We watch as a naked Daryl languishes in a bare, dark cell while being tortured by non-stop loud, cheerful music. He has turned his mind inwards and, although suffering, he is trying to ride it out.
Dwight is shown going about his day (not entirely hating his job it would seem) as in between feeding Daryl dog food on bread he assembles a much nicer sandwich made with ingredients we see him taking from other low-ranking Saviours.
There's some insight into what its like to live inside of the Saviour camp but I would have liked to see more interactions.
Daryl makes a terribly predictable failed escape attempt but, when he is caught, we're gratified when Negan's confidence is shattered when Daryl refuses to bow to him. Daryl's self-respect, (or total collapse into hopelessness), won't allow him to give in, and he is unflinching when Lucille is swung at his head, only just brought up short. Negan is impressed at his resolute stance and also annoyed. And everyone knows you shouldn't irritate a psychopath. Daryl is beaten by Negan's henchmen and returned to the cell for more loud music and darkness.
But Negan has Dwight step up the mind games. He gives Daryl a Polariod picture (of Glenn's body apparently but I had no idea what it was supposed to be so the significance was lost on me) and changes the song to Roy Orbison's 'Crying' which finally cracks Daryl's defences and he breaks down.
Thinking that Daryl's mind is broken and he is ready to be remade as another loyal Saviour, Dwight brings him to Negan's room. But Daryl still has some fight left in him and once more he refuses to submit. He is returned to the cell with a bloody nose.
Another review talks about Dwight's character as being shown as humanised in this episode but I disagree. All I saw was Dwight confidently taking what he wanted, watching other people get beaten or supervising those who worked in dangerous jobs (zombie impalers). Then he volunteers to bring back a runaway instead of taking an offer of free sex at the Pussy Palace. This last task is performed so callously that he ends up killing the runaway guy and bringing his zombie body back to be chained to the fence. Sounds like somewhat of a psychopath himself. Sure he is shown as conflicted and this is probably setting up events so he can redeem himself by sacrificing his life in order for Daryl to save his wife. Just a guess.
Dwight is shown going about his day (not entirely hating his job it would seem) as in between feeding Daryl dog food on bread he assembles a much nicer sandwich made with ingredients we see him taking from other low-ranking Saviours.
There's some insight into what its like to live inside of the Saviour camp but I would have liked to see more interactions.
Daryl makes a terribly predictable failed escape attempt but, when he is caught, we're gratified when Negan's confidence is shattered when Daryl refuses to bow to him. Daryl's self-respect, (or total collapse into hopelessness), won't allow him to give in, and he is unflinching when Lucille is swung at his head, only just brought up short. Negan is impressed at his resolute stance and also annoyed. And everyone knows you shouldn't irritate a psychopath. Daryl is beaten by Negan's henchmen and returned to the cell for more loud music and darkness.
But Negan has Dwight step up the mind games. He gives Daryl a Polariod picture (of Glenn's body apparently but I had no idea what it was supposed to be so the significance was lost on me) and changes the song to Roy Orbison's 'Crying' which finally cracks Daryl's defences and he breaks down.
Thinking that Daryl's mind is broken and he is ready to be remade as another loyal Saviour, Dwight brings him to Negan's room. But Daryl still has some fight left in him and once more he refuses to submit. He is returned to the cell with a bloody nose.
Another review talks about Dwight's character as being shown as humanised in this episode but I disagree. All I saw was Dwight confidently taking what he wanted, watching other people get beaten or supervising those who worked in dangerous jobs (zombie impalers). Then he volunteers to bring back a runaway instead of taking an offer of free sex at the Pussy Palace. This last task is performed so callously that he ends up killing the runaway guy and bringing his zombie body back to be chained to the fence. Sounds like somewhat of a psychopath himself. Sure he is shown as conflicted and this is probably setting up events so he can redeem himself by sacrificing his life in order for Daryl to save his wife. Just a guess.