Overall, I thought this was a good episode. There were a few scenes that I really enjoyed, unfortunately, there were also some scenes that were just dumb.
Let's start with the good.
I loved the scene between Michonne and Carl. Both of them think of each other like pseudo mother and son. They know they will never replace the ones that they have lost, but they are willing to think of each other in those roles. It was a beautiful scene. A concerned mother figure over what was happening with Carl. Yet, she respects him enough and loves him enough to actually listen for his answers. Because she does so, she is rewarded with a beautiful sentiment, that he would want "family" to kill him, and that she is family. She is clearly touched, who wouldn't be, and says she would do the same for him. Duh, she murdered Ron, she already proved it.
This scene brings up clearly the biggest scene in the show, Rick and Michonne getting together. I think it was the culmination of Michonne always being there for his family that won Rick over. There has been a lot of chatter about how it's the new softer Rick, but I think it more so has to do with who Michonne is to the whole Grimes family. Carl adores her, starting when Michonne went with Carl to get the picture of Lori at the dinner, when Michonne chose to live (because of Carl) and followed the trail of Rick and Carl to the hold-up house after the prison was decimated, and when the two were outside of Terminus together. They have a beautiful bond. I think it was solidified by the fact that despite all of the strife between Rick and herself over the first part of the season, discussing Rick's aggressive, intolerant behavior toward the Alexandrians, that ultimately, when Carl was threatened, she didn't give two fucks who it was, she was on team Grimes.
That kind of loyalty is hard for someone to miss. Michonne is the real deal and they truly belong together.
On a side note, how beautiful is Danai!
Let's start with the good.
I loved the scene between Michonne and Carl. Both of them think of each other like pseudo mother and son. They know they will never replace the ones that they have lost, but they are willing to think of each other in those roles. It was a beautiful scene. A concerned mother figure over what was happening with Carl. Yet, she respects him enough and loves him enough to actually listen for his answers. Because she does so, she is rewarded with a beautiful sentiment, that he would want "family" to kill him, and that she is family. She is clearly touched, who wouldn't be, and says she would do the same for him. Duh, she murdered Ron, she already proved it.
This scene brings up clearly the biggest scene in the show, Rick and Michonne getting together. I think it was the culmination of Michonne always being there for his family that won Rick over. There has been a lot of chatter about how it's the new softer Rick, but I think it more so has to do with who Michonne is to the whole Grimes family. Carl adores her, starting when Michonne went with Carl to get the picture of Lori at the dinner, when Michonne chose to live (because of Carl) and followed the trail of Rick and Carl to the hold-up house after the prison was decimated, and when the two were outside of Terminus together. They have a beautiful bond. I think it was solidified by the fact that despite all of the strife between Rick and herself over the first part of the season, discussing Rick's aggressive, intolerant behavior toward the Alexandrians, that ultimately, when Carl was threatened, she didn't give two fucks who it was, she was on team Grimes.
That kind of loyalty is hard for someone to miss. Michonne is the real deal and they truly belong together.
On a side note, how beautiful is Danai!
I also really liked Michonne helping out Deana's son. I thought that was a great way to bring that character more into the fold.
I'm so glad Carl isn't having a teen angst moment. Thank God.
I also really liked Daryl's exchange with the doctor. Old Daryl would not have waited for her to finish her windy-thought process. New Daryl does. It was charming. I liked it.
I loved watching Daryl and Rick have some cutsie moments during the car ride. I thought that was perfect. That's how they should be at this point in time. Sharing food, messing with each other, I loved it. The show could show more of that to prove that it's not just during the trying times that brings these characters together, but the in-between moments.
I'm so glad Carl isn't having a teen angst moment. Thank God.
I also really liked Daryl's exchange with the doctor. Old Daryl would not have waited for her to finish her windy-thought process. New Daryl does. It was charming. I liked it.
I loved watching Daryl and Rick have some cutsie moments during the car ride. I thought that was perfect. That's how they should be at this point in time. Sharing food, messing with each other, I loved it. The show could show more of that to prove that it's not just during the trying times that brings these characters together, but the in-between moments.
Now onto the dumb.
Why in the F does Rick, after knowing how important this truck of grain is to the Alexandrian community, decide to take an alternate route home? At that point, I'd be like, look, I know we want to see who else is out here, but this is not the time. We need to get this truck back to our friends and grow some crops like the pilgrims. We know the route home is clear, let's make it happen.
Nope. Time to insert moronic plot development.
We meet a man named Jesus who apparently is on par with Houdini. He steals the keys to the truck from Rick, who used to be a cop by the way, and then gets away. Somehow Team Bromance catches up with him, only to tie him up pretty ineffectively.
Here, I am actually confused. Does Jesus get out of his restraints immediately or at a later time? Immediately makes more sense. While Team Bromance were dicking around, maybe he climbed on board. Yet, that doesn't describe the thud on the roof of the truck. So, is TWD trying to tell me Jesus jumped up onto the truck while it was going 35-45mph, then while it was moving, flung himself onto the roof of the truck?
Idiots.
But, they are The Walking Dead, so why just be a wee-bit moronic, and leave this nonsense behind, when they can be full-fledged moronic and continue with this absurdity?
What happens next is so dumb.
Rick slams on the breaks and tosses Jesus. I know, how about at this point, you just drive away? Why engage? I kept waiting for the truck to get stuck in the swampy grass of Georgia. No, it falls into a lake -- I was only half right.
It keeps getting worse. Why? Because then Rick decides to bring this guy back to camp? So dumb.
Why in the F does Rick, after knowing how important this truck of grain is to the Alexandrian community, decide to take an alternate route home? At that point, I'd be like, look, I know we want to see who else is out here, but this is not the time. We need to get this truck back to our friends and grow some crops like the pilgrims. We know the route home is clear, let's make it happen.
Nope. Time to insert moronic plot development.
We meet a man named Jesus who apparently is on par with Houdini. He steals the keys to the truck from Rick, who used to be a cop by the way, and then gets away. Somehow Team Bromance catches up with him, only to tie him up pretty ineffectively.
Here, I am actually confused. Does Jesus get out of his restraints immediately or at a later time? Immediately makes more sense. While Team Bromance were dicking around, maybe he climbed on board. Yet, that doesn't describe the thud on the roof of the truck. So, is TWD trying to tell me Jesus jumped up onto the truck while it was going 35-45mph, then while it was moving, flung himself onto the roof of the truck?
Idiots.
But, they are The Walking Dead, so why just be a wee-bit moronic, and leave this nonsense behind, when they can be full-fledged moronic and continue with this absurdity?
What happens next is so dumb.
Rick slams on the breaks and tosses Jesus. I know, how about at this point, you just drive away? Why engage? I kept waiting for the truck to get stuck in the swampy grass of Georgia. No, it falls into a lake -- I was only half right.
It keeps getting worse. Why? Because then Rick decides to bring this guy back to camp? So dumb.
Also, let's recap. Two months have gone by. I'm sure Team Bromance had time to discuss that while Daryl was out he trusted a nice group of people, and they really were nice, but ultimately betrayed him for a man named Negan. Then later, Sasha, Abraham, and Daryl run into a different group of bad guys and they are all nearly killed for a man named Negan. Perhaps Rick should start paying more attention to what Daryl says because real life experience says a whack-job is out there.
Rick is so absolute about this new inclusion rule that it's gonna backfire. In the beginning, Rick was a steadfast no strangers brought in, now he is steadfast yes. So really, Rick's word just rules no matter what anyone tells him. How about there being no black and white? How about some middle ground? I thought Rick was right about not bringing people in, he should lean toward that instinct. He can change, and say some people can be brought in, but a guy like Jesus? Who has already stolen, already been devious, that's an automatic no.
I know losing your boy made you nervous, but we've been down this route before, Farmer Rick. How about what you learn is balance. That would be nice.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com
Rick is so absolute about this new inclusion rule that it's gonna backfire. In the beginning, Rick was a steadfast no strangers brought in, now he is steadfast yes. So really, Rick's word just rules no matter what anyone tells him. How about there being no black and white? How about some middle ground? I thought Rick was right about not bringing people in, he should lean toward that instinct. He can change, and say some people can be brought in, but a guy like Jesus? Who has already stolen, already been devious, that's an automatic no.
I know losing your boy made you nervous, but we've been down this route before, Farmer Rick. How about what you learn is balance. That would be nice.
Until next time!
** If you would like to read my other blogs, please find them at:
http://www.madelinefresco.com
http://www.ihatemyback.com.
**** Madeline Fresco is a novelist who lives in San Diego. She is the author of CROSSED THE LINE, available for Kindle at Amazon.com, for Nook at Barnes & Noble, and as an ePub at other eBook retailers. You can also listen to her novel as a free, serialized audiobook at http://www.madelinefresco.com. Her second book THE CHOICE, is available on Kindle at Amazon. Her third book ANGUISH, is available for Kindle at Amazon.com