[6.9/10] This is a “Calm Before the Storm” type episode, which is usually the sort of episode I really like. Something about characters speaking frankly with one another, letting things slip they might not otherwise when they realize it might be their last night together. It provides a good excuse of shows to slow down, take stock, and do some solid character work before the major fireworks begin.
The problem with this episode is the same problem TWD always has -- it means that this episode is basically nothing but one-on-one conversations, and by the time we get to the back half of “Morning Star”, that is just exhausting. Few of these conversations are particularly well written. Most of them have the same cheesy dialogue and faux-profound statements that are the show’s stock and trade. And stacking them one right on top of the other leaves the episode feeling undifferentiated and same-y. Worse yet, there’s very few stories in this episode, just little snippets of character relationships, some developed some not, stitched together into an ungainly Frankenstein monster (or skinsuit, if you will).
But let’s talk about the two that at least try to connect with or otherwise pay off stories.
Eugene is really the only character who has an arc or a full story in this episode. I like the show continuing with his CB radio girlfriend. His mini-plot also has a good setup and payoff, in the form of Eugen being unable to find the record he wants to play for Stephanie, refusing to sing it in the alternative, but then unleashing the tune from his own golden throat as a sign of vulnerability when he fears he’s scared her off. I still think something bad is coming from all of this, but that’s solid, meat and potatoes budding relationship writing, and it works.
I just don’t know why the show decides to inject Rosita into it. I suppose it’s to interject more conflict there, but there’s something that feels too cheesy about the crush who spurned Eugene being the one who potentially messes up his courtship with the woman who’s helping him get over it. There’s also something gross about her trying to prove that he loves Stephanie by telling her to kiss him. It’s a well-shot scene, but it’s weird and their whole deal has a dumb teen drama vibe that I wish the show would just jettison.
The other major interaction that works in this one is Carol’s and Ezekiel’s. Why does it do so much better than other major scenes? Well, because for one, those two actors are some of the show’s best, and for another, because they have a history together that the audience has witnessed for many seasons, and for a third, because the changes they’ve been through since they broke up give their renewed intimacy and admissions meaning. The two always had an endearing rapport, and having them give it one last meal together is heartening and a little sad at the same time.
(By the way, here’s a prediction for the next episode: I’d bet good money that Ezekiel dies. He has a meaningful goodbye with Carol; he gets a feature scene with Daryl, and the only other character he has any real significant connection to is Jerry. Between the upcoming battle and his cancer, I imagine he goes out like a hero in the next one.)
Those are all things missing from the other, myriad conversations that take place in the shadow of an impending Whisperer attack here. Either they involve subpar performers, or they feature characters and relationships the audience hasn’t seen or had nearly the time to invest in, or they’re repetitions of things the audience already knows just to remind us that certain characters exist. I’m sure some of the stuff discussed concerning Mary’s nephew, or Judith wanting to fight, or Lydia’s deal with her mom will come back in some way shape or form, but it all comes off very sudden and miscalibrated.
I’ve also stopped caring about whatever Alpha and Negan’s deal is. I assume that at some point Negan will turn on the Whisperers and reveal that he was on the good guys’ side all along. But until then, their vibe just doesn't work and isn’t interesting.
But I’ll say this much for “Morning Star” -- when it finally dispenses with the unconvincing conversations and just digs into the battle, it’s a hell of a ride! The electrified line seems more there for coolness than practicality, but I can’t complain! The Whisperers launching containers of accelerant on our heroes and then lighting fires is scary in the best way. And the Hilltoppers doing the Spartan Phalanx stuff again, this time against live foes, is still, as Negan might say, “some cool shit.”
The problem is that it takes an awful long stretch of mind-numbing colloquies before we get to that good stuff. The Hilltopper vs. Whisperer battle is a promising one. It’s just sad to see TWD wasting the chance to develop its characters beforehand on weak writing and an otherwise exhausting episode.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-03-09T21:06:41Z
[6.9/10] This is a “Calm Before the Storm” type episode, which is usually the sort of episode I really like. Something about characters speaking frankly with one another, letting things slip they might not otherwise when they realize it might be their last night together. It provides a good excuse of shows to slow down, take stock, and do some solid character work before the major fireworks begin.
The problem with this episode is the same problem TWD always has -- it means that this episode is basically nothing but one-on-one conversations, and by the time we get to the back half of “Morning Star”, that is just exhausting. Few of these conversations are particularly well written. Most of them have the same cheesy dialogue and faux-profound statements that are the show’s stock and trade. And stacking them one right on top of the other leaves the episode feeling undifferentiated and same-y. Worse yet, there’s very few stories in this episode, just little snippets of character relationships, some developed some not, stitched together into an ungainly Frankenstein monster (or skinsuit, if you will).
But let’s talk about the two that at least try to connect with or otherwise pay off stories.
Eugene is really the only character who has an arc or a full story in this episode. I like the show continuing with his CB radio girlfriend. His mini-plot also has a good setup and payoff, in the form of Eugen being unable to find the record he wants to play for Stephanie, refusing to sing it in the alternative, but then unleashing the tune from his own golden throat as a sign of vulnerability when he fears he’s scared her off. I still think something bad is coming from all of this, but that’s solid, meat and potatoes budding relationship writing, and it works.
I just don’t know why the show decides to inject Rosita into it. I suppose it’s to interject more conflict there, but there’s something that feels too cheesy about the crush who spurned Eugene being the one who potentially messes up his courtship with the woman who’s helping him get over it. There’s also something gross about her trying to prove that he loves Stephanie by telling her to kiss him. It’s a well-shot scene, but it’s weird and their whole deal has a dumb teen drama vibe that I wish the show would just jettison.
The other major interaction that works in this one is Carol’s and Ezekiel’s. Why does it do so much better than other major scenes? Well, because for one, those two actors are some of the show’s best, and for another, because they have a history together that the audience has witnessed for many seasons, and for a third, because the changes they’ve been through since they broke up give their renewed intimacy and admissions meaning. The two always had an endearing rapport, and having them give it one last meal together is heartening and a little sad at the same time.
(By the way, here’s a prediction for the next episode: I’d bet good money that Ezekiel dies. He has a meaningful goodbye with Carol; he gets a feature scene with Daryl, and the only other character he has any real significant connection to is Jerry. Between the upcoming battle and his cancer, I imagine he goes out like a hero in the next one.)
Those are all things missing from the other, myriad conversations that take place in the shadow of an impending Whisperer attack here. Either they involve subpar performers, or they feature characters and relationships the audience hasn’t seen or had nearly the time to invest in, or they’re repetitions of things the audience already knows just to remind us that certain characters exist. I’m sure some of the stuff discussed concerning Mary’s nephew, or Judith wanting to fight, or Lydia’s deal with her mom will come back in some way shape or form, but it all comes off very sudden and miscalibrated.
I’ve also stopped caring about whatever Alpha and Negan’s deal is. I assume that at some point Negan will turn on the Whisperers and reveal that he was on the good guys’ side all along. But until then, their vibe just doesn't work and isn’t interesting.
But I’ll say this much for “Morning Star” -- when it finally dispenses with the unconvincing conversations and just digs into the battle, it’s a hell of a ride! The electrified line seems more there for coolness than practicality, but I can’t complain! The Whisperers launching containers of accelerant on our heroes and then lighting fires is scary in the best way. And the Hilltoppers doing the Spartan Phalanx stuff again, this time against live foes, is still, as Negan might say, “some cool shit.”
The problem is that it takes an awful long stretch of mind-numbing colloquies before we get to that good stuff. The Hilltopper vs. Whisperer battle is a promising one. It’s just sad to see TWD wasting the chance to develop its characters beforehand on weak writing and an otherwise exhausting episode.