Be warned! This review will cover aspects of the episode. Spoilers will lurk like groaning walkers...
This week's episode was largely a meditation on leadership, and different attitudes to maintaining control in an apocalyptic world. Unfortunately, none of the examples presented led to exactly compelling drama or anything in the way of new material for the show. If anything, Guardians felt like the wheels spinning again, letting time pass until bigger events arrive. There is an undertone to be found discussing the security concerns that have flooded the world in the last couple of decades, but The Walking Dead is rarely the place for nuanced discussion of such things.
A big chunk was given over to more of Alpha demonstrating how she maintains her stranglehold on the Whispers by behaving like, well, an alpha. Challenges to her power are met with violence and swift justice, though you do have to wonder if her rule would be half as effective without Beta (Ryan Hurst) backing her up. Still, Samantha Morton's quiet power as the driven alpha makes it work. Just about.
The trouble with this deeper delve into the Whisperers is that it's all coming across just a tick away on the scale from how Negan behaved, and the Governor before him. There's the dictator and their followers, with just the faces and one or two tactics changing, the same idea in a new skin, which seems fitting for this group.
Talking of Negan, he got a chance to chat with Michonne, and explained why he came back. He feels he has something to offer as a former leader, and can be a "sounding board" for her, who he thinks is in danger of losing control at Alexandria. And what do you know? Some of his words actually seem to get through to her, as she relents on the issue of attending the trade fair with the other communities.
Michonne is indeed having issues with the rest of the Alexandria council, who are chafing against her control. For now, her agreeing to give the council more of a voice has headed off major problems, but expect that to be tested again when the shockwaves of Daryl's setting a herd of walkers on the Whisperers reaches our heroes. We doubt Alpha will just let that slide...
Another drag of an episode, with just a couple of highlights (and not just Dog showing that while he's learning how to collect crossbow bolts for Daryl, he's still learning), mostly thanks to Morton's work. Henry remains utterly annoying, even while barely saying a word and anyone who didn't see the herd invasion twist coming clearly has never watched TV before. Let's hope an upswing is on the way before too long, lest we have to endure another scene of Eugene explaining why Gabriel should stay with Rosita despite her carrying another man's child. We really hope he was working on that chart in his spare time and not, say, when he should've been doing something more useful...
In summary
Highlight: Alpha dominates.
Lowlight: Gabriel wavers.
Kill of the week: Sean and his as-yet-unnamed girlfriend meet their end at Alpha's hands.
Quote of the week: "You're so stupid!" – Lydia, to Henry. Welcome the club!
Zombie of the week: A largely generic herd this week, though the shot of Beta scalping one was suitably gross.
MVP: Alpha
The big question: The Whisperer storyline goes very differently in the comics. We can likely expect an earlier clash between Alpha's gang and the communities. But for all their bravado, are the Whisperers a threat now they've been hurt – and if the communities can work together?
Read this season's reviews
Read last season's reviews below...
The Walking Dead* Season 8, Episode 10: *The Lost And The Plunderers
The Walking Dead* Season 8, Episode 13: *Do Not Send Us Astray
The Walking Dead* Season 8, Episode 14: *Still Gotta Mean Something
The Walking Dead airs Sundays at 9pm on AMC in the States and Mondays at 9pm on Fox.
