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nicholaslauro
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The Walking Dead: The Cell (2016)
An excellent character study
Fantastic episode. Season 7 so far has been an improvement over Season 6. While Season 7 has a similar plot structure to Season 6 (having each episode be a self contained story focusing on a different group of characters), Season 7's episodes feel concise and don't ever end on a cheap cliffhanger or leave the viewer annoyed waiting for the next few episodes in order for the story to be resolved. Season 7's stories have, so far, been to the point and end their specific plots before the episodes end which helps the flow of the Season as a whole.
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Now, to the episode itself. I was surprised how much I ended up sympathized with Dwight this episode as it shows that he's not entirely comfortable or content with his position of power in the Sanctuary. Learning more about his backstory and what happened to him and wife was a very effective way of showing Dwight's role in the community. When Darryl breaks down in his cell after Dwight hands him the polaroid of Glenn's dead body was heart wrenching. Norman Reedus continues to deliver a fine performance especially opposite of Jeffery Dean Morgan as Negan when he offers him a position of power in the Sanctuary.
Darryl holds out against The Saviors' vile and inhumane treatment of him throughout the entire episode and it really goes to show that it's going to take a lot to break Darryl down. Negan seems to have become fond of Darryl's conviction, so I feel he's not done with him yet and some more interesting developments should come over the course of the season. Overall, this episode was a fantastic character study of Dwight with some amazing performances and scenes and I can't wait to see what happens next!
The Walking Dead: The Day Will Come When You Won't Be (2016)
One of the most if not THE most intense and disturbing episodes of television ever aired.
Every time The Walking Dead pulls a ratings stunt (Glenn's fake out & the Season 6 Finale first come to mind), I feel inclined to stop watching, but then somehow they miraculously make up for it with a string of fantastic episodes and this one is no exception.
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This is without a doubt one of if not THE most disturbing episodes of television ever aired and while some people feel it may have gone too far, I feel this episode had to be this violent. I did, however, feel incredibly sick after viewing this episode considering it was such an emotional gut punch. The two deaths in the episode happen to Abraham and Glenn (two characters whom I've enjoyed immensely over their tenure on the show). The Walking Dead is, primarily, a Horror show mixed with good character drama and action, but not since the death of Hershel in Season 4 have we ever gotten a death as shocking and destructive as the ones we have gotten tonight. The effects team did an outstanding job with the visual effects as you can feel Glenn and Abraham getting their skulls bashed in by Negan. They do not try to sugar coat the deaths and they are practically 1:1 the same level of violent as the comic book, a creative decision to maintain the artistic integrity of the scene that I admire immensely.
The performances from both Jeffery Dean Morgan and Andrew Lincoln as well as the rest of the cast were exceptional and you can really feel that Negan has broken their spirits. Hearing Maggie's cry of grief as Glenn is beaten to death is heart wrenching and seeing Rick come undone and break down in front of Negan as he's forced to cut off Carl's arm in front of his own group is hands down the best scene performance wise in the entire series as you can really feel the struggle and pain that Rick is feeling. Andrew Lincoln deserves to win an Emmy, no question.
This episode is tough to watch and is frankly uncomfortable, but it's exactly what I and others so desperately wanted - an episode that matched if not succeeded the quality of the comic it was based on, and character deaths that were moving and didn't insult our intelligence. Many people have stated that they're done watching the show after this episode, but I feel as though it's been given new life through a shocking death and great performances that only help to foreshadow the many exciting plot developments that will likely take place over the course of this season. This episode above else accentuates why The Walking Dead, at it's best, is one of the most unique, gripping, and unpredictable shows on television.