The Walking Dead S8E03: Monsters

With Monsters, season 8 returns to a theme explored in seasons 5 and 6 with some regularity; is Rick (and by extension his group) as much of a monster as the enemies he fights? You’ll recall that when Rick came to Alexandria there was some concern as to his sanity. The people of that community saw him as a savage, and many questioned putting him in a leadership role. Now as he faces off against Negan and the Saviors, the lines between men and monsters are much more clear… or are they?

Right away we’re given a conclusion to Rick’s encounter with Morales, a fellow survivor from Atlanta, but not before some insightful dialogue. Rick and Morales had very similar paths; both traveled from Atlanta to their current location, both lost members of their family, but have taken lives they likely would not have when they knew each other before. Morales flat out calls Rick on his actions, saying they’re the same. With a less than enthusiastic or convincing objection to this comparison, it seems we’re right back where we were in season 6; wondering if Rick is in fact just as bad as _______ (whoever they’re fighting at the time). The answer can be found in the murky distinctions between mercy and wrath.

This contrast was on heavy display throughout the entire episode; Morgan and Jesus fought about whether to allow the group of savior hostages to live, Maggie argued with Gregory about whether to allow him back into Hilltop, Gregory argued with Jesus about whether to let the Saviors into Hilltop, and Rick looked a bit dreadfully shocked at Daryl’s decisive execution of Morales and of the random Savior sniper giving them information on the larger firearms. Each of these interactions is dealing in some way with whether to show mercy, or execute wrath and vengeance. Let’s look at each one…

Morgan v. Jesus

This one festered for a bit as Jesus defied both Tara and Morgan to keep hostages rather than to execute them. When a group of hostages ran off during a walker attack, Morgan chased them down and killed one. When he was about to continue shooting, Jesus knocked the gun out of his hand. As they fought it was clear Jesus was the superior fighter, and he maintained his peaceful attitude during the fight, continually asking if they were done after a blow to Morgan. Morgan would not relent, and it wasn’t until he held his staff to Jesus’ neck that he realized what he was doing. He came to his senses, so to speak, and confessed that he’s not right (mentally) but that doesn’t mean he isn’t right (with how to handle these hostages). So in a bit or irony Jesus wins his position for mercy by winning this battle. That also doesn’t mean that he’s wrong just because he used violence to argue for non-violence. This is where the murkiness comes in, and the battle between mercy and wrath begins to sway back and forth.

Gregory @ Hilltop

While the irony with Jesus doesn’t lead to his position being wrong, it’s hard to make the same argument for Gregory. Gregory pleads with Maggie to let him back into Hilltop, and when she lumps him in with all the Saviors because he betrayed the community, he explains he was only trying for peace. This appears to win her sympathies, but the same sympathy is not extended from Gregory to the hostages brought by Jesus. Gregory demands they be taken away and not allowed into Hilltop. This is a pretty textbook example of someone failing to forgive as they have been forgiven (Eph. 4:32).

Rick & Daryl

This is a rather interesting development for the show. Daryl kills Morales, but that was also in protection of Rick. So there is at least some explanation to that. However, when Daryl killed the defenseless Savior giving them information on the location of the heavy artillery, that’s a different story. The difference can be seen on Rick’s face. He’s a bit horrified at what Daryl has so dismissively done. I immediately thought of the key line for this season, “my mercy prevails over my wrath” from the first episode. Suppose that holds true, and Rick decides to extend mercy to Negan… will Daryl allow that? Will he let Rick make that call or will he try and kill Negan? What will this mean for Rick and Daryl’s relationship? There is at least the potential here for a major rift at the highest levels of our group.

My Rating: C+

The more I explored the extra attention given to the contrast of mercy and wrath in this episode the more I talked myself into liking it. I think even with further discussion I could be talked into a B-. However, I do think using the same “Rick is a monster” angle to get there is slightly lazy. It makes sense, as the Saviors are surely convinced that Rick is the aggressor, but as an audience we’ve been there already. Also, we’re now two episodes past the “I hope you’re wearing your sh*#$ing pants” line from Negan. As a friend of mine rightly said, you can’t cliff hang that for two episodes.