Walking Dead S07E11 Preview: ‘Hostiles and Calamities’
By Nir Regev
Tonight’s Walking Dead sees Negan’s internal reaction to Daryl’s disappearance at Sanctuary. There are rules. Will Dwight face Negan’s wrath?
The Major Significance of Winslow
A Resident Evil 4 inspired walker was the centerpiece of last week’s Walking Dead and it was a refreshing change of pace. It was essentially a boss, quite videogame-like in its presentation and it brought back actually tension from a non-human character for the first time in ages. Rick Grimes battle with Winslow the ‘spiky’ walker was a turning point, a majestic return to classical horror.
The walkers have become essentially predictable, permanently slow-paced and lacking individual unique behaviors. They’re only expected to win with a massive herd where they vastly outnumber their prey. One of the reasons Walking Dead fans tuned into Fear the Walking Dead initially was to relive the idea of zombie horror again. Meaning characters that weren’t invulnerable and couldn’t take out about 1000 walkers if need be.
Recently I watched Resident Evil Retribution, the 5th installment in the film series. I was amazed how immensely different the zombies were. They were fast, cunning, running with ease to get what they want. Not to mention the mutations. They brought the horror aspect to the walker. Rather than the slow-prodding academic definition archetype these walkers were built to surprise. That’s what made ‘Winslow’ the zombie special. Though he was still the prototype walker underneath the armor and spikes, his visual was newly minted on set.
– The infamous Iron Maiden from
Resident Evil 4
, inspiration for Winslow?
(forward to 1:13)
New walker mutations or new zombie types period might just be what The Walking Dead needs to bring the focus back on the literal Walking Dead (no pun intended) once in a while. The virus has taken a backseat to the human tribe aspect of the show. Last we heard anything about it was when Eugene claimed to know how to fix it.
While the tribe aspect is what separates The Walking Dead from past zombie cinema in many ways and made it grow to the #1 show on television, it never hurts to switch things up once in a while. The walkers now legit need spikes to make us think they have any chance at all in a 1 on 1 battle. Rick and gang can’t go back and unlearn how to fight them easily, so the only choice is making some walkers different the rest.
Daryl and Carols Reunion on The Walking Dead
The emotion was strong, a truly well-acted scene. Daryl did not tell Carol the truth so she could live out her life in peace. Ignorance is bliss as they say. Yet, we all know Carol will find out on her own. She’s resourceful like that. It’s not a question of if but when. She’ll likely be a part of the final crew of a surprise ambush on sanctuary. Though coming to the rescue Terminus style wouldn’t be out of the question either.
Walking Dead S07E11 Preview Trailer
Dwight will be held responsible for Daryl escaping Sanctuary. Right or wrong, he was put in charge of Daryl and he was able to leave on his watch. There are rules, and there are consequences to failing to uphold what Negan asks. It’s unlikely that Negan will take his rage out directly on Dwight since he considers him to be one of his best troops.
The answer lies externally, what can Negan inflict psychologically on what Dwight holds dear. Especially if in some way Negan has even a slight inkling that this escape has fingerprints from Dwight. Coincidentally it doesn’t but perception matters. Even the slightest idea that Dwight might not be 100% loyal to Negan might set him off in unpredictable ways.
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You can feel the tension already because Negan is the ratings draw of Season 7. He kind of hasn’t appeared enough lately. Rather we’re hinted he’s coming like a Paul Heyman promo on Brock Lesnar for WWE fans out there. Enough communities, We need a Negan centered episode.
In comparison, The Governor and Shane were seen more or less every episode of The Walking Dead during their reigns as lead antagonists. When Negan does get an opportunity to be the episode lead like in the premiere, Easy Street, Carl Sanctuary episode his legend evolves.
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