Loyalty and survival in The Walking Dead: Eugene’s dilemma in 'Time for After'

The Walking Dead episode "Time for After" is the seventh episode of the show's eighth season, which originally aired on December 3, 2017. Directed by Larry Teng and written by Matthew Negrete, it focuses on the character Eugene Porter (played by Josh McDermitt) and his internal struggle as he navigates his loyalty between the Saviors, led by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and the original group led by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). Oh, and there are also "walkers" scattered throughout.

The episode primarily revolves around Eugene, who has become a key figure at the Sanctuary after pledging his allegiance to Negan. He has been working on various technical projects for the Saviors, including attempting to figure out a way to deal with the zombie horde that has surrounded the Sanctuary, a consequence of Rick's group's efforts to weaken the Saviors' stronghold. As Eugene wrestles with his morality, he interacts with several other key characters, including Dwight (Austin Amelio), who is secretly working against Negan.

Eugene is aware of Dwight’s betrayal but chooses not to expose him, even though he is conflicted between his fear of Negan and his sense of what’s right. Meanwhile, Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Rosita (Christian Serratos), and others from Rick's group are working on their plan to further weaken the Sanctuary by driving a truck into the compound to allow walkers to flood inside. Despite Tara (Alanna Masterson) and Morgan (Lennie James) backing the idea, Rosita pulls out, fearing the potential loss of life.

Daryl and Tara proceed with the plan, which leads to unexpected complications. Still, much of the episode focuses on Eugene’s internal conflict between survival and loyalty. He has aligned himself with Negan for self-preservation but struggles with the guilt of betraying his former friends.

Dwight's duplicity in The Walking Dead and other details

Though Eugene is the main focus, plenty of other characters are highlighted. Eugene’s recognition of Dwight’s sabotage adds tension, as both men operate under a veil of secrecy and self-interest. This episode also highlights the personal cost of the war between Rick’s group and the Saviors, with each character having to make increasingly difficult choices about survival and loyalty.

Remember: The first time we saw The Saviors, they had tried to rob part of Rick's group, until Daryl stopped them with a rocket-propelled grenade. Though specific events have unfolded, very little has changed in terms of The Saviors gaining any moral high ground. In fact, Eugene's dilemma only emphasizes the fact that he's being put into a crisis due to The Savior's leadership structure.

Final thoughts

"Time for After" received mixed reviews, as with so many other episode of The Walking Dead. Some critics appreciated the focus on Eugene’s character development, while others felt the pacing was slow, especially since it was so close to the mid-season finale. However, McDermitt's performance as Eugene was often singled out for praise, as his character's evolution from a cowardly figure to one in a morally gray area was well-executed.

This episode serves as a setup for the events of the midseason finale, with tensions escalating on all fronts, particularly around the Sanctuary siege and the strained alliances within both Rick’s group and the Saviors. It also does have some action, but that is not the point. In many ways, this episode is a glimpse into the unique scenarios one could face in the Walking Dead universe.

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