WARNING SPOILERS !!!!!!
The midseason finale of The Walking Dead was last night and as usual, fans had a lot to say. The episode was over run with walkers, but only had a few minutes of real action. The majority of the episode focused on the emotional aspect of the events and characters.
At the beginning of the episode we saw the tower fall, bring down a large section of the wall. Walkers spilled through, filling the streets with hundreds of decaying, hungry walking dead. Maggie barely made it up the ladder to the tower and Rick and the group were split up. Rick, Michonne, Carl, Father Gabrial, Jessie and Ron sought refuge in Jessie’s home. Ron took the opportunity to try to kill Carl again, but failed miserably. Carl had one of the best quotes of the night. When he followed Ron (Porch Dick Jr.) into his room, to confiscate Ron’s gun, Carl looked Ron right in the eyes and said “My dad killed your dad, but there’s something you need to know, you’re dad was an asshole.” Go Carl!
Jessie’s home filled with walkers, and Rick broke out a trick he’s tried before, they all covered themselves with walker guts, to walk right past the walkers. Unfortunately, at the end of the episode Sam would not shut up. As they’re walking past the herd all you hear is Sam’s cries of “mommy, mommy”. That is going to cause serious problems on the midseason premier. But you can’t help but feel sorry for Sam, he’s got a serious case of P.T.S.D. and the poor kid has lost his mind, I mean, what normal kid would be playing a “Tiny Tim” record over and over?
Deanna was bitten while trying to help Rick at the very beginning of the finale. She spent the episode in bed, growing sicker. Michonne and Deanna did have a touching moment and we came to understand that Deanna was at peace. She expressed to Rick that she “didn’t save him because he’s a good person or because he can grow a great beard, but because he is one of them.” At the end we see her using her few remaining bullets to put down walkers. She was the only character to die, which was a bit surprising, though they didn’t actually show it.
Morgan made choice to protect “the wolf” and fought Carol to keep her from killing the piece of trash. Morgan slammed Carol to the floor hard, hopefully only knocking her out. The wolf knocked out Morgan and took the nurse hostage. At this time Tara, Rosetta and Eugene enter the room and like idiots, turn over their weapons to the wolf. He walks out the door with Denise (Merritt Wever), into the streets filled with walkers. Maybe this will teach Morgan a lesson, but I doubt it. Morgan has become a danger to the group. In my opinion, it’s time for him to go.
Glenn was still outside Alexandria, arguing with Enid, trying to convince her to return and fight to save the group, including his pregnant wife Maggie. I found this a little annoying. She’s already pulled a gun on Glenn once. He should have left her where she was. She’s only going to cause problems or get someone killed.
I hate to admit this, but in my opinion, the midseason final was a bit of a disappointment. It was a little slow and did focus more on the emotional hardships that the group has faced and are facing, and set the scene for the midseason premier, but it did not resolve anything. It left the door open for several deaths, but there were no big cliffhangers. The only major thing the episode prepared us for was the future appearance of Negan. For some strange reason, people at The Walking Dead sidelined most of the major players for the majority of the episode. Carol and Morgan maybe had five minutes air time, and Daryl, Sasha and Abraham had even less. Maggie was only on screen for a moment. We have no idea who else survived or where they are. We’ve also never had so many worthless characters before, I mean, how is Sam, Ron, Spencer, Eugene (sorry) and half of Alexandria even still alive? The title “Start to Finish” was a little off. Although a few things were started, nothing was finished. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the show, but I expect more (a lot more) from a finale from The Walking Dead, and I don’t think I’m the only one who feels that way.
After the credits rolled a special clip from the next episode aired, showing Daryl, Abraham and Sasha being forced to stop because a gang of bikers were blocking the road. The head guy told the trio to hand over their weapons and all their possessions. “Everything you have now belongs to Negan.” As if the group doesn’t have enough problems already.
For those of you who read the comics, you know what is coming. For those of you who haven’t read the comics, I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say this, Negan is the worst thing that could happen to the people of Alexandria. The Psychotic, charismatic, “F-bomb” dropping, Negan will be played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who also played the role of Sam and Dean’s father on the Supernatural series.
Scott Gimple sent a message last night to the people of the Talking Dead that the midseason premiere (episode 9) “…is one of the biggest episodes we’ve done.” Robert Kirkman teased that “So many die, so many” and laughed. That doesn’t sound very good. The Walking Dead will return on Valentine’s Day. Be prepared for all hell to break loose.