The Walking Dead S8E15: Worth
In terms of plot progression, Worth may turn out to be one of the more significant episodes of this season. Moving forward to the season finale, not only do we get a couple of major plot elements with Rick as well as the internal politics of the Saviors, we also get one of the better monologues in show history as we get to hear Carl’s reading of his letter to his father. For my money, this is some of the best voice acting (or acting period) we’ve seen from Chandler Riggs. I’ve been a critic of his for most of the series, but the delivery of that reading was spot on. [Full transcript here]
One of the most touching bits of the letter was Carl’s recollection of holding his father’s hand as a young boy for their walks around their neighborhood. He recalls specific feelings about that interaction, how that shaped him and how that affects his memory of his father. This was a time when he felt loved, he felt hopeful, he felt safe. That was the emphasis in Carl’s letter; safety. He spoke of a desire for his father to be safe. He spoke of safety among the communities they found and a hope to find more. He even spoke of safety with Negan.
If they won’t end it, you have to. You have to give them a way out. You have to find peace with Negan. You have to find a way forward somehow. We don’t have to forget what happened, but you can make it so it doesn’t happen again, and nobody has to live this way. That every life is worth something… Make that come back, dad. And go on those walks with Judith. She’ll remember them.
Specifically, Carl is calling for Rick’s mercy to overcome his wrath. Sound familiar? This is how the death of Carl will have a lasting impact beyond just Rick and Michonne. This is how his legacy is left on the show even though he’s gone. This is how, through an incredibly roundabout way, we get to a pivotal moment in the comics where Rick decides to spare Negan’s life. I won’t spoil how, or what happens afterward (assuming the show follows the same general path as the comic), but if you’re a viewer that can’t wait for Negan to get what he deserves, prepare to be disappointed. But, should you be?
This question gets to the heart of why you watch the show, so I invite you to engage in some self-examination here; Will you be upset if Rick doesn’t kill Negan? To put it another way – why do you watch this show? Are you drawn to zombie stories for various reasons? I know I am. Are you just into the blood and guts? Do you feed off of how violent and vindictive people can be to one another? If any of those are primary reasons, particularly those last two, might I encourage you to do as Carl encourages his father and look for a better way. Zombie stories are in many ways, stories about the monsters we can all become. Not just physically in our death and semi-resurrection into a flesh eating monster, but relationally as well. They’re about the way we treat each other when all seems lost, how we do or don’t find hope in little things, what from our past is worth clinging to and striving to build upon. And, most importantly, are we redeemable in a world that is damned? As Christians, our theology should drive our answer to that question (it’s yes, by the way), and inform our motivations for watching content that is otherwise quite grotesque. A mind only interested on the disgust, the mutilation, and the mistreatment in shows like this is a mind driven to and influenced by the lusts of the flesh rather than shining a redeeming light in this corner of the culture, and harvesting the fruits of the spirit, however small.
On the political side of things we had some very intriguing developments between Negan, Simon, and Dwight. Negan proves himself to be not just a physically intimidating force, but a cunning strategist as well. First, he finds Dwight alone and indicates he has a bone to pick with Simon, which gives Dwight some reassurance that his cover hasn’t been blown. Then Simon, tail tucked firmly between his legs, bows to Negan and all but offers a willing death up to him. Negan relents, and instead appears to bring Simon back into the fold and reveal his next plan to take out Hilltop. Simon, ever out for himself, continues to work behind Negan’s back and secure a group to overthrow him. Dwight makes the interesting move to side with Negan, while he’s also working against Negan and for Hilltop. Talk about siding with the least of two evils! Dwight sees both Simon and Negan as evil options for a future, but at least in Negan he sees order and control. Simon on the other hand, is more like a rabid dog lashing out at anyone near him that isn’t on his side. Negan, up to this point, would at least allow Hilltop to live, whereas Simon wants to wipe them off the map.
What Dwight didn’t anticipate is that Negan was already aware of his betrayal, but was using him for the moment against Simon, who he saw as an immediate threat. Now, this could easily be seen as a stretch, that Negan could piece this all together and interweave his plan between two men who plan to supplant him. Thankfully, the show has crafted this specific narrative carefully through this half-season such that Simon’s betrayal isn’t a surprise to Negan, and Dwight’s betrayal is revealed through an eye-witness. Pile that onto Negan’s pre-existing craftiness as evidenced in the entirety of these last two seasons, and we have a perfectly believable and narratively tight undermining of two treacherous plots against our main villain. Negan survives, all others fall. For now.
My Rating: B+
I teetered between an A- and B+, but the scenes not involving Rick or the Negan’s plans were ho-hum enough to knock it down. Aaron is still trying to win the Oceanside women to his side, but his screen time was quite repetitive to efforts already made to gain their loyalty, and ultimately pretty unfulfilling. Eugene’s short-lived kidnapping courtesy of Daryl and Rosita seemed like filler, expect to further convince the audience that Eugene is committed to Negan. It’s as though these scenes were crafted in response to audiences still wondering about Eugene’s loyalty to Rick. I want the characters to build on themselves within the world, not respond to the questions of the fans.
