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<i>The Walking Dead</i> – “The Big Scary U” Review. Mine’s Bigger Than Yours.

Season 8, Episode 5

Air date: Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 9PM E/P on AMC

Rating: ★★★★★

 

“People are a resource. Money on the table. People. Are. The. Foundation. Of. What. We. Are. Building. Here!” – Negan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, Seth Gilliam as Father Gabriel Stokes – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Is it just me or is “The Big Scary U” essentially a dick swinging contest to see whose is bigger? It should be a different kind of competition to see who the bigger asshole is. I was truly looking forward to this episode because I needed to see how Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) interacted with each other in a confined space surrounded by a large herd of walkers. While we gain some insight into Negan’s background, it’s not enough for me to like him any more or less. I’m a huge fan of Morgan but his portrayal of Negan makes my skin crawl sometimes. And that one glove thing… what the hell! Perhaps his supreme confidence in his own self-importance to his people in The Sanctuary has blinded him. There will always be those who follow and Negan simply has a knack for finding them.

“The Big Scary U” doesn’t suck but I was hoping for more from Negan and Gabriel’s time together in the trailer than some bullshit confession. Gabriel owns his big regret when he shares it with Negan about what he did to his congregation back in season five. Negan’s so-called revelation about how he treated his sick wife, his “real wife,” isn’t that surprising. I mean, thanks for sharing Negan, but it’s not like it’s out of character for you; you still treat women like crap. The only interesting tidbit during the conversation is when Negan shares that he used to work with kids. “Little assholes become great big ones.” Nice. I wonder if Negan used to be one of those prison guards at a juvenile detention center. Or maybe he was a P.E. coach.

Morgan’s performance is nothing short of outstanding. His ability to convey his message with the use of body language and tone is impressive. The theatrical way he leans his hips forward, slightly bending his knees to throw that extra oomph into what he’s saying makes him seem like quite the showman. And he is just that – a showman. Like King Ezekiel (Khary Payton), everyone seems to be playing a part in this dysfunctional apocalyptic world. Negan plays his part as he tries to justify his actions of “saving” people. Rick (Andrew Lincoln) used to be in law enforcement so his role now isn’t so much an act but an amplification of what he once was.

Observations:

Jayson Warner Smith as Gavin, Austin Amelio as Dwight, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The contention in the air is spreading like the plague. In a flashback at the beginning of “The Big Scary U,” we see Negan, Simon (Steven Ogg), Dwight (Austin Amelio), Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith), Eugene (Josh McDermitt), Regina (Traci Dinwiddle), and Gregory (Xander Berkeley) in a meeting just before Rick and the newly formed group of Alexandria-Kingdom-Hilltop (AKH) storm Negan’s Sanctuary compound. Now, with Negan missing and presumed dead, Simon takes the lead to figure out what the hell happened and who the “rat” is among them. Oddly enough, all eyes are on Eugene.

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Setbacks and losing people sets Daryl (Norman Reedus) on a dangerous path. As much as I want AKH to win, I agree with Rick that there is no need to kill innocent people even if they work for Negan. The “workers” Negan employs are only doing what they need to in order to survive in the apocalypse. I understand Daryl’s mentality of taking out the enemy so they won’t come back to hurt them but in Rick’s view, certain men, women, and children don’t deserve to be caught in the crossfire.

The way everyone drops to their knees when Negan enters the room amazes me. What is about Negan that has everyone bowing down?

Speaking of the workers, they may be followers but if pushed far enough, they will rise up. Simon is getting a taste of that medicine right now. I have a feeling the loyalty among some of the workers can be swayed; some, not so much. One female worker shouts, “Thank God for you, Negan.” I’m sure she’ll sing a different tune if should she ever do something Negan doesn’t like.

I miss Michonne (Danai Gurira). I think Rick needs to see some familiar faces soon before he becomes lost in his own head.

The disjointed flashbacks are, thankfully, starting to dwindle down a bit. “The Big Scary U” utilizes flashbacks correctly, as was done in “Some Guy.” The only problem is the continued use of flashbacks for the remaining episodes in 2017. I know we need to know what happened, but I also think the jigsaw puzzle embedded in each episode is becoming a bit convoluted.

Overall

Negan and Gabriel working together to escape is the main focus of “The Big Scary U.” As much as I wanted Gabriel to leave Negan to die, the series wouldn’t be as much fun without the ‘big bad’ to antagonize the masses. Gabriel used to be such a coward, but his humanity is what may get him killed. Gabriel helping Gregory is what got him stuck with Negan in the first place. But at the end of “The Big Scary U,” a sickly Gabriel tells Eugene he’s stuck in the Sanctuary for a reason. I think coating himself in all those zombie guts is what made Gabriel sick. Let’s not forget Negan also put on a hefty amount of walker intestines to escape. Remember, many of the undead have been tainted by the pollutants from the chemical plant.

I am hoping we learn more about Negan’s backstory as the season progresses. And I’m curious how the writers will pepper in the repercussions all of them will face with the polluted water we saw in last week’s “Some Guy.”

What did you think of “The Big Scary U?” Comment below and tag me on Twitter @judybopp to chat.

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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.