We thought this episode was better than many of them this season, but still had so many eye roll moments for me...
- On their way to supposed all out war, Jesus lectures Morgan on how he doesn't have to kill people; Carol essentially agrees. Looney tunes.
- Aforementioned Jesus appears by the end of the episode to be on board with blood lust against Negan -- enough to join a plot to turn against Rick and Michonne. Ok.
- The moment Negan's throat is slit, Rick gives the kumbaya speech -- everyone can just "go home" and live happily ever after. Does he know that all real lieutenants are dead?? He just trusts that they will all now be able to live in harmony? No trust but verify, no checking with Dwight whether they've gotten all the Simon's of the group?? Related to this, we're happily planting flowers by the end of the episode with people who were shooting at us mid-episode.
- Just *ugh* with those women showing up with their Molotov cocktails or whatever.
- This episode made Morgan leaving seem more ridiculous; he gives a little speech about how this world is all about people, and just when they are about to (supposedly) live in peace, he's outta' there. Ok.
- Still hard to buy that in this situation, Negan would be allowed to live. Too much of a risk that in captivity he might charm his way out with some unwitting captor... all sorts of things can go wrong. Not to mention that this is Rick going back on a promise to Maggie to "finish Negan". Yeah, yeah... Carl... I know (insert contrived Gimple plot here). I know he lived in the comics (at least for a while, right?!) -- I haven't gotten there yet to see how they justify it there.
We liked...
- Eugene redeeming himself; and Rosita punching him for the vomit.
- Despite it seeming lunatic, we like JDM so are happy we'll still see him for a while.
- Feels like a jump forward is ahead, which I welcome after 2 years spent on about a month's time (or whatever it is!).
I might be forgetting stuff in both the pros and cons list, but that's it for now.
Haven't watched the FTWD episode or TD yet. DVR'd.
Very much crossing our fingers for a CLEAN START to season 9... ... hoping Gimple is less involved and that the new show runner is good...