(review will contain minor comic spoilers)
It's not looking good for Rick and the gang.
This is definitely the worst state the group have been in. In this episode, the Saviors are cruel and unforgiving. Rick is given no choice but to comply - they are so greatly outnumbered that an ambush is out of the question.
This whole episode takes place in Alexandria; something we've been waiting to see for a while. Negan and his men arrive at Alexandria (slightly earlier than expected) to collect their first offering. This is pretty much the main theme of the episode - what they decide to take. The episode opens with the shot of Rick and Michonne, mirroring the opening shot of 6x15, except this time they're facing apart; separated. This is what Negan has done to the group. He's breaking them, splitting members of the group apart in the process.
Carl's outburst results in the entirety of the group's guns being taken away, which is a big blow if/when they decide to fight back. We can only hope they still have some hidden away somewhere. If they do, Eugene's skills with ammunition could come in very handy.
As many people will know, the inclusion of Spencer blaming Rick about the Saviors predicament results in a scene from the comics that I'm sure everyone wants to see; I won't go into details here. I just hope the writers have the guts to recreate the scene.
Like the first episode of the season, it's impossible to watch it without feeling devastated for the group. Their lives and being torn apart; their possessions being taken away infront of their eyes, and there is nothing they can do. The saviors don't need a lot of what they take - they just do it to oppress our group. This is especially apparent at the end of the episode when Michonne finds the burnt mattresses.
As always, the acting is of a high standard (except perhaps from Chandler Riggs) - Andrew Lincoln always stands out, and Norman Reedus also puts on a good performance this episode, although he doesn't actually have any lines. JDM continues to impress as the feared, comical leader of the Saviors. I can't agree with the people who say he's not intimidating - although Henry Rollins would have probably been a better choice if they were simply going for intensity and intimidation, JDM is as funny and charismatic a choice as anyone could be, and he fits the role perfectly. To me this episode confirmed he was the right pick.
As for the Morse code theory - at first I didn't even consider it, but looking back, they really do seem to focus on Daryl's blinking (and Rick trying to interpret it). I still don't think they were communicating, but I do think the clues were included on purpose, perhaps just to make fans talk.
With the new synopsis' out for episodes 5 up until the mid-season finale, it seems like the group could begin to rebel by the mid-season, which will be interesting considering the Saviors' seemingly infinite numbers in the TV show - I can't see it going as (surprisingly) well as it did in the comics when Negan comes for the second time.
Overall, this was a great episode. These first few episodes have perhaps not been as great the first few of seasons 5 and 6, but great nonetheless. I'm quite surprised at the amount of low ratings and bad reviews for this one. We've just been introduced to the greatest villain in TWD, and this is the start of that tension-filled period before All Out War. It's episodes like this that will make the impending war and revenge for Rick ever more sweet when it comes.
There will be some payback for the group, we just have to be patient.
It's not looking good for Rick and the gang.
This is definitely the worst state the group have been in. In this episode, the Saviors are cruel and unforgiving. Rick is given no choice but to comply - they are so greatly outnumbered that an ambush is out of the question.
This whole episode takes place in Alexandria; something we've been waiting to see for a while. Negan and his men arrive at Alexandria (slightly earlier than expected) to collect their first offering. This is pretty much the main theme of the episode - what they decide to take. The episode opens with the shot of Rick and Michonne, mirroring the opening shot of 6x15, except this time they're facing apart; separated. This is what Negan has done to the group. He's breaking them, splitting members of the group apart in the process.
Carl's outburst results in the entirety of the group's guns being taken away, which is a big blow if/when they decide to fight back. We can only hope they still have some hidden away somewhere. If they do, Eugene's skills with ammunition could come in very handy.
As many people will know, the inclusion of Spencer blaming Rick about the Saviors predicament results in a scene from the comics that I'm sure everyone wants to see; I won't go into details here. I just hope the writers have the guts to recreate the scene.
Like the first episode of the season, it's impossible to watch it without feeling devastated for the group. Their lives and being torn apart; their possessions being taken away infront of their eyes, and there is nothing they can do. The saviors don't need a lot of what they take - they just do it to oppress our group. This is especially apparent at the end of the episode when Michonne finds the burnt mattresses.
As always, the acting is of a high standard (except perhaps from Chandler Riggs) - Andrew Lincoln always stands out, and Norman Reedus also puts on a good performance this episode, although he doesn't actually have any lines. JDM continues to impress as the feared, comical leader of the Saviors. I can't agree with the people who say he's not intimidating - although Henry Rollins would have probably been a better choice if they were simply going for intensity and intimidation, JDM is as funny and charismatic a choice as anyone could be, and he fits the role perfectly. To me this episode confirmed he was the right pick.
As for the Morse code theory - at first I didn't even consider it, but looking back, they really do seem to focus on Daryl's blinking (and Rick trying to interpret it). I still don't think they were communicating, but I do think the clues were included on purpose, perhaps just to make fans talk.
With the new synopsis' out for episodes 5 up until the mid-season finale, it seems like the group could begin to rebel by the mid-season, which will be interesting considering the Saviors' seemingly infinite numbers in the TV show - I can't see it going as (surprisingly) well as it did in the comics when Negan comes for the second time.
Overall, this was a great episode. These first few episodes have perhaps not been as great the first few of seasons 5 and 6, but great nonetheless. I'm quite surprised at the amount of low ratings and bad reviews for this one. We've just been introduced to the greatest villain in TWD, and this is the start of that tension-filled period before All Out War. It's episodes like this that will make the impending war and revenge for Rick ever more sweet when it comes.
There will be some payback for the group, we just have to be patient.