In A New Deal, the show continues to deliver quality acting, great directing, a decent plot, bold dialogue choices, and lightning-fast pacing.
This episode, along with the last, stars more of our cast than any other episode this season. While this allows for our talented cast to show off some compelling character interactions, it will be very hard to pull off a satisfying ending to the show with such precious screen time being divided among so many characters. Despite this, it seems they have chosen to keep the cast bloated for now.
This choice naturally leads to faster pacing, which this episode handles very well, unlike the last one. We get great scenes between notable duos (Carekiel, Caryl, Rosabriel) and not-so-notable duos (Steugene and Yumagna), as well as nice ensemble scenes at the beginning, strong character development for Judith and Daryl, and a shockingly satisfying story surrounding Lance, Mercer, Pamela, and Sebastian.
The only minor issue I have about this episode is that the dialogue is oversaturated with nostalgia, and it seems forced at times. Though it can be argued that the lines hold enough emotional weight to justify themselves.
What I personally enjoyed about this episode is the metaphor of Carol's "new deal" for FDR's New Deal programs. Both provide short term relief, setting a precedent for governments playing key roles in economic success. This plays well into the classist themes written into the plot this season.
Perhaps the most important part of this episode is that it is a springboard for dramatic deviations from the comic. Killing Sebastian is an excellent move that expedites the comic ending and allows the show to introduce more variables in the coming episodes. Whether or not introducing walker variants and the Civic Republic is the right decision for the coda of TWD, it stands that this episode perfectly paves the way for this bold new direction.
This episode, along with the last, stars more of our cast than any other episode this season. While this allows for our talented cast to show off some compelling character interactions, it will be very hard to pull off a satisfying ending to the show with such precious screen time being divided among so many characters. Despite this, it seems they have chosen to keep the cast bloated for now.
This choice naturally leads to faster pacing, which this episode handles very well, unlike the last one. We get great scenes between notable duos (Carekiel, Caryl, Rosabriel) and not-so-notable duos (Steugene and Yumagna), as well as nice ensemble scenes at the beginning, strong character development for Judith and Daryl, and a shockingly satisfying story surrounding Lance, Mercer, Pamela, and Sebastian.
The only minor issue I have about this episode is that the dialogue is oversaturated with nostalgia, and it seems forced at times. Though it can be argued that the lines hold enough emotional weight to justify themselves.
What I personally enjoyed about this episode is the metaphor of Carol's "new deal" for FDR's New Deal programs. Both provide short term relief, setting a precedent for governments playing key roles in economic success. This plays well into the classist themes written into the plot this season.
Perhaps the most important part of this episode is that it is a springboard for dramatic deviations from the comic. Killing Sebastian is an excellent move that expedites the comic ending and allows the show to introduce more variables in the coming episodes. Whether or not introducing walker variants and the Civic Republic is the right decision for the coda of TWD, it stands that this episode perfectly paves the way for this bold new direction.