Title: The Walking Dead: “The First Day of the Rest of Your Life”
Air Date: April 2nd, 2017
Network: AMC
Genre: Serial Drama, Horror
The Walking Dead season seven is over. The 90-minute episode followed pretty much the same pattern as the whole season. A whole lot of build up with a little action to finish it out. When this Walking Dead episode closed out, I couldn’t help but think of the number of solid quotes it produced. Not only for certain characters but Maggie’s closing narration in particular. The closing narration and scenes brought were particularly powerful to the faithful fans of the series and had deep meaning.
“Glenn saved you, and that’s what started it all” … “Glenn made the decision, Rick. I was just following his lead.”…”Not as strangers, as family.”
If you’re a fan, you couldn’t help but feel some emotion hearing Maggie’s narration. Even more so when the scene of her holding the pocket watch came on. I loved the ending quotes and it really brought forth a nostalgic feeling and made me remember the last seven years of the Walking Dead. Now…what about the rest of the episode?
I thought Sonequa Martin was fantastic in this episode. The flashbacks went a tad long for my taste but this was a great send off for her. While I’m not trying to contradict myself, the flashbacks were a bit long but…one in particular, is what made them all standout. It was Abrahams closing comments to Sasha. “It’s always for someone else. Both of us know if we’re gonna kick, there sure as hell better be a point to it. So maybe there was a point to all of this.” I loved it. Don’t give in and go out with a purpose.
The battle was a very uplifting moment, not just because of the action but the score as well. Finally, after everything that has happened, the Kingdom and the Hilltop have stepped in to fight with Alexandria. Shiva coming in to kill the one Savior was one of those “yes” hands in the air moments. I really just feel that this “payoff” came later than it should have. Yes, seeing Abraham again in the flashbacks was certainly a cool thing but…did it need to drag out that long? I don’t think it did and that’s why I found myself initially a little bored when getting into the episode.
I will say I was not expecting the double cross with the Scavengers. I was finally expecting things to come together for Rick and company and then boom…Scavengers are with the Saviors. I certainly expected the “little birdie” that ratted on Rick to be Gregory and not Jadis. The best moment of that whole situation by far, was when Rick and Negan again came face to face. Rick is far more defiant here even when Carl’s death is dangled in his face. He recited the exact same words to Negan as he did in the premiere episode of the season, essentially bringing that arc full circle.
The big question now is what will season eight of the Walking Dead bring? Well, Negan has two individuals close to him that are not on his side. Dwight was doing what he did for Negan and the Saviors for his wife who is now gone. Eugene, despite feeling safe, did still give Sasha that pill. Eugene being on the side of the Saviors is certainly frustrating to watch but he just still might come back. What I’m really hoping for is a change of pace for the next season. I don’t mind the storytelling and build up but were there now and the coming episodes should reflect as such. This season and the finale for that matter reminded me of a 60-minute iron man match I once saw. It was between Dan Severn and William Regal. The match was so slow going that after 20 minutes of holds, someone finally hit a clothesline and the crowd went wild.
Did you catch last night’s finale of the Walking Dead? If so, what did you think? What scene or scenes did you like the most? What are your predictions for season eight? Be sure to let us know in the comments below. Also, be sure to check back on June 4th for our coverage of the premiere of season three of Fear the Walking Dead. As a quick refresher, you can follow the link for our review of the season two finale here.
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