“You do the same damn stink eye as your dad – except it’s only half as good, cuz, ya know, you’re missing one eye.” – Negan
So we get a 90 minute episode due to it being one of the last two episodes of 2016, and we take it to the Saviors. There will be spoilers within this article because it’s the rules, and, “there are rules for a reason. Nothing matters if you’re dead.”
OK, so I also like that quote from the comics, but there are a lot of moments that are in the show that followed the comics.
This is mostly a Carl and Negan episode, so my focus will be with them. Rick and Aaron are off-site looking for more things to scavenge due to the deal with Negan. Michonne is on her own mission, one which is revealed at the end of the episode, but throughout the whole time we see Negan and Carl. This is the moment I personally have been waiting for, other than (Spoilers for Episode 1 of this season) the death of Glenn because it shows how much Carl has grown and that he will do anything to settle a score, if he could get away with it.
This is also the episode that where we get Negan to show a side he doesn’t show anyone and that is respect in some ways towards Carl, while still being the asshole that he is. Being able to outsmart Jesus to get out of the truck to sneak into the Savior’s sanctuary alone, Carl does end up killing two Saviors and spooking Negan at the same time. While getting provided a tour of the location, an issue comes into play with one of Negan’s wives. One thing you need to know is that if you do not want to be with Negan, you can always go back to the life you had before. And you do NOT cheat on Negan. We also see one of the punishments used, which is a hot metal iron to the face to leave as a reminder of what the person has done. Since Negan doesn’t like hurting his wife, he does the next best thing take the iron on his wife’s former lover.
Respect is the main theme of this episode. Negan is showing that without respect, anyone can walk all over you and do what they want. But they do end up returning back to Alexandria to wait for Rick’s return, so he makes Carl give him a tour of the place. The pacing was good and, have I mentioned how much I love Negan because he is such a dick but with reasons? It is funny that Darryl tries to act hard in front of Negan when Carl is around but we all know that he is broken. I enjoyed this episode and wanted to see more, especially what Rick’s reaction will be when he sees Negan in Alexandria. Will it be the same as the comic, or will it be different? The major difference is that baby Judith is in the show and we see Negan holding her while Carl is unable to do anything in fear that he might retaliate. Next week is the mid-season finale, and it will be interesting to see how we end this year.
