The Walking dead was back with the penultimate episode of the season titled ‘Worth’ which covered a lot of ground and set the stage up quite nicely for the season finale. This is one rare episode of the season where the narrative moved fast proving that the show can speed things up without getting bogged down, if it wants to. The episode was kept tense and though a lot many things happened, it was paced nicely. There were some blunt edges but considering the overall impact, it was better than most of the other episodes we have seen in this season.

The episode mostly deals with the events in the sanctuary as Negan returns and we see him getting back to form by dealing out a death. He is back to his old villainous self, ready to finish this war once and for all. The letters written by Carl to both Rick and Negan are read out and there are quite a few irritating Eugene moments. Eugene has never been a favourite character but this one probably makes him even more unpopular. The question about the worth of every life that dies in the crossfire between the two groups is raised but it seems that neither Rick nor Negan is ready to answer that at this stage.

If you have not watched the episode then please stop reading now as the next sections will have spoilers. 

Rick finally reads Carl’s letter and Carl reminds him of a few past moments when the world was normal. He asks Rick to give peace a chance and writes “Every life is worth something.”  Rick seems thoughtful but we will have to wait to see if this letter can help him turn back from the dark side he has moved into. Negan confronts Dwight and Simon in the Sanctuary. He gives a rather intimidating pep talk to Dwight who is left wondering and then Simon confesses that he messed up in Hilltop. Negan does not disclose that he has come to know about Simon’s killing of all the “garbage people” and after setting Simon on his knees tells him that all is forgiven. He then shares his plan about surrounding the hilltop by placing men and weapons in specific posts. Simon does not let it rest and goes back to Dwight planning a coup to kill Negan.

Eugene is shown in charge of the warehouse making bullets with Gabriel as a member of his team. Eugene’s way of talking is quite beyond normal and to hear him deliver a monologue while eating a sardine and cheese mixture is not a nice experience for the viewers. He goes out to test a bullet sample and is kidnapped by Daryl and Rosita who plan to take him to Hilltop and imprison him for his betrayal. But Eugene’s survival skills being sharper like a cockroach, he uses an opportune moment with some walkers around to vomit on Rosita and escape. They chase him but Eugene eludes them and returns to the warehouse.  In the meantime Aaron is attacked by walkers in the forest. He is in a weakened state due to lack of food and water but manages to kill them off. The Oceanside women find him and Aaron is able to give them a speech about how they should join the fight.

Simon meets with Dwight with his group in the courtyard and he suggests they should kill Negan respectfully with a bullet. Dwight already made his choice and has betrayed Simon to Negan. Negan comes out and Simon’s associates are killed. Negan gives a chance to Simon by challenging him in a fight which Simon ultimately loses and Negan chokes him to death.  Dwight uses Gregory to send a message to Rick about Negan’s plan. Negan says to Dwight that he is promoting him as his right hand man afters Simon’s death. It is then revealed that the passenger he picked up earlier from the street was Laura and she has spilled all the beans about Dwight’s betrayal. Negan was manipulating Dwight all along to make him send the warning to Rick about Negan’s fake plan. Negan says that he will not kill Dwight but has special plans for him.The issues within the Savior’s are thus cleaned up with Negan sorting out all the betrayals and assuming complete command. In the final scenes Michonne radios Negan and reads him Carl’s letter where Carl suggests him to work together with Rick and make peace. But Negan is in no mood to listen and says that he won’t stop until everyone is Hilltop is killed. So the writer’s have finally made Negan ironically pursue Simon’s line which is killing them all, though he considers people as a valuable resource. This approach will probably make next week’s fight more conclusive and hence interesting.

A few observations on the episode:

·         Negan works on Dwight quite smartly and that is one good tactical move from him that we have seen in a long time. It is really good to see the series sorting out the Simon and Dwight issue in one single episode without much delay. The one thing that stands out oddly is the coup against Negan being planned out in an open courtyard where anyone could watch and get suspicious. This could have been handled in a better way in the script. Simon’s death comes as no surprise though what happens to the imprisoned Dwight is to be seen.

·          Steven Ogg was a good villain in the show and seeing him appear as a walker on the fence for one final time was a nice touch from the script writers.

·         Eugene eating all that stuff and then vomiting that on Rosita was more disgusting than the worst of the walkers. It was a wonder that Rosita could keep her calm even after that shower.

·         It is strange that Eugene could evade a tracker of Daryl’s caliber so easily. The whole plot line of Eugene’s kidnapping could have been avoided as his role as a bullet maker is more vital to the plot and he had to come back to the warehouse.

·         The most annoying thing about the episode was the scenes between Gabriel and Eugene. These two are probably the least popular characters in the show and seeing them spent time together is really something that is best avoided.

·         It was not clear whether the Oceanside women were moved by with Aaron’s hunger strike or his speech but they seemed pretty impressed. Aaron’s methods of motivating people to join the fight do not make much sense but Oceanside will surely play a role in next week’s conflict against Negan.

·         The change in Rick’s character and where he will move from this point is something that is quite important for the show. It has been a long time since we have seen Rick acting as a good leader and he has messed up multiple times thereby eroding the viewer’s faith in his character. The show may offer its main protagonist some chance redemption but the state Rick is in, it may be too late for him to go back being the same hero he once was.

·         With Rick set to lay foot on the trap set by Negan, things do not look good for the Hilltop. Hopefully the show will bring a full end to the all out war theme and move on to something new in the next season. Whether it will stick to the comics or will try a different route will be something to be seen.  It is expected that we will get to see a great episode without much scope for complains.

 

The Walking Dead returns with its next episode “Wrath” on 15th April.

 

 

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