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div> Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Walking Dead episode The First Day of the Rest of Your Life.
The seventh season finale of The Walking Dead arrived with about as much excitement and adrenaline as the last 12episodes. As usual, most of the episode was build-up to what eventually resulted in minimal payoff. Yes, there were moments of tension and emotional catharsis, but they were few and far between.
As expected, Rick led his faithful groupassisted by Jadis and her dump-dwelling followerson a suicide mission to surprise Eugene and Negan with hidden explosives. Meanwhile, most of the episode was filled with Sasha in a coffin, which Negan intended to use as bait.
As Rick and company planned their attack, Sasha kept on fantasizing about Abraham, getting a much-needed reminder just who her friends really are. Sasha definitely had a plan, one that didn’t involve betraying Rick and her friends.
When Rick asked Negan to open up the coffin to prove Sasha is in fact alive and well, he was caught off-guard by Sasha coming outnot alive, but as a zombie. Eugene proved, despite his claims he is stone cold Negan, he is in fact still loyal to his friends.
Many on Twitter are already calling Sashas sacrifice the real standout of the episode.
#thewalkingdead The real MVP pic.twitter.com/uc0QaaUwaR
— Negan's Muse (@Shellyboo0215) April 3, 2017
they had such a beautiful friendship I'm gonna miss this so much #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/b5gSSMPTOD
— bre (@MIlCHONNES) April 3, 2017
Sasha has watched the sunrise and sunset with Maggie
#TheWalkingDead #TWDFinale pic.twitter.com/iU65MEI6On— Taylor (@homerunlucille) April 3, 2017
I miss you already Sasha #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/LPdCnpMtEx
— WalkingDeadSquad (@TWDClique) April 3, 2017
In truth, her decision to end her life and come back as a zombie did give Rick and company an extra boosteven if it didnt result in Negans death. That failure madeSashas sacrifice feel somewhat meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Yes, it helped Rick and company escape, but just moments later, Negan had Rick and Carl kneeled as prisoners, threatening to kill Carl and take Ricks hands for his betrayal.
The episodes biggest twist involved Jadis and her followers betraying Rick, revealing they actually work for Negan. It was a twist that felt perfunctory, as Jadis had never really been a fleshed out character beyond her initial appearance.
It makes sense that Jadis is loyal to Negan than someone like Rick, who cant promise much. In the end, Jadis and her followers escape when all hell breaks loose. This probably isnt the last time well see Jadis, but the way her and her followers were written felt disappointing and lackluster.
With Rick and Carl in Negans grasp, things looked particularly dire. As Negan leveledhis trusty bat Lucille toward Carl, however, Shiva the tiger leaped into action, dispatching one of Negans men. For those whohad been wanting Shiva to do somethinganythingthisseason, it was an exciting moment.
Shiva comin in like #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/ojoND5nEvx
— #86GOAT (@Deplorable_Pel) April 3, 2017
#TheWalkingDead my favorite character rigth now… pic.twitter.com/qsRxIX6a4a
— grether (@grether_smo) April 3, 2017
the one and only shiva relaxing after a long day of saving carl's life and eating saviors #TheWalkingDead #TWD pic.twitter.com/nSA8YMjaNQ
— kathleen (@kathleen_hanley) April 3, 2017
#TheWalkingDead #TheWalkingDeadFinale Shiva to the rescue @ChodoNotChomo pic.twitter.com/XcdIhHmpV1
— Steven #LetsRise (@stv798) April 3, 2017
As Ezekiel and the Kingdom, joined by Carol and Morgan, charged in guns blazing with Maggie and Daryl, things finally gotexciting. It didnt last for long. Negan and most of his men, including Eugene, escaped. As he questioned Eugene for how Sasha couldve turned, he walked out to an army of his compatriots promising war.
So if you wanted Negan to die a horrible, terrible death or hoped for the end of his storyline, you were sadly disappointed. Then again, after a season of mediocre and slow build-up, Negans death likely would have beendisappointing regardless of howthe writers did it. As evident throughout the entire season, it was a lot of setup for diminishing payoffs.
Even though Sasha is gone, season 7will go down as the most disappointing and weakest of The Walking Dead yet. Not much has changed since the first episode. Yes, there have been developments, such as the introduction of new characters and the reintroductions of old characters, but things are pretty much at status quo from when the season began.
The episodes silver lining was Maggies narration at the end. Her line We came together not as strangers, but as family surely tugged at the heartstrings of even the most cynical Walking Dead viewer. The last shot of the finale had Maggie holding a pocketwatchthe same one Hershel gave her and the same one that belonged to Glenn.
"Glenn saved you, and that's what started it all" … "Glenn made the decision, Rick. I was just following his lead." #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/qdzGOHGATP
— Hailey Johnson (@Hailey_Faith_J) April 3, 2017
The callback to Glenn made things come full circle, echoing how Glenn brought them together and how hes a big reason why they remain together, even if hes no longer among the living.
"Glenn saved you and that started all" – Maggie ALL THE FEELS 😶 #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/KRALSHtV7m
— eric.c (@eDotChang) April 3, 2017
The Walking Dead may still be among the living as it has already been renewed for season 8. The show, which doesnt come back until October, saw declining viewership and mediocre reviews this past season. If it wants to live up to Maggies stirring narration, it needs to stop moving at a zombie’s pace and take more risks.
<span style=”font-weight:;” 400;”>Lets hope the next season has more excitement and surprises in store.