This week, we saw the fallout from Jesus’ death and knowing a little bit more about the threat that is The Whisperers. Michonne captured Alpha’s daughter, Lydia, and Alpha is not having that. My name is Kent, and I ask 5 weekly
5 Questions
1. Judith allowed Negan to escape so he could see what has become of the world. Negan had an adventure involving dogs, getting a leather jacket, kneeling in the same clearing where he executed Abe and Glenn, got to Sanctuary, chatted with Big Ritchie, and got his bike back. He then returned and Judith fired at him, missing intentionally possibly. What did you enjoy about this whole big story? Will Negan become a free member of a community by season’s end?
Chris: I loved everything with Negan and Judith. It was cool to see him reflect on his past, even to try and become the old Negan again. He went on a spiritual journey only to realize that Judith was right. I’m really hoping he becomes free and a valued member of the community. (You rarely get to spend time with a character that allows them to reflect on things, and even when we do, it’s usually death related. This was a really well-done part of the episode. I will try to not say this every week, but the new leadership and direction has really given this show new life and it’s unfortunate that viewers are still leaving.)
Kent: There hasn’t been a bad scene with Judith and Negan. They have the best on-screen chemistry at the moment, with Eugene and Rosita along with Carol and Daryl not too far behind. Alden and Enid are in dead last. I was super happy about him getting the jacket. I was even more excited when they revealed that Negan was in the same clearing as the infamous “Lineup” scene. Negan’s journey was probably the best part of this whole episode, for me at least. Given how drastic things have gone from the comic, I am not sure how long they want to keep Negan in the cell. He’s not a character that you want to have remained dormant for too long. Look at the damage it did to Daryl. I think Negan has a 70% chance of being out of the cell by season’s end. So that is a yes from me.
Given how drastic things have gone from the comic, I am not sure how long they want to keep Negan in the cell. He’s not a character that you want to have remained dormant for too long. Look at the damage it did to Daryl. I think Negan has a 70% chance of being out of the cell by season’s end. So that is a yes from me.
2. Rosita has revealed that Siddiq is the father of her baby. Give me your thoughts on this development and the potential impact on Gabriel and Eugene.
Chris: Well, Gabriel will obviously feel terrible. I want to feel bad for Eugene, I really do. He poured his heart out to Rosita and she doesn’t love him. I still can’t feel bad for him though because, while he’s done some great things, he’s also been a dick several times. (I think the sympathy for Eugene is almost Screech powers wanting Lisa Turtle level. As a fan, you want to cheer for him, but as you said, he has been a dick. It’s fair.)
Kent: This is easy. Eugene should tell her off and start his own community and call it Berrywood. He could be some governing figure of it. Maybe even get an eye patch and a tank. Hilltop and Siddiq will not have a chance. Siddiq, you let Carl get bit and now you are screwing over Eugene. Not cool!!!! In all seriousness, I am curious how Gabe handles this more than anything.
3. Did you enjoy the Luke and Alden duo? Are one or both of these guys going to get hurt or worse, given their current predicament?
Chris: Luke is fantastic. I felt like he kind of carried those scenes. I have to assume Alpha will involve them in some kind of trade to get Lydia back. (Dan Fogler, the man who plays Luke, is absolutely killing it in his role. Great casting choice and great job by him.)
Kent: I like Luke a lot. He is quickly rising up my list of favorite characters on the show currently. Alden is alright, but I don’t like his hair. I’d like for him to be a victim of the event. Some bodies need to hit the floor, and Alden would be an obvious choice for me. Still, I enjoyed this pairing. Way better than Alden with Maggie or Enid. Enid needs a comeback season. She’s so bland. I also want to say how pleasantly surprised at how the show has integrated Maghda’s group in general. Soooo much better than the comic.
4. We have now met Lydia, and at the end, we met Alpha. Which character is more interesting to you at the moment?
Chris: I think Lydia will end up being the more interesting character. Lydia is going to get more screen time, and she has a messed up back story in the comics. I think the actress playing her has been great so far. Plus she doesn’t have a cringe accent like Alpha…. (What is up with Alpha’s voice? I feel like this may be something I end up talking about more this half season. I look forward to Lydia revealing more of her story. I just hope Henry can shut up and just nod.)
Kent: I don’t like Alpha’s voice. I hope it grows on me. I know that’s a dumb complaint, but it wasn’t what I anticipated. So I will say, Lydia, because that girl is working Henry’s dumb ass. Anybody who makes Henry more unlikable is fine by me. I am torn on how redeemable Lydia will be. If she had Carl to work off of, I think the answer would be a resounding yes. With so many people disliking Henry, I am going to say her character ends up disliked via association. Good actress though.
5. The season (or midseason) premiere tends to give us a direction for the following 7 episodes. What one question do you hope to get answered over the next 7 episodes? Yes, we all want to know about the scars, so aside from that.
Chris: I want to know how the whisperers ended up wearing zombie skin. Something terrible must have driven them to that. Oh, and wtf is up with those scars?!?!?! (I hadn’t considered the idea of a scene where it is explained why the Whisperers started wearing the skin, but man, I would absolutely love a full episode on the Whisperers back story. That would be wonderful.)
Kent: Damnit, I just want to know about the scars, but since that is not an option, I want to know if we will get the fair by the end of the season. That’s the thing that makes this whole thing great, the cherry on top for many reasons. I am also curious about how Tara will do as a leader. So far, she hasn’t been bad.
Final Thoughts
We’ll talk about the Michonne situation when it is more appropriate. In the meantime, pick any of these topics and give me your thoughts. What do you think about the trailer for either Pet Sematary or Us? What do you think about the new TV show teaser for NOS4A2? Can Henry get anymore unlikable? Do you miss scenes that take place in the Kingdom?
Chris: Can Henry get more unlikeable? Sure, slap an eye patch on him…. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of the Kingdom, but the Whisperer scenes kind of make Hilltop the focus right now, and it’s so good. Oh and I’m feeling meh on Pet Semetary. John Lithgow is great, but I think the trailer gave way too much away. (I really love Lithgow. I’m not sure if he was right for the role. Obviously, it’s too early to judge it, I almost feel that you could have given his role to a lesser known actor so fans wouldn’t immediately reject it.)
Kent: I think Pet Sematary is going to be a major let down. I am not going into that film expecting much beyond mediocrity. On the other hand, Us looks like it has a good premise that will probably have a terrible ending. I still think that Get Out was a joke, but Jordan Peele still has a passion for horror. I think he can do well. If this bombs though, he needs to walk away from Candyman because we deserve a great Candyman. NOS4A2 really intrigues me. I will definitely give it a watch. I hope it is solid. If Henry kills Judith, then he can become more unlikable. That’s really about it though. I really would like more stuff from the Kingdom. Right now, I’m missing Ezekiel and Jerry, big time. I feel that it would be good to know more of the members of the Kingdom since so many were taken out in season 8 in that one attack. It appears that in episode 11 we will get some Kingdom scenes if IMDB is to be believed.
All the pictures used in this blog are for review purposes. They are the property of:
- American Movie Classics (AMC) (presents)
- Circle of Confusion
- Valhalla Motion Pictures (as Valhalla Entertainment)
- Darkwoods Productions
- AMC Studios
- Idiot Box Productions
Please go find a copy and support the creators.