I have quite mixed feelings over the continued rehabilitation of Negan. There have certainly been other examples of the redemption of villainous characters in the past-- Londo on B5 killed millions, if not billions of people-- but I don't know if there's ever been a case where the killing was so personal and conducted with such glee. And Negan, unlike Londo, never had, and still doesn't, feel any guilt or regret over his actions. He still believes that he did the right and necessary thing, and that what he needs to do now is simply different because of new circumstances. It's quite strange and unnerving to watch him put the same people skills that he once used to torture and kill applied to helping a young girl get over the death of her mother.
Ezekiel, Eugene, and Yumiko's little detour into Princess-land is also quite surreal. While Princess is obviously a bit off her rocker from the Zombie Apocalypse in general and a year in solitude in particular (and how old is she? How old was she when the ZA arrived?), she is in a way the most realistic character that has yet appeared on the show. Her behavior and speech patterns are all-too recognizable from the real world. The other characters' reactions to her were priceless, from Ezekiel's bemused tolerance, to Eugene's rare demonstration of insight, to Yumiko's immediately regretted forgiveness. She will certainly make an interesting addition to the group and, hopefully, the communities.
But I have to wonder about that minefield. Is it just a random inconvenience of the ZA, or foreshadowing of another threat? Maybe something to do with the elusive Stephanie's group?
And somebody please just kill Beta. I'm so tired of Whisperers and hordes. Where do all these Zombies come from ten years after the Apocalypse? There can't be that many left, and it can't be possible to gather that many so quickly, especially with Country music.
I loved the scenes with Daryl and Judith. Judith has inherited the innate compassion of Rick and Carl, despite growing up in a war zone. I hope this show lasts long enough, or is revived at some point, to show her as an adult leader in a growing, post-Apocalyptic society. That kid is quite a remarkable actor.