Monday 16 April 2018

'My mercy prevails over my wrath' ~ Review: #TheWalkingDead Finale S8:16 WRATH #TWDFamily

Last week: Review: S8:15 WORTH


Lumps in the throat everywhere, with that very first scene of Rick and little Carl, many years ago .... I've been so looking forward to this episode, and it was worth the wait. 😃


A round of applause for everyone who sussed out that Eugene was secretly working against Negan (though maybe not from the start; I think he just couldn't see all his old friends killed, in the end) - I admit to not being among that number at first, but of course Gabriel's unintentional dodgy bullet had to be there for a reason.  As for the Last Battle ~ Negan's whistle never fails to be terrifying, especially when you can't see where it's coming from, and the sight of the Saviours appearing over the hill reminded me of Vikings, Braveheart, all those battle scenes in which the enemy appears over a hill in far greater numbers than expected ~ but as soon as the camera panned to Eugene's face I thought, ah yes, yes, he's done the bullet thing!


I couldn't imagine how Negan's end was going to come, but Morgan talking earlier on about Rick going back on his word should have been a clue... Rick lulled Negan into a false sense of security, pressing his buttons by talking about Carl, and then... slash!!!  And at last we saw what really happened under the swinging stained glass, and what he meant by 'my mercy prevails over my wrath'.


Negan should have done his research before he came out; Rick did similar when killed Shane in S2:12 Better Angels.  Just like he stood in front of Negan, looking as though he was going to collapse/cry/beg, he let Shane think he was weak, and pretended he wanted them both to back off.  (The scene below is so worth watching again, by the way!)


So we finally had the promised wrap-up of many storylines, but this is The Walking Dead ~ there can be no happy ending without a sinister threat lurking down the road, and this time Rick might need to watch out for his own family.  Will Maggie really turn against him? If so, I'm totally on Team Richonne.  The proposed fate for Negan, ie, sitting in a cell for the rest of his life, watching the rebuilding of Rick's new Utopia, is a far more suitable punishment than a quick death.


...but is Maggie right?  This is Negan we're talking about, not any old prisoner; he's streets ahead of most in cunning, intelligence and manipulation, and I can imagine him persuading someone to let him out, sometime.  He may pretend to have changed ... pondering on this made me think of Crighton Dallas Wilton in S6:4 Here's Not Here; I still think Negan is a complete psychopath who will say and do anything to get what he wants, and wonder if Maggie, like Morgan's cheesemaker chum Eastman, will be the only person to see through him. 


Either way, I hope the writers don't overplay this.  Daryl going along with Maggie I can understand, as he hasn't been his lovely self since he (thinks he) caused the death of Glenn (and feels he owes Maggie), but I don't quite get the inclusion of Jesus in the secretly mutinous trio.  Isn't Jesus the peacemaker?  That evil nod he gave as she outlined her plans was a new expression for him.  Although I've never cared much for Maggie, it's totally feasible that she feels the way she does ~ hell, millions of us want to avenge the death of Glenn! ~ but it's going to have to be subtly done to work.  Don't want any sudden changes of character, with previously decent people taking on Negan/Governor-like qualities.

'It's not over until Negan's dead!'

But back to the finale ~ looks like Siddiq has been accepted into the fold now, and Rick probably sees that in honouring his new pal's mom, Carl was also honouring Lori, but... nah.  Still doesn't seem right without Rick looking for Coooorrrrl all the time....


 'Daryl could have washed them before he handed them over...'
I'm super pleased that Dwight got away, and hope he will carry on into future series, and assume Jadis-Anne will become a fully paid-up member of the gang.  You never know, maybe we will, one day, get to see the super-mega-zombie masher in action again.....


.... and talking of useful bits of kit, I suspected that an escape would be made from Hilltop via Sasha's log store tunnel, and that Oceanside would show up in the nick of time, so no surprises there.  Also predictable (but not in a bad way) was that Morgan would need to go off on his own, now to be seen in Fear The Walking Dead, I've since discovered!  So I might have to start watching that; I wasn't that impressed by Season 1 but have been told it gets better.


I hope our people are not all going to split up too much ~ looks like Carol's staying at the Kingdom (cue cosying up with Ezekiel?), Richonne and Gabriel appear to be at Alexandria, but I hope Tara, Eduardo and Rosita were only dropping off the glass and don't stay too long at the Sanctuary ~ which is in good hands, now that Tanya and Frankie have exchanged Negan-Wife LBDs for Hilltop Chic.  

 'Never mind the poison pills, can you make us some workshirts and jeans?'

 ðŸ˜²ðŸ˜²ðŸ˜²ðŸ˜²ðŸ˜²


My prediction is that Maggie will get together with Alden; such initial overt hostility is usually an indication that clothes will be shed and love will follow.  And she was pretty crappy to Glenn at first, if you remember!


Still feel so sad about Glenn, it's just not right that he's dead; I want this!
...with Abraham and pregnant Sasha in the background...
 
I loved Rick's speech at the end, an echo of the one he gave in episode 1 of the season, and the reminder that the real enemy is that massive herd down the hill ~ or, for Rick, is it going to be nearer to home?  Now the wait until Season 9 ~ I've read that Heath may be back, which I'm pleased about, and that Maggie may not be around for much longer ~ apparently, S9 will deviate from the comic book story.  Okay.  One more thing: please, writers, now that the wings are back on the right person, can we have the old Daryl back?   Come on, Dixon, Rick's your brother....




ps, saw Jerry in this film Den of Thieves the other night, it's a terrific film!








14 comments:

  1. I agree with you on everything. It was a GREAT finale, we earned this one after two years in a row of Negan domination. I get that Rick had to save him, I really do--it's what Carl would have wanted. But I also agree that he is a psychopath, and if he could talk the garbage lady (Ann???) into letting him go, he can talk anybody into it. Jesus--what the hell was that? Mr. Let's-Keep-Them-Alive-and-Use-the-Dull-End-of-the-Stick??? Is he pulling a Eugene? I did not see the Eugene thing coming, I was ready to personally murder him after last week. Such a great twist to make him the hero after all. And totally awesome that Rosita still punched him for puking on her. Feeling very satisfied with this season, although I will miss Morgan. Don't think I can do the other show, although I have also heard it's better than it was. I mean, for starters, it has Morgan, right?

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    1. Yeah, I don't get the Jesus thing at all - if they wanted to put someone else with Maggie and Daryl against Rick, it should have been Tara, or maybe even Carol (who is always the most practical person!), but not Jesus. Hope they're not going to do that shoe-horning someone into another character thing that you get in bad books...! I agree with what someone else said to me about Eugene, that it wasn't always his plan, but maybe when it came to it he couldn't see them all die Yes, I loved Rosita's punch!

      I will have to have a go at the FTWD, I think - yes, if only for Morgan!

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  2. EPIC!!! What a fabulous episode! Totally didn’t see the Eugene thing and was longing for him to get a bullet lol *hangs head in shame* Loved all the gifs on #TheWalkingDeadUK Twitter feed during the episode as clearly I wasn’t the only one who didn’t see the double agent thing coming. Glad Dwight got away. Shocked at Maggie, Jesus, and Daryl - noooo! They can’t fight family! Going to have to watch this episode again as I’m sure I missed loads!

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    1. The Eugene twist was epic, you are right. I will watch it again for sure!

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    2. HOW can you watch it whilst doing Twitter, Shelley???? I tried that a couple of times with The Apprentice and it was hopeless, I kept missing bits.

      This Maggie, Daryl and Jesus thing has got to be done right.... I kind of get it, because Maggie is pregnant (hormones all over the place) and has never had a chance to grieve over Glenn properly, and Daryl seriously needs some therapy, but they're still FAMILY - all they've been through!!!

      Yeah, I was the same as you with Eugene right until they showed his face before the guns fired *hangs head in shame too* - I did think it might be Gabriel who organised it, but there had to be something happen with the bullets!

      I am going to have a binge tomorrow afternoon, and watch all the last 7 eps again, all in one go - I've been saving them up for the second watch!!

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  3. Well, I enjoyed reading your review even if I haven’t a clue what it’s all about. It does sound like an absorbing series, though. Maybe one day, when boats are no longer part of my life... although I hope that will be a very long way off, by which time WD will be really dead!

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    1. it's the first thing you should watch, Val, starting with season 1! If you enjoyed my Tipping Point books...!!

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  4. I loved the episode and was so glad they finally won the battle (couldn't bear for there to be another cliffhanger in terms of which side won!) but I really don't understand Maggie, Daryl and particularly Jesus, like you say. I almost think, if the original group turn against each other then what's the point? Will keep watching though because it's addictive and I can't give up on them now! Let's see what the next season brings.

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    1. Oh no, I'm one of those super-obsessive people about it, but even I would have moaned if they didn't end the whole Saviours storyline!

      I do understand Maggie (pregnant, husband recently died, and been thrust into leadership), and Daryl (totally screwed up in the head since Glenn, and don't forget, he IS Merle's brother!!), but yeah.... Jesus????

      I disagree... I think there being in-fighting is the natural progression, and I'm surprised it hasn't happened before now, though indeed the war with the Saviours brought out different viewpoints!!! I write post apocalyptic stuff, and something I have to think about is how people react in times of great difficulty. People DON'T all work together peacefully, there will always be mutiny in the ranks, particularly if people think the one they have chosen as leader is making the wrong choices - it's human nature I think!! The kill/not kill is a particularly big issue in TWD and has always been. Rick's decision is emotional, too, led by Carl's letter and the reminder of how he used to be, and what Morgan said to him about going back on his word.

      Anyway.... thanks for commenting, and roll on autumn, I say!

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  5. Please forgive on lag of reading here!! Actually love your blog more than the show because you remind me WHY I loved #twd & how I even had it in my description.
    Yes, last episode pulled this series together.
    I get the Carl thing & trying to honor him & all, but can we be completely done with Negan?
    He bashed Glenn & Abraham's skull in, tortures people & yada yada.
    My only compaint. Read online they don't kill him in comic books yet, but maybe that's it.
    Yay! Our gang is back on top.
    Some episodes just lack what I used to love about show & then a great one comes along and pulls it all together.
    Have a feeling next season will be great.
    Love TWD community here, and thanks again Terry for writing kick a-- blog that adds more fun for all of us
    Cheers! M

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    1. I totally agree with you about Negan, I thought I was the only one!!! But at least the fight with the Saviours is over.

      I think S9 is going to be great too - thank YOU for reading it, Machel, I love the TWD Family too, and it's okay, you can say 'ass' on my blog!!! xxxx

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    2. Yay. Bringing my best curse words. Haha! Love everyone's remarks and comments. Interesting to see how we all take I the show differently!
      Amazing finale blog, Terry!

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  6. I loved this episode i agre with your summary except the maggie/jesus/Daryl oart. I thought this was a stroke of genius. Maggie has always had that need for power and since Glenn dodd she is way worse, i love seeing a woman in this world taking control as well. Jesus has always seemed like a dark horse to me and he is particularly loyal to Maggie and I think Daryl has been seriously affected by Karl's death and is doing what he thinks is best.

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    1. Ah, interesting POV, Claire - yes, I get that Maggie is totally damaged by losing Glenn how she did.... I think the thing that turned Daryl was feeling responsible for Glenn's death, but yes, Carl's will have affected him badly too - he was part of the Atlanta 4, after all!!! And yes yes, clever girl, I never thought of that - Jesus will go along with it because of his loyalty to Maggie.... I never thought of that as being a factor, well spotted! Thanks for reading and commenting, much appreciated x

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