If you would like to read my review of the last episode, click here.
Synopsis: Trouble arises when unexpected visitors arrive at the Hilltop and the community is thrust into action; heartbreaking discoveries are made. (IMDB)
Writers: Matt Negrete and Angela Kang
Director: Jeffrey F. January
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: 42mins
Airs: Sundays at 9pm on AMC (Canada/United States)
It’s about time we get the best episode of the season so far.
The episode starts off with Morgan hallucinating Gavin. He kept reminding him that Morgan was supposed to kill him instead of Henry. A series of signals went off, warning the Hilltop of what was to come. Henry wanted to be a part of it but no one took him seriously. Siddiq was getting himself situated at the Hilltop infirmary. He was tired of people doubting his ability and was ready to help. By nightfall, the Saviors arrived outside the Hilltop.
Maggie and Simon discussed terms. She threatened to kill all the Savior hostages but Simon seemed unfazed. Simon wanted them eliminated which went against Negan’s wishes which Dwight reminded him. Then the shooting began. After being disowned by Simon, the seemingly nice Savior named Alden (Callan McAuliffe) offered to help. The plan was to eventually take out all the lights and retreat but it ended up being a trap. Meanwhile, Morgan kept seeing Gavin. The few Saviors that were left got away.
After the battle, Tara continued to defend Dwight to Daryl. Dwight shot her with an arrow instead of letting her fall victim to Simon which we know would have been worse. Michonne was concerned about Rick. Maggie was losing confidence in herself as a leader after her actions didn’t lead to killing Negan but her people praised her for her leadership through the crisis. Carol helped to put things into perspective. Siddiq tried to help Rick but he wanted none of it.
With all the injured and dead after the battle, some would surely turn and this was the case here. Henry took a trip to the Savior enclosure to find out who killed his brother. As Henry was about to start shooting, the havoc in the mansion leaked out to the enclosure and allowed them to escape. It was especially tough for Carol since Tobin was one of the people who turned. It took them a while to figure out how it happened which was the Saviors coating their weapons with walker blood in the hopes of turning some of the Hiltop residents.
Most of the capture Saviors left but Alden and a few others stayed. Now it was time to find Henry. Gavin made one more appearance to remind Morgan what was happening. Once everything was set and done, Maggie wondered about the cost for how they got to where they were.
Overall, this was a great and excitingly action-packed episode, though it would have been nice if it hadn’t taken multiple episodes to get there. There wasn’t any Negan and Jadis here which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise but they’ll surely get back to them soon. The story had plenty of satisfying moments, especially with Maggie, however, there were still a few stupid and/or contrived bits that ruined things a little bit such as with Henry, who is becoming unbearable now and will surely die to launch Morgan into Fear The Walking Dead, the way they positioned Alden to be a potential love interest for Maggie, and the way they handled the sick and injured people that led to the walker attack. Nobody’s perfect.
Score: 8.5/10
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The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
