{"id":11559,"date":"2018-04-22T14:44:31","date_gmt":"2018-04-22T14:44:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.9deuce.tv\/blogs\/?p=11559"},"modified":"2018-04-22T14:44:31","modified_gmt":"2018-04-22T14:44:31","slug":"the-walking-dead-9-deuce-s8-ep16-wrath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/9deuce.tv\/tv\/the-walking-dead-9-deuce-s8-ep16-wrath\/","title":{"rendered":"The Walking Dead 9 Deuce: S:8 Ep:16 “Wrath”"},"content":{"rendered":"

We finally have the culmination of All Out War, and it is something.\u00a0 Yeah, not what a lot of people may have expected.\u00a0 No major deaths.\u00a0 Kind of anti-climatic\u00a0in that regard.\u00a0 Fear not,\u00a0Maggie’s WRATH at the end adds some intrigue for us, along with a possible visit from the Whisperers.\u00a0 All of this and more in this week’s blog.\u00a0 My name is Kent, and I ask 9 episode-specific questions, and 2 bonus questions, and that’s how we get the 9 Deuce.\u00a0 Any comments in\u00a0BOLD<\/strong> are written by me.\u00a0 I hope you enjoy and if you or someone you know may want to do this blog, contact me, leave a comment, whatever.\u00a0 The contact info is at the bottom of this blog.<\/p>\n

Please note, I intend on adding more pictures, but my head really hurts, so this is what I have to offer at the moment.<\/p>\n

____________________________________________<\/p>\n

The 9<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \u00a0Who was more important in ending the war: Eugene or Rick? \u00a0Also, did Rick make the right decision in sparing Negan\u2019s life?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Bob: \u00a0Rick. The constant battle distracted Negan from paying more attention to Eugene. \u00a0Yes, he made the right decision. <\/span>(You are right in that the distraction really made everything that Eugene did possible.)<\/b><\/p>\n

    Brian: \u00a0I’m back!!! Eugene is a turncoat and the most selfish character next to rickard. Eugene was more important because he changed the status quo and balance of power. Rick used the death of Negan\u2019s son to get the upper hand and it was a typical coward Rick move. And yes he was correct in sparing the Don’s life. <\/span>(Annnnd Brian is back with great vengeance and furious anger.)<\/b><\/p>\n

    Kristi: I have to go with Eugene. I had a feeling he was up to something but I wouldn’t have guessed that. If he wasn’t involved, \u00a0I think there is a very good possibility that Negan would have won. I think he did the right thing keeping him alive. <\/span>(That is my logic too. \u00a0I feel that if Eugene didn\u2019t do what he did, Rick doesn\u2019t get the opportunity, so I went with Eugene as well.)<\/b><\/p>\n

    Chris: \u00a0Rick did the right thing in sparing Negan. \u00a0I like the idea of letting him live to see that his way was wrong. \u00a0Eugene was far more important to ending the war either way. If the bullets had worked, Negan would have won, but he completely changed the final battle! \u00a0<\/span>(Eugene had the upper hand all along, and as you know, he is such a pivotal character in the comics. \u00a0I was worried that they weren\u2019t going to give him his shine.)<\/b><\/p>\n

    Kent: \u00a0Eugene is my obvious answer. \u00a0Eugene\u2019s actions allow Rick to have his actions. \u00a0Without Eugene, Rick never gets to make these big decisions that have bigger consequences. \u00a0Believe it or not, I am quite torn on the Negan thing. I love Negan, and of course, wanted him to live. \u00a0With that being said, I have 2 opposing thoughts in my head. Rick wouldn\u2019t have just changed on the spot. \u00a0Stop trying to make it seem like Carl\u2019s words had an impact. They impacted Negan far more while Rick was living vicariously through Eddie Guerrero. \u00a0He owed it to Abe to kill Negan. Simultaneously, I think he realized that in order to make a working community, he had to spare Negan\u2019s life to get everybody on board. \u00a0The problem is that he has now pissed off the Widow, the Savior, and the uhmmmm, the Archer? Yeah. I say that he should have killed Negan from his perspective because the remaining Saviors weren\u2019t going to put up too much of a fight, and it\u2019s not like Rick\u2019s forces would have minded killing the remaining Saviors, and then he has a happy group. <\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \u00a0Which settlement will Jadis end up in? \u00a0Also, do you like actually knowing that her name is Anne or would you prefer to keep it Jadis?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Bob: \u00a0Jadis still brings me back to the Planet of the Apes for some reason. \u00a0I really prefer Anne. She is an Alexandrian! So I mean Kingdom. <\/span>(SO what you are saying is the Oceanside needs a better leader? \u00a0I want to do an Apes marathon someday. I have the originals on blu ray.)<\/b><\/p>\n

      Brian: \u00a0Anne will love to live with the chicks in Oceanside and I believe the Jadis name will live on.. it’s her junkyard persona \u00a0<\/span>(Huh, I was just joking with Bob about Oceanside. \u00a0You just went with it, and I think that her leadership skills and the way she handles herself would help that community most.)<\/b><\/p>\n

      Kristi: \u00a0I’d like to see her in The Kingdom. I just see her working well with them. I like the name Jadis better. It just suits her character. <\/span>(I could see Jadis and Dianne becoming good friends, or maybe Dianne stays at Hilltop and Jadis could become the new bad ass chick in the Kingdom, obviously behind Carol.)<\/b><\/p>\n

      Chris: \u00a0I think she\u2019ll go to Alexandria. \u00a0Does she even know how to get to the other communities? \u00a0<\/span>(I hope when the series is over, maybe Kirkman will give us a map. \u00a0That is all I want. It\u2019s a valid question that I don\u2019t know the answer to.)<\/b><\/p>\n

      Kent: \u00a0Jadis still doesn\u2019t like Rick. \u00a0Hilltop needs more muscle. It could be a good fit for her, plus they have a house. \u00a0I honestly would like to see her take over Oceanside and redeem that place, but I also wish Carl didn\u2019t die.<\/span><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \u00a0So after all of those minutes dealing with Oceanside, we got our payoff. \u00a0Was it at all worth it or do you want all of that time back to focus on building up more character development?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

         <\/p>\n

        Bob: \u00a0I think there was almost too much time devoted to Oceanside initially for the climactic event in the season finale. \u00a0<\/span>(Nodding in approval)<\/b><\/p>\n

        Brian: \u00a0more development. <\/span>(Uh huh)<\/b><\/p>\n

        Kristi: \u00a0More development. I didn’t really care for the whole Oceanside thing. Just seemed like a waste of time for me. \u00a0<\/span>(Go on\u2026)<\/b><\/p>\n

        Chris: \u00a0More character development. \u00a0The Oceanside story didn’t add anything important. \u00a0Maybe it will next season. <\/span>(Four for four!)<\/b><\/p>\n

        Kent: \u00a0So in case you haven\u2019t figured it out yet, from a wide range of opinionated people, we all stand united against the waste of time that has been Oceanside. \u00a0I hope the helicopter has ammo and just takes it out.<\/span><\/p>\n

         <\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \u00a0When Rick slit Negan\u2019s throat, did you think that he had killed him? Also, right before the throat slit, did you feel that Negan may have been affected by Carl\u2019s words?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

           <\/p>\n

          Bob: \u00a0Yes, I thought he had killed him. \u00a0Yes, I think Carl had a major impact on Negan, more so than Rick. \u00a0BTW, Negan was right, he would survive this\u2026 <\/span>(I have nothing to add and now I have to make up some nonsense in my response so I can feel like an individual.)<\/b><\/p>\n

          Brian: \u00a0Negan is stronger than death. And we are all Negan so Negan could not actually ever die. And yes. Negan had been building a peaceful community and was a strong leader until the Ricktards showed up and ruined everything so to hear that Carl wanted the same and they could of had it I Rick had not been too selfish. <\/span>(Everybody, play a fun game with me. \u00a0Drink once every time Brian says Negan and twice for Ricktard and 5 times that any conspiracy theory is dropped. \u00a0There, I just made this blog more unique!! I agree with most of what you just said.)<\/b><\/p>\n

          Kristi: \u00a0I mean, I knew he was going to live but for a brief moment I did think he was going to die. I do not think he was affected by Carl’s words but I think in the future his words will mean more. \u00a0<\/span>(I like your idea about in the future, the words affecting him. \u00a0While I think the words affected him in the moment, I think Carl will be a big part of Negan\u2019s character in the upcoming season.)<\/b><\/p>\n

          Chris: \u00a0I didn’t think he was going to die. \u00a0Negan is too important to the story going forward (then again so is Carl.). Negan has made that face before, only to turn and kill someone brutally seconds later. \u00a0I don’t think he was truly affected by Carl\u2019s words. <\/span>(Do you think that he may eventually be affected, like Kristi alluded, or do you think that moment has passed?)<\/b><\/p>\n

          Kent: \u00a0I just nodded when the throat slit happened and I accepted it because after killing Carl, all bets were off the table for me. \u00a0I honestly think that Negan was affected by Carl\u2019s words. Carl could have made everything better if he had more time, this is a fact.<\/span><\/p>\n

           <\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \u00a0Maggie, Jesus, and Daryl had quite the conversation at the end. \u00a0What do you make of this? Add some details because I have like 5 questions that I could really ask about this. \u00a0Also, this makes things a tad more interesting. http:\/\/comicbook.com\/thewalkingdead\/2018\/03\/01\/the-walking-dead-cast-season-9-lauren-cohan\/<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

             <\/p>\n

            Bob: \u00a0That\u2019s just how people are. \u00a0As for your link, thanks for reminding us all of Carl\u2019s death, your favorite scene. \u00a0Ever. BURNNN. <\/span>(Russ is Kentertained by your BURNNN.) <\/b>\u00a0I found the conversation annoying, and of all people, Jesus is all in nodding his head. \u00a0He doesn\u2019t realize that all the captives they took were \u201cNegan?\u201d Whoever wrote that\u2026 I mean we know Daryl and Rick have had their differences and both have been wrong in a lot of what they do. \u00a0Maggie has been right up until now – not that I am all in for Rick, but mercy does rule the day in the end. Rick should have let Maggie dispense her justice then and immediately. <\/span>(I do like your idea of Rick allowing Maggie to dispense her justice because I would have liked to see that scene play out. \u00a0I think late last year, in the comics, they did something of that nature, and while I don\u2019t think we will get to that point in the show before it ends, it would make for an interesting scene in the final season.)<\/b><\/p>\n

            Brian: \u00a0Maggie Judas and Daryl know that Rick is trouble and never has the group as a whole in his plan. He only cares about what is best for Rick. Mags got the taste for power and will not take a backseat to Rick. \u00a0Jesus has always had her back and Darryl is always looking to back the person who he thinks will rise to power. <\/span>(I think it is interesting how Jesus has become a puppet for Margaret. \u00a0The Daryl comment also got me thinking. I can see that. Daryl did abandon the group in favor of Merle, and he probably thought that the group would lose to The Governor. \u00a0It\u2019s something to consider at the very least. I think he is sick of not being heard either. Just like Eugene.)<\/b><\/p>\n

            Kristi: \u00a0I can see why they are angry. They have been more directly affected by Negan. Powertrip Maggie is pretty annoying at this point though. I don’t see them overpowering Rick and Michonne. Just more added drama to the show in my opinion. <\/span>(That was pretty much the first thing out of my mouth was something like \u201cOh great, more fuckin drama for the sake of drama!\u201d \u00a0I probably swore more than that, but I mean, this is a family-friendly blog…hahaha.)<\/b><\/p>\n

            Chris: Understandably, Maggie wants Negan dead. \u00a0And, knowing Rick, he decided to spare Negan without telling anyone. \u00a0It will make for an interesting season 9. Is Maggie willing to fight Rick? \u00a0How will Rick react to Daryl going against him again? Will Jesus still have perfect hair in a zombie apocalypse? \u00a0<\/span>(Let\u2019s analyze these questions, shall we? \u00a0Although not a question, I would have liked to have a scene where Rick talked to somebody about sparing Negan, even if it was Judith. \u00a0Maybe remove some Oceanside stuff for something important. I think Maggie would be willing to fight. The question on my mind is who is on which side? \u00a0I would suggest Rosita is with Maggie, and I could see Aaron, obviously Enid, Dianne. Rick has Michonne, possibly Eugene because Rick never put a gun to his head. \u00a0Where would Carol and Ezekiel\u2019s loyalties lie? Jadis would be team Maggie. Dwight would be team Rick I think. I really wish I would have asked a question about who would be on which side. \u00a0Damnit!! Rick has to be used to Daryl being against him. How many times have we seen it in some capacity? Most importantly, will Jesus still have the perfect hair? As an expert on hair, I wonder if Jesus goes on scavenging missions so much just to hunt down hair product and shampoo and whatnot. \u00a0I think that is why he was gone so much this half season.)<\/b><\/p>\n

            Kent: \u00a0I think that this little bit of nonsense will cause some strife until everybody has to unite against the Whisperers. \u00a0When Alpha does her thing, I think that all will be forgiven and the groups will be forced to reunite as a collective. \u00a0This also causes me to fear for the stupid drama coming up in the first half of season 9. Seriously, I think this is going to be terrible. \u00a0Would they wait a full 8 episodes before we really got into The Whisperer storyline? They could, and they might. At that point, we will have a soap opera officially and the rating will continue to plummet. \u00a0Maggie is important, but as I will keep saying, if Carl is expendable, then anybody on the show is officially aside from Rick. Sometimes people overvalue their worth in a huge ensemble cast. With so many people, she would be missed but is far from irreplaceable.<\/span><\/p>\n

             <\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \u00a0A) Gabriel can see again. \u00a0Too far-fetched or just right? \u00a0B) Why didn\u2019t Gregory get any screen time? \u00a0C) Dwight has been given the Carol treatment. \u00a0Will he follow a similar character arc as Carol and return when he is needed most?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

               <\/p>\n

              Bob: \u00a0A) Just right, optic nerves take a long time to heal. B) Because even TWD knows that Kent is a sad panda. C) Dwight will save Rick somehow. \u00a0Just throwing it out there. I\u2019d like to see him find his wife. <\/span>(I imagine that optic nerves would take even longer given the circumstances that they are living under. \u00a0I was totally a sad panda! I think Sherry will be seen early season 9. She may never be seen again, but I think she will. \u00a0I can see her returning and getting super pissed about Dwight getting exiled and becoming a possible ally of Rick\u2019s if the Maggie feud gets any traction.)<\/b><\/p>\n

              Brian: \u00a0a. Who cares his character is played out and he needs to have a slow death\u2026 or struck by lightning to prove God is real\u2026. B. Again a character that has been used and is no longer useful. C. Dwight will end up being the one to break Negan free from the cell in an attempt to get back to his good graces. \u00a0<\/span>(Awww, I love Gabe. \u00a0I think Gregory should run Oceanside. \u00a0Think about the hilarious results! If Dwight breaks Negan free, that would be an interesting sight, no doubt. \u00a0I kind of like that actually.)<\/b><\/p>\n

              Kristi: \u00a0A. Just right. B. I actually forgot about him. So I have nothing C. I like Dwight so I hope he returns with his wife. Daryl will never forgive him though so this could pose as a problem. Unless, of course, the going against Rick thing goes wrong and Daryl gets the boot. <\/span>(I hate how they have written Daryl\u2019s character in a lot of ways. \u00a0He is going back to his original ways, but in the middle, he was a totally different guy. \u00a0I guess we can rationalize that his time listening to Easy Street brought back a lot of the old Daryl, but I still hate how it was handled.)<\/b><\/p>\n

              Chris: \u00a0A. A bit silly, but I like Gabe so I’m happy he can see again.<\/span><\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \u00a0I don’t think Gregory was necessary for this episode, but I can’t wait to see how he works with Margaret next season.<\/span><\/li>\n
              2. \u00a0I hope so. \u00a0My least favorite part of the episode was him being sent away. \u00a0I wonder if that was Rick\u2019s idea or if Daryl was going rogue? <\/span>(I think Gregory could really be a great character for next season. \u00a0Having lost Simon, Jared, and Gavin, we will need Gregory more than ever next season. \u00a0I thought that he would possibly live to be involved with the coup against Maggie over the Carl situation from the comic, but obviously, THAT\u2019s not happening. \u00a0SO his role intrigues me. Yes, that is a great question. Who made the call on Dwight? I think Daryl did, possibly with Maggie\u2019s backing. Dwight didn\u2019t really wrong Rick in any true capacity. \u00a0This was a way to give Daryl something to do.)<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                Kent: \u00a0Had it been any other character, I think I may have been annoyed by the Gabriel thing, but I thought this was just right in the cheesiest way possible. \u00a0Gregory will have a great redemption story arc I think and yes, I was sad not to see him. When Dwight returns, it better be to help Sherry, Eugene, or Rick and not Daryl or Tara. \u00a0That\u2019s the best I can offer. Otherwise, I think I will be annoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n

                  \n
                1. \u00a0We never talk about Alden. \u00a0He\u2019s the former Savior that is trying to be a good guy and always talks to Maggie. \u00a0Do you think that he is a future love interest for Maggie?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                  Bob: \u00a0Totally. \u00a0That\u2019s a thing. \u00a0Except. There\u2019s no Maggie. Ha! \u00a0<\/span>(Well, he could go for Enid, who is basically a Maggie Jr.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                  Brian: \u00a0I think that Maggie will rise to power and Alden will become her boy toy and the one that others go to attempt to use him to get to mags. <\/span>(Yeah, I feel his whole existence is for manipulation purposes only.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                  Chris: \u00a0Yes and I already hate it. \u00a0I think she will need a new love interest but it seems too forced. <\/span>(Not only does it seemed forced, but if she ever gives in to those temptations, will the fans turn on her because of the collective love for Glenn? \u00a0I think that would absolutely be a thing.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                  Kent: \u00a0I think that he will end up being a pawn for and against Maggie, and he will try to get in her pants. \u00a0If they really want the fans to dislike The Governess Margaret, then I would have her and Alden have a relationship. \u00a0The fans are still loyal to Glenn\u2019s memory. I feel that they rarely use her character properly though. I also think she should have gotten it at the lineup.<\/span><\/p>\n

                   <\/p>\n

                    \n
                  1. \u00a0Should Jesus, Carol, and Rick all have been trying to convince Morgan to stay? \u00a0This happened on Fear but since it deals with TWD, I felt this question belonged here.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                    Bob: \u00a0Of course, and like Negan, (or unlike, since Negan survives..) Morgan \u201cdoesn\u2019t die.\u201d \u00a0This guy is an unhinged mercenary. <\/span>(It is better to have that guy on your side than against you. \u00a0I would agree with that, no doubt.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                    Brian: \u00a0No they understand that Morgan needs to heal himself and will return when he is ready. \u00a0<\/span>(Will he ever truly heal? \u00a0I hope so, but he seems too far gone, and even he knows it.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                    Chris: \u00a0It couldn’t hurt to try, but I think they all knew he wasn’t going to stay. <\/span>(I agree. \u00a0Maybe Jesus thought that he would stay, but Rick and Carol knew better.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                    Kent: \u00a0I hate to say it, but I think that they should have left well enough alone. \u00a0Rick of all people knows where Morgan can go mentally and while he owes him a debt, there\u2019s only so much to be done. \u00a0I worry that Morgan can never find peace so I wonder if a mercy killing would have been the best case scenario. Of course, I love that he is on Fear and makes the show infinitely better, but from their perspectives, it\u2019s a tough call. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

                     <\/p>\n

                      \n
                    1. \u00a0Was this a disappointing way to end the war or were you Kentertained?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      Bob: \u00a0I didn\u2019t see it happening but now I know why Eugene was distraught at being kidnapped. \u00a0I was definitely Kentertained by this Kentisode. <\/span>(Hmmmm, Kentisode. \u00a0I like it!!!)<\/b><\/p>\n

                      Brian: \u00a0As my ### have explained It was horrible. Big buildup to massive dramatic fire fight and then it was like they were out of time and rushed through the ending. And there is nothing to look forward to in season 9. \u00a0<\/span>(I can say, this is the first time that I am not feeling very excited for the show to return. \u00a0By October, that may change, but I really don\u2019t think they gave me a lot to look forward to.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                      Chris: \u00a0It was a little deflating for it to end so abruptly. \u00a0Though I have to say, it was actually kind of refreshing for no one to have been killed off just for the sake of it being the finale. \u00a0<\/span>(Refreshing? \u00a0I guess I can see that. \u00a0I feel like a season finale should have a death, just like Game of Thrones or Sons of Anarchy. \u00a0This episode had it\u2019s big moments, and I think that is really what people typically want in a season finale, so in that regard, it was a success.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                      Kent: \u00a0Watching it, there were moments of excitement for me. \u00a0Looking back and looking forward, I am simply not too excited. \u00a0As Brian mentioned, this felt horribly rushed. This episode really need 92 minutes. \u00a0They could have cut so much time throughout the season to make that a reality too. Hell, the previous episode could have ended with Rick\u2019s group being surrounded. \u00a0Then this season finale could have picked up from there. I feel deflated, and fat guys never feel deflated.<\/span><\/p>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                      Bonus Deuce<\/span><\/p>\n

                       <\/p>\n

                        \n
                      1. \u00a0The best part of season 8 was? \u00a0The worst part of season 8, aside from Carl\u2019s death was?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                         <\/p>\n

                        Bob: \u00a0Best part was Morgan\u2019s intestinal surgery on the savior. \u00a0The worst part was Rick and Negan\u2019s final fight HOWEVER it was realistic. \u00a0<\/span>(Morgan was a beast that episode.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                        Brian: \u00a0best part was the helicopter <\/span>(Yeah, that helicopter was majestic.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                        Worst part was watching a gutless man sneak attack the better man.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Chris: \u00a0Best: Carl\u2019s death. \u00a0(Sorry Kent. But the second half of the season was great, and while regrettable, Carl\u2019s death was the catalyst for everything that happened. \u00a0His death influenced half the season). My favorite part was the Negan\/Simon fight. <\/span>(I have been asking myself, could this have all been achieved without Carl\u2019s death? \u00a0The second half was significantly better. I am like Carl, I feel that there could have been a better way to do this, and in the end, keep Carl alive. \u00a0Tara\u2019s death would have brought the group together in a similar way, right??)<\/b><\/p>\n

                        Worst: \u00a0The whole Oceanside plot. \u00a0It just didn’t add anything compelling.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Kent: \u00a0Best: When Dwight shot Tara, Dwight and Eugene\u2019s arcs were really well done, as was Jadis, Gabriel, Morgan and Negan. \u00a0Everything that Jerry and Gregory did. Simon may have stole the whole season. Morales\u2019 return to the show.<\/span><\/p>\n

                        Worst: Tara not dying. \u00a0Oceanside\u2019s existence and wasting so much time on it. Alden is irritating. \u00a0Rick being the villain to Negan being the hero, and then switching it at the end. \u00a0Rick\u2019s cowardly ways. In honor of Kristi, Sheva\u2019s death. The irritating callbacks, like Carol finding Henry in the same tree as Sophia was left in. \u00a0The fact that we get reminded of Glenn all the time, but Abe is barely remembered. The final battle. The vast majority of the first half with the stupid gun fights. \u00a0Daryl\u2019s character being terrible. I wished that Ezekiel had more shine in the second half. All of the ridiculous timely \u201csaves\u201d. Oh, and Carl\u2019s death. I broke my own rule. \u00a0Still pissed that it happened on my birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n

                         <\/p>\n

                          \n
                        1. \u00a0Did we see The Whisperers in this episode? \u00a0Is it safe to assume that they may ignore the time jump, or at least ignore the length of the comic time jump, which was 7 years (I think)?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                          Bob: \u00a0I have no idea what this is. <\/span>(They are soft spoken people)<\/b><\/p>\n

                          Brian: \u00a0they were not evident to me and yes maybe they use the boring setup to age the group. <\/span>(If they do a time skip, I don\u2019t think it will be substantial. \u00a0Otherwise, why have the Maggie scene? Is she going to plot for 5 years her revenge? \u00a0It could happen I suppose.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                          Chris: \u00a0I think that huge herd we saw may have alluded to them. \u00a0I think they will do a time jump to skip Maggie’s pregnancy, but it will only be a few years. <\/span>(I think the herd was meant to cause people like you and I to speculate, just like seeing the old man Rick nonsense.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                          Kent: \u00a0Sure, it was the Whisperers. \u00a0Why the hell not? I think the time jump will be less than a year. \u00a0Otherwise, the Maggie\/Jesus\/Daryl scene doesn\u2019t make much sense. Like, are they going to hold this grudge for 5 or 7 years? \u00a0That makes little sense. The reason for the time jump was mainly to get Carl involved with Lydia in the comic and he had to be older to make that story work. \u00a0Some time will pass, but they can rebuild fairly quickly I feel. They don\u2019t need that much time. Sanctuary didn\u2019t take a ton of damage and neither did Hilltop. \u00a0The Kingdom and Alexandria need a lot of work though, obviously. Still, a year at most.<\/span><\/p>\n

                           <\/p>\n

                            \n
                          1. \u00a0Rick once again avoided his comic\u2019s counterpart\u2019s injury. \u00a0He has avoided his hand being chopped off and has now avoided the serious leg injury suffered at the hands of Negan that would have been in this episode. \u00a0I agreed with the decision to not chop off Rick\u2019s hand due to costs, but the idea of Rick being hobbled in some capacity added some depth to his character. \u00a0Was it the right decision to keep Rick fully healthy and intact?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                             <\/p>\n

                            Bob: \u00a0In this day of Kentertainment, yes. It is the right thing to do if they intend on keeping him as the protagonist. \u00a0<\/span>(I didn\u2019t anticipate this response. \u00a0I think the leg injury would have been hard to cope with, but I feel that it is also something that helps Rick grow as a character. \u00a0I don\u2019t know how it would translate to TV though. Probably more eye rolling scenes.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                            Brian: \u00a0no I feel like they need Rick to be humbled so he can grow as a leader. Having him only have emotional grief and not the pain of physical ailment is getting old. It\u2019s becoming days of our Rick. \u00a0<\/span>(Even if Negan had taken one of Rick\u2019s fingers off, it would have served a purpose. \u00a0I 100% agree that he needs the pain to grow.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                            Chris: \u00a0For television purposes, its better for him to not have the leg injury. \u00a0He already gets his ass kicked in every fight, how could they have him win with a bad limp? \u00a0<\/span>(Do you think comic Rick is more of a bad ass? \u00a0I have thought about that a lot as of late. Rick really does lose all of his big fights. \u00a0That\u2019s pretty funny to think about.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                            Kent: \u00a0I think Andy is starting to get bored by his role to an extent, and I feel that this would have rejuvenated him a bit. \u00a0I also think it would have built up his character better. Just a can and a limp is all that was needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

                             <\/p>\n

                              \n
                            1. \u00a0In hindsight, going back to the \u201cdreams\u201d or \u201cvisions\u201d that Carl had that teased Old Man Rick, the cane, Carl growing up, and so on, was it a good decision to show those visions or was it a cheap ploy by the writers\/directors\/producers to stir up speculation?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              Bob: \u00a0No one should have believed those for what they were, dream sequences. \u00a0Just like Abe and Sasha. <\/span>(I will say that they played mainly to the comic readers. \u00a0They like to do that. There are times when it\u2019s good to not know.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Brian: \u00a0cheap ploy to keep us guessing. <\/span>(They succeeded…unfortunately.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Chris: \u00a0Oh it was definitely a cheap ploy. \u00a0But hey, it worked! <\/span>(It absolutely worked. \u00a0They must have been so proud of that stuff that they called M Night Sham and was like \u201cListen man, we came up with such a good TWEEST!\u201d and M Night was just like \u201cI\u2019m listening\u2026\u201d)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Kent: \u00a0Yes, I am guilty of asking questions with obvious answers as a way to gripe about stupid decisions. \u00a0This is one of those times.<\/span><\/p>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              Final Thoughts – Did the show do enough to make you want to come back for season 9?<\/span><\/p>\n

                               <\/p>\n

                              Bob: \u00a0Barely, with a mutiny being established, I almost do not want to come back. \u00a0<\/span>(This season felt like I did while waiting for Amanda to take her turn at Mario Party 3.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Brian: \u00a0no. Rick in a bed healing as negan sits in a cell yes. A public conflict between mags and Rick with a back door meeting like we had maybe. The way it ended nope\u2026. Make the show about the dead again and stop avoiding killing off characters because they are popular \u00a0<\/span>(First of all, Easy Street just started playing and I felt that needed to be acknowledged. \u00a0Yeah, I think we need more deaths. As we near the end of the series, I think and I hope, they shouldn\u2019t fear killing some characters, like Daryl or Tara.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Chris: \u00a0Yes. This was the best the show has been in a few seasons. \u00a0To me, it’s never been so much about just mindless zombie killing. \u00a0The show is showing us what a zombie apocalypse has done to the living. \u00a0People become the monsters and are far more dangerous than walkers. <\/span>(I have long wanted for the dead to be feared again. \u00a0Then the Carl thing, and it sucked despite getting my wish. \u00a0I think The Whisperers are very necessary because it\u2019s like the best of both worlds. \u00a0We will have walkers as threats again and also humans being the threat. They have to nail The Whisperers just right and I fear that may be tough. \u00a0I don\u2019t know how you felt, but for me, Carl was so instrumental in developing how primal the Whisperers were when he has the conversations with Lydia. \u00a0I don\u2019t know how the show will be able to make us view the Whisperers properly without that context. Most people can grasp the concept of hearing this teenage girl talk about basically being raped by these guys and understand Carl\u2019s motives. \u00a0Obviously, it wouldn\u2019t work for Enid to meet a Whisperer boy and do it that way because the vulnerability simply isn\u2019t there.)<\/b><\/p>\n

                              Kent: \u00a0No, but I am a glutton for punishment. \u00a0TWD does offer us plenty of intriguing possibilities, but I feel that they have decided to present the ideas behind it and then dupe us into something us. \u00a0I need for them to follow through on some cool shit. The seed has been planted for this Maggie war, so go through with it. Don\u2019t bait and switch, but we know that they will. \u00a0I have lost faith in them following through properly on things that I would love. This happens with many shows though, TWD isn\u2019t the first or the last. So much like other long-time favorites, you either continue for the ride and accept that the quality is probably on a downward slope but you can find things to enjoy, or it\u2019s time to move along. \u00a0For me, I can always find things to enjoy in this show, so I will stick with it, unless they kill Eugene. I think that would end it for me. Carl, Eugene, and Abe were my boys. Carol dying would also piss me off, but based on the situations that she puts herself into, I could at least understand her death. Protect the mullet at all costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              I just want to say thank you to everybody who has contributed to this blog. \u00a0It really means a lot to me. I love to hear your thoughts, whether I agree or disagree, I like to have the conversation at least. \u00a0I hope that you all return for next season. We will continue with our Fear the Walking Dead blog and hopefully we can have some fun with that, although it will be a shorter blog. \u00a0Thank you to the readers, the writers, and the well-wishers. I appreciate it all.<\/span><\/p>\n

                              ____________________________________________<\/p>\n

                              All the pictures used in this blog are for review purposes. They are the property of:<\/p>\n