RJ wearing Ricks hat and Daryl’s vest:sob::sob:
STOP JUDITH AND DARYL CAN’T DO THAT TO ME MAN:sob::sob:
[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.
After a couple of real duffers this was a good episode and possibly the best one of the season so far, in my opinion. I think my only real criticism would be the logistics of the battle - the show seems to forget that survivors and walkers alike should be able to move left and right, not just forwards and backwards. I don't particularly see how our guys would have been trapped by that (very conveniently and accurately placed) fire. Still, I'm looking forward to how it plays out next episode, which is something I've not felt for a few episodes.
I wonder why Hollywood writers these days do not seem to grasp medieval combat tactics. I'm okay with the fact they won't stay in their wooden walls but one might think they don't just do the Game of Thrones thing. Ample time to make decent defenses and all they had was some brambles and an electric fence that stopped one zombie.
The concept of fire also appears to be a novel thing noone seemed to have thought about.
Suffice to say the show is getting weary for me, there doesn't seem to be a way out and it's pretty much rehashing everything every episode and season or so.
Just skip the first 38 minutes.
(9.5/10) - This episode was truly delightful! Although it was incredibly dialogue heavy and featured very little action until the final few minutes, I really loved watching this one as it set the next episode up to be pretty epic (with some seriously prominent foreshadowing.)
I am truly worried about Ezekiel as now he has sort of mended his struggling relationship with Carol and has told her about his secret cancer situation, which normally suggests in a show like this that he may not be safe in upcoming episodes.
Daryl is also at risk of death in my opinion, as he did a great job in episode 10 of somewhat destroying Alpha, but it is ultimately Carol who should end her due to her clear determination and ability to put herself (and often others) in danger to attempt to rid Alpha (and hopefully Beta) of the world.
I also have really bad feelings about Stephanie and her meeting with Eugene, as she seems a little too good to be true. I really hope everything goes well, as Eugene deserves happiness after all the calamity he has been through, but I also kinda think he belongs with Rosita…
Overall, this was such a superb mid-season finale and I enjoyed every second of it, but I reckon Daryl/ Ezekiel are going to get severely injured or even killed in episode 12.
This episode had it all. There was a good build up and for a bit I feared they were going to use this episode as filler only but they gave us a bit of the fight and left us hanging with a fantastic cliffhanger. I have to keep repeating myself but the way the Whisperers play is so frickin' cool. A worthy enemy. Those gasoline like bombs, absolutely thrilling! Blocking our gang off from Hilltop, leaving them stranded in between a wall of fire and a wall of walkers, so good. I know there will be casualties now, there is no way they will all survive.
I hope they will make Negan a key factor in this war like he is in the comics. I have waited far too long to have him redeemed to let him throw it all away for Alpha of all people.
if eugene does not get to see his radio girlfriend , I WILL RAGE!!
judith & daryl scene was so wholesome, man.
idk who went on fire but man i was scared that was luke
Episode 11 WAS SO GOOOOOOD. Alpha hands Negan a branch and orders him to whip her arm, before she does the same to him, poor Negan. Negan marches beside her, now equipped with his very own Whisperer mask was cool. I still dont trust Stephanie (the radio girl) because it feels like she is trying to get the location of Hilltop, but I will be happy if she is not and telling the truth and happy for Eugene also. When Negan approaches Alpha and proposes that she gets Alexandria and Hilltop to surrender instead of destroying them was cool from Negan. When Judith expresses a desire to stay and fight was so cute. When Daryl identifies the roadblock this as one of Negan's tactics and concludes that all the other roads will be blocked, it reminded me of Season 7 T-T. I'm happy Ezekiel and Carol got back. Electric fence was smart from Eugene. When Judith reveals that she repaired the wing on Daryl's vest was so adorable, Also I liked Daryl new wing drawing vest. When the fight started it was scary and I didn't expected Whisperers use fire. Now I'm scared for someone dying and if Hilltop is falling.
Is Lucifer playing in this episode ?
5 points to Eugene singing Iron Maiden, 1 point for the final bit. The rest is booooooring.
Another snoozfest episode. Watch first 5 mins & last 10 mins. Can’t wait till this crappy season is over.
Fair enough, nothing special.
First 30 min could have been 15, the pre-battle stuff is ok, but after 2 nonsense episodes it was still too much. May be still worth watching if you care about character "development" (have to put the word on quotes because TWD doesn't have basically any development except all characters becoming eventually stupid, like the king using knives to kill zombies over the fence).
I think they are screwed :skull:
Spoilers:
Of course, after that ending. Next week will skip over to what Michonne has been up to. Let’s hope Negan is accepted now.
The Long Night: TWD Edition.
Fans who have lost faith in this show need to find their way back again. It may not be the same show it once was, but “different” isn’t always a bad thing. This episode was quality television. And it’s a shame that so many old fans are probably missing out.
Did I miss something or am I forgetting, what did happen to "Dog"? Where has "Dog" been all this time and still?
I believe that Negan is still on the good side and has just gotten on the inside to do the damage, which we should be seeing soon, I think.
I also think that reinforcements are on the way to join the fight, called by none other but little Judith Grimes! I mean come on people, they didn't purposely show us Michonne giving the walkie to Judith and telling her to call if she needed help or if she just wanted to talk for nothing. As far as it being said that reinforcements wouldn't get there in time, Michonne could be a lot closer. Maybe some people have also forgotten that she was supposed to be getting good artillery from the island to use to help eliminate or at the very least cut down the herd!
I loved the chapter. The whisperers arriving and Eugene singing so quietly Ha-ha-ha. I can't wait to see the next episode. I still miss Rick.
"...Bend the knee"
Showrunners must be GoT fans with all of these references. I waited all episode for the phrase "Fire and Blood".
That was a serious buildup for next week.
A lot of loose ends I think would be stupid to dismiss story telling perspective but very real and most likely to happen at the same time. I can already see ppl complaining about it later. We just have to wait and see.
Also on this episode:
• Mortal wounds are are not mortal if you're Wolverine or having a plot armor.
• Oak's resin is the solution to gasoline pollution.
• Non of the ex-whisperes is familiar with Alpha war tactics.
• Eugene is a playaaaaa.
• Best place to hide from a huge horde is a caved down cave.
• Where the fu:copyright:k is Dog. Giving the reference theme of the episode I expected Ghost running to walkers horde kind of thing.
• Aaron is actually Leonidas: "Everyoooone. FORMATION! No wonder with that beard. I now wish he'll face Beta or some sh¡t and kick him into a hole after shouting "THIS. IS. HILLTOP!"
• JDM's Negan is back with his awesome sh¡t phrases.
So much better then the last ones has a Game Of Trones vipe :)
One of my favorite episodes of TWD in a while, and my favorite of season 10 so far. The whisperer war is finally happening, and (COMIC SPOILERS) the Commonwealth is on the way. I'm excited for the rest of this season.
What the hell? Did they actually put this episode on a Saturday night when it never is? But the after show (Talking Dead) isn't on until Sunday night as per usual? Well no matter what, I'll wait until I get my hands on both.
Shout by DarthBlockedParentSpoilers2022-12-02T10:05:45Z
Lol could notice they didn’t film Daryl and Judith actually talking to each other