Our panel debates if episode 914 was the darkest The Walking Dead episode

Season 9 episode 14 of The Walking Dead titled “Scars” was one of the darkest episodes the show has done. Our panel debates if it’s the darkest episode ever.

Despite knowing ahead of time that The Walking Dead “Scars” was going to be an emotionally tense and dark episode it was still difficult to watch. But The Walking Dead is really at its best when it delivers this kind of dark episode where the bleakness and horror of that world play against the deep emotions and humanity of the survivors.

That struggle makes for riveting TV when the cast and crew are as talented as the cast and crew of The Walking Dead are. They make those tough episodes look effortless and make it easy to be consumed by the story. Stunning performance by Danai Gurira and Cailey Fleming brought all of the feels in this episode. The callbacks to Rick and Carl were a painful reminder of what Michonne has already lost. The exchanges between Daryl and Michonne underscored the deep friendship they have. Judith and Michonne’s tearful talk near the end of the episode, and pregnant Michonne protecting her unborn baby and battling to save her daughter kept the tears flowing.

But was “Scars” the darkest episode of The Walking Dead? It was one of them, probably in the top five of the darkest episodes of the show, but would our panelists say it was the darkest? Here’s what they had to say about where “Scars” falls on the list of The Walking Dead’s darkest episodes:

Darker Than The Grove?

This episode was extremely dark. Where does it rank for you amongst other dark episodes of The Walking Dead?

Sonya says:

"That’s such a difficult question. How do you quantify darkness on a show like The Walking Dead? I saw this episode compared to “The Grove” often on social media and I think The Grove was actually darker because the decision to kill Lizzie was a horrifying decision to make. Michonne was being attacked by the kids in this episode so the decision to kill them was easier. However, for me nothing will ever hurt more than 701, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be”. That one will always be the darkest for me."

Sara says:

"This episode was pretty dark and heavy. It was Michonne’s best episode yet that’s for sure. We really got inside Michonne’s head as to what happened that dark day and it was amazing. I’m glad this episode wasn’t as graphic as some others have been in the past. I think the feeling & message was still greatly conveyed through the flashbacks, and what Michonne was thinking in the present. This episode reminded me a lot of “The Grove”. Both were stunning pieces of work."

Jeffrey says:

"I wouldn’t say it was the darkest episode ever, but it is certainly high up there. To me, the darkest episode may always be “The Grove”. That being said, this episode placed Michonne in an impossibly difficult situation where she was forced to commit unspeakable acts to save her children. Aside from Michonne having to kill the children, seeing a pregnant woman going through such horrific torture also makes it difficult to watch. We know RJ survives, but the fact that Jocelyn and the children were willing to do what they did reiterates one of major themes of the series in that some people are just too far gone."

Sarabeth says:

"I think “Scars” is one of the heavier episodes but I don’t necessarily see it as dark. The story with Jocelyn and the kids explains why things are the way they are, but the fact that Michonne was able to rise up and get through it all is more of a powerful moment for her than anything else. I can’t think of another episode that has the kind of impact that “Scars” does."

What do you think TWDFamily? Did you think that “Scars” was the darkest episode of The Walking Dead yet? Tweet us: @SonyaIryna, @WrittenBySara, @TWalkingDWorld, @SarabethPollock, and @UndeadWalkingFS to join the debate