Sorry it's a late one!
S8 E3: Monsters
So you guys found this one a bit "fillerish" and a tad slow/lacking progress at times? Although it was a touch better than E2 right?
First off the title Monsters didn't really conclude much and i'm still waiting to have a sniff of the Negan storyline along with our favourite priest who is, buy all accounts, shitting his pants. I'll admit, I was expecting more of a twist on the Morales plot. As always, when the episodes are directed by Greg Nicotero, you can expect one thing for sure and that's great prosthetics and attention to detail in blood splatter expertise. Having plied most of his trade under the recently late, cult zombie Director; George A. Romero, I always look forward to these details during Nicotero's Directed episodes of TWD. RIP to Romero, who passed away in July.
This episode only really let me down in the new constant of Jesus suddenly becoming all out peacemaker. The fight scene though with Morgan and Jesus I enjoyed and it showed us just how Morgan is struggling psychologically in this world. I still refer to the "Morgan" episode of Clear, a few seasons back, where he had issues dealing with the post apocalyptic world. It was a little later where he met the former Dojo (S6:E3 maybe it was 4? anyway I can't remember his name i'd have to Google it) and learnt his self defence skills with the staff. I'll highlight Batch's comment (sorry, i'm not singling you out, you raised it and it's perfectly relevant) about "why is Morgan suddenly a shit fighter?". Truth is, he hasn't become shit, however he's never had to fight Jesus. When we first met him(also S6), we learnt he was also very skilled in martial arts and hand to hand combat. I think here it's just a case of Jesus being the better "Ninja" and most probably more experienced. As far as we know, Morgan only knows in depth self defence recently from Dojo guy in S6. I really like the growing tension between Daryl and Rick, where will that lead or am I just exploring a non story here?
If no one minds, I'll recap a few key parts of the episode. On the whole I think it was ok, if a little bit filler.
So we pretty much open as we ended the previous with Morales, holding Rick at gunpoint. Morales and Rick talk about how things have panned out for them both (all under tension) and it's revealed Morales lost his family. Rick informs him about the losses of Lori, Shane and the brutal murder of Glenn at the hands of Morales new "owner", Negan. Ok so at this point he calls Rick a monster and that is the only reference I can find that refers to the title episode. As stated above I was expecting a twist for this episode. Damn! As predicted, Daryl kills Morales with almost shock from Rick, who seemed to think he could talk Morales round. They leave the building and hear calls from Aaron as his team of fighters close in on this Saviour outpost. Later we conclude that Aaron's boyfriend Eric may not have made it. Thus prompting Aaron to take care of Gracie. The baby Rick find's after suspectedly killing her Father.
We then have the scenes of Aaron going back to where he left Eric (with a gunshot to the stomach) against a tree. This for me harks back to S1 ((I think it was Jim or Dale?) basically he was left against a tree after being bit in the stomach to reanimate). Eric is no longer there and Aaron believes he sees him walking off in the distance but i'm not 100% convinced he's gone? Maybe I misheard but i'm sure I heard a character say something to Aaron like "He's not there/dead". Also we didn't actually see the "turned" Eric and we all know most characters that leave TWD are bestowed this grand exit. The only true character that didn't have it was "The Governor" but he went out in style after his brutal beheading of Hershel. Anyway, I don't think Eric is dead yet or they want to show us the zombie Eric next episode? We then learn that the guns that Rick and Daryl were after have been moved, this is after a Saviour is discovered behind a tree. Daryl kills him without thought and yet again Rick looks at him like "what the fuck bro".
I'm not even going to talk about Gregory because that dude just pisses me off now. Why the fuck would Maggie let him back in? Just rid of him, he's becoming TWD jester. It's shit. I want him gone before midseason, if not the next episode.
Somewhere wedged in all this we have King "still I fucking smile" Ez and Carol almost cockily cruising their way through the woods. It's just a continuation from last episode until they close in on the next Saviour outpost. As predicted the Kingdomers get shot at and some of them try and create a human shield for King Ez. Maybe they'll not be as ridiculously cocky next time?
There's the detailed recap and also keeps anyone on track if they missed an episode (intentionally or not). I'm going to throw a curveball in now, just to maybe get us talking a little more about the further future of the show, so here goes. What are your guys theories on how the show may end, eventually? I have a theory and i've posted this theory on other social media and forums. I'm interested to hear your thoughts on this. I don't know if it's occurred to any of you but for me, part of last season and the start of this season appear to be produced in a more arcade/computer game style? Now this could be a huge miss on my part but i'll be smug af and picking up several c*nt points (in TEF fashion I hope some of you already have given me a vote of "c*nt"
) if I get close to this huge story arc, which could lead us to the start of the endgame for TWD. My theory is that instead of a shitty "Rick wakes up, it was all a dream" end. I think that the whole concept of TWD is merely an 8/16 bit arcade game. All the places they've visited have been different levels. The "Bosses" Rick has had to defeat. The far fetchedness of some scenarios, where they've been saved just as an aggressor is about to deliver a final blow. Not without drama, losing many comrades along the way....and so on.
I can envisage a final, final scene and for me it would be Rick getting shot or beaten in the FPV, background noise of "Finish him" or similar (for those familiar with arcade Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat) and the screen blurring with "Game Over" appearing on the screen. As the camera pans out it becomes apparent it's an arcade game and the camera shows the "gamer" as a young Carl walking away and leaving the arcade, set around late 80's/early 90's scene. For me this would explain all the FPV moments in the show when we have blood on the screen and the ridiculousness of Shiva as well as a few other whacky groups. I feel they are slowly producing the characters in the show as more comic book/fictional characters (which of course they are) and opening us up to this concept that they may well just be that. Fictional and not one bit real. Previously with had more attachment with characters with more drama and tenseness. I don't feel that as much anymore so I do wonder if they are leaning to this concept or similar. More than likely i'm just talking complete bollocks!
If you'd like to give me your own theories, as this could throw up some impressive ideas probably much more impressive (and concise) than mine, then please do. I look forward to hearing them. As ever I look forward to your responses to my post and your own take on the recent episode as a whole. I'll try to do my review for the next episode (incidentally called "Some Guy") a little earlier next time. For your sins that could be up as early as next Tues. Enjoy.
Once again, cheers for reading/listening/viewing. I continually enjoy TWD but I'm still hungry to get my show back like it was before. Let's hope a big plot twist arises sometime after we've known Gabriels fate and a few other loose ends are tied up like The Scavengers and Gregory. Knowing the comics marginally. That twist could be at the mid season finale or mid season premiere. I could also be wide of the mark here too.
I await the impending criticism
Cheers, Kev Bamboo!