The Walking Dead – “The Damned” Review. Kill Switch On.

Season 8, Episode 2

Air Date: Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 9PM E/P on AMC.

Rating: ★★★★★

“I don’t die.” – Morgan

“The Damned” opens with several close-up shots of the bewildered and fatigued faces of Carol (Melissa McBride), King Ezekiel (Khary Payton), Jesus (Tom Payne), Tara (Alanna Masterson), and Morgan (Lennie James). This week’s installation is a is a continuation of the season premiere, “Mercy,” showing multiple points of view (POV) from the combined groups of Alexandria, The Kingdom, and Hilltop (AKH) as they storm Negan (Jeffrey Dean Moran) and The Saviors’ compound.

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When the cars roll up, the adrenaline begins pumping! Photo Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

As seen in “Mercy,” AKH used steel plates to make their vehicles bulletproof. In “The Damned,” seeing the cars rolling up into the compound with guns blazing is a spectacular moment. While many lives are lost, in the world of television and particularly The Walking Dead, you must accept it and choose which side you are rooting for – AKH or Negan and The Saviors.

If you break it down, each group is trying to survive. Negan’s tactics may seem a bit harsh but if you recall, Rick’s (Andrew Lincoln) takeover of Alexandria could also have been perceived as hostile. Because we started off with Rick, his family, and his group since the very beginning of this journey, many fans have a sense of loyalty. I’m not saying I agree with all the choices Rick and his group have made, but again, this is a television show and you have to decide which side you’re on. I’m with AKH all the way.

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Morgan is a killing machine in “The Damned” – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

The person who stands out the most in “The Damned” is Morgan. Did I miss something? When did he turn into such a killing machine? It’s almost as though he’s been reprogrammed and his kill switch is on. His methodical canvassing of the compound, shooting people with precision both astounds and disturbs me. His nonchalant response when two men ask if they can help him makes me nervous. Morgan’s statement, “I don’t die,” seems almost prophetic, as if he knows something. Wait, did he get an advance copy of the script? Ha-ha; just kidding. But did he?

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Carol gets an enlightening answer from King Ezekiel regarding his confidence – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Throughout “The Damned,” you see the POV of those who get caught up in different parts of the season premiere. White smoke and dust pollute the air after the explosion at the chemical plant. As the air clears, you hear walkers approaching as King Ezekiel, Carol, and the rest of their group are trying to get up and figure out their next move. Ezekiel’s confidence strikes me as a bit presumptuous, almost as if he too knows something we don’t. Although, his explanation to Carol sums it up, “Do I feel the supreme confidence? Or is my lot, my job to simply project such certainty? No and yes. Yes and no. And finally yes to both. Fake it till you make it, baby. That’s what I’ve done and what I do.”

Observations:

Maybe I should stop over-analyzing it, but I can’t be the only one curious about where the hell AKH got their hands on the massive amount of ammunition they seem to be running through lately. I know they got a lot of guns at the end of season 7, but where did they get all the ammo? Also when you are sneaking up on a rival group, why would you whistle so loudly? I mean, who didn’t hear that whistle?

And when you’re doing a perimeter check, shouldn’t you check under the bed? As Rick goes through each room on the top floor of the compound, he fails to check under the bed in one of the rooms. Someone could be hiding underneath, waiting to ambush him.

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Morgan and Jesus also have opposing views on taking prisoners. Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Jesus and Tara aren’t able to agree on whether they should take prisoners. Tara explains, “It’s not about revenge, it’s about getting it done.” But does it have to be so black and white? If The Saviors surrender peacefully, why not take them as POWs? I don’t think Rick will be as cruel as Negan in his treatment of prisoners…but then again, Rick isn’t the same man he once was. To add to the discord, Morgan recalls a conversation he had with Rick about leaving no survivors because if anyone is left alive, they could retaliate. I don’t condone the massive killing spree; however, I also think most of The Saviors are as blood-thirsty and deviant as Negan. Perhaps they evolved out of necessity due to Negan’s scare tactics. Is there any hope for any of them to be rehabilitated?

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Rick’s in a bit of a pickle…but he’s been in a lot worse situations – Photo Credit: Jackson Lee Davis/AMC

Rick makes a surprising discovery that presents a moral dilemma. Is there’s a baby boom happening on The Walking Dead? I know it’s the apocalypse, but let’s not get crazy with procreating tiny humans. Then again, many lose their lives in “The Damned,” so…repopulate.

Rick also runs into Morales (Juan Pareja), a guy he knew from Atlanta. But it’s not a friendly reunion. During the closing scene of “The Damned,” the camera pans in close on the faces of Daryl (Norman Reedus), Aaron (Ross Marquand), Morgan, Jesus, Tara, Ezekiel, Carol, and finally Rick as he stares down the barrel of Morales’ gun.

Overall

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Walker – The Walking Dead _ Season 8, Episode 2 – Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

“The Damned” not only gives us another perspective of the events that transpired in “Mercy,” but a few other intriguing and perplexing details. One in particular is when Jerry (Cooper Andrews) kills a walker by slamming his axe into its skull. There’s some sort of pink-ish colored ooze all around and I’m thinking the same thing as Ezekiel, “What befell this creature?” What indeed? Is there a new virus that’s plaguing walkers, and could it be contagious for humans?

What did you think of “The Damned?” 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.