Welcome to the Morgan Flashback episode! Thankfully, it’s all in color. Back to somewhere between Season 3 and 4…Morgan has moved on from the “CLEAR” residency and is surviving in the wilderness alone. We witness him take out walkers, make camps, and even build a Savior-esque perimeter of spears around his camp. You can tell it’s a flashback because we also see him KILL two strangers who were chasing him. This isn’t the Batman moral-abiding Alexandrian Morgan we know! Later, he gets resourceful and uses walker guts to paint phrases like “pointless acts” and “Here’s not here” on trees and rocks. It’s not pointless, Morgan! We’ve all seen castaway…it’s ok to paint things in blood when you’re devastatingly alone (I’m surprised he didn’t cut the Wolves’ heads off and use them as puppets).
Eventually, Morgan stumbles upon a cabin in the woods and tries to steal the goat outside of it. The cabin owner yells out for him to not harm his goat. Morgan shoots at him and misses. After ignoring the man’s warnings some more, the man knocks Morgan out with a staff. Morgan wakes up in a makeshift jail cell inside the cabin with a plate of breakfast next to him. He yells at the cabin owner, Eastman, to kill him, but is handed the book “The Art of Peace” instead. Throughout his stay, Morgan observes Eastman kill walkers, train with his stick, and even cook.
Eastman reveals he used to work as a forensic psychiatrist with a specialization in prisoner behavior. Morgan explains HIS job is to clear (kill) anything that gets near him (not really a job but OK). Despite Morgan’s insane threats to kill him, Eastman explains his “no killing” motto and reveals Morgan’s cell door has been open this whole time. Morgan, who seems no different than a caged animal, lunges at Eastman to only be pinned down by his Mr. Miyagi moves. Defeated, Morgan retreats to his cell while Eastman laments about a kid’s drawing that was damaged in their scuffle.
Later, Morgan discovers the Aikido creed that Eastman follows in the Peace book. It states, “We try to completely avoid killing, even the most evil person.” (It also teaches you to redirect someone’s ass). Suddenly, the unattended goat outside is under attack and Morgan does the first human thing of the episode and saves him. He also chooses to follow Eastman’s habit and bury the walker and protract it’s driver’s license. Eastman takes their driver’s license and adds it to a box of others. To reward him for his sudden behavioral turnaround, Eastman gifts Morgan his own fighting stick. Cue the training montage (but surprisingly not Eye of the Tiger): Morgan’s reading! He’s practicing his stick! He’s eating WITH Eastman.
Now that they’ve established a relationship, Eastman summons the courage to tell Morgan a tragic story about an evil prisoner named Crighton Dallas Walton he used to work on. The prisoner, who knew Eastman could see through his BS, attacked and almost killed him. Eastman held his own but decided NOT to kill him. Knowing Eastman would try to keep him in prison for the rest of his life, Walton broke out of prison and immediately killed Eastman’s wife, daughter, and son. He surrendered to the police that night and revealed the only reason he wanted to break out was to destroy Eastman’s life. Eastman explains he built the cell in his cabin to bring Walton there and watch him starve to death. BUT…he claims he didn’t because, as he says, “ALL life is precious.”
Morgan, now showing Eastman HIS former life, takes him to the camp he used to live and reveals he ALSO lost his wife and son. Suddenly, the man Morgan strangled earlier in the episode (now a walker) almost bites Morgan when Eastman saves him and gets bit instead. Morgan attacks Eastman when he suggests they leave but Eastman once again has the upper hand. Morgan begs for death for the 17,000th time while Eastman prepares to bury the walker.
After scaring (but NOT killing) strangers he met in the woods, Morgan returns to the cabin to find Tabitha the goat being eaten by a walker (TABITHA NOOOOOO)! Eastman, who’s devastated, admits he DID take Walton who killed his family into the cell and DID let him starve to death. He offers Morgan his place when he’s gone and admits he’s “ready.” He gives Morgan his lucky rabbit foot and wishes him luck. Later, Morgan journeys away from the cabin and past Eastman’s grave. On the trail, he sees the Terminus sign and heads toward it.
NOW: Morgan has been telling this story to Alpha Wolf, who he captured in 602. The Wolf tells him about his bite wound and that he plans to kill everyone in Alexandria. Morgan leaves him and locks the door. Suddenly, he hears (sounds like Rick) yell in the distance, “Open the gate!”
SO, after losing his wife and son Morgan had nothing to live for other than insanely ‘clearing’ areas of people. What he really needed to clear was his conscience, and that’s what Eastman did for him. Every hero must meet a mentor that teaches them something and sends them on a different path. Morgan learned from Eastman and ultimately embodies him. Now, Morgan is clear.
I loved this ep. Nice to take the group apart. I wonder if the other characters will be taken apart (no pun intended) as well. I love the drama pieces. This show is well written. I watch it, my little niece does and my father as well; so it is capturing three generations. Amawzin!
I liked this episode, only because Morgan was asked recently how he learned the Jo.
It was like a short play.
Clever, but 90% fluff.
This episode was fine, but did it really need to be 90 minutes? I feel like making episodes 90 minutes should be reserved for season openers and finales. It could have easily been condensed into one hour. So, the real question now is who will the wolf kill first?…
90 minutes was definitely unnecessary. As a matter of fact, this whole episode was unnecessary. I don’t mind character building episodes but this was crap. It was almost as bad as the episode with Beth and Daryl in the cabin. I would’ve really liked to see whats happening in Alexandria right now. Are the walkers coming? Are they doing the “No Way Out” Arc? Whats going on with Rick’s hand? Are they going to chop it off? God I hope so.
I do like Lennie James as an actor, I just hate the Morgan character. They’ve turned it into a complete piece of shit.
I agree, it makes me fell like I didn’t even watch the show. Like they skipped a week.
I really feel that had I missed this episode I wouldn’t have missed anything. If they wanted to do something with Morgan’s character they could have done the same thing they did with Enid. Everyone knew what the end result would be before watching the episode. As soon as Eastman threw “The Art of Peace” book into the cell, I could surmise the rest of the story (Morgan will learn how to use the stick and Eastman will convert him into a peacenik). I don’t see the reasoning for doubling down on Eastman’s life story. It has nothing to do with furthering the story line.
I was thinking the exact same thing and was even going to compare it to the Daryl Beth country club episode myself. Though it at least had Beth getting taken at the end of it which gave us some sense of plot driven narrative.
.
Morgan though… I could totally have not watched any of it and perfectly had no negative effect to the rest of TWD storyline. It was near pointless. Basically showing that the reason Morgan is doing what he is doing is purely for selfish reasons and not honorable one’s. He is doing it to try and keep his sanity. Regardless of the consequences of leaving the killers to live and kill further.
.
Hoping he quickly gets killed so I don’t have to bother being annoyed by his, I am not going to kill anyone and don’t want others to kill anyone either mentality. Lucky for him Rick killed off the other guys he let go… he could have been the reason for Rick’s demise had he actually been killed by those he let go.
.
Total Asshat…!
I hated that Daryl/Beth ep but really liked this one!
I thought it was a nice change. I love when they change it up.
Me too. They change the pace and tone and it makes the show more interesting.
So the both of you are totally ok with Morgan learning how to become a Warrior Ninja Master in what appears to be 2, maybe 3 weeks tops from some fat middle aged man? I don’t mind the change of pace but its completely unrealistic, and yes I’m completely aware of the irony of that statement seeings how we are talking about a show that’s about a zombie apocalypse.
I trained martial arts for over 10 years. Aikido is the biggest waste of time. It’s a bullshit demonstration martial art. Thats why zero MMA champions use it. I can see how maybe it can help when handling a few walkers but, as I’ve stated in other threads on this website it would never work while being attacked by 5 crazy people armed with axes and machetes. I might be able to except it if Morgan had been training aikido his whole life and mastered the techniques (even thats iffy cause aikido is BS) but not after training with some guy, for 2 or 3 weeks, that took it recreationally
lol
Well, I was talking about 90 mins. vs. 60 mins. But I have to ask you how you calculated that Morgan trained with Eastman 2 – 3 weeks.
On Talking Dead they said that Eastman was by no means an expert in Aikido. He’s a guy who took classes on the weekend as a hobby and way to cope with stress. They aren’t claiming Eastman was some Jedi fucking master–that’s what the Internet claimed. He’s in a remote area and as far as we’ve seen he’s only had to use it on a couple walkers at a time and a crazed Morgan.
–
Now as for Morgan being really handy with his stick, we saw he was pretty damn good with it before he even met Eastman I think he’s bringing his own skill to the table.
–
Also, can’t you just enjoy entertainment for entertainments sake? Congratulations on being an expert on all thinks martial arts. I’m not and could give a shit less if they took some liberties because the story is so interesting. I’m not looking for a documentary on MMA. I’m watching the Walking Dead. You know?
This happened after clear ,clear happened almost a year and a half ago it wasn’t 3 or 4 weeks so I think you could get good in that amount of time.
Bastet. I calculated it by the fact that we saw zero changes in the seasons. Maybe it could’ve been a month or two but it definitely was not a long duration of time. Certainly not enough time to become a martial arts expert.
I also don’t mind 90 minute episodes and don’t mind a change of pace but, I can’t stand it when they spend it on nonsense that doesn’t advance the story at all. You could completely miss that episode and it wouldn’t effect anything as far as knowing whats going on this season.
But don’t you think it advances the story on a mental/emotional level? It wouldn’t work for Morgan to just show up at ASZ completely changed & we never learn how/why. Also, this kill/no kill thing is bound to be an inner & outer conflict, affecting everyone. There’s so much more to this than just the physical action!
Carlyyougoonie the fact that Eastman just did it as a hobby makes it even worse. How can you train somebody to be an expert (like the way they are making Morgan look out to be) if you really don’t know how to do it yourself?
I certainly can enjoy entertainment just for the sake of entertainment. Thats kinda why I’m watching a show about a zombie apocalypse. It’s just hard to watch when something starts to just get stupid. I’m not an expert in martial arts but I know more than enough to know that most of it is useless and BS in real life situations. Even the greatest master of the “deadly” art of Aikido wouldn’t be able to take down 5 armed crazy people with a stupid bo staff.
Also I wouldn’t say Morgan was handy with the staff before Eastman. It’s not all that difficult to stab somebody in the neck with a sharp object when they aren’t even looking at you.
Fellow Martial artist, I’m glade you studied for 10 years. I myself have been in martial arts for 20 years. I am not a student of Aikido but I wouldn’t call it a waste of time. True I will grant you it takes a long time to gain confidence in your Aikido skills. But Aikido has a spirituality about it and life lessons that are made physical. I.E. redirection. Self Defense is a by product of those lessons. Him learning to be a badass from Eastman is not the case. Morgan was a badass before. Eastman gave him direction. Anyone who doesn’t fear death is a badass. He could totally dominate with that staff from his own self not Eastman’s lessons. Eastman gave him a code and “got the crazy out of him”. Which gave him focus for that which he already possessed. On the MMA statement. MMA is dominated by those who are good at ring sports. Boxing, Judo, JuJitsu, wrestiling, kick boxing Muay Thai, etc. They were made for the ring and dominate, MMA fighters don’t spend time with aikido or learning to do wrist locks. But guess who does. Police use a variety of aikido, hapkido like techniques. So it ain’t a wast of time.
Morgan CERTAINLY brought his own staff skills to the table!
I can’t tell if you’re being a pervert again.
I’m think someone extremely innocent or someone strong. Like he gets out and comes across Sam killing him and then Carol freaks out on Morgan. Or maybe Carol gets attacked and survives, but with deadly wounds, which she slowly dies from in the clinic. We already know he is going to get out and kill, it just depends on who. Morgan let the others go, who would later attack Rick, he keeps a Wolf inside the walls as a project and will get another killed. Rick will probably have to do something with Morgan, particularly banishing him.
Damn Good episode!! Eastman!! Haha TMNT!!
Was wondering if anybody else caught the TMNT reference haha!
AWESOME episode… all 90 minutes of it! The writing department is fantastic!!!
Loved loved loved this episode. Lennie is such a great actor. Loved learning about the Morgan character evolution. Nice change of pace too. In beginning I thought he was being taped by Deanna. Nice twist to be speaking to wolf guy. Don’t think he can be helped. Great story!
Eastman would have been a great asset for the group and I didn’t care for all the Morgan build-up. Unnecessary, boring and really pointless. So what happened to the goat cheese. Boring…
Did anyone notice Glens name absent from beginning credits? In past when someone died their name remained until new season. Can’t wait to see how they bring him back.
Well, that’s not always true. As of season 3/4ish, if a cast member was killed off their names were removed from the credits. In seasons 1 and 2, they did that. Especially with the case of Jeffrey DeMunn, as his name remained in the credits after Dale’s tragic end.
However, Scott Wilson’s name was removed from the credits following the episode “After” until “A”. However, in Glenn’s case I’d call it more of a red herring. As I’m on the “he’s not dead” side too
They knew you’d be looking for it & it would cause you to talk about it some more.
True
OMG, give Morgan a break. In the beginning most of the characters weren’t appreciated. But now they’re great. I’m happy he’s back. He’s the voice of reason now that Hershel is gone.
Not really. Morgan is the voice of peace. Peace isn’t possible in this world and I just think he is acting like a “child” imitating Eastman. The voice of reason died by the dumpster (Hopefully not), but we still have Maggie and Michonne.
Doesn’t reason bring about a peaceful resolution sometimes? Remember how pathetic Carols character was in beginning. She was weak and whining and how Daryl was irrational and annoying at first. Now both of their characters are great! I love the Morgan character, he started off great. That first episode showed that even though he was cautious he had a big heart and saved Rick. Dont know if I’d taken the chance. I can’t wait to see where his character goes. I don’t think he’s imitating Eastman. I think it’s great he ran into Eastman the voice of reason. Before Eastmans intervention Morgan was a wild man. Loved the full 90 minutes.
I loved it. Always wondered about his past… now I know. We’re excited for next week’s episode!!
What a waste of 90 minutes. It was like politely listening to a grandmother go on and on about her grandchildren ad nauseum. If there is such a thing as over character development, this was it. I would like to know a little more about Abraham, Eugene, Michonne, etc., but not for an hour and a half.
So Morgan got Eastman killed, almost got Rick killed and now apparently has a Wolf hidden from the rest of the group that wants to kill everyone. Who’s next? If someone would grant Morgan’s “kill me” wish, I think the majority of fans wouldn’t be too upset.
Beautifully written episode. Loved the focus on PTSD and its impact on those who suffer it. Loved getting to know Eastman (but sad that his stay was so short). Loved the understanding it gave (or should have given those who still don’t get it) about why Morgan is where he is now. I understand now why he won’t kill. He wants to believe that he can still be that person who doesn’t kill. He’s clinging to it by a thread. But he also wants to believe that if he can come back, most anyone can.
There’s definitely a hell of a lot of PTSD among the survivors throughout this show and this is the first time it’s been called such. Where was Eastman when Nicholas was LOSING HIS SHIT!?
Love it. I love getting so much information on one character and getting the opportunity to soak it all in over the course of an episode like this. All of the little pieces of Morgan we have picked up throughout the series were snapping into place with this episode. I love the payoff of little details coming back later to be explained and given such meaning. That altar scene from “Coda” in the church is going to have a whole other level of heart when we watch it now.
Also, from the recap:
Do we really think that’s the alpha wolf? I never got that impression.
And I need to watch again, but I thought he had a stab wound–I didn’t think bite. Surely he would know there’s no medicine for a bite?? Anybody?
Yup. Looked like a stab wound to me. I think the shaking and sweating he mentions is more infection related (like the wound is infected not walker bite infection). He has to know bites can’t be cured.
Right. And the way these jokers run I would think he’d embrace walkerdom if he’d been bit.
I’d say SCRATCH because he sure is able to put up a good fight despite being injured!
Maybe he bit himself. Did you see his teeth. The alpha wolf guy should teach his group a little about hygiene. (Joke) it definitely looked like a cut. After Morgan left the wolf guy he locked the door. He may espouse peace but he’s not stupid. That wolf guy is a special kind of crazy. There’s following the group crazy, I’ve lost everything and have no hope crazy, and just plain evil crazy. I think he’s just plain evil crazy.
He’s evil crazy. But I bet he could provide some useful intel if someone pulls a Daniel Salazar on his ass. I bet Carol would be up for the task. Then people can appreciate that Morgan didn’t kill one, lol!
Good thought
That was a stab wound for sure. A bite or a scratch would never be that clean. It may not even be a stab, but a cut.
Slice. Yep.
If making me love Morgan even more results in his death next episode I shall be very put out.
No worries. I believe the “to kill or not to kill” is the big question for this season… or at least the 1st half of it anyway. We’ve got some internal struggle coming up & Morgan’s gotta be there for that.
>gulp<
I hope you’re right. Morgan has the moral compass thing working against him too though…
Hi, where I can see the last chapters online? could tell me please?
I found this episode as the most beautiful episode of the series. I don’t like Morgan but in this one I did, loved the part when girl gave him the food a the bullet it really made my eyes watery, the just simple “thank you” was perfect
Decent episode. Kind of in the middle for me. I figured they’d pull this stunt though after last weeks pseudo-cliffhanger with Glenn. Eastman was an interesting character and I think the coolest part of the episode was the reveal that he really did kill “Dallas”.
Sadly though, I feel these episodes break the pacing of the show. I much rather have had this one like the first, with B&W flashbacks. 90 minutes was just too long for a Morgan-centric episode.
It’s interesting, the love people show Morgan. A man who had only been in one episode up until last season.
I also wonder where they are going with the wolves. Regardless, I have a feeling the Wolves arc will be finished by the time of the mid-season finale.
His character was written extremely well from the beginning & Lennie James continues to pull it off like nobody’s business. I love him because you could tell right away that he was such a great guy… husband… father… Samaritan. The scene where he couldn’t put Jenny down just made me wanna reach out to him. Also, there was just something about Rick’s connection with him. Then later on in “Clear”, it was the speech about the weak being the ones to inherit the Earth. I think Morgan is just like Rick as far as his heart goes, but he’s nowhere as strong as Rick. My heart has always gone out to him & I’ve always wanted to see him… survive.
Good way to put it. Rick and Morgan are cut from the same fabric and very similar in many ways. They have even fought bouts of insanity. However, Morgan’s insanity made him weaker in the end. Rick, I don’t think really gained or lost anything from his phone conversations with ghost Lori, other than him being a farmer for a little bit.
I tend to forget that both Rick and Michonne were still dealing with issues well into Alexandria.
Again, I like Morgan a lot. The chrachter, etc. Just not enough for 90 minutes after one of the biggest cliff hangers the show has ever had. All it did was foreshadow the death Morgan’s actions would bring.
Show Morgan >>>>>>> Comic Morgan!
In this case…. I agree.
Without a doubt. This Morgan has a chance of surviving long term.
I hated this chapter. After leaving fans on a cliffhanger for Rick and Glenn, I find it offensive to do a full chapter of someone that is not an interest for most fans, including myself. Sorry Lenny no offense. You might be a great actor but your Morgan character is insignificant for many of us and 100% of my friends agree with me. The commercials were so long and boring I almost fell asleep. Hour changed and it is later when we get the signal here. Staying up so late to watch the stupid Morgan getting back from crazzy is unbearable. This is not possible. You can’t bring a crazy guy, gone so bad for long, to be normal again. There is no psychiatrist that can do this. The show really lasted 20 min because the rest was commercials. Also none of the other characters got so many attention as a full chapter for himself. Why?
One more thing, Morgan’s view of life will only bring deaths to the rest of the group. That is why Carol killed the crazy girl from “look at the flowers” she was threat to anyone.She even killed her sister and was going to kill Julie too. Can’t live on a world like this thinking everybody is good and is going to change. Look at Terminus, look back at the governor. Is killed or be killed. You people keep doing chapters like this and you will loose half your fans. Believe me I am an expert judging peoples’ likes and have seen more than 500 series through my life to know. Stop the bull, bring Glenn back and the group. The group is what keeps it interesting..
An EXPERT!!! BWAAAAAA HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!
*sips tea
Heh.
yes sir. Kirkman wants you expertise right away.
Next episode is going to be insane. Maggie will probably leave the safe zone to try and find Glenn, who will either be a walker or will be alive, under the dumpster. IF Glenn is alive, I would we willing to bet that he will have been saved from the herd by Jesus
Can’t wait for him to show up. Means we are getting closer to the real good stuff.
I didn’t really care for this episode. It was dragged out for no reason. It really only made me like Eastman more than Morgan. Morgan was really weak… really weak. I don’t see how he would just decide upon himself to just kill everyone he sees. I would have much rather of seen the other characters. They had to of known that people weren’t going to appreciate the pause in our story. I really think Morgan is just going to ruin the show. Comic Morgan was quickly erased, but I can tell TV Morgan is going to be a nuisance. I know that prisoner is going to get out and kill someone important. Morgan is no Eastman, he has no idea what he is doing. I’m getting a imitated look at Morgan. This isn’t Morgan, but a childish version of himself that thinks peace is possible. Carol is the character with the least morality on this show, and yet I find her way more of an asset than Morgan.
I don’t think Carol has the least morality. She just understands the dark side of human nature more than the rest, from having been with her husband.
OMG! You can’t have a group of people who want to kill all the time. Then you have the Governor scenario. Looked what happened to him!
Morgan man, he is going to get more people killed. He better fucking wake up….and soon.
This episode had great writing, great acting, and gave important insights into Morgan’s character…but no matter how I try I just can’t seem to care about him. No attachment even after 90 long minutes. Eastman was way more likable, hell the pet goat was more likable. I just hope they don’t sub Morgan in the inevitable Lucille event…it will have no impact. Well physical impact…but no emotional impact, most fans would be glad or indifferent to see Morgan go.
That nanny got around!
Why aren’t we getting recaps on the airplane anymore?
Man, Morgan has got a bad rep… I like that he has became the Batman of the group. His character now has so many similarities to the current comic version Rick Grimes, it’s crazy. I can’t believe people don’t like him. I feel like the current group line-up has enough cold blooded killers to satisfy the blood lust of the audience. After watching him kill that father and strangle the boy, I totally understand what he’s going through. He was able to pull himself out of the darkness and became a better person. Killing someone who opposes you is easy, keeping them alive and trying to change them is some hard shit to do. I think he’s awesome.
^ 100
I totally agree. A great voice of reason. Morgan is awesome. The episode about him was awesome, all ninety minutes.
This was a throw away episode. It contained no pertinent material aside from the fact that he is harboring a wolf somewhere in Alexandria without anyone’s knowledge(that we know of). The writing is starting to go awry. This is so unfortunate. The only reason I started watching this show was because of Andrew Lincoln. I like him as an actor. I loved him in the Strike Back series. It wasn’t because of the comics. I’m grown. It wasn’t because of any great love for the zombie genre. That particular genre is one of my least favorites of the sci-fi/fantasy/horror mix. This is starting to remind me of when the writing started going so way out crazy off the chart full goose bozo nutsville towards the end of the second season of lost. They lost me by the third season never to return. I did watch the last episode and It was a predictable as if I didn’t missed any of the subsequent episodes. I’ll say again bad actors can do wonders with great writing. The best actors ever can’t do much with a terrible script.
Are you implying that comics are only for kids?! “The writing is starting to go awry.” ?!!
Elevator stuck on the basement floor, huh.
Apparently some people don’t outgrow comics. I did. That’s a funny thing on which to focus.
I totally disagree with everything that you’re saying here but it is your opinion. I focused on what you said about comics because it seems to me that you’re implying that those of us who enjoy comics are not grown. Nothing can be farther from the truth! Some of us didn’t even read comics when we were kids! I currently read a few that I won’t let my 14-year old read because they’re too adult! And just so you know, TWD is rated Mature (17+) & if you think it’s kid material… well… we’re back at the elevator.
What I don’t understand, is the ad hominem attack. It is my opinion, as is yours. Opinions by their sheer nature have equal weight. I didn’t do an attack on any individual. I gave my opinion as to the quality of the writing and the direction of the show. I said nothing about the acting or actors in the episode, which I thought was actually very good, all things considered.
The ad hominem was in reply to your ad hominem… about comic readers. NOTHING about your opinion involving the ep! Reading comprehension. SMH
BASTET is correct on this. Simply calling you out on your apparent negative connotation to comics being something that is to be outgrown. Comics have changed for sure since I was a youth (yes you can pronounce that in the same fashion as Joe Pesci if you want). where simplistic storylines with corny dialogue has grown into more developed stories with far more emphasis on character base and story then in past. Maybe it is that you haven’t had anything to compare to except Archie Comics?
.
The Graphics Novels of today are much richer in story and concept then most any novel you might find on the Top 10 readers list of books. If you think you are too old to be reading them then allow this 50 year old man to tell you that you are in err.
Graphic novels are NOT novels. They are simply comic books. I think the rise in this particular genre is due to the fact that the population in this country is just NOT growing up. There are 30 year old people still living at home in the room they’ve had since childhood. The average age of the video gamer in this country is 34. Yes THIRTY FOUR YEARS OLD. Twenty years ago a 34 year old guy would have had two kids and a mortgage. I have friends that had their first kid at 40. What is that? I don’t necessarily disagree with your assessment that “graphic novels” are of a higher quality than most novels of the top 10 lists. That doesn’t mean that the comics are better. It really means current novels are devolving into something very unlike what used to pass for good fiction. I still don’t understand all the brouhaha. This is a TV show about zombies, for crying out loud. By the way zombies don’t exist.
You seem to have some idea that things have to exist to be good? So then only biographies and non-fiction counts as good? that leaves out a lot of very popular genres.
Stephen King and His Horror Classics. H.G. Wells and his Sci Fi Classics. Reality is a cop out. It is taking the non-reality based situations and making them exist in a manner that allows us to feel the characters… THAT is real story telling.
.
And your idea of people being immature in their latter years… so how is having their first kids at 40 such a thing? It would seem to me that people with goals might want to put financial plans in place before settling down? The simple fact that e live so much longer now then before is surely a reason that our activities differ from past. And the fact we live in a society that for the most part can allow many to be very more mobile and partake in more things in their later years then in the past when an old folks home was seen at much earlier times.
.
Neither you nor I have any true answer as to why today’s people are different then yesterdays. But for you to label things in the manner that you do just shows how much you might need to get out of yesterday and enjoy what today has to offer?
I feel kinda sorry for him/her, BillyHo. Ya know? I live my life to the fullest & I’ll be damned if my age defines what I do & what I enjoy.
called it, most cringeworthy episode of the entire show yet. you can literally see how the actors are aware of the ridiculous crap they are asked to do. god watching this was awkward.
please kill morgan soon so everyone can act like it never happened
After this horrible episode, if Glen is still alive, then the show has definitely jumped the shark. The was complete filler because they can’t write enough material for a full season.
Flashbacks and prequels are hard devises to use in any type of literature. No, I am not equating TWD scripts to Shakespeare, but a screenplay is a type of literature. Flashbacks can be very effective in filling in missing pertinent information. My point is this information had no pertinence at all, save the one scene of the captive wolf within the walls of Alexandria. No one cares about the staff. No one cares about how Morgan came to have the staff. No one cares about why he is so unwilling to defend to the death himself or others. The only thing anyone cares about is the fact he is unwilling to kill in defense. That raises serious questions as to whether he would be a guy you’d want on your team. I don’t think he would he the guy I’d want watching my 6. I mean what is next…how Michonne got the sword. I mean who really cares. I offer this as constructive criticism to the writers….don’t overthink this.
I care because I’m invested in more than just the action of this show; I am invested in the characters themselves. And what they showed of Morgan not only helps me understand how he got to where he is, but by doing so, will substantiate future actions, thoughts, etc. by him. That moves the story on a higher level along with the action.
It is a TV show. You know that. Right?
Yes. Your point?
Ah, the go to defensive of everyone who starts something they can’t finish around here. You’re here posting your little heart out too.
All your sweeping judgements are things that I CARE ABOUT. It’s pretty silly to assume every other person feels the same as you just because this episode didn’t ring your bell.
So I watched this episode again. My wife had missed it, so I sat in as she watched.
While once again, I stand firm that it was not my favorite episode (that’s my own preference), it was not by any stretch a bad episode.
The character development was excellent. Morgan was developed to a point where we understand why he is the way he is. Eastman, as a character was excellent. My wife was in shock when he told the story about how Chrichton killed his family. And again, when he explained how he in turn killed him.
Obviously some aspects aren’t completely plausible, but give me a show where everything is.
I’ve seen people comment that this episode was poor for a number of reasons. To most, I disagree. This was in no way poor writing. In fact, I thought the writing was excellent.
Someone commented if Glenn lives the show has jumped the shark and they only did this because there is not enough material to keep the show going. Again… I disagree. There is plenty of material. They are not constrained to the comics. They can speed things up, slow things down or make things up as they want.
One thing is for certain. This has been the most polarizing episode in a long time.
Always value your in-depth & honest opinions.
Loved this episode, great writing, John Carroll Lynch and Lennie James both clearly enjoyed the challenge and turned in amazing performances. I really enjoy the changes of pace and the episodes that tell us more about what has gone to make the characters the way they are.
this episode, and many others that “happened” since the seasons have 16, insulted the viewers intelligence. you cant possibly defend this.
shorter seasons pls.
The writing and acting were superb, but all are entitled to their own opinion. Can’t wait til next week.
There is one complaint after the other from this one for the past several seasons, Peaceful. They’re trolling.
Oh. Thank you.
If it suddenly went to shorter seasons I would straight up SHIT! I need every episode.
The saving grace of this episode was the conversation between Morgan and the wolfmeister at the end. That was insightful. Now we pretty much know what the wolves are about. That is important I think because they will be around for awhile. It also shows how insane people have gone since the downfall of society. The wolves bear a striking resemblance to the Terminus invaders ( the ones who locked Gareth and company in the train cars). Connection?
I also think that this Morgan episode intended to make us like Morgan again, since we were pissed that he let the Wolves go int he first place.
Loved this episode, and while I can see due to the cliffhanger, why some people were frustrated by a slower episode, I think the people who are complaining forget that this isn’t just a show about zombie attacks, and it wouldn’t be as awesome as it is without fantastic character development like this. While it didn’t answer either of the two main questions we had from the last episode, to say it didn’t have a point is just silly. Obviously Morgan’s evolution is going to play a big part in what’s to come, so it’s entirely fitting to get insight into what made him the man we saw arrive at the ASZ. This was not just a fluff piece to further the suspense of last episodes cliffhanger.
it wasnt important character development, it was shit. thats the whole reason everyone with atleast half a brain is complaining. nobody minds slow episodes and character development as long as its well done. heck, with the recent action episodes being rather “meh” id love a good, slow episode.
nobody is trolling, the morgan episode was painful to watch, and thats it. but hey, fanbois are gonna praise even this shit and ensure the death of the show. gg wp
I will give one last piece of advice. Subtlety can be more resounding than the extreme in-your-face style so prevalent these days. This show is more about the characters than the situation. One has to completely suspend disbelief to watch it as is. It is fantasy after all. There has been some really good moments in this show. I just hope that isn’t lost. I didn’t like this episode. I thought it was a waste of talent, time, money and resources.