Was there any advertising about this being THE Negan episode?
Spoilers The Walking Dead Season 10
- Thread starter JD
- Start date
According to Talking Dead, the decision to use Laura was because she was recognizable to the audience but minor enough so that the fact this was her first meeting with Negan wouldn't overshadow the fact that this was when Negan first acquires Lucille the bat, which they wanted the emphasis to be on. It was felt if they used a more recognizable Savior like Dwight or Simon, everyone would focus more on this being the first time they and Negan have met rather than on it being on him getting his bat.
The episode still didn't address how Negan went from being a pretty decent guy with a heart; to the maniacal murdering asshole he became by the time he encountered Rick and company. I half expected him to take control of the biker gang and have that be the nucleus of the Saviors, rather than him going back to save the doctor and his daughter.
So yeah a lot of Megan's back story still seems to be missing. That said it was the most enjoyable episode of The Walking Dead I've seen in a long time.
Also interesting that in 10 seasons they've effectively covered 13 years from the start of this alternate Zombie Apocalypse future.
The one thing that still drove me nuts though was the constant flashback within a flashback structure. That's one trope they seem to fall back on too much in my opinion. The "12 years ago" then "three weeks" before that, then "three days' before that... Etc.
So yeah a lot of Megan's back story still seems to be missing. That said it was the most enjoyable episode of The Walking Dead I've seen in a long time.
Also interesting that in 10 seasons they've effectively covered 13 years from the start of this alternate Zombie Apocalypse future.
The one thing that still drove me nuts though was the constant flashback within a flashback structure. That's one trope they seem to fall back on too much in my opinion. The "12 years ago" then "three weeks" before that, then "three days' before that... Etc.
Well wasn't that the best episode of TWD in a long time. Not that it's been terrible lately, there's been an upsurge in quality since Rick left and they time jumped imo, but this was another level. Heart-breaking stuff with great performances from JDM and Hilarie Burton. For better or worse Negan is central to the show now, JDM is such a good actor and, more importantly, has such presence. I don't know what the Negan/Maggie endgame is. Maggie killing Negan would be too obvious, and I sincerely hope they don't go down the Negan saves Maggie and/or Hershel route which would be even more obvious. Negan getting redemption by dying heroically would be kinda trite also. I'm not sure what that leaves but hopefully something left field and satisfying. I don't know if they can ever truly get away from what he did to Glen and Abraham. I know a few people for whom that was the moment they stopped being into the show. Hell it damn near pushed me away.
...and that would be rinse-and-repeat of Negan saving Judith. That cannot happen again, just to hammer a redemption plot for Negan--IF that's what the showrunners are attempting.
Murder is an act of conscious permanence; it was not the concept of protection / self-defense (e.g., Michonne running the Governor through with her sword), having no options in the ZA for dealing with a person beyond help (Carol shooting Lizzie, or Rick stabbing Shane), so Negan's double murder is not something that can be "earned away", just as he gained little from saving Judith.
The showrunners are playing with the audience challenging their own ideas of right and wrong (more in the secular / if-you-lived-in-this-barbarian-esque world sense, not explicitly spiritual) and who has the authority to play judge & jury with human life. Rarely will any fantasy production push its viewers that far, usually resorting to trite, hand-on-hips speeches about justice with plot convenient brooms sweeping hard decisions under the carpet. Not here. I feel the Maggie arc--what she retains of hr father's faith influence / world view and her feelings of revenge could be a standout plot to comment on / bring the series to its end.
I third that nomination!
I don't think it will be saving an individual, but an emphaiss on how he saved the whole community. He was, in fact, a savior.
I think Judith WILL lay a factor...but mor ein that she will be an advocate for Negan...it might be in an interesting way...maybe she has learned what he sound sliek when he lies, vs. speaking the truth.
Also, i think , ironically, Negan's mantra as a savior "people are a resource", will actually come to his defense. WIth all the evil inflicted by the saviors, this mantra is actually a good one that the community needs to hold on to.
MMmmm.. this would have been a good opportunity for a flashback, to hear what Herschel (the elder) would have said for a "despicable" person. Maybe Maggie will give us a verbal recollection.
I think the resolution will surprise us. I look forward to it
The intriguing part if the Negan/Maggie storyline is they can literally take it anywhere, as there's no real roadmap from the comics. This is the part in the comics where Negan was essentially written out, though not killed off. We last see him when Maggie confronts him with intent of killing him, only to decide against it feeling his current life is a misery he deserves. Since they already adapted this in Maggie's last episode in season 9 when she went to his cell planning to kill him, they're definitely not going to retread it again. And we know JDM is important enough to the show that they're not going to have Negan fade into the woodwork the way the character did in the comics.