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‘The Walking Dead’ – Season 7, Part 1 – Sundays on AMC

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Amikami

Banned
Is there a time when
he kills or tortures someone that's not in a response to something someone said or did in the comic? Because I don't remember that ever happening.

I'm not sure why you spoilered my entire post for 1. Second, I don't read the comics. Third, saying no to him is reasonable reason to kill? Maybe in Negan's world, but it almost always garantees at least one death. I mean, say Rick waited for Negan to come to his doorstep and demand Alexandria produce for them. I think it's more likely for someone to respond with a no at least once. He killed a kid for defending hilltop, if I remember, which is what certainly what would have happened. Let's not forget he kidnapped one of hilltops men and wouldn't offer to give him back unless they killed the leader. I can't speak for what happens in the comic which may not necessarily be a 1:1 adaptation anyways. I am only speaking from what evidence Rick's group has gotten. Whether the group's decision was morally right, or the 100% best way to approach Negan, suggesting Negan was not going to kill one of them just doesn't make sense. Again, even one of Sasha, Abe, and Daryle was gunna bite the bullet for absolutely no reason when approached by the motorcycle guys. I just don't think your argument holds.

In a real situation, there would be no sure fire way to know, but there seems to be more evidence that Negan would kill one of them, regardless of a pre-emptive strike against his men, or if Negan simply knocked on the gate of Alexandria with no prior interaction. How they reacted to that is just a moral argument at this point, in a world where morality is different from ours and subjective anyways. I'm sure Negan thinks pretty highly of himself too after all. This violence is how he looks out for his own.


That's what makes this interesting. We all know Rick has been cold in this world. He's had to be. Negan probably has to. This is what the world has done to each other. We aren't suppose to say Rick is morally upright, just a bit better than the rest plus it's the character we follow and so naturally we root for them to win a war that has nothing really to do with morality but survival.
 

Grizzlyjin

Supersonic, idiotic, disconnecting, not respecting, who would really ever wanna go and top that
Way I see it, somebody was going to get their skull knocked in one way or another. Didn't matter if they came to Negan or if Negan came to them. The mere existence of people like Rick and Abraham meant that Negan was going to make a show to establish dominance. With how this group ran into him, it comes off as a punishment. But I think he would have justified doing it to squash any thoughts they had about fighting back, even if they didn't kill any of his men.
 

Alpende

Member
I just watched it and I'm glad that they're portraying Negan like he is in the comics. His ruthlessness is great to watch, great casting as well. At first I was kinda disappointed they offed Abe but then he also went ham on Glenn which was cool (iirc that shot after he got hit twice was straight out of the comics, very brutal). He should've been dead twice already so this felt like some sort of weird justification for the shitty writing in the last season. Rick's reactions to the expectation of him chopping off Carl's hand were amazing too, it felt genuine. Great acting from Andrew Lincoln.

But as with every season of TWD: it starts of great and then it gradually gets worse. I'll wait and see. Hopefully we'll see more of
the kingdom
next week. I wanna see how they handle
the tiger
.
 

someday

Banned
I'm seeing so many people upset over the lack of "fucks" but honestly, I didn't care. There's something more intimidating about a guy that can bring Rick to his knees covered in snot without saying a single curse word. Yeah, it was fine in the comics but I would have gotten pretty sick of Negan if he spoke like that on the show. And I love the word "fuck" and use it often. I do think Abe should have said "kiss my ass" or something and Rick in the train car should have said, "they're fucking with the wrong people" but I'd prefer Negan to never curse or sprinkle the fucks instead of translating the comic dude onto screen.

I also understand why some people have an issue with the violence. I absolutely did not myself, but it's different when it's brutal human on human killing. And the fact that Negan did it so easily and happily is probably upsetting to them too. My only problem with any of it is that Daryl is still alive. I am so over his ass.

Most touching part of the episode, better than Abe's peace sign, is when Rick wants to help take Glenn's body. Maggie says, "he's my family" and Rick is just so broken when he says, "he's...he's our family too."

Last, I fucking hated the finale cliffhanger and I'm still salty. But, that said, I can understand it now sort of. I'm glad we had an entire episode like the premier, with Negan breaking down the group and especially breaking Rick. I saw someone say that the premier helped break the audience too and that makes sense. We all needed to fear Negan and realize that Rick, Carol, Michonne, and our group wasn't going to just steamroll this new villain like so many others before.

I'm looking forward to this new dynamic but I'm still realistic that in a few episodes we'll be back to the frustration and struggle. This show does amazing premiers but I'm afraid of what the middle episodes will bring.
 

Surfinn

Member
I'm not sure why you spoilered my entire post for 1. Second, I don't read the comics. Third, saying no to him is reasonable reason to kill? Maybe in Negan's world, but it almost always garantees at least one death. I mean, say Rick waited for Negan to come to his doorstep and demand Alexandria produce for them. I think it's more likely for someone to respond with a no at least once. He killed a kid for defending hilltop, if I remember, which is what certainly what would have happened. Let's not forget he kidnapped one of hilltops men and wouldn't offer to give him back unless they killed the leader. I can't speak for what happens in the comic which may not necessarily be a 1:1 adaptation anyways. I am only speaking from what evidence Rick's group has gotten. Whether the group's decision was morally right, or the 100% best way to approach Negan, suggesting Negan was not going to kill one of them just doesn't make sense. Again, even one of Sasha, Abe, and Daryle was gunna bite the bullet for absolutely no reason when approached by the motorcycle guys. I just don't think your argument holds.

In a real situation, there would be no sure fire way to know, but there seems to be more evidence that Negan would kill one of them, regardless of a pre-emptive strike against his men, or if Negan simply knocked on the gate of Alexandria with no prior interaction. How they reacted to that is just a moral argument at this point, in a world where morality is different from ours and subjective anyways. I'm sure Negan thinks pretty highly of himself too after all. This violence is how he looks out for his own.


That's what makes this interesting. We all know Rick has been cold in this world. He's had to be. Negan probably has to. This is what the world has done to each other. We aren't suppose to say Rick is morally upright, just a bit better than the rest plus it's the character we follow and so naturally we root for them to win a war that has nothing really to do with morality but survival.

Sorry, I thought you were referencing stuff from the comics (it's been a while since I read them) and didn't wanna not spoiler tag that discussion.

I agree that Negan would have done "something" to exert his dominance, but I don't necessarily think it would have been life threatening or even that punishing since the group technically hasn't had a chance to bend to his will yet. I was thinking more along the lines of agree to do what Negan says and survey him/his group when they show up, then plan a military attack when the time is right instead of venturing off into the woods and assuming you know enough to attack an enemy you virtually know nothing about. I know it's easier said than done but I think Morgan was basically suggesting to find another route to take (ie form a plan and meet them first). Even if that means having to initially submit to Negan's will and give him a lot of your shit. They could have tried to hide their weapons and/or other supplies they wanted to keep from him and devise a plan of attack. Instead of jumping into the offensive blindly, like Rick wanted to do.

Again, I'm not saying Rick and Negan would have shook hands and there may have been some sort of initial sacrifice Rick would have had to hand over (such as some of their goods/supplies), but it could have been an investment into devising a more appropriate line of attack.
 
Sorry, I thought you were referencing stuff from the comics (it's been a while since I read them) and didn't wanna not spoiler tag that discussion.

I agree that Negan would have done "something" to exert his dominance, but I don't necessarily think it would have been life threatening or even that punishing since the group technically hasn't had a chance to bend to his will yet.
Honestly I think the whole "this is punishment for what you did" was just BS. He would have done this even if the first time they met was trying to negotiate peacefully
 

Surfinn

Member
Honestly I think the whole "this is punishment for what you did" was just BS. He would have done this even if the first time they met was trying to negotiate peacefully

If I remember correctly, I don't think this fits in with (light comic talk)
his "system" from the comics, which is why I was objecting it from the beginning. I could be wrong but I believe he always has a specific reason for killing and torturing. Assuming they're keeping the core of Negan intact, I don't think he would have done this for nothing. The only difference between what Rick's group could have done and what probably everyone else before them had done is they could have tried to appear in submission and devise a plan instead of immediately defying him.
 

Starfield

Member
Guys, ****** isn't dead.

http://puu.sh/rVo2C/e1f9387491.jpg[IMG][/SPOILER]

[SPOILER]you can clearly say his head is completely intact and without blood or anything.[/SPOILER]


keep believing the lies
 
Honestly I think the whole "this is punishment for what you did" was just BS. He would have done this even if the first time they met was trying to negotiate peacefully

Didn't they mention in season 6 how Negan does this to every group, regardless of the circumstances? It's to show people that he's in control.

Or maybe I'm just making stuff up.
 

Amikami

Banned
Sorry, I thought you were referencing stuff from the comics (it's been a while since I read them) and didn't wanna not spoiler tag that discussion.

I agree that Negan would have done "something" to exert his dominance, but I don't necessarily think it would have been life threatening or even that punishing since the group technically hasn't had a chance to bend to his will yet. I was thinking more along the lines of agree to do what Negan says and survey him/his group when they show up, then plan a military attack when the time is right instead of venturing off into the woods and assuming you know enough to attack an enemy you virtually know nothing about. I know it's easier said than done but I think Morgan was basically suggesting to find another route to take (ie form a plan and meet them first). Even if that means having to initially submit to Negan's will and give him a lot of your shit. They could have tried to hide their weapons and/or other supplies they wanted to keep from him and devise a plan of attack. Instead of jumping into the offensive blindly, like Rick wanted to do.

Again, I'm not saying Rick and Negan would have shook hands and there may have been some sort of initial sacrifice Rick would have had to hand over (such as some of their goods/supplies), but it could have been an investment into devising a more appropriate line of attack.

Oh, yeah no big deal about the spoilering thing.

Your plan could have worked but it doesn't seem like it would have been a realistic thought that would have crossed most people's mind. Again, based on the story of the 16 year old at hill top who got his head bashed in, they already conceived a notion that Negan was life-threatening to at least one of their own.

Realistically, your idea just isn't how people think. Historically, even small nations become defensive against larger nations trying to usurp them. It's against human nature to not do anything to ward off the threat to your life. It just isn't

I'm not saying Rick's plan was perfect. I don't know if there was a perfect plan. His plan, given their situation, given their past, given their lack of food, was reasonable for their world. There are other reasonable ideas. Maybe some that might have worked better, but the idea they ultimately went with was reasonable given the nature of the new world.

Honestly I think the whole "this is punishment for what you did" was just BS. He would have done this even if the first time they met was trying to negotiate peacefully

Yeah this. That much is clear based on the games he played in the premiere. I don't think he cared so much about his men, but rather the direct opposition to his authority Rick posed.
 
If I remember correctly, I don't think this fits in with (light comic talk)
his "system" from the comics, which is why I was objecting it from the beginning. I could be wrong but I believe he always has a specific reason for killing and torturing. Assuming they're keeping the core of Negan intact, I don't think he would have done this for nothing. The only difference between what Rick's group could have done and what probably everyone else before them had done is they could have tried to appear in submission and devise a plan instead of immediately defying him.
But
it would have purpose, and that's to make sure the community trading with him don't try to resist or go on the offensive. Fearing Negan seems like something that matters to him
 
maybe im wrong but didn't negan kill some other group member the same way and they didn't kill a buncha people like rick did. Seems like how he introduces himself.

I feel like he does it when he needs to establish dominance and even if rick didn't do anything, rick would NEVER work with Negan and Negan would do it anyway. So you're right.
 

Surfinn

Member
But
it would have purpose, and that's to make sure the community trading with him don't try to resist or go on the offensive. Fearing Negan seems like something that matters to him

Right but
Negan doesn't necessarily even need to kill to get his point across. Can you show me a time where Negan (in the comic) tortures or murders someone without being provoked in some way? Because I don't remember an instance.

maybe im wrong but didn't negan kill some other group member the same way and they didn't kill a buncha people like rick did. Seems like how he introduces himself.

Is there evidence that these kills were done as an introduction and not in response to a particular behavior? I would assume most people wouldn't just say "yes" to someone who tells them they're going to take half of their shit every visit.
 

Javaman

Member
He just cries out Maggie. Him stringing a sentence in the show was the ONLY part I didn't like. His skull was caved in, he isn't waxing poetic.

I liked the interpretation that it was his brain short circuiting and spouting a previous strong experience that was well encoded in there. That's far more disturbing than in the talking dead show where they said it was about meeting her in the afterlife which I thought was corny as hell.
 

Surfinn

Member
I liked the interpretation that it was his brain short circuiting and spouting a previous strong experience that was well encoded in there. In the talking dead show they said it was more about meeting her in the afterlife which I thought was corny as hell.

Yeah I took this as him returning to being lost from Maggie after his dumpster dive and doing everything in his power to find her again. Which makes that moment tremendously heartbreaking.
 
Right but
Negan doesn't necessarily even need to kill to get his point across. Can you show me a time where Negan (in the comic) tortures or murders someone without being provoked in some way? Because I don't remember an instance.

Is there evidence that these kills were done as an introduction and not in response to a particular behavior? I would assume most people wouldn't just say "yes" to someone who tells them they're going to take half of their shit every visit.
well like I mentioned in my edit. When negan found alexandra, knowing his personality, what do you think will happen? Rick would NEVER agree to give him anything. Negan will obviously attack first. It was inevitable when it came to rick's group.

I like the shades of grey. Yes Rick's group isn't innocent but at the same time there wasn't anything they can do to avoid this war. The two leaders are just incompatible.
 
So, I decided to casually watch this because of the shit around it. Seemed like an exercise in seeing how awesome JDM is versus the actual episode, which was just all misery. Didn't strike me as being all that different from where I quit on S3 though. Like, same shit, different year.

Jeffery Dean Morgan is amazing. Feels bad enjoying his performance because he's a crazy asshole, but my god the dude is having so much fun playing the ultimate heel.

This is true though.
 

EulaCapra

Member
I think Maggie and Sasha have developed quite some heart-to-heart moments since season 4.5 where everyone was separated and heading towards Terminus, then again when they lost Beth and Tyreese back-to-back, and again when Sasha almost killed Gabriel but instead joined him and Maggie in a prayer circle. Now with the premiere outta the way, they can bond yet again about loss.

I don't know why, but my gut is telling me Maggie and Sasha will turn LGBT-shipping Tumblr fans into a tizzy. I'm fully prepared to expect them to go all Thelma and Louise... with benefits.
 
I think Maggie and Sasha have developed quite some heart-to-heart moments since season 4.5 where everyone was separated and heading towards Terminus, then again when they lost Beth and Tyreese back-to-back, and again when Sasha almost killed Gabriel but instead joined him and Maggie in a prayer circle. Now with the premiere outta the way, they can bond yet again about loss.

I don't know why, but my gut is telling me Maggie and Sasha will turn LGBT-shipping Tumblr fans into a tizzy. I'm fully prepared to expect them to go all Thelma and Louise... with benefits.
I'm holding out for the maggie/rick ship even though I love richonne.
 

Amikami

Banned
I'm holding out for the maggie/rick ship even though I love richonne.

Ewww, no no no. Maggie is like a daughter to Rick. Or at least that's how I see it. I don't think I could ever see her and Rick together. He was very fatherly towards her when they were trying to get her to hilltop. I'm also happy with Richonne.
 

Chumley

Banned
I'm holding out for the maggie/rick ship even though I love richonne.

66938800.jpg
 
well like I mentioned in my edit. When negan found alexandra, knowing his personality, what do you think will happen? Rick would NEVER agree to give him anything. Negan will obviously attack first. It was inevitable when it came to rick's group.

I like the shades of grey. Yes Rick's group isn't innocent but at the same time there wasn't anything they can do to avoid this war. The two leaders are just incompatible.

Well then that's the price you have to pay. You can't walk around in life or in TWD with this "I'm alpha I have a bigger dick than everyone" mentality and then when you meet someone crazier than you the rules change. It doesn't work like that.
 

C4Lukins

Junior Member
So just saw the episode. Was out camping and just got back, luckily with no spoilers.

Abe going down was fine with me. His character has become just more despicable as the series has gone on.

Glenn was harsh though, and then the way they built it up that more could die.

I still hate the way the show did this.

They should have showed Abe being killed in the finale of last season, and then Daryl wigging out, and leaving the second death for this premier of this season.

That way you get a satisfying conclusion to last season, and still your cliffhanger.
 

krang

Member
So just saw the episode. Was out camping and just got back, luckily with no spoilers.

Abe going down was fine with me. His character has become just more despicable as the series has gone on.

Glenn was harsh though, and then the way they built it up that more could die.

I still hate the way the show did this.

They should have showed Abe being killed in the finale of last season, and then Daryl wigging out, and leaving the second death for this premier of this season.

That way you get a satisfying conclusion to last season, and still your cliffhanger.

Glenn went from a cool happy-go-lucky kid who could find you anything, to just a miserable, adequately-capable survivor. He wasn't anything special at the end, and I never really bought into him and Maggie being some great love story of the ages.

Abraham, on the other hand, was great. Yeah, he was a bit of a cliche badass, but he was still plenty light-hearted (hilarious, sometimes), and also surprisingly full of wisdom - especially when it came to his relationship with Eugene. There was a rumour prior to this season that Daryl gets Lucille, and Abraham took over as Rick's right-hand man. I would totally have been down for that.

I do agree completely with how they should have done one death last season, if they wanted that cliffhanger still.
 

C4Lukins

Junior Member
Glenn went from a cool happy-go-lucky kid who could find you anything, to just a miserable, adequately-capable survivor. He wasn't anything special at the end, and I never really bought into him and Maggie being some great love story of the ages.

Abraham, on the other hand, was great. Yeah, he was a bit of a cliche badass, but he was still plenty light-hearted (hilarious, sometimes), and also surprisingly full of wisdom - especially when it came to his relationship with Eugene. There was a rumour prior to this season that Daryl gets Lucille, and Abraham took over as Rick's right-hand man. I would totally have been down for that.

I do agree completely with how they should have done one death last season, if they wanted that cliffhanger still.

Glenn has become a weak character, but I put that down to writing and not the actual character.

I can see how people could like Abraham, but I found him to be the most irritating and illogical foil to the main group. He was the only character I actually was hoping would get his head bashed in.
 
I was somewhat disappointed that Daryl did not die, but I kind of like the setup they gave for his death down the road. With Daryl being partially responsible for Glenn's death, I can see him being given a major arc related to that where he ends up making a heroic sacrifice that provides crucial inroads for Rick and co. to fuck up Negan (I can't see him being the one to take Negan out, gotta give Rick something cool to do). I don't mind him staying around longer if they do something interesting related to his guilt, but the arc needs to be capped with him making it up to Glenn in a meaningful way.

On another level, Daryl fucked up really bad, and as such, I could see the idea of Daryl's death being softened to a lot of fans. While I can definitely see people upset to see Daryl go, but by establishing him as someone who is causing trouble for others, it makes him a valid target for death. It is a more successful death situation than Andrea, whose death was celebrated, not mourned, because she was an annoying nuisance.
 

valkyre

Member
In my opinion they try way too hard to "shock" and it ends up with the complete opposite reaction (at least for me).

While watching this episode I suddenly found myself entering a B movie/splatter mood and I just started imagining scenes that made me chuckle like for example:
Maggie hugging Glen's meat pulp at the end
 

Cappa

Banned
In my opinion they try way too hard to "shock" and it ends up with the complete opposite reaction (at least for me).

While watching this episode I suddenly found myself entering a B movie/splatter mood and I just started imagining scenes that made me chuckle like for example:
Maggie hugging Glen's meat pulp at the end

Dont worry I felt the same way.... I didnt enjoy the premiere at all and unfortunately I know I am in the minority. While I had no idea that was going to happen and impressed they actually went for it like that without any real warning that was really the only highlight. The rest of the show was dull and boring in my opinion...
 

MomoMura

Member
In my opinion they try way too hard to "shock" and it ends up with the complete opposite reaction (at least for me).
Maggie hugging Glen's meat pulp at the end

I don't think so. If anything they're way more softer and censored than the comic.
 
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