This season of TWD has had its highs and its lows. Which in essence is reflective of how the sixth season has gone thus far. The biggest high however may have come during the post credits but more on that later. The best way one can describe not only the mid-season finale comes from the character of Deanna herself when said… “Well… s–t.” Warning, spoilers ahead…
So much of TWD is a metaphor for not only the episode itself but also even life in general. This is why in large part we’re so connected with it. What would we do? Fans of TWD become Monday morning quarterbacks discussing with each other what could’ve been done. What should’ve been done etc. As far as mid-season finales go, this one titled, “Start to Finish”, was less than what you would hope for. And what’s sad is that it could have been saved with a better placement of two minutes.
A swarm of walkers pour their way into Alexandria after a sidewall was breached by a collapsed tower, Rick and the others have to take refuge within the homes that make up the community. This event had been foreseen for several episodes now so when it happened, it didn’t come as much of a surprise. What was surprising was how little action took place. I was expecting a bigger bloodbath. The biggest causality would be Deanna who gallantly fought off walkers and helped save Rick. Her story would come to end though.
While this was happening, the cat-and-mouse game between Morgan and Carol finally came to a head. Carol learned that Morgan was keeping a member of the wolves away from the others and nursing him back to health. Carol confronts Morgan stating her intentions to kill Morgan’s captive as a means to stop more killing. Unfortunately for us, the moral and physical fight came to erupt end as the wolf escaped with a captive of his own. Whether or not he survives what is lurking in the streets of Alexandria remains to be seen.
The final scene has Rick, Carl, baby Judith, Jessie and her sons and Michonne draped in walker guts making their way out of Jessie’s home and freedom from a wave of walkers that stand in their way. As for Eugene, Rosita and Tara, they’re stuck trying to wait out the walkers that surround the home their hiding in and poor Maggie finds herself on top of a tower and no means of escape. And did I mention Glenn? Yes it’s been established that Glenn is still alive (for now) just beyond the wall but completely helpless in saving Maggie from her predicament. The reunion we had longed to see will have to wait a bit longer.
In the end, this mid-season finale did nothing more than set up the pieces for its February 2016 return. How it should have ended was with the post credit scene inserted right after Rick and the others made their way through a maze of walkers. Remember those two minutes I mentioned earlier? That would have been a powerful ending that showcased a much bigger threat that awaits Rick and the others. And that threat will come in the form of Negan.
The Walking Dead returns February 14, 2016. Happy Valentine’s Day!
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
