The Walking Dead Season 6 Discussion

[TREK_GOD_1]

Personally I thought it was a pretty intense episode. Yeah it was a bit frustrating I guess not to see who Negan killed... but that's kind of the job of a cliffhanger and I'm perfectly fine waiting. I mean the style of the show has been firmly established by this point, so you'd think people would be a bit more used to it.

...or tired of rinse and repeat. Three season-ending cliffhangers in a row? Terminus in 4, peaceful Morgan showing up in time to see Rick murder Pete at the end of 5, and now Negan at the end of 6. Even the 1966-68 Batman--famous for cliffhangers as part of the format for nearly 100 episodes--eventually broke that format (no matter the cause). I think some would feel the danger, and itch to see season 7, if they were left with a guaranteed, major death, leaving no doubt that Negan..no, the series meant business. After that, 7 could hit the ground running with whatever Negan forces on the group--perhaps a slight time jump as Rick is forced to return to ASZ, explaining the new state of things, but heavy with a tragedy--one that for the audience--shared with him over the summer break.

And be willing to sit through some of the slower buildup before the really crazy stuff happens. And for my money that wait has always been well worth it (although I guess it helps that I've never had a problem with the slower and quieter "filler" episodes and usually enjoy them as much as the more action-packed ones).

I do not think its about fans having a problem with slower episodes, either, but about avoiding the season ending tease over and over again. Personally, my favorite season 6 episode was "Here's Not Here," the Morgan flashback episode, because it was serious character development, rather than other characters walking in circles, waiting for the creeping Big Bad. Unlike some whiners, I loved season two--yes two for the same reason--serious character development which set the important relationships/identity for the rest of the series, and for zombie action lovers, the season ended with a mass zombie horde battle (and even more character development). Best of both worlds.

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

Wow, apparently there's a whole lot of people out there who do not like cliffhangers and really wanted to see someone die at the end of this episode.

Cliffhangers are fine when done well. Best of Both Worlds Part 1 being maybe the best example. This one the other hand was, as @Roshi said, a dick move.

What made BoBW a great cliffhanger was that we didn't know how Riker and crew would get out of the situation. Had the writers of TWD written BoBW, it would have probably have ended with the audience not knowing if Picard had even become a Borg. We need at least something to be resolved; doesn't mean we need to have everything resolved.

 

[Ethros]

Literally just finished watching it so haven't had much time to process it. Excellent episode till the end when I realised there were about 3 minutes left I had wondered if they actually would... and they did. End it on a shitty cliffhanger. So what, in 6 months time we just open on the bloody corpse of Abraham, Sasha, Glenn, Daryl, Michonne, whoever, etc. Thereby completely losing all the impact and massive build up that episode had. I'm sorry but that was an appalling choice for the way to do it. After those lame as hell Glenn and Daryl death fake outs this season I thought they could at leasy redeem themselves by the end. But nope.

 

[Reverend]

I think I'll be putting my money on either Eugene or Abraham.

Eugene handing over the "bullets 101" instructions felt like a necessary plot point to deal with if they were to kill him off. While Abraham seems to be just about feeling content with his life, which is precisely when shows like this generally murder someone to death.

Rick, Carl, Michonne, Maggie & Daryl seem safe enough for obvious reasons. I think if it was going to be Glenn like in the comics, then they'd have shown it and not left it a mystery. Sasha, Rosita and Aaron are wildcards in that they could be considered "disposable" but I don't think any of their deaths *at this particular juncture* would have the desired impact.
Sasha's story feels like it's just getting started (feels like they're having her somewhat fill the role Andrea had by this point in the comics.)
Rosita has yet to really be refined as anything other than Abraham's former squeeze so that would feel very cheep.
Aaron...he's an important and very likeable character and I would certainly hate to see him go but I don't think he yet feels like enough of the core group for his death to have a lasting impact on everyone else (except his husband, obviously.)

So that brings us right back to Eugene and Abraham. Probably Eugene IMO.

 

[Trekker4747]

Cliffhangers are virtually a staple for season enders (see: the end of virtually every season of Star Trek: C since TNG Season 3.)

It's foolish to be upset by them, it's how TV works and to get you back for more. Is it *that* big of a deal to wait until October to see this story resolved? I mean it sucks, I want to know now, I can't wait for October but that's also sort of the point. This is story telling 101, leave then wanting more.

October to see who does, two years to see if Ray hand over Luke's lightsaber.

 

[FreezeC77]

I am tired of just how much the group (or persons in it) get captured. It is so damn repetitive.

Even Kim Bauer would roll her eyes at them.

 

[sojourner]

Anyone notice that Carol and Morgan stayed the night in a library? Most likely the library the "example" guy the saviors were dragging around mentioned near the beginning of the episode?

 

[bbjeg]

Great ending though the episode was stretched out. It was cool not showing who died but it definitely would have hit harder if they showed it, Game of Thrones Sean Bean style.

If I had to guess who died, it would be down to three people. Aaron and Eugene, who really had no reason for being there, or Abraham, whose "I can now" is a good hint. My top choice is Eugene though. He had a good bit of lines and he gave plans to Rick just in case.

 

[sojourner]

Derrick?

 

[davejames]

...or tired of rinse and repeat. Three season-ending cliffhangers in a row? Terminus in 4, peaceful Morgan showing up in time to see Rick murder Pete at the end of 5, and now Negan at the end of 6. Even the 1966-68 Batman--famous for cliffhangers as part of the format for nearly 100 episodes--eventually broke that format (no matter the cause). I think some would feel the danger, and itch to see season 7, if they were left with a guaranteed, major death, leaving no doubt that Negan..no, the series meant business. After that, 7 could hit the ground running with whatever Negan forces on the group--perhaps a slight time jump as Rick is forced to return to ASZ, explaining the new state of things, but heavy with a tragedy--one that for the audience--shared with him over the summer break.

Eh, for me it's enough to know that someone in that core group just died in a really brutal and horrific way. That's already shocking enough I think; learning that it's Glenn or Abraham or Rosita or whoever wouldn't really change that very much.

Cliffhangers are virtually a staple for season enders (see: the end of virtually every season of Star Trek: C since TNG Season 3.)

It's foolish to be upset by them, it's how TV works and to get you back for more. Is it *that* big of a deal to wait until October to see this story resolved? I mean it sucks, I want to know now, I can't wait for October but that's also sort of the point. This is story telling 101, leave then wanting more.

October to see who does, two years to see if Ray hand over Luke's lightsaber.

Agreed. The writers have always enjoyed toying with the audience a little, and I'm perfectly fine with it. We always eventually learn what we want to know anyway, so I don't see the big deal in waiting a little while for more of the story to unfold like we always have.

I mean if you only had a week to live I guess you'd have cause to complain, but otherwise I think people just need to relax a little and enjoy the ride.

 

[bbjeg]

Derrick?

I meant Aaron.

 

[Mojochi]

My take on this is based on some hints. Gimple saying that the effect of this death will have lasting effects for everyone to work thru, throughout next season. A death that is the focus of at least half a season, excludes a LOT of those people in the line up. Eugene, Rosita, Aaron, Sasha, & Abraham are just not important enough to have that kind of impact

Clearly, it won't be Rick or Carl, for multiple reasons. That leaves 4 IMHO, Maggie, Glen, Daryl, or Michonne. I'm leaning toward Glen or Daryl... Possibly Michonne, but what really has me curious was all those ads for Reedus' biker show. That he's getting his own show on AMC may not mean anything at all, but it did give me a sinking feeling that they are trying to prep for the fall

Kirkman also commented that Negan's intro was comic 100, which is a benchmark where many readers stop reading. Since the notion that many fans might stop watching if Reedus was gone, or so they say, then perhaps they're using Negan to negotiate that hurdle similarly to the comic 100 hurdle

 

[Nerys Myk]

Don't think I've ever stopped reading a comic because it reached 100. Bad art. Bad story. Change in creative team. Lack of money. Lack of interest. All those have factored in, but never issue count.

 

[Arrrrgggh]

Considering the angle he was standing, and how he turned to look at Carl when he said they should cut out his other eye (which in turn completely eliminates Carl and Rick as a victim), it had to be Glenn, Michonne, Darryl, or Rosita.

Given Negan's... views... it's almost definitely not going to be Michonne or Rosita. And considering they just tried to make it seem like Darryl was killed or at least seriously injured in the last episode, yet I don't think he got so much as a single line of dialogue this episode, it's very doubtful that it's going to be him.

So shock of shocks at who's left. Especially if you turn up the volume particularly loud. And even moreso if you consider the whole dumpster thing was just a ploy (and a very transparent one) to make the audience think Glenn has plot immunity.

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

So what, in 6 months time we just open on the bloody corpse of Abraham, Sasha, Glenn, Daryl, Michonne, whoever, etc. Thereby completely losing all the impact and massive build up that episode had.

i'm guessing to shock the audience again, season 7 will not open with the aftermath, but the murder from Negan's POV in progress, with the reactions of the others on full display. That would prevent the opening from seeming like a bad edit that removed the full impact of the death.

I'm sorry but that was an appalling choice for the way to do it. After those lame as hell Glenn and Daryl death fake outs this season I thought they could at leasy redeem themselves by the end. But nope.

About who dies, the series plays with audience expectations; while we know characters who make big speeches and/or find a greater purpose usually die soon afterward (Denise, Hershel, T-Dog, Beth, Tyreese, Dale & Bob), this season, the producers seem to know the audience is aware of the repetition. As a result, they have Abraham, Maggie, Glenn and Sasha all dare to hope for a better tomorrow--but keep stringing that along beyond the finale for the sole purpose of making audiences guess which hopeful hero bit the dust.

Despite her great popularity, I still think Michonne is the victim, as she also had her hopeful moments in being the other "trainee" of Deanna, and finally started her relationship with Rick.

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

Cliffhangers are virtually a staple for season enders (see: the end of virtually every season of Star Trek: C since TNG Season 3.)

It's foolish to be upset by them, it's how TV works and to get you back for more. Is it *that* big of a deal to wait until October to see this story resolved? I mean it sucks, I want to know now, I can't wait for October but that's also sort of the point. This is story telling 101, leave then wanting more.

October to see who does, two years to see if Ray hand over Luke's lightsaber.

I still think it's a poor story telling choice. Not the cliffhanger itself, just where they chose to end it. I, and suspect others, don't have an issue with cliffhangers, it's just the placement. Part of the problem with how they do it here is it decreases the emotional impact when they will have to remind people of the moment several months later. Had they shown who Negan chose, you could have still had a cliffhanger that would be effective while providing some resolution.

To use your example of TFA, had the movie ended with

Spoiler: TFA ending

Rey leaving for Luke's planet, but never showing him, that would have been a letdown. She finds Luke, thus giving the story a resolution while also providing a cliffhanger for what happens next.

 

[davejames]

One thing I did have trouble buying was the idea of Negan keeping Rick and his group alive in order to "work" for him.

I can see that working for a bunch of pushovers like at Hilltop, but surely he has to realize Rick's group is WAY too dangerous and strong-willed to be anything but a major and continuing threat to him. And that this is one group you'd be much better off doing away with entirely.

Even as much of an egomaniac as he may be, Negan still seems like he should be smart enough to recognize that much.

 

[Akiraprise]

Skipping to the end of this thread just to post this. Disappointing finale. TPTB said that this is a cliffhanger, like Star Trek in BOBW's, but it's not. This isn't a cliffhanger at all, it was a cop out. This ending was the time to let us wallow in misery over the summer at the death of one of our beloved main cast and wonder at how they can possibly go forward. Instead we got the first person whack a mole perspective and a fade to bloody black. No Rick reaction, nothing. By the time we find out who dies, I probably won't care. That's not good story telling at all or a wise television decision. A solid episode ruined by a junk ending. Negan was great though.

 

[Ethros]

I'm just hope that when the Season 7 airdate is approaching and all the ads & trailers arrive, they don't give too much away. I remember thinking the trailer for Season 5 was kinda lame how it totally gave away that they all escaped and all survived Terminus.


Also I do hope it opens on Negan killing whoever it is, as if it doesn't, and said person is already dead, it kinda negates the point. That bit in the comic was so brutal, almost OTT, but the point was to show how horrible a guy Negan is. Especially seen as the show isn't gonna allow for his "colourful" language he so joyfully employs.


And another also what I didn't like about that last minute or so, it was like the producers were saying the audience "ooh look at us, we're actually going to kill off a main character! Can you believe it?! Omg!!"
Remember when the show was new, the big draw for it was "no one is safe", "any big character can die any moment."
I feel like this and all the silly fake outs this season have really degated that. I mean last week's cliffhanger, at the time I thought it sucked, but now.. what was even the point?


I really like the show, I do, I just think it keeps making silly decisions way too much.

 

[davejames]

Skipping to the end of this thread just to post this. Disappointing finale. TPTB said that this is a cliffhanger, like Star Trek in BOBW's, but it's not. This isn't a cliffhanger at all, it was a cop out. This ending was the time to let us wallow in misery over the summer at the death of one of our beloved main cast and wonder at how they can possibly go forward. Instead we got the first person whack a mole perspective and a fade to bloody black. No Rick reaction, nothing. By the time we find out who dies, I probably won't care. That's not good story telling at all or a wise television decision. A solid episode ruined by a junk ending. Negan was great though.

Again, I just don't see how it really makes much of a difference. We know that someone definitely DID die at the end, so the writers aren't pretending that didn't happen (unlike in the previous fakeout with Glenn where it was obvious from the start that they were hiding something). And whether we watch Michonne or Abraham's head get bashed in in this episode or in the next one, it's liable to be just as tragic.

And the idea that it's not going to be just as riveting or brutal to watch at the start of the next episode doesn't make sense to me either, since the show has never had a problem building things up and grabbing our attention for previous season premieres.