Power Pair in The Walking Dead episode ‘Time for After’
The latest installment of The Walking Dead includes several powerful exchanges among characters on-screen. But which pairing was the most powerful this week?
What is a power pair?
The power pair for an episode might be two people who have an intense conversation that moves the story in a new direction. It could be a budding romance or a monumental fight between two characters. A power pair could be the result of two characters working together for a successful outcome.
It all depends on the episode content and which pairing we find to be the most impactful on-screen that week. The penultimate episode of the first half of The Walking Dead season 8 brings us several pairings worth considering.
Possibilities
We have the interaction of Jadis and Rick, from awkward photos to a total smackdown. There is Father Gabriel pleading to Eugene to do the right thing. Dwight and Eugene have multiple confrontations as well. And let us not forget Negan bringing Eugene to the boardroom to inflate his ego.
While Eugene continues to defy the possibility of playing the hero, he does appear to struggle on multiple occasions with his decision. Josh McDermitt’s portrayal of Eugene in episode 7 is phenomenal both with and without a scene partner.
Eugene and . . .
So in the end, I choose a less conventional pair this week. I propose that the power pair in ‘Time for After’ is that of Eugene and his conscience. I suggest that his scenes all by himself are the most powerful.
Eugene is visibly shaken on the stairs as the walkers barrel into the Sanctuary. He is obviously pained as he drinks from the wine bottle. Eugene is moved, whether it be by sadness, fear, or both when he approaches the coffin. He is clearly driven, a man on a mission, as he builds the glider. And as Dwight holds a gun to the back of his head, we can see the consternation on his face as he decides to activate the glider anyway.
Next: Prediciton: Will All Out War end before the break?
Power Pair for S8E7: Eugene Porter and his conscience
Tune in December 10th for what is being touted as a very powerful mid-season finale of The Walking Dead. I wonder what decisions our apocalyptic survivors will make next week!