To save one of their own, Rick’s group must venture outside the walls. Their experience there will change their lives forever.

The Walking Dead‘ wraps up its sixth season after building to this point, the introduction of the full sadism that is Negan and his Saviors.

The episode is almost an entire hour and a half building to this moment, a psychological mind twist as Rick and his crew attempt to get Maggie to Hilltop so she can be treated. Instead Rick and his group are stopped at every point and forced to take different routes, clearly being herded to one location for a showdown unlike any other.

For those who have read the comics, this moment is a pivotal and iconic one and we all expect the worse. But, what’s amazing is even knowing what’s coming, how emotionally tense the episode made me, and the other individual I watched it with. Somehow the fact this was live action actually made it an even worse experience. It’s not a question of if someone was dying, it’s a question as to who was dying. The acting and connection to these actors who have given life to these characters has created a moment we don’t want to see, but knew we would.

On top of the death, the other anticipation is the introduction of Negan. How would AMC and the censors deal with a character who is known for his colorful language as much as he is known for his brutal means. Actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan in his debut as the character is a more subtle take on a character who I envisioned to be a more extroverted individual.

But, it’s not all bad. Morgan and Carol connect and help introduce us to the awesomeness that is the Kingdom! There’s something to look forward to this next season.

The episode was not just a mindfuck for Rick and his crew, but use the viewers. It does what The Walking Dead does best, get use to react and care for the characters we watch each week.

Overall rating: 8.05