, picks up a large rock and prepares to kill Jerry (SEE NOTES). Aaron beats the walker down, finally killing it. Jerry is alarmed--he's never known of a walker to behave like this one, but Aaron reveals that there have been some stories or rumors of more evolved or intelligent walkers existing. Further, it turns out that the walker was wearing a skin mask--meaning in life, he was once a Whisperer.
The following morning, the quartet (after killing the entire herd of walkers) continue their journey back to Riverside and Alexandria. Lydia finally kisses Elijah, while Aaron suggests that Jerry--as opposed to Ezekiel--could be the new king of this property. Jerry likes the sound of that...
Eugene and Rosita: Eugene decides to turn himself in, knowing it may lead to his death. Rosita argues against the highly questionable nature of his decision, but he cannot be convinced to abandon Max, saying if he made his escape without her, his life would not be worth living--that he's never been a better man than the period after he started a relationship with her. Crying, Rosita is resigned to accept what Eugene is going to do. He gives her his necklace to be gifted to Coco in the years to come. Two two longtime friends--pretty much family--hug each other, perhaps for the last time.
Trooper HQ: Eugene is brought in to Mercer, and he freely admits to creating tape which caused the riot...and the unintentional death of Sebastian. Eugene adds that Max had nothing to do with the matter--a statement likely reminding him of what Max said about Eugene's character.
Thugs: Two men in street clothes break in on Rosita; despite her skill in fighting them off, she is kidnapped...(SEE NOTES)
NOTES: After 11 seasons of TWD, we see a community with a working morgue. Some might say FTWD's Teddy had one too, but he was not using it for its intended purpose.
The relationship between Pamela and Hornsby is disturbing; he has an unrequited sexual longing for her, which she exploits with her caressing of his face (always engendering his hungry reaction), and reaching into his pants pocket (notice his expression), all the while watching his behavior. At this point, his entire operation has been exposed, with his main assassin--Calhoun--executed and left as meat to be fed to walker-Sebastian. Shira is--for the moment--AWOL.
One of the most controversial walker-related subjects since the 1st season of TWD has been the idea of walkers being "intelligent" enough to use tools or weapons. In S1/E2 - "Guts", a walker used a brick to crack the glass doors of the department store. From that moment, a certain part of the fanbase howled in protest, arguing that zombies cannot use tools. This group took their "rule" from Romero zombie films, as if any other production had to base the behavior of their zombies on whatever Romero created. Others reminded the "no tools" crowd that in the original Night of the Living Dead, a zombie used one of the burned out table-leg torches to pound on the farmhouse, and of course, there was Day of the Dead's "Bub" quickly learning (or recalling) how to aim and shoot a gun. Whoops.
Thankfully, the showrunners of TWD did not handcuff themselves to the "rules" of another filmmaker.
After Pamela's announcements demanding the capture of the heroes, one would believe Rosita's kidnappers were plainclothes men working for Pamela. I'm guessing the kidnappers were actually more of Hornsby's men, grabbing anyone who can be used as a bargaining chip / knife-twister for the scheming man.
You know, all of the attention paid to Lydia and Elijah's romance was doing everything short of the showrunners sending up a skywriter with the message, "This romance will be short-lived!". This hope-for-the-future young romance has the same vibes as Beth with Zach (S4/E1's "30 Days Without An Accident"), and we know how that turned out...
Another episode with solid, character-driven tension, and with intelligent walkers on the loose, a tease of things to come.
GRADE: A+
Live TV rating improved a bit from the super low finale, but the second episode is the second least watched of the entire run. Seems that the push to make this final part of the final season a mega event has failed.
At least TWD is driving subscribers to AMC+ though. https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/in...ire-ratings-walking-dead-amc-plus-1235396270/
10.8 million subscribers, and I would guess at least 70% are TWD fans at this point. TWD might still be a bigger deal than I have suspected.
At least TWD is driving subscribers to AMC+ though. https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/in...ire-ratings-walking-dead-amc-plus-1235396270/
10.8 million subscribers, and I would guess at least 70% are TWD fans at this point. TWD might still be a bigger deal than I have suspected.
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They really are stretching it out, aren't they? 
No the real stretching will begin with the endless spinoffs that start next yearThey really are stretching it out, aren't they?
Indeed.
So basically exactly what everyone in this thread has been telling you all this time.
Doesn't match anecdotal evidence though. The only thing I've heard for YEARS when trying to talk about TWD is "harrrr harrrr that show is STILL on???"
Seen Lockdown and A New Deal so far.
Lockdown was a great action packed episode.
Re A New Deal, well Carol's deal with Pamela didn't last long. Have to admit I genuinely thought Sebastian was going to notice the tape recorder during that scene! His death was wonderful and pure Romero. The Eat the Rich metaphor was a bit on the nose but he has been such a snivelling character that I didn't care.
How many workers did Hornsby's assassins actually kill? That was a heck of a body count for two people with pistols, especially given they were avoiding head shots and the people at the front were partially shielding the people behind them. The chances of someone screaming or even making a getaway seemed likely.
I hope the Commonwealth doesn't fall. It needs change obviously, but it's the kind of community the world needs if it's to come back from the walker apocalypse.
Lockdown was a great action packed episode.
Re A New Deal, well Carol's deal with Pamela didn't last long. Have to admit I genuinely thought Sebastian was going to notice the tape recorder during that scene! His death was wonderful and pure Romero. The Eat the Rich metaphor was a bit on the nose but he has been such a snivelling character that I didn't care.
How many workers did Hornsby's assassins actually kill? That was a heck of a body count for two people with pistols, especially given they were avoiding head shots and the people at the front were partially shielding the people behind them. The chances of someone screaming or even making a getaway seemed likely.
I hope the Commonwealth doesn't fall. It needs change obviously, but it's the kind of community the world needs if it's to come back from the walker apocalypse.
Indeed.
The power of that scene was the conscious inaction on the part of the residents. Some were shaken by what was going to happen, but they did not turn away. Theirs was an example of grim anticipation and it worked so well.
I believed it was six workers (or appeared to be). Moreover, Calhoun and Shira continued to fire after the first victims fell, so no one was spared.
It would be nice if it remained standing, so the heroes would be properly absorbed into the community post-Pamela. Part of Carol's short-lived deal was to send supplies to rebuild Alexandria and Hilltop, but if that (the deal) fell by the wayside, the heroes would be wise to just move to the Commonwealth...or will they leave the state at the end of the series?
Unfortunately, with most main characters getting spinoffs, I don't think the Commonwealth will survive. Nobody survives taking in the Rick group.
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