“Faith” and “Family” are two sides of a undead coin
BY: JACOB POLITTE
Managing Editor
The Walking Dead: “Faith”
Season 11, Episode 22
Airdate: 11/6/2022
After a couple of so-so episodes, “The Walking Dead” returns to full strength in “Faith.” This hour was firing on all cylinders (as much as it can these days), and was the perfect mix of action, exposition and resolution. For the first time in quite a few episodes, it feels like the show is approaching something close to a final endgame.
It’s not the plot that’s getting us there, but instead it’s more of the callbacks and references to days gone by. Case in point: Negan’s arc throughout the episode was pitch perfect. In perhaps the most selfless act he’s ever been a part of throughout this entire show, he willingly attempts to sacrifice himself for the group. And in the ultimate parallel, it’s him who winds up on his knees on the verge of being murdered, just like he once did to the group way back in “Last Day On Earth” and “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be.”
This time though, the group joins him willingly. That’s only after the pregnant Annie is dragged next to him, though. Still, the sight of the group (led by Ezekiel) defending Negan was extraordinary, and helps the former Savior leader’s arc feel like it’s coming full circle.
Elsewhere in the community, Maggie and Carol are sneaking around looking for the children, while Daryl and Connie are trekking around in the sewers trying to gain entry. Rosita and Gabriel are outside for the most part on look-out duty. Everyone comes together at the end, and while Hershel is found, the rest of the kids are still missing (everyone but CoCo is found off-screen as shown in the next episode).
And in the Commonwealth, Eugene is put on trial. It’s obviously a sham trial, and he predictably loses, but Yukimo’s defense and Eugene’s impassioned statement get through to many of the Commonwealth residents and perhaps most importantly, they get through to Mercer, who helps Eugene escape his fate in the episodes closing moments.
With some troops by Mercer’s side, it is indeed time, as he says directly into the camera, to “f**k s**t up.”
The Walking Dead: “Family”
Season 11, Episode 23
Airdate: 11/13/2022
The penultimate episode of “The Walking Dead” feels bloated and somewhat lackluster. That’s strange. Pretty much the entire cast is together, and there’s a ton of action and meaningful story progression.
But if we’re approaching the end, it really doesn’t feel like we’re going to have enough time to wrap things up. And that’s with a 90-minute conclusion coming this Sunday night.
Our group attempts to infiltrate the Commonwealth once more, and they’re anticipating having Mercer’s help. That plan gets foiled however, when Mercer himself is taken into custody, having been found out. Mercer’s arrest directly leads to a horde of walkers, some of them of the variant kind, breaching the walls of the Commonwealth.
Concurrently, the group begins their final stand against Pamela, and while their plan is unclear, a massive shoot-out ensues inside the Union Station building. Pamela herself takes possession of a gun, and accidentally shoots Judith Grimes after aiming for Maggie. From that point on, the group, while trying to get help for the ailing child, gets trapped in a barricaded city block, as walkers of all kinds begin swarming in.
It’s not just our group that’s trapped, it’s every citizen in the Commonwealth that’s not rich and powerful. Pamela orders her remaining troops to exclusively protect the estates, therefore jeopardizing and condemning most of her city to death. Hopefully, this decision turns whoever is on her side against her.
It’s a great cliffhanger, but the episode as a whole feels very rushed.
SCATTERED OBSERVATIONS AND NEWS UPDATES:
– It’s hard to believe that we’re almost at the end. Of course, it’s not the true end of this franchise, but it is definitely an end to an important chapter in television history. Few shows have reached the heights that this one has.
– I know two big things that will happen tonight, including one part of the show’s ending scenes. I’m not going to comment on either of those things here, but I will say that I hope there are more noteworthy things that happen than just those two things.
– There is another big thing I am aware of that is happening, and I will say that many fans should be pleased to see it.
– Eugene’s arc was well earned.
– Judith getting shot should have been the most predictable thing, but I actually gasped when I saw it. I didn’t think this show would go there, and I’m kind of glad they did.
– Lalia Robbins is doing a fantastic job as Pamela, but I hope she dies tonight. Not enough people on this show die anymore. The series finale airs in just a few hours. A review of that will be up in the coming days.
