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<i>The Walking Dead</i> – Mid-Season Finale “How It’s Gotta Be.” Recap. Hope For What?

Season 8, Episode 8

Air date: Sunday, December 10, 2017 at 9PM E/P on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“It’s more than just hope.” – Carl

 

***WARNING: Spoilers Ahead***

The Walking Dead mid-season finale has come and gone, and I’m still unsure of how I feel about it. I expected so much more this season, yet I find myself confused and conflicted. Looking back at the past seven episodes leading up to “How It’s Gotta Be,” I wonder if I’ve missed something in translation with the numerous and overused flashbacks utilized throughout the season so far. What am I missing, because this shit makes no sense at all?

Carl has a chat with his dad about ‘hope’ and killing everyone – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

There are two major, revealing conversations in “How It’s Gotta Be,” and both involve Carl (Chandler Riggs). In one discussion during a flashback scene (surprise surprise) after Rick (Andrew Lincoln) chases away Siddiq (Avi Nash) in “Mercy,” Carl is upset at what his father says regarding the stranger’s fate and hoping the guy will make it. Carl also seems to have an opinion on the whole saga going on with The Saviors.

Carl: “What, are we just gonna kill all of them? Finding some way forward, that’s harder. That’s something more. Dad, that’s how it’s gotta be.”

In the beginning, when Rick sees the dump truck has knocked down the walls of the Sanctuary, his mind is reeling. Together with Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh) and the Scavengers, they approach the property with trepidation and then gunfire breaks out. And as Rick shouts out their next plan of attack, Jadis and her crew dip the fuck out. I’m shocked they leave Rick to fend for himself…oh wait, no I’m not. Why Rick ever thought he could trust that crazy woman is beyond me. I’m not sure where the writers are going with the whole Jadis and Scavengers story arc, but my guess it’s merely a plot device to move the storyline of the Alexandria-Kingdom-Hilltop groups (A.K.H.) forward. Now that that’s out of the way, can we not see Jadis ever again? Please. Let her go quietly into that good night and sculpt her Rick-doll in peace. I doubt this will happen, but if I put it out in the universe, maybe…just maybe.

Simon has a real nasty side – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The camera pans, shifts, and fades in on several faces throughout “How It’s Gotta Be.” After this debacle with Jadis, it seems Rick is stuck, but suddenly, out of nowhere, Carol (Melissa McBride) and Jerry (Cooper Andrews) roll up in a big SUV to save the day. This is where I can’t figure out what I’ve missed. When did Carol and Jerry leave the Kingdom and how did they know Rick would be at the Sanctuary? Is there a secret missive I overlooked? The note Jerry leaves King Ezekiel (Khary Payton) doesn’t give much information. “Your Majesty, I had to bounce. We said we’d do it and we don’t flake. I want to be there when we win. And I want you to be there too, man. Deuces, Jerry”

They better not kill Jerry! – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

As Carol, Rick, and Jerry, drive separately back to wherever they are going, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) has her own convoy en route to an undisclosed location. I thought they were all going to Alexandria; then again, they could be going to the Kingdom, too. At this point, I was beyond confused. How do they have so many vehicles running when they have all but struggled for seven seasons to find working cars and trucks, and the gas to fuel them? Did they come upon an untapped gas station and parking lot filled with working automobiles?

Negan really loves the sound of his own voice – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

If you haven’t guessed by now, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and his band of merry men escape the walker-ridden Sanctuary and hit the properties one by one – Alexandria, and the Kingdom. They aren’t going to mess with the Hilltop since most of the food comes from there.

As Negan begins talking over a loud speaker, the words coming out of his mouth are both fear inducing and comical. He wants groveling and ass-kissing apologies. “Dig deep, I want these apologies to be memorable. Bonus points for creativity; work up a poem, sing a song; I love that shit!” If only he weren’t such a dick.

Hey Negan, I thought you two were having a moment too… – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The second major conversation of the episode happens between Carl and Negan. To my momentary bewilderment, Carl offers up himself. The conversation between Carl and Negan is profound. If you revisit this after finishing the episode, you’ll see Carl dispenses some revealing clues. Carl’s lines seem almost prophetic.

Carl: “Kill me.”

Negan: “What did you say?”

Carl: “If you have to kill someone, if there has to be punishment, then kill me. I’m serious.”

Negan: “You wanna die?”

Carl: “No, I don’t. But I will. It’s gonna happen. And if me dying could stop this, if it can make things different for us, for you, for all those other kids, it’d be worth it. I mean, was this the plan? Was it supposed to be this way? Is this who you wanted to be?”

Throughout the episode, I noticed something different about Carl and wondered what’s going on with him. My mind immediately reverted back to his seemingly clean getaway from the walkers he encountered with Siddiq in “The King, the Widow, and Rick.” I couldn’t believe he got out of that walker skirmish unscathed.

Other Things of Note:

Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) take a road trip in the hopes they can persuade the folks at Oceanside to join their cause against Negan and the Saviors. Of course, things do not go as planned and Enid makes a grave error that could cost them even more.

Daryl, Rosita, Michonne, and Tara wait in the wings to ambush the Saviors with Dwight’s help – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Daryl (Norman Reedus) thinks his plan of plowing the dump truck into the Sanctuary and letting the walkers get inside worked, but with the Saviors out, he wonders whether he made the right decision to go against Rick’s plan. Meanwhile, one of Daryl’s plans does succeed – enlisting the help of Dwight (Austin Amelio), who holds up his end of the bargain. Side note: Daryl finally gets his vest back.

Eugene (Josh McDermitt) is still on my shit list, but his inability to get a peaceful night’s sleep leads him to do something decent. Perhaps he has a crisis of conscience but he finally helps Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) and Dr. Carson (R. Keith Harris). Plus, Eugene gets another hilarious line. When he tells Gabriel and Dr. Carson about the laxative spiked coffee he gave the guard, he elaborates that the guy is probably “catastrophically crapping his khakis right now.”

Gavin thinks someone will give up the King but he’s mistaken – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith) is at the Kingdom and asks the people to give up Ezekiel. The King’s subjects remain loyal despite their ruler being MIA. Ezekiel finds renewed strength and doesn’t abandon his people. And in the depths of despair, hope does peek through when Nabila (Nadine Marissa) rises up and shows her strength.

Simon (Steven Ogg) intercepts Maggie’s convoy and decides to make a bold statement. After killing someone in her vehicle, Maggie heads back to Hilltop and wants revenge. I don’t think Dean (Adam Fristoe), aka Mr. I Pissed My Pants, should have been the one to be made the example of. I’m so ready for Jared (Joshua Mikel) to bite it.

It’s very interesting what Maggie writes on the coffin. She tells Jesus (Tom Payne) it’s up to Hilltop “to make the last stand.” Is the message, “We have 38 more – Stand Down,” meant for Negan and his crew or a note to Rick and the others?

I can’t… – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Negan and Rick finally meet face-to-face in what I can only decscribe as an utterly lackluster confrontation; I hoped this fight would be so much more. There are a few intense moments, but overall, I was unimpressed. And Negan really doesn’t like anyone touching his bat Lucille. “Don’t you touch her!” Sheesh, possessive much?

The somber ending of “How It’s Gotta Be” leads to a dramatic cliffhanger.  As Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) walk through the underground sewer tunnels, everyone has their heads hanging low. When Rick sees Siddiq sitting there among the other Alexandrians, his confusion is answered by a sickly looking Carl. Both Rick and Michonne fall to their knees at Carl’s revelation. It seems Carl got more than bragging rights when he helped Siddiq free souls from those walkers.

I see a shit ton of flashbacks when The Walking Dead returns February 2018.

Overall

Rick and Michonne are obviously devastated about Carl’s predicament – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Frankly, I haven’t given much thought about Carl or his existence since the beginning of the series. Perhaps it’s his character development or lack thereof, or maybe his performance, but I never truly warmed up to Carl. It says something when I’m more concerned whether Jerry got shot than I am about Carl dying. I couldn’t wrap my head around Carl’s purpose on the series other than being Rick’s son but it doesn’t seem like Carl has ever been very useful. He got himself into more jams and messes, and I want to knock that ridiculously oversized hat off his head. Riggs isn’t completely at fault – the writers didn’t give his character the opportunity to become more than Rick’s son. Again, when the audience worries more about new characters like Ezekiel and Jerry than a character that’s been on the show since season one, it speaks volumes.

What did you think of “How It’s Gotta Be?” Comment below and tag me on Twitter @judybopp to chat.

The Walking Dead will return February 25, 2018.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.