The Walking Dead: All Out War

 

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Per our time together last season, I'm assuming you watched Sunday's episode. If not, Don't Open, Dead Inside. -----SPOILERS AHEAD-------READ AT OWN RISK------ Welcome back to another season of The Walking Dead! Rick and his group of survivors begin to take back their lives by standing up to the Saviors and Negan, or at least die trying. Last year's season finale brought the 3 major communities together to fight the oppressors from the Sanctuary. Alexandria, the Kingdom, and the Hilltop joined forces to battle Negan. The season of All Out War has started and there is only one word that comes to mind in describing the opening salvo: disappointing. Don't get me wrong, it is cool to have the show back on. There was just something off in Mercy. Was it mood? Too much knowledge I have of the comic? Rick's brooding? I can't pinpoint one part of the episode that brought me to the conclusion of disappointment. However the problems can be placed into categories, so let us explore them. Context Probably the major issue I had was context. The circle of friends I discuss the show with have a mixed bag of knowledge of TWD. One is a show only watcher. Another one, who actually introduced me to the comic, stopped reading the books awhile ago yet still watches the show. Funkhouser's own Josh Juckett has kept up to date with both mediums like I have. In discussing last night's show we all had different issues, with the main one being context. Book readers know about Old Man Rick. Show only fans have no idea what that means. Why bring that glimpse into the show now? It did nothing to forward the story, only confuse people. Also, showing Rick red eyed and asking forgiveness with his wrath while a rainbow danced across his head was completely unnecessary. What the hell was that? It made no sense whatsoever. If they had dropped every scene that was a possible flash forward, or a flashback, the show would have been streamlined better, leaving the main plot less confusing. Last but not least, the scenes with Carl looking for gas, stumbling upon a starving person, leaving him food? I have no idea what good that did for the story going forward. Maybe a tease setup for the Whispers? There is so much time left in the season surely it could've been done at a later date. It just lost me. Editing Writing up a review is always trying for me. I write, delete, write some more, move this paragraph up and down, then reread until my eyes look like bicycle girl from the first episode. In other words, I try to put the best story forward. The editing of Mercy left a lot to be desired. If show runner Scott M. Gimple wanted to give a glimpse into the future, or possible futures, shoe horning the scenes in between Rick's assault on the Sanctuary was a poor choice. Building tension makes the show great. Who can forget what it felt like when Negan played Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, walking with Lucille in front of the gang, whistling impending doom. In Mercy, we get Negan walking out of his holdout, then a commercial, then a flash back. Any tension built up has escaped us. Placing Carol, Morgan, Daryl, and Tara bringing the herd of Walkers was well done, but without the tension the payoff still seemed lacking. Dialogue This turned into a mixed bag. Rick and Negan yelling at each other was great. Old Man Rick wandering through his house casually talking not so much. And the line Negan says to Gabriel at the end? What a waste. I've been waiting for that scene for two seasons. In the comics it is delivered in the same time frame, with the fences down and Walkers everywhere. It is meant to convey how much trouble the Saviors are in while drenched in sarcasm. The scene they choose to use "I hope you've got your s#@$tting pants on." falls flat. Jeffery Dean Morgan is made for this role. It felt like his first misstep in his potrayal of Negan. At least we've learned from press release Negan will be allowed to say his favorite word at least two forking times this season. What Did Work There were bright spots. Carol, Morgan, Daryl, Dwight, Jesus, Maggie, and Ezekiel shined in their brief times. The look on Gabriel's face when he locked himself in unknowingly with Negan was well done. Daryl's ride from hell was cool. Starting this battle for the Apocalypse sputtered, yet I still have faith. The next few episodes show the promise of more action. With so many Saviors at different outposts needing to be dealt with, people will die. Will it be major characters? If they make it right, this could work. I just hope the show finds it footing. Who Will Die? One thing that didn't happen was a major character death. Not too surprising given last years onslaught at the start. However, with war comes casualties. Who will they be? I place Carol, Morgan, and Simon on the list. We also didn't see the Junkyard Dogs, so their leader could be up there. Who do you think will die this year? When will it happen? Let me know what you think in the comments. You can also tweet Josh Juckett @banterjosh, and myself @BradtheMedic02 for further discussion and insight. Until next weeks episode, ta ta.