MissScarlett

My thinking Exactly. If he wasn't crazy...

Can they at least get the useful survivalist teen on board in addition to the little boy?

WOAH did not see that one coming

Oh shit.... :(

WTF they are taking the kiddos away from the parents? Uhm okay... that's going to end well.

Ugh... I really hope that Strand isn't going to do what I think he is going to do. Chris is less annoying this episode. Kind of enjoyed him being useful.

Am I the only one who thinks they should stay on the island? Hmmmmm who is Strand talking to?

Mr Scarlett and I watched this last night. In typical Murphy fashion, this was a riveting first season. I feel like he really captured that moment in our history very well. It took me back to 8th grade history class. We were glued to the tv while Judge Ito read the verdict.

ITA on all accounts! Regarding Liza's death, I felt like the writers handled this so poorly. I can understand that she was doing what she felt she had to do and probably didn't want Chris involved because she knew she wouldn't be able to go through with it if she saw him one last time BUT.. 1) Why tell Maddie not to let Travis do it or it would break him and then have Travis do it anyway? 2) Instead of involving others, why not just take care of it herself? The more I think about this group the more I believe that Nick will end up being the leader. There is something about his character that is so redeemable and appealing to me. Also, I was happy that they didn't focus on the junkie / addict / drug withdrawal angle in this episode. It was mentioned but not the focus. I would hate to see Nick being written into a corner because they don't know what else to do with him. Really, the same can be said for all of these characters. Right now, they are bordering on being one-note. Someone upthread mentioned the bond between Strand and Nick being strange. I think it makes sense in an odd way. Strand sees some of himself in Nick, I think. He understands the struggle because maybe he had that same struggle and overcame it? He sees Nick as a survivor as he himself is also a survivor (of what, we don't yet know). I am hoping that Strand turns out to be a mad scientist. That would be awesome! As for the conversation between Maddie and Chris, man I must have zoned out because I thought Maddie said that her dad died when she was young. I didn't realize that she punched him. Shows how much I give a crap about Maddie and Chris. So that means, Maddie must have been a troubled-teen / addict too then, I bet. I agree with you! There are really only so many plots you can have out on the sea, since you are really secluded for the most part. Strand mentioned that he had a specific destination in mind, so I don't think they will be out there forever. Hopefully.

I want to know why aren't they taking sleep a little more seriously. Now is the time, because once they get back on land sleep will be hard to come by. Seriously, people, get your winks. While I definitely want more action, I also want to get to know these characters better. Daniel is a mystery and is also handling all of this so calmly. He is taking the same approach as Nick, it seems. Strand is really all about himself but then again, I think that is and has always been his mo. He is using these people until he can trade up. His character is really interesting so far. Chris is a mess but can't blame him. He did just lose his mom. I thought he seemed suicidal when he jumped in the water after watching the "family dinner" scene. It makes me wonder if he has always felt like an outsider in his dad's new family. Maddy is odd. One moment she wants to save a boat full of people and the next she is really cold and like walls go up or something. Other than the moment where he agreed with with Strand regarding the boat, Travis seems like his witts are not with him.

All I know is if Strand dies, we riot.

At this point, I am rooting for Strand, Travis and the old man. They seem to be the smartest of the bunch.

What the hell happened there? The zombie like deactivated

I hope Chris gets eaten by a floater

The more I think about this and the fact that Norman Reedus is getting a lot of other work apart from TWD, I the more I think the big death is going to be Daryl. Think about it. If The Saviors have been watching the Alexandria and CDB crew as closely as we think they have, then they know that Daryl is Rick's right-hand guy. If this is about the changing of power, then you will want to take out one of the strongest to send a message. Therefore, I believe the women are safe and Glenn and Carl are safe as well. Abe was pretty defiant and Negan took notice, so it could still be him. I just can't understand Negan taking out one of the weakest to send a message. Even if it is a beloved character / group member. I would "think" the play would be to take out one of the stronger members so that they weaken as a group. You are only as strong as your weakest link. Also, someone up-thread mentioned that there was speculation that they filmed it this way so that people wouldn't outright quit the show before Season 7. This way, they get sucked in a little and it maybe forces them to give Season 7 a chance. Now, my for my personal opinion -- I don't think I would want to watch this show without Daryl. If he were killed off, I think it would be a death too soon. However, he didn't have any big storylines for character growth this passed season and he has gone from being a deviant loner to someone who has forged real connections and has become a major part of the group. His death would be tragic and it would be a game changer for the group dynamics -- especially for the core group of badasses.

I agree with this! Not only that, but if it was a big death, then this cliffhanger rips that impactful moment away from the character and actor. As an audience member, I don't want to have to relive the Lucilling just to find out who it was. If I'm going to be pissed about who they chose to kill off, then I'd rather be pissed now and not be pissed off later or worse... be kinda "meh" about the whole thing when the show returns. The best thing about this episode besides the introduction of Negan, is that we saw some character building with Father Gabriel (only a moment), Abraham, Carol, Morgan, and Rick. There is so much to process still. Over all, the episode was boring for the most part with a few key moments.

Thank you for clarifying that! I misheard what he was saying the first time. Now that I know, I don't think it was Carl.

Yup! I think if Rick gave Negan the "F You!" stare down then Negan wouldn't have been quite so intimidating but seeing Rick basically on his knees shaking, all out of plays....man it really added more tension to the scene. I hate the cliffhanger but the writers really introduced Negan right, imo. For the first time I feel like they are going up against a boss.

JDM was amazing! This is how I expected the Governor to be! Okay, so I feel like Carl is the one who got Lucilled because of what Negan was saying while bashing

Me too!

The whistling...so creepy!

Oh shit!! First time I think I've ever seen Rick terrified! Ugh :(

I'm so nervous for the finale. I hope that my favorite characters will live to see another season. They have certainly built up Negan and there is a definite sense of foreboding.

Yes! I think over time Rick understood that Carol did what she had to for the good of the group. During the time that all went down with David and Karen, Hershel was a very heavy influence to Rick and it was all about building a community and starting anew. At that point, they hadn't even begun to experience the horrors of the dark side of humanity. This group has been through hell and back since then. It's normal for perspectives to change over time.

I agree with this 100%. In the episode, he basically says that he doesn't think that his philosophy is right or that Rick's is right either. He is just choosing the philosophy that causes him the least amount of psychological pain. So, the "all life is precious" philosophy is bringing him peace for now. Morgan is also a man who has lost everything and went from one extreme to the other. He went from "kill everyone" to "all life is precious". I believe that there has to be a balance in there somewhere. Eventually, Morgan will have something worth fighting for again. For now, he has himself only and because of that I believe it is easier for him to go with the "all life is precious" philosophy. He has already lost everything that ever meant anything to him. Also, Morgan has made this entire apocalypse journey by himself for the most part (until now). He was never part of a group. He was always somewhat of a lone wolf. Rick on the other hand has always been part of a group and has seen first-hand that mistakes cost lives. I'm not saying that Rick is 100% right in his philosophy either, but I can say that his mission has always been to protect his people. So, I think both are acting in the principle of "for the greater good", even though Morgan's philosophy is a little more global than Rick's at the moment.