Hope you've manage to churn your eyes through that last post of misgivings! So finally I get round to posting before the next episode. I think the series is coming along nice and after two fairly good episodes. I'd say E4 was most consistent closely followed by E5 which focused back on our favourite panto villain (I still like the actor and I think they have rescued the villain element a little.). E6 seems to have taken a bit if a step back. It wasn't shocking in any sense and there were some great developments. There were a few pointless bits but they helped to answer a part of the story, linking from last episode. I'll expand on that shortly as I give you a turnip by turnip account of this weeks episode of TWD...
S8:E6: The King, The Widow & RickThe episode opens with a nicely shot montage (no cheesy fadeouts either) of Rick retrieving a piece of paper out of an old microwave alone (who would have thought it could make such an interesting shot, but it did. It works in this World), Tara and some Alexandrians returning from battle, Daryl whizzing by on his motorbike alone, a solemn Kingdom with Carol contemplating recent events, and Aaron returning to the Hilltop. They all hand over or receive updates of how "Rick's Plan" is going so far, whilst one of Rick's updates is narrated over by the man himself. Then Maggie and Carol's are read respectively whilst returning to Rick, who reveals he's on his way to the Junkyard/Scavengers to execute the next step of the plan. It cuts to the Junkyard and Jadis is creating a sculpture out of wire in nothing but a red potters apron (Pollyanna McIntosh (yeah I know right), scrubs up very well in real life
). It's a good transition from montage to opening scene, it's fluid and pretty seamless. There's a banging on the shipping container in the Junkyard which cuts the silence, and Jadis notions to her people to open it up and let whoever is in there out (guess who?). The doors are opened and they leave us guessing a little longer as we cut to the opening credits and set for the episode proper.
We're met by the Hilltop and Jesus' PoW being fed surplus turnips by the holy one. If ever we needed to tell a classic Bible story then this was clearly prevalent. Maggie discusses this with Jesus and tell him that they're not for the prisoners (the way she says Jesus everytime now I only hear it like she's saying "ffs Jesus!", instead of his name). Gregory suggest they build a Gallows and be done with them and interestingly calls Jesus by his real name, Paul (Paul Rovia). Maggie tells Gregory to go away and she tells Jesus that hanging them is an option. Jesus recoils with "we must remember what we're fighting for". It cuts to the Kingdom briefly as Carol tries to gain entry to Ezekiel's quarters but fails and then races off. Master Henry (Benjamin's brother) chases after and says he'll fight.
The shipping container doors open and out pulled is, surprise surprise, Rick. The Junkyard surround him in their ritualistic way as Rick starts to explain what he wants from them. It may seem pretty stupid after they double backed Rick's Army when we last saw them, but it's a clever play from Rick and show's that he actually may have some kind of strategy instead of just blowing the shit out of them. We learn the reason why he's been snapping all those Polaroids and it's a good reference to Negan and his Saviours, as this is exactly the trait they used. It's a nice touch, simple but adds a little depth to the plot. Jadis declines the offer to join Rick's Army and as they drag him back to his "cell" she accurately states, "talks too much." I still find this group a little pointless, I don't mind Jadis as an individual character but I really hope we get the Junkyard/Scavengers defeated, shortly. Maybe have Jadis survive and eventually hook up with Rick (she clearly likes him).
Back at the Hilltop, Gregory is trying to convince, in an apolitical way, Maggie to do away with the PoWs and understands how tough it is to be leader. It's another sneaky tactic from Gregory (gladly with less hamminess) and with the toning down of his character a little I'm beginning to like him (did I really say that?), okay maybe I'm beginning to not dislike him as much! However Maggie is having none of it (gladly) and tells Gregory that it was easy not to surrender the Hilltop to Negan, whereas our favourite grass, was scared. He goes on to tell her "you need someone to let you know it's alright to go with your gut...you can't have wolves wandering around amongst the sheep.", to which she agrees, and he unfortunately regrets later on.
Inside Alexandria, Michonne & Rosita are both still licking the wounds of war, and also the wounds of regret. They both want to go see what the state of play is at the Sanctuary, which I felt was a little idiotic but it does lead to a potential answer, which may possibly linked to Eugene's solution of ridding the walkers from around the Sanctuary. We see Tara catch up with Daryl as they discuss that they both could kill Dwight together, they then head off I assume towards the Sanctuary to scope it out.
It's a full moon at the Hilltop, as the timeline of that story jumps to later in the day/evening and Jesus is still out side tending his sheep (yes the Biblical reference runs the more you think about it). One of the PoWs tries to aggravate Jesus but he has none of it. However you can tell Jesus thinks he's fairly right.
Michonne & Rosita are driving to the Sanctuary (although they must've shared the driving because when they left Alexandria, Michonne was driving and in this scene Rosita is. Anyone know the true distance between Alexandria & The Sanctuary? If it's around 100miles I'll forgive them...We'll call it a continuity error.) which is when they stumble across the Eugene link. Opera music playing from some loud speakers. They abandon the car and go investigate.
Enter Carl scavenging in the woods, where he spots a walker impaled on a stake trying to reach some bait in a tree. He then spots "the middle eastern guy" who we learn is called Siddiq. Siddiq was in the S8 Premiere, Mercy. Where both Rick & Carl were looking for fuel and Rick fires warning shots to scare him away, believing him to be a spy. You've probably all figured this out by now, but later in that episode Carl returns to the location leaving him food. In a respectful tip of the head to his Dad, Carl asks Siddiq the same three questions Rick used to ask potential new people; How many walkers have you killed? How many people have you killed? Why? I liked that part and while Carl can be annoying he's showing his own individual leadership as his character develops. The two quickly become mates and Siddiq explains killing the walkers (according to his Mother), "frees their souls". Honouring this (but probably stupidly so. Hey we all make mistakes when we're young...and old!), Carl agrees to free a few walkers souls with Siddiq. They predictably get into a predicament in which Siddiq nearly gets bit and Carl nearly gets his face ripped off (So close Chubbs, soo close
). Siddiq says you could've left me. Carl replies with "I'm responsible for you now, that's how it works." They then head off back to Alexandria. I think they did a really good job of introducing this character. He apparently plays a fairly pivotal role in the comics, so very interesting development. What are your thoughts on Siddiq? Friend or Foe? Part of another group? Is Carl being a dick?
During that time Carol is being followed by Master Henry into the woods, she basically tells him he's an idiot he tries to fend of walkers with a staff. She gives in, and hands him a gun. "The safety stays on, until I say otherwise."
Back at the Hilltop it's the next day. Maggie tells Jesus to bring the prisoners in, to reveal she's built a segregation camp. Gregory, says we can't have them in here. To which Maggie has had enough and impound Gregory into the camp with the PoWs. She then goes on to smash the dude that intimidated Morgan, in the face with the but of her gun. Another prisoner says thank you, she respond with "don't let me regret that." Finally, Gregory has got his just deserts and just as I was starting to dislike him less! Hahaha. Probably my favourite part of the episode.
As Rosita & Michonne explore where the sounds are coming from they stumble into some kind of warehouse/facility. They come across two Saviours rigging up some speakers. We can only assume to draw walkers away from the Sanctuary. As they spy on the Saviours, Michonne accidentally kicks a tennis ball into their view (note the computer game RPG, FPS element to it as Rosita diverts attention away from them). They split, Michonne fights the woman and as she starts to escape, Rosita corners the guy and aims a L-A-R-L (Land to air Rocket Launcher) at him. He scoffs "you aren't going to use that are you baby girl?", BOOM, vapourises the guy in probably one of the most unrealistic kills yet. However I still liked it and it gave a smile. However the girl escapes and tails off with the music blaring. Michonne & Rosita look gutted as they realise they could've used the LARL to shoot the car and stop it getting back to the Sanctuary. Hope isn't lost though as in the nick of time, the shows latest action hero Daryl (with Tara in tow), T-bones the car by plowing into it using an 18 wheeler truck. Where he got that, I don't know, as Alexandria doesn't have one! A tad far fetched maybe but it cleared up one of the theories for removing the walkers fromt the Sanctuary. Does this mean Eugene is going to be in a hole new world of shit? Possibly, but we've no idea it was his idea anyway. We'll soon see i'm sure.
Carol goes back to the Kingdom to talk to Ezekiel again and convince him to be "King" again. Khary Paton again delivers a great part in what is only a short piece. He even used his token "...and yet I smile" line (what a cheek), but this time with more broken gravitas of any failed Kings that have graced our screens. It's another moving and believable scene, I'm certain the tears from both Carol & Ez were genuine. He confesses that she makes him feel real and not a fiction. She again tells him that his people need him. It's not fully answered if he will takes this offer back up but a she leaves she says "If you can't be the King, play the part. That's what they need." He replies "I can't." We're still left in the dark as to whether he will reprise his role. I kind of hope he doesn't and Carol takes the lead of the Kingdom. We need Carol to be back at the forefront. She's an awesome character and Melissa McBride has played and developed her far from the "beaten wife" we first met in S1.
We go briefly back to the Hilltop and Aaron explains how he misses Eric. Maggie mentions about using the Saviours as a bargaining chip. Aaron then takes off on a mission, taking Maggies word with him. Enid says she's going with him, so tells him to get her stuff and some food "We might be a while."
Two final short scenes ends with Daryl, Tara, Michonne & Rosita sitting in the truck outside the Sanctuary. Michonne asks Daryl "What do you need us for?" to which Daryl responds, I think with "You'll see!". We then cut to Jadis walking by Rick's shipping container/cell and drawing a big "A" on with chalk (harks back to S4 Finale: A, when Rick and his crew were captured by the Terminus Cannibals and put inside a container with a big A stamped on it.). This throws up a lot of questions because both the Terminus Cannibals and the Wolves used "A". I wonder if it's got a further message to something more down the line. Maybe there is an even bigger force in control of this "New World". The "A" has been a constant through many seasons so my opinion is they are definitely foreshadowing something big. They pan out from Rick's cell and he's been stripped naked and the end credits run.
So you've made it to the end of my latest review! What are opinions on the questions I've posed throughout. I hope I've managed to answer a few of your questions, especially on the Siddiq plotline. I found it a fairly decent episode, just a tad far fetched at times. We had some emotive parts with Carol & Ez and I think it worked as an episode on the whole to tie it all together a bit. It's the penultimate episode next Monday,
S8:E7: Time For After and we should have a better idea of how the mid-season is going to end. I'd like to see the end of the Junkyard/Scavengers maybe by next episode, but with four main characters at the Sanctuary, seemingly ready to strike, there is only Carol, Master Henry and possibly Hilltop to bring Rick to safety, it seems unlikely. We also will need to tie up Father Gabe's predicament, will Eugene follow his plea and smuggle the Doctor to the Hilltop? and how? or will Eugene meet his fate via Negan? It poses a few more question which hopefully we can answer before heading into the MSF.
Once again thanks for viewing/listening/reading. Give me your opinions on my opinion and your thoughts going forward towards the MSF. Criticism, always welcome.
Cheers,
Bamboo